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Warnings about a harmful app on Android: what that means and how to use 2GIS

Some users of the 2GIS app for Android received a “Delete harmful app” notification. The message states that the app threatens the device. In this article, we will explain that the application is safe, why you receive such a notification, and how to close it.

UPD January 16, 11:00 MSK

Latest status of current versions:

  • 6.29.0.530 — falsely considered malicious by Google Play Protection

  • 6.30.2.533 — falsely considered malicious by Google Play Protection (including 6.30.0.531 and 6.30.1.532)

  • 6.31.0.534 — falsely considered malicious by Google Play Protection

  • 6.31.0.535 — working version, Google Play Protection is not bothered

We remind you that you can download 6.31.0.535 on our website apk.2gis.com and in app stores:


UPD January 15, 10:00 MSK

The new version 6.31.0.535 has not angered Google Play Protect for several days now. You can download it from our website apk.2gis.com. There are also links to other app stores if you prefer installing apps this way.

The website has live chat with 24/7 support ready to answer your questions.

We have also been audited by Kaspersky Lab and received an official resolution: 2GIS is completely safe for your device and personal data.

We explained what permissions 2GIS requests and why in articles:

  • About the 2GIS application on Google Play from Anton Spiridonov, head of 2GIS development

  • Is 2GIS a malicious app? on Pikabu

  • Is the 2GIS app on Android malicious? on Fishki.net

  • Is 2GIS a malicious app? on Habr

Is there an official answer from Google about what's wrong? Not yet. We filed an appeal immediately, but the application status remains “in progress.”


UPD January 13, 15:00 MSK

  1. 1. We are looking for the reason for the erroneous warnings. Now we are trying to disable the features one by one to understand where Google could have suspected the error. The following have been removed from the 2GIS application on Android in version 6.31.0.535:

    • Interaction with contacts (used to obtain a list of your friends to show reviews from them in 2GIS); android.permission.READ_CONTACTS — this permission has been removed from the main application and the beta version.
    • Automatic insertion of the sign-in confirmation code from SMS messages (these messages were accessed through the Google library, we had not added permissions).
    • One click call (required for the feature that allows calling companies just by tapping on the phone number and without the need to tap the Call button again in the dialer): android.permission.CALL_PHONE.

  2. Status of current versions:

    • 6.29.0.530 — functions normally
    • 6.30.2.533 — considered malicious (including 6.30.0.531 and 6.30.1.532)
    • 6.31.0.534 — considered malicious
    • 6.31.0.535 — functions normally

  3. It appears that the Samsung Wallet app recently had a similar issue. Read more about this in the Google forum thread..


What does the “Delete harmful app” notification mean?

This warning comes from Play Protection, an Android system service for detecting malware. This means that the smartphone’s operating system suspects that the app carries some risks. In most cases, this happens when the app uses data from the smartphone. This is the standard system text used for such notifications.

Does 2GIS use smartphone data?

Yes, like many other apps. 2GIS receives only the data it has permission for. For example, the app can launch the camera on the phone and open the image gallery (this is necessary to add photos), or access geoposition (navigation functions will not work otherwise). 2GIS also asks for access to the microphone and calls so that you can give commands to the voice assistant and call organizations directly from the app.

2GIS does not request call log access. 2GIS also does not have access to all of your SMS messages — only to those that the app uses for authorization codes.

Any permission granted to the 2GIS app can be revoked in the smartphone settings.

How to close a notification?

The notification may hinder you from using your device, but you can ignore it. When you first launch 2GIS, a notification “Harmful app detected” may pop up, but the app can still be launched if you tap the Open button. The notification may appear again in the future, but you can dismiss it in the same way. Notifications can be turned off. We do not recommend doing this, as this will require you to deactivate the Play Protection service, which also checks other apps on your smartphone. To disable Play Protection, follow these steps:

  1. Launch Google Play.

  2. Click on your profile icon in the upper right corner.

  3. Open the Play Protection section.

  4. Click on the settings button.

  5. off the “Scan apps with Play Protection” toggle.

Also, to disable such notifications, you may need to change your Google Play settings: to do this, go to the app's notification settings and turn off General notifications → Security.

Is it safe to use 2GIS?

Yes, it is completely safe. Android sends notifications about possible risks of using apps if the software in question is not listed on Google Play. Such notifications are related to Google's security policy and are the same for all applications temporarily unavailable on Google Play. The 2GIS application is safe and works properly, and the temporary blocking on Google Play has nothing to do with security risks, but rather with legal concerns.

Where can I download 2GIS?

Since May 2023, the app has been blocked on Google Play. However, the latest safe version can be downloaded from the official 2GIS page. You can get the app in alternative Android app stores, where it undergoes all necessary threat checks before publication. 2GIS is available in the following app stores:

Getting a warning that 2GIS is blocked when you try to install it: what to do

This is a system notification Android may show when you try to install an app downloaded from sources other than Google Play. You can close it by clicking “Install anyway”.