McAfee Scam Detector review

McAfee Scam Detector is part of McAfee's paid plans rather than a separate app, and McAfee says it is included with McAfee+, LiveSafe and Total Protection. In the iPhone app it flags risky messages, blocks harmful sites even if you click by accident, and identifies suspicious emails before you open them, with a short explanation of the danger so you learn the warning signs. The App Store description lists Text Scam Detector under McAfee Basic Protection and the full Scam Detector under McAfee+ Advanced, which also adds unlimited device protection, Personal Data Cleanup, Online Account Cleanup, transaction and credit monitoring, and $1M identity theft coverage. US in-app prices start with a Monthly Standard Subscription at $2.99, and McAfee+ Advanced is $19.99 a month. The free McAfee Security tier covers one device with Wi-Fi, identity and system scans but no scam detection. Call blocking is not listed in the app description, so pair it with a call app if robocalls are your main problem.

Who it is for

McAfee users who want scam and identity tools in one app

Price

Free app without Scam Detector; Monthly Standard Subscription $2.99 and McAfee+ Advanced $19.99 a month on the US App Store.

Monthly Standard Subscription $2.99
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 14, 2026.

Key features

• Scam Detector flags risky messages and blocks harmful sites, even after an accidental click
• Identifies suspicious emails before you open them and explains the danger
• Text Scam Detector listed in McAfee Basic Protection
• McAfee+ Advanced adds unlimited devices, Personal Data Cleanup and credit monitoring
• $1M identity theft coverage and restoration support on McAfee+ Advanced

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Explains why a message is risky, not just that it is
• Strength: McAfee+ Advanced covers unlimited devices
• Strength: Bundles identity monitoring for up to 10 email addresses and other IDs
• Weakness: The free McAfee Security tier does not include Scam Detector
• Weakness: McAfee+ Advanced costs $19.99 a month on the App Store
• Weakness: No scam call blocking listed in the app description

Key facts

• Free plan: Yes, but without Scam Detector
• Plans with Scam Detector: Basic Protection (text), McAfee+ Advanced
• Identity theft coverage: $1M on McAfee+ Advanced
• Devices: Unlimited on McAfee+ Advanced

Where it ranks

McAfee Scam Detector is No. 5 in our Best Scam Protection Apps verdict.