Skip to main content
ThrashCardiom
Contributor I
Mar 11, 2026 11:05 PM UTC
Answered

Android Virus warning for Sonos App

As of today the Sonos app is triggering a virus alert on my Android phone.  The alert tells me Sonos is affected with "Android.Heuristic.Adcheat.OutAppAD.ABS.FX".

This is preventing me from using all of my phone functionality as I get locked out of some apps due to the presence of a "virus" (which I assume is Sonos' advertising functionality.

An example of an app which prevents use is my Online Banking application. I cannot use this app unless Sonos is completely uninstalled.

Is a fix going to issued to prevent this presumable false identification?

This topic has been closed for further comments. You can use the search bar to find a similar topic, or create a new one by clicking Create Topic at the top of the page.
Airgetlam
AirgetlamAnswer
Mar 14, 2026 10:26 PM UTC

That suggests whatever AV scan app you’re using has whitelisted Sonos in a data update, as Sonos has not changed their application. 

Bruce
View in thread

14 replies

Show previous replies
Stanley_4
Stanley_4
Grand Maestro
Mar 14, 2026 4:03 PM UTC

Not at all wierd, this is a bit generic, but the process is usually similar.

The protection apps get a good number of false positives in their initial check. They then do a second check against a whitelist that is supposed to identify the false positives in the first check. If an update, like Sonos did, triggers the first and the security app vendor hasn't updated the second list you get a false report.

Sonos can't rewrite their app to work around the false report, the vendor needs to be told of the problem and do the whitelist update.

Translate
    ThrashCardiomAuthor
    Contributor I
    Mar 14, 2026 9:20 PM UTC

    As of this morning I am not getting an alert after install Sonos and re-running the AV scan.

    Translate
    Airgetlam
    AirgetlamAnswer
    Mar 14, 2026 10:26 PM UTC

    That suggests whatever AV scan app you’re using has whitelisted Sonos in a data update, as Sonos has not changed their application. 

    Translate
    Bruce
      Stefenmac
      Lyricist II
      Mar 15, 2026 7:24 AM UTC

      Final post on this topic with a happy outcome. I've been using Bitdefender and Play Protect scanning. Both cleared Sonos but problem remained. Scanned with my Oppo antivirus and got the harmful app message, however also gave the option of white listing Sonos. This done, all is well. Google gave two options. Quit or Fix and each one applied to the banking app which had been affected. Never believed Sonos was harmful just couldn't find the right way to resolve. Thanks to all who assisted, empathized and educated me. 

      Translate
        Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement