New Avast One for Android and iOS - Getting Started

This article applies to the new version of Avast One, which is gradually replacing both Avast Mobile Security and the previous version of Avast One in the Google Play Store. In addition, users of these apps are being migrated to the new Avast One experience.

If you are looking for information about the legacy apps, refer to the following articles:

• Avast Mobile Security for Android - Getting Started
• Legacy Avast One - Getting Started

Avast One is a security app for Android that helps protect your mobile device from unwanted phishing, malware, spyware, and malicious viruses such as trojans. It also helps secure your email accounts and accounts associated with your email addresses, lock your sensitive apps, and protect access to your photos stored on your device.

This article assumes that the latest version of Avast One is installed on your Android device. For detailed installation instructions, refer to the following article: Installing Avast One.

If you have a paid subscription, ensure you have activated your app to be able to follow along in all of the sections below.

Run a Smart Scan

When you open Avast One, you have the option to run a Smart Scan, which checks your device for any potential threats. To start the scan:

1. Tap the Avast One icon on the Home screen of your device. The app opens.
2. Tap Run Smart Scan on the main Avast One screen.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions to resolve any issues found or tap Skip to do this later.

For detailed instructions on how to solve the found issues, refer to the sections below.

You may require a paid subscription to resolve some of the issues, such as turning on Avast One VPN.

Schedule regular scans

The Scan now button on the main app screen scans apps installed on your device and informs you about security risks caused by changes in default Android settings.

To schedule automatic scans:

1. Tap Account ▸ Settings.
2. Tap Security.
3. Tap Automatic scan.
4. Ensure the slider at the bottom of the screen is On.
5. Specify Scan days and Scan time by selecting the days and time when you want the scan to automatically run.

Scheduled scans run automatically as configured.

Use Scam Guardian Pro

Scam Guardian Pro is one of the main feature of Avast One. It provides users with the following tools to recognize and avoid online threats, improving digital security:

• Avast Assistant: An AI-powered cybersecurity assistant that analyzes texts, emails, and links for potential scams and cybersecurity concerns. It can also be used for any online safety related questions.
• Web Guard: This tool scans internet activity in real time to prevent malware from downloading onto devices and help you avoid suspicious websites. A local VPN (Virtual Private Network) is required to enable this feature.
• Email Guard: A feature that scans incoming emails in your online accounts to help detect potential scam and phishing risks, with AI-powered detection available as an optional setting. To learn about how to set up and use the feature, refer to the following article: New Avast One Email Guard - Getting Started.
• SMS Guard: A scam protection tool that scans text messages in your default messaging app to help detect potentially risky links or scam content, with optional AI-powered detection.
• Call Guard: Automatically blocks suspicious and scam calls, and helps you identify whether incoming calls are from trusted contacts, businesses, or potentially risky sources.
• Link Guard: This features scans links you access from outside your browser, such as links from emails or messages, and warns you if they are dangerous before opening them in your default browser.

To learn about how to set up and use these features, refer to the following article: Avast One Scam Guardian Pro - Getting Started.

Configure App Lock

App Lock is a premium feature only available in the paid version (Avast One Premium). To upgrade from the free version (Avast One) and use the feature, tap Upgrade in the top-right corner, select your preferred plan, and proceed with on-screen instructions.

App Lock helps protect your sensitive apps with a PIN or pattern. To enable this feature:

1. Open Avast One and tap Explore ▸ Security.
2. Tap App Lock.
3. If prompted, tap Get started and follow the on-screen instructions to Set up PIN and / or Grant permissions. Optionally, set up pattern and fingerprint as alternative unlock methods. Then, tap Enable App Lock.
4. If prompted, tap the gray (Off) slider so it changes to green (On).

App Lock is now enabled and you can start protecting apps from the main App Lock screen. Tap the slider next to an app you want to protect so that it changes to green (On).

App Lock is now enabled on your selected apps. When you open the selected apps, you must enter your PIN, pattern, or fingerprint, to unlock the app first.

App Lock is designed to work with the vast majority of applications available in the Google Play Store. However, certain apps, like Google Wallet, cannot be protected by App Lock. These apps may have their own security measures, which may be incompatible with the App Lock feature.

Manage App Lock settings

To manage App Lock settings:

1. Tap ⋮ More options (the three dots) ▸ Settings.
2. Tap PIN & pattern to access the options below:
   • Use fingerprint: If your device supports fingerprint unlocking, enable this option to access protected areas in Avast One using your fingerprint.
   • Change PIN: Set a new Avast PIN. To use this option you must first enter your current Avast PIN.
   • Set up pattern: Access protected areas in Avast One with a swipe gesture rather than a PIN code.
   • App Lock timeout: Select the time limit before the app locks.

App Lock works as configured.

When an app managed by App Lock is launched within the selected timeout, the countdown stops and restarts. Regardless of the timeout settings, App Lock always locks your apps when your screen turns off. When one app is unlocked, all other apps managed by App Lock are also automatically unlocked so you can access all your apps within the timeout period.

Disable App Lock

To disable app lock:

1. Tap Explore ▸ App Lock.
2. Enter your App Lock PIN.
3. Tap the green (On) slider so it changes to gray (Off).

App Lock is disabled.

Reset App Lock PIN

If you forget your App Lock PIN, reset it by following these steps:

1. Tap Explore ▸ App Lock.
2. Tap Forgot your PIN?, then follow the on-screen instructions to reset the PIN using your Google Account credentials.

Your App Lock PIN is reset.

Enable Avast One VPN

Using Avast One VPN requires one of the following subscriptions:

• Avast One Ultimate for Android
• Avast One Ultimate Multi-Device
• Avast SecureLine for Android
• Avast SecureLine Multi-Device

For information on activating a paid subscription, refer to the following article: Activating premium Avast One features.

Avast One VPN uses Virtual Private Network (VPN) technology to create an encrypted, private connection, helping protect the data you send and receive over the internet and keeping your online activity private. To activate Avast One VPN:

1. Open Avast One, then tap Explore ▸ VPN.
2. Tap Got it.
3. Tap Connect. If prompted, tap Allow to grant Avast One access to your location.

Avast One VPN is now active.

Connect to another server

By default, Avast One VPN connects to the fastest available server. You can also choose a specific server location. Some locations allow you to select a specific city. To connect to another server:

1. Open Avast One, then tap Explore ▸ VPN.
2. Tap the location selector at the bottom of the screen.
3. Use the search box or browse the list to find a location.
4. Optionally, tap ••• next to a location to select a specific city.

Connect to an advanced server

Advanced servers support specific use cases. To connect to an advanced server:

1. Open Avast One, then tap Explore ▸ VPN.
2. Tap the location selector at the bottom of the screen.
3. Select one of the following:
   • P2P‑Optimized Region is designed for peer-to-peer (P2P) sharing.
   • Double VPN routes your connection through two servers to help enhance your privacy and security. This feature uses the WireGuard protocol.
   • IP Rotation regularly changes your IP address to help prevent tracking, reduce website restrictions, and avoid dynamic pricing. This feature uses the WireGuard protocol.
4. Optionally, tap ••• next to a server to choose a specific location.

Refresh your IP address

If you experience connection issues while using the VPN, you can refresh your IP address.

IP refresh is not available when connected to Double VPN or IP Rotation servers.

1. Open Avast One, then tap Explore ▸ VPN.
2. While connected to the VPN, tap the (IP refresh) button.

Pause VPN connection

1. Open Avast One, then tap Explore ▸ VPN.
2. While connected to the VPN, tap Pause.
3. Select how long you want to pause the VPN:
   • 15 minutes
   • 30 minutes
   • 60 minutes

Use advanced VPN features

Manage Auto Connect rules

Auto Connect automatically turns on the VPN when you connect to an unsecured network. To configure Auto Connect:

1. Open Avast One, then tap Explore ▸ VPN.
2. Tap Settings (the gear icon) in the top-right corner of the screen.
3. Tap Auto Connect.
4. Select when the VPN connects automatically: Unsecured Wi-Fi, Any Wi-Fi, or Any Wi-Fi or cellular data.
5. Optionally, tap Private Networks ▸ + to add the current network. The VPN does not connect automatically on private networks.

Turn on Ad Tracker Blocking

Ad Tracker Blocking helps prevent tracking of your online activity by advertisers, apps, and third-party trackers while the VPN is enabled. To turn on Ad Tracker Blocking:

1. Open Avast One, then tap Explore ▸ VPN.
2. Tap Settings (the gear icon) in the top-right corner of the screen.
3. Tap Ad Tracker Blocking.
4. Turn on the Block Ad Trackers slider.

Set up Split Tunneling

Split Tunneling allows you to choose which apps use the VPN connection and which bypass it. To set up Split Tunneling:

1. Open Avast One, then tap Explore ▸ VPN.
2. Tap Settings (the gear icon) in the top-right corner of the screen.
3. Tap Split Tunneling.
4. Turn on the Split Tunneling slider.
5. Tick the apps you want to exclude from the VPN connection.

Turn on Kill Switch

The Kill Switch blocks all internet traffic if the VPN connection unexpectedly disconnects until it is restored, helping prevent your data from being exposed. To turn on the Kill Switch:

1. Open Avast One, then tap Explore ▸ VPN.
2. Tap Settings (the gear icon) in the top-right corner of the screen.
3. Turn on the Kill Switch slider.

Access Local Devices with VPN is not available while the Kill Switch is enabled.

Choose a VPN protocol

The VPN protocol determines how your connection is established. You can change the protocol to improve connection stability or speed. To choose a protocol:

1. Open Avast One, then tap Explore ▸ VPN.
2. Tap Settings (the gear icon) in the top-right corner of the screen.
3. Tap VPN Protocol Settings.
4. Select the protocol you want to use.

Post-Quantum Encryption

Post-Quantum Encryption is an advanced security feature designed to protect your data against emerging threats. It is available with the WireGuard protocol. For the Mimic protocol, it is enabled by default. To enable Post-Quantum Encryption:

1. Open Avast One, then tap Explore ▸ VPN.
2. Tap Settings (the gear icon) in the top-right corner of the screen.
3. Turn on the Post-Quantum Encryption slider.

Check for hacks and leaks

The Hack Alerts feature monitors online accounts connected to your email address and notifies you if there has been a hack or leak.

To use this feature, you must sign into your Avast Account. An Avast Account was created using the email address that you provided during the subscription purchase. To sign into your Avast Account for the first time, refer to the following article: Activating your Avast Account.

To enable Hack Alerts:

1. Open Avast One and tap Explore ▸ Security.
2. Tap Hack Alerts.
3. Tap Add email ▸ Add.
4. Once the scan is finished, tap Start monitoring.
5. Open your email inbox and locate the email from notification@emails.avast.com with the subject: Please verify your email. Tap the Verify my email button.
6. In the Avast One app, select your email address and tap Already verified.

Hack Alerts is now active and continuously checks for new data breaches involving this email address. Free users are only able to monitor one email address at a time. Paid users are able to monitor 5.

To remove an email address, select the email you want to stop monitoring and tap (the trash icon) ▸ Yes, remove.

Manually check an email address

To manually check an email address for leaks:

1. Tap Hack Alerts ▸ Check now.
2. Enter the email you want to check and tap Check data breaches.

The scan results show any affected online accounts or the message No compromised accounts.

Securing compromised accounts

If Hack Alerts finds any breaches related to your email address, it lists all involved accounts under Compromised accounts list. We recommend you immediately change the passwords for all accounts listed under Compromised accounts:

1. Tap a breached account on your Unresolved list.
2. Tap Change password to follow the on-screen instructions to change the account's password. When done, tap Mark as resolved.

Configure Photo Vault

If you uninstall Avast One on Android, photos stored in the Photo Vault are no longer accessible. They can be restored by reinstalling Avast One on the same device and setting up Photo Vault again using the same email address and PIN code. To avoid losing access, export your files from Photo Vault before uninstalling the app.

Photo Vault allows you to protect access to your photos stored on your device with a PIN code. Photos that are moved to Photo Vault are encrypted and hidden.

To protect photos using Photo Vault:

1. Open Avast One and tap Explore ▸ Security.
2. Tap Photo Vault.
3. Tap Continue and, if prompted, follow the on-screen instructions to Set up PIN and Grant permissions.
4. Optionally, set up pattern and fingerprint as alternative unlock methods.
5. Tap Enable Photo Vault.
6. Once Photo Vault is enabled, tap Add photo and select one of the following options:
   • Take new photo: Take a new photo and directly add it to Photo Vault.
   • Import from gallery: Select photos from your existing gallery. Taps the photo(s) that you want to hide, then tap Hide now.

The selected photos now appear in your Photo Vault.

In the free version of Avast One, you can protect up to 10 photos. With a paid version of the app, Avast One Premium, you can protect an unlimited number of photos.

Remove files from Photo Vault

To remove photos from Photo Vault, tap and hold the photo(s) you want to remove and select the relevant icon at the top of the screen:

• Export icon: Exports a photo back to the original location and makes it visible to others.
• Trash icon: Deletes a photo from the Vault and from the original location. This action cannot be undone.

Reset your Photo Vault PIN

If you forget your PIN:

1. Tap Explore ▸ Photo Vault.
2. When you are asked to enter your PIN, tap Forgot your PIN?.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions to reset your PIN using your Google Account credentials.

Clean junk from your device

Junk Cleaner detects dispensable items that are occupying your device's storage, including leftover APKs, residual files, and visible cache. To remove these items to free up storage space:

• Open Avast One and tap Explore ▸ Cleanup.
• Tap Junk Clean.
• Once the scan completes, untick any items that you do not want to clean, then free the space on your device by tapping Finish cleaning.

The selected items are removed.