How do I spot a fake app in an app store?
Fake apps mimic popular ones with near-identical icons and names to steal credentials or charge hidden subscriptions — check the developer name, review count, and publish date before installing.
Last reviewed: 10 June 2026
Explanation
Fake apps appear in the Apple App Store and Google Play despite both platforms' review processes. They typically impersonate banking apps, utility apps, VPNs, or popular games. The icon and name are nearly identical to the real app; the difference is usually in the developer name or a very new publication date.
Once installed, these apps may display a convincing login screen that harvests your credentials, show intrusive ads, install additional malware, or enrol you in a subscription you did not consciously agree to. Some fake VPN apps route your traffic through the fraudster's servers, exposing everything you type.
The developer name is your strongest signal. Search the real app's official website to confirm who publishes it. For example, the real Chase Bank app is published by 'JPMorgan Chase & Co.' not 'Chase Bank LLC' or a similar variation. A developer with only one app, no history, and a generic-sounding company name is suspicious.
Also check the review count and publication date. A genuine major banking app has hundreds of thousands of reviews accumulated over years. A fake published last month will have far fewer, and the reviews that exist may read as generic or suspiciously uniform. Low download counts relative to how popular the real app should be are also a warning sign on Android.
Common red flags
- Developer name differs from what the real company's website lists
- App published very recently with very few reviews
- Reviews are generic, all five-star, and posted within days of each other
- App requests permissions irrelevant to its function (a calculator asking for contacts)
- Icon or name has subtle differences from the genuine app
- App is not linked from the official company website
What to do now
- Uninstall the suspicious app immediately
- Change passwords for any accounts whose login screen was shown by the app
- Check for unauthorised subscription charges and cancel them through your device's subscription settings
- Install the genuine app by following a link from the company's official website
- Report the fake app to the app store using the 'report' option on its listing
- Run your device's built-in malware scan if available
Frequently asked questions
Can I trust apps that are featured or 'Editors' Choice'?
Featured status adds credibility but is not a guarantee. Always verify the developer name against the real company's website.
Are fake apps more common on Android or iOS?
Both platforms have issues. Google Play's open model has historically allowed more fake apps, but Apple's App Store is not immune.
What if I already used the fake app for banking?
Contact your bank immediately, change your password on the real app, and ask your bank to monitor for suspicious transactions.