Best Practices for Securing Your Android App in 2025

Mobile security has never been more important. As of 2025, Android holds over 70% of the global mobile OS market share, and mobile malware increased by 52% in 2024, according to Statista and Check Point Research. With this widespread use comes growing responsibility for every Android Application Development Company to prioritize robust app security.

Developers face constant threats from evolving malware, insecure third-party SDKs, data breaches, and reverse engineering. This article outlines the best security practices in Android application development, keeping 2025’s threat landscape in mind.

1. Apply the Principle of Least Privilege

Apps should request only the permissions they need to function. Over-privileged apps are common targets for exploitation.

Best practices:

• Use permission groups wisely (e.g., only request location when absolutely necessary).

• Implement runtime permission checks starting from Android 6.0 (API 23).

• Follow scoped storage rules introduced in Android 10 to restrict file access.

Example:
A weather app needs coarse location to provide forecasts. It should not request fine location or access contacts.

2. Secure Data Storage

Data storage is a frequent attack vector, especially if sensitive data is stored insecurely.

Recommendations:

• Store sensitive data using EncryptedSharedPreferences or SQLCipher for local databases.

• Avoid storing passwords or authentication tokens in plain text.

• Never store confidential information on external storage.

Real-world example:
In 2023, an Android banking app was found storing session tokens in unencrypted SharedPreferences, exposing users to session hijacking.

3. Use HTTPS and Enforce Network Security Configurations

Plain HTTP is deprecated and insecure. Data in transit must be encrypted.

Tips to enforce secure networking:

• Always use HTTPS with TLS 1.3 or higher.

• Configure Network Security Config to restrict cleartext traffic.

• Pin trusted SSL certificates to prevent Man-In-The-Middle (MITM) attacks.

Example:
In 2024, an Android Application Development Company integrated network security config to block all non-HTTPS traffic after a major retail client faced data interception issues.

4. Implement Strong Authentication and Authorization

Authentication systems are primary lines of defense. Weak methods expose user data and control to attackers.

Security measures:

• Use OAuth 2.0 and OpenID Connect for third-party login integrations.

• Prefer biometric authentication through Android’s Biometric API.

• Apply Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) for sensitive operations.

Tip: Never roll your own encryption or token system—always use well-tested libraries and standards.

5. Encrypt Data at Rest and in Transit

Even if a device is compromised, encrypted data adds a critical layer of protection.

Encryption methods:

• Use Android Keystore System for storing cryptographic keys.

• Encrypt files using AES-256.

• Apply end-to-end encryption for chat or health-related apps.

Example:
Telegram uses end-to-end encryption in Secret Chats to prevent data leakage during message transmission.

6. Prevent Reverse Engineering

Attackers often reverse engineer APKs to discover vulnerabilities or manipulate app behavior.

Best strategies:

• Use ProGuard, R8, or DexGuard to obfuscate code.

• Remove debugging symbols and logs before production release.

• Sign the app with App Signing by Google Play and enable integrity protection.

Fact:
Nearly 80% of Android apps lack proper obfuscation, increasing risk from reverse engineering (Source: OWASP 2024).

7. Secure Backend APIs

Apps often communicate with backend servers, making APIs a crucial point of vulnerability.

Protection techniques:

• Validate all requests on the server side.

• Authenticate API requests using tokens (e.g., JWT).

• Implement rate limiting and anomaly detection.

Example:
In 2024, a fintech app was compromised due to missing authorization checks in backend APIs. Attackers accessed account data by modifying request parameters.

8. Use SafetyNet and Play Integrity API

Google provides runtime protection APIs to assess device trustworthiness.

Use cases:

• SafetyNet Attestation API checks for rooted or tampered devices.

• Play Integrity API replaces SafetyNet for better support and security.

• Use these checks before enabling sensitive actions like login or payment.

Best practice:
Combine these APIs with custom server-side logic for complete attestation.

9. Keep Dependencies and SDKs Updated

Third-party SDKs often introduce hidden vulnerabilities.

Steps to manage dependencies securely:

• Regularly update libraries using tools like Gradle Dependency Updates plugin.

• Audit SDKs for known CVEs using tools like OWASP Dependency-Check.

• Avoid using abandoned or unmaintained libraries.

Example:
An Android Application Development Company in Europe replaced an outdated analytics SDK after discovering it had an unresolved vulnerability published in CVE-2024-22809.

10. Implement Secure Logging Practices

Logs are useful during development, but they can leak sensitive data.

Safe logging rules:

• Avoid logging personally identifiable information (PII).

• Use conditional logging—disable logs in production.

• Never log full stack traces to the console.

Tip: Use ProGuard rules to strip logs and debug information in the release build.

11. Automate Security Testing

Manual security audits are essential but should be supported by automated tools.

Key tools to consider:

• MobSF (Mobile Security Framework) for static and dynamic analysis.

• QARK (Quick Android Review Kit) to find common security issues.

• Integrate security checks in CI/CD pipelines.

Best practice:
Run automated scans before each major release to detect regressions or misconfigurations.

12. Use Jetpack Security Libraries

Google’s Jetpack Security library simplifies implementation of secure storage and encryption.

Key features:

• Easy integration with EncryptedFile and EncryptedSharedPreferences.

• Follows NIST recommendations for encryption.

• Automatically manages keys with Android Keystore.

Example:
A healthcare app securely stored patient reports using EncryptedFile, avoiding compliance issues with GDPR.

13. Implement Tamper Detection

Apps should be able to detect if their binaries have been modified.

Ways to detect tampering:

• Validate checksums or hashes of app files.

• Use signature validation at runtime.

• Detect the use of hooking frameworks like Frida or Xposed.

Pro tip: Combine tamper detection with SafetyNet or Play Integrity API for layered protection.

14. Enforce Secure Build and Release Processes

Security starts at the build stage and continues through deployment.

Practices to follow:

• Use secure build servers and sign APKs with strong keys.

• Store signing keys securely, preferably using Hardware Security Modules (HSM).

• Enable Google Play App Signing for better management and rollback support.

Note:
Release artifacts must be tested and scanned before uploading to Google Play

15. Stay Informed About Security Updates

The Android ecosystem evolves quickly, and new vulnerabilities surface frequently.

Stay updated by:

• Subscribing to Android Security Bulletins.

• Following CVE databases and Android Developer blogs.

• Participating in security communities and forums.

Stat:
Google’s Android Security Rewards Program awarded $3 million in 2024, indicating continued attention on Android vulnerabilities.

Conclusion

Securing Android apps in 2025 requires ongoing attention to best practices, secure architecture, and updated tools. Every Android Application Development Company must embed security across the app’s lifecycle—from planning and design to release and maintenance.

As threats grow in sophistication, the cost of ignoring security grows too. Following the strategies discussed here helps reduce risk, protect users, and ensure long-term app success.