Most of us have had the experience of realizing something we believed was just a myth. These misconceptions are particularly dangerous because they can erroneously shape our thoughts on something to a negative perspective.

Android is, unfortunately, the victim of many such myths and misconceptions that have persisted for years. Let's break down the most common Android myths and see what's simply not true.

Myth 1: Android Is a Wild West of Malware

One of the most common lies that detractors shout about Android is that it has malware waiting at every corner. These people often claim that iPhones are impenetrable, while Android picks up viruses and other malware easily.

While it's true that Android has more potential for picking up an infection (though iPhone malware does exist), the average user of either platform won't ever see malware, with a bit of common sense.

Google takes a more hands-off approach with the Play Store than Apple does with the App Store, so it's easier for developers to get their app listed. But Android still has security measures in place to shield you from dangerous apps.

The main one is Google Play Protect, which scans apps on both the Play Store and your device to ensure they're free of infections. If it detects a problem, Play Protect will alert you to take action. This makes the Play Store a safer place than many think, though it's not perfect.

Further, apps on the Play Store are 99 percent safe. While there are occasional reports of apps that contain malicious code or rip their users off, they are rare. Having some basic sense when downloading, like not installing sketchy apps and checking reviews before you install, should keep you safe from infection.

Knowing how to check if an app is dangerous and taking care to not grant unnecessary Android permissions should keep you protected when paired with built-in security.

Most Android malware occurs when users download apps from third-party sources, or root their phones. Mobile malware is easier to sneak into an Android app downloaded from a random website than it is on the Play Store. And rooting your device opens you up to new threats if you don't know what you're doing.

Bottom Line: Android does have more potential for security risks than iOS, especially when installing apps from outside the Play Store. But the average user is protected by Google's controls and won't likely come across malware through normal use.

Myth 2: Specs Tell You Everything About a Phone

In Android's infancy, phone specs were far more important than they are now. When Android wasn't well-optimized, every new phone promised just a bit more power to help with stability. Those days are far behind us, though.

Now, specs like processor speed, RAM, and camera megapixels give a general idea of how a phone will perform, but they're far from the most important aspect.

What's most important about a phone is how it feels to use and whether it meets your specific needs. Almost nobody who uses an iPhone cares about how much RAM is in their device; they are more concerned with smooth performance and Apple's approach to design.

This is also true of Android: a device with tons of RAM and lots of cameras might sound cool on paper, but if the camera is slow and the software is buggy, those won't matter. And with Android, you have many more choices for your device.

Related: The Best Android Apps for Checking Your Phone's Specs

You can buy a cheap phone if you just need the basics, or a more expensive phone if you have money to spare. Maybe you need a rugged device, or want one that still has a headphone jack, or prefer the fingerprint scanner on the front of your device. Specs have nothing to do with these details that make each phone unique.

Bottom Line: While specs give a basic idea of phone performance, they're not everything. Extra features and how the device feels are much more important in setting it apart.

Myth 3: Every Android Device Is the Same

You might hear this from people who had a bad experience with one phone manufacturer's Android device, then swore off the entire operating system. This shows ignorance about Android's distribution.

Google provides Android to many hardware manufacturers, who each customize the OS for their devices as they see fit. This is why a Samsung Galaxy phone doesn't look or perform the same as a Motorola device, which in turn is different from the latest OnePlus phone. Many elements, from icons and preinstalled apps to names of items in the Settings menu and button shortcuts, differ greatly on various devices.

Contrast this to iOS, which is more or less the same on every iPhone (aside from minor hardware differences like Face ID and Touch ID, or features that don't work on older iPhones). If you didn't like iOS on an iPhone three or four years ago, chances are you still won't like it now. But even if you didn't like Samsung's flavor of Android, you might still love stock Android.

Further fragmenting the OS are delayed software updates for all devices except those running stock Android, which is one of the platform's biggest weaknesses. Manufacturers delay major Android updates by months or even years, meaning that the majority of Android users are not on the latest version. The below chart of Android's version distribution in 2021 (from 9to5Google) illustrates this.

Android 2021 Distribution Table
Image Credit: 9to5Google

Unfortunately, these differences make it almost impossible to talk about Android as a singular entity. One person could be using Android 10 on a Samsung device, while someone else uses Android 12 on a Pixel phone. Both are Android, but they're quite different in practice.

Bottom Line: Between hardware manufacturer differences and software update delays, no two Android phones are the same.

Myth 4: Android Task Killers Are Vital

One of the biggest misconceptions that still plagues Android is that you should use a task killer. These apps were wildly popular in Android's early years, but we now know better. Such "tools" aren't just useless; task killers actively harm your device's performance.

Android does a fine job of managing processes on its own. Killing them constantly using a task killer app only wastes resources, because apps must stop and start again. If you identify a misbehaving app that's using a lot of battery, you should uninstall or disable it to fix the issue.

In the same vein, lots of Android (and iPhone) users regularly open the "recent apps" menu and swipe away every app to close them. This, like using a task killer, is counter-productive. You shouldn't constantly close apps on your phone manually; your phone can handle managing tasks on its own.

The recent apps menu is a shortcut for easy navigation. While you can swipe away an app to remove it from the menu and close it, doing so regularly is counter-productive. Clearing all apps from this menu every time you lock your device is akin to closing and re-opening your desktop browser every time you want to go to a new website.

Bottom Line: Android manages memory fine without you using a task killer, so you should never use one. Don't swipe away recent apps all the time. Android will close background processes when it needs to, and you can use that menu for quick switches.

Myth 5: Android Is Too Complicated for the Average User

Like the security myth, Android's haters love to paint it as a complicated mess that only computer experts can use. And similar to the misconceptions about Linux's ease of use, this argument isn't true of Android either.

Modern versions of Android include a guided setup process to walk you through getting your device online and adding your accounts. From there, doing what most normal users want to do with their phones (calling, texting, browsing social media, taking pictures, and similar) is easy.

Installing a new app is as simple as searching for it on the Play Store. The camera app is point-and-shoot. Open the Phone, Messages, and Contacts apps to do what you would do on any other phone.

The Settings menu, while perhaps a bit overwhelming at first, is no more confusing than what you'll find on an iPhone. For people used to another mobile operating system or inexperienced with technology in general, Android may be confusing. But it's not a special case. Someone who's never used a smartphone before wouldn't magically know how to use iOS right away, either.

If you still have trouble and want a basic interface, you can install a simplified Android launcher to make navigation even more straightforward. And Google Assistant is available to make tasks like setting alarms, sending texts, and performing calculations doable with just your voice.

Only Android power users need to dive into advanced tactics like rooting their phones and installing a custom ROM. Average users won't ever have to concern themselves with this. Importantly, Android will install updates automatically (or prompt you to do so), including security updates even if you aren't on the latest version of Android.

Bottom Line: Android is no more confusing for basic use than iOS is. Installing and launching apps is straightforward and the interface of most current apps is consistent. It only poses an issue for someone completely unfamiliar with technology, or those ingrained in another operating system, which is a problem with any platform.

Android Myths, Busted

We've covered some big myths that people still believe about Android. Whether these originate from the platform's early years or just come from ignorant detractors, they're simply not true. While nobody would argue that Android is free of problems, perpetuating lies isn't useful for anyone.

Let's quickly review the Android truths we've uncovered after busting these myths:

  1. Android malware is only a serious problem when you go outside Google's protective measures or ignore basic security practices.
  2. Specs are a poor determinant of an Android phone's performance and feel.
  3. Android experiences will differ a lot between devices.
  4. Task killers, or constantly swiping to close apps, will harm Android's performance.
  5. Android is no more complicated for normal use than any other platform.

If you're an Android user, you should know about more built-in security tools that keep your device safe.