Microsoft Defender Launches Consumer Support for Android, iOS and macOS

Microsoft Defender is now also available for individuals on smartphones. This marks the beginning of the comprehensive security solution for Android and iOS smartphones and tablets, as well as Macs. The only requirement is a Microsoft 365 subscription (Personal or Family). Microsoft had long announced the expansion of the service, now it is about to start. Microsoft Defender is now part of the Microsoft 365 subscription for all private users. This means that the Defender can be used not only on the Windows PC but also on Apple computers and for smartphones and tablets with iOS and Android.

Family Safety Dashboard

A Microsoft 365 Personal subscription includes protection for up to five devices, regardless of the operating system running on them. In the family plan, you can add up to five devices per person. Until now, this extra protection was only available to businesses and organizations. However, there are some minor limitations as Microsoft does not provide every security feature on every operating system.

There is a central app for managing Microsoft Defender (download links at the end of the article) that lists all devices associated with the Microsoft account. In the event of acute security risks, users receive corresponding warnings via push notification and can view various tips in the app on how to guarantee better security with the Defender.

No malware protection for iOS

Microsoft Defender includes its own malware protection engine, which is now also available for Android and macOS devices. With the release of the security features within the Microsoft 365 subscription for private users, a limited selection of security tools against viruses, malware, phishing attempts, and ransomware will start on the devices. However, Microsoft plans to gradually integrate other features.