Mobile App Security in 2025: Emerging Threats and Best Practices

As reported by ASEE, 75% of all mobile apps have at least one major security flaw. Keep reading as the mobile security experts at Cubix guide you on how your app can be a part of the other 25%.

You have made the best possible app that aligns perfectly with your product vision. Let’s check some boxes to see if we are on the right track:

• Cutting-edge features: Check!
• Responsive user experience: Check!
• An intuitive, easily navigable interface: Check!
• Security features: That’s something to consider in the final build.

This is the mistake most businesses make that ultimately leads to MVP failure. Security should be a top priority at every stage of the software development lifecycle (SDLC). Considering it as an afterthought can be catastrophic for your app. 

Users are now more aware of data usage and security best practices. Therefore, security features must be added from the get-go, and mobile app security protocols must be followed to deliver secure, intuitive user experiences.

If you don’t integrate failproof security features into your mobile app, all your development efforts might fail. Moreover, users won’t trust your app with their data and privacy.

Read More: Your Enterprise App Security Checklist

In this write-up, we’ll discuss just how crucial security is for mobile apps in 2025, the critical security threats you should look out for, and the best iOS and Android app security practices you should follow.

Why Security is a Crucial Aspect of Your Mobile App Development Project

Security rightly deserves increased priority in mobile app development projects. As consumers entrust devices with sensitive information, developers are responsible for protecting that data. Without rigorous defenses, vulnerabilities open the door to attacks jeopardizing privacy.

Hackers relentlessly probe apps for weaknesses, offering backdoor access to valuable user details, financial information, and identities. Even free apps that do not overtly handle sensitive data still store usage information that might prove lucrative. These threats underscore why integrating comprehensive security is non-negotiable.

Beyond ethical obligations, prioritizing security also makes economic sense. Data breaches erode consumer trust and provoke PR crises. Stricter regulations also mandate protections with noncompliance fines. Proactive security, although requiring extra development effort, prevents immense financial and reputational damages down the road.

Consumers gravitate toward apps that provide optimal user experiences without security worries. This drives engagement, loyalty, and conversion. Making privacy and safety cornerstones of your app, therefore, supports success. While adding security translates to more work initially, those vigilant precautions pay continuous dividends over your app’s lifecycle.

Read More: Top 10 Mobile App Development Trends for 2025

Mobile App Security Threats You Should Look Out for in 2025

Understanding the major mobile app security threats is the first step to protecting yourself. Let’s examine the top 10 mobile app security threats you should be aware of in 2025:

1. Injecting Malicious Code

Attackers can embed malicious code or alter legitimate apps to create backdoors for stealing data. Rigorously testing apps and verifying content sources diminishes this threat.

2. Phishing Scams

Phishing uses trusted branding to trick users into sharing login credentials or sensitive information. Alert users to key signs of phishing attempts to encourage vigilance.

3. Unsafe Wi-Fi

Public Wi-Fi poses privacy issues as data transmission may not have encryption. Mandating logins via VPN on company devices reduces this risk.

4. Outdated Software

Old software with unpatched vulnerabilities provides an open door for threats. Maintain apps/devices with the latest security updates and platform versions.

5. Inadequate Encryption

Encryption protects sensitive data by making it indecipherable without keys. Implement robust and up-to-date encryption to secure transmitted and stored data.

6. Poor Authentication

Using weak username/password requirements and authentication checks boosts vulnerability. Enforce stringent authentication policies on apps to keep criminals out.

7. Excess App Permissions

Overprivileged apps requesting unnecessary permissions open security holes. Scrutinize why each permission is needed before installing applications.

8. Unvetted Third-Party Components

Integrating unsecured external components enables breaches. Rigorously evaluate third-party elements before adoption.

9. Session Hijacking

Session hijacks allow attackers to assume users’ identities mid-session. Incorporate mechanisms to verify user identity throughout app sessions.

10. Vulnerable Data Storage

Flawed storage mechanisms can expose sensitive data assets. Guarantee encrypted databases with restricted access to protect information at rest.

Read More: Mobile App Development Cost Breakdown For Business

5 Best Practices for iOS App Security

Let’s examine five fundamental steps iOS developers should take to bolster protection:

1. Encrypt Data Storage

Sensitive data like usernames, passwords, and credit card details require encryption before storage on the device. The CryptoSwift library makes encrypting data simple and secure. Hashing data with salt antes protection.

2. Verify App Integrity

Mandatory iOS app code signing confirms authenticity. Apple rigorously checks certificates to validate developers. Further signature checks on dynamic libraries boost security. Updates must pass the same stringent verification.

3. Limit App Permissions

Don’t request unnecessary permissions. Audit what your app needs versus wants. Each permission increases potential access for attackers. Users should only allow essential access.

4. Secure Connections with SSL Pinning

SSL pinning links your server to a unique certificate. This foils man-in-the-middle attacks seeking to spy on data transfers. Traffic gets rejected if certificates don’t match.

5. Support Biometric Authentication

Enable Touch ID and Face ID to complement passcode protections. Bind biometrics to access controls limiting data visibility. Keychain configurations enable resilient multifactor authentication.

Read More: The Essentials of iOS App Development Unveiled

5 Best Practices for Android App Security

Now that we’ve discussed the iOS app security best practices, let’s discuss the measures Android app developers can take to ensure better protection against the above-mentioned threats:

1. Encrypt Sensitive Data

Robust encryption secures sensitive user data like logins, financial information, and personal details during storage and transmission. Algorithms like AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) help prevent unauthorized access or interception.

2. Authenticate Users Securely

Safeguard access with strong authentication policies encompassing multi-factor authorization, biometrics, and single sign-on via OAuth. Make user validation stringent before allowing app usage.

3. Maintain Updates

Continuously patch vulnerabilities via regular security updates. Monitor frameworks and libraries used for upgrade notifications and urgently apply necessary fixes. Never let your app defenses become obsolete.

4. Obfuscate Code

While complex, code obfuscation hides logic flows, resisting reverse engineering efforts to extract sensitive technical data or steal intellectual property.

5. Secure Connections

Encrypt communication channels using the latest protocols like HTTPS to prevent data interception or tampering. Additionally, pinning SSL/TLS certificates foils fraud by ensuring certificate legitimacy.

Read More: Key Steps for Designing User-Friendly Android Apps

Final Thoughts

As cyber threats escalate entering 2025, mobile security will warrant heightened priority. Developers must implement robust precautions to earn ongoing user trust. Sophisticated hacking tools now offer criminals easier access to valuable personal data. With mobile devices deeply ingrained in daily life, the scale of potential privacy breaches is massive.

However, by recognizing key threats like code injection, phishing, insecure connections, and poor authentication, developers can bolster defenses proactively. Diligently addressing risks via coding best practices, encryption, access controls, and rigorous testing strengthens protections.