Google Tests New APK Malware Scanning Feature in Chrome for Android

Google is currently testing a new security feature in Chrome Canary for Android that can scan APK downloads for potential malware, as reported by MSPowerUser. This comes after recent updates to the Play Store that reduced warnings for downloading APK files.
The feature is currently hidden behind a flag in Chrome Canary and is described as “Check the APK downloads on Android for malware. The Malicious APK downloads check,” according to the report. When enabled, it will scan APK files downloaded on Android devices and warn users if suspicious content is detected before installation.
It also includes a new setting to control these checks, with an option to either only collect data or show warnings, the report said.
In telemetry-only mode, only users with Enhanced Protection will have their APK downloads checked without receiving warnings, letting Google collect data on malicious downloads. When fully implemented, all users with Safe Browsing enabled are expected to have their APK downloads checked and receive warnings if potential malware is detected.
The APK scanning feature is currently being tested, and a release date has not yet been set. Users who want to try this feature can enable it in Chrome Canary. Keep in mind that Canary builds are experimental and might be less stable than regular Chrome versions.
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