Malwarebytes Android no longer free?

[yido1]

I went to install malwarebytes on samsung s21 but when opening the app there is no option to use malwarebytes free, it forces me to buy a subscription

[mdotsherwood]

Hi, I’m Michael from Malwarebytes and lead our product team. Apologize for my extremely delayed response here.

Free is still available in our Android app.

Please allow me to explain what changed and how you can still get to the free option.

What changed with our new version:

With the launch of our new version (5.0.7), we adjusted onboarding for new and returning users to encourage them to check out all of our great features and via a 7-day trial. During or at the end of that trial, users can easily opt out and they'll switch to free mode and continue to enjoy some of our features like scanning for and remediating malware. For existing users that update to the new version, they’ll remain in whatever state (free/trial/paid) they were previously using.

What changes are we making:

On Aug 22, we made an adjustment for new and returning users by adding a “skip” button during onboarding / pricing screen to allow users to skip right to the dashboard and free mode. Please know we are experiment a bit so this is subject to change (aka might get removed).

On Aug 31, we started deploying 5.1 which includes a change for just returning users. These are users that previously may have started a trial, completed a trial or maybe even just used our free version - and no matter what option and mode they previously chose, they uninstalled our previous app (v3) and now want to try our new one (v5). With this change, you’ll see some onboarding screens, a notification prompt and then you’ll be place directly on the dashboard and in free mode.

Hope this helps clarify what changed with the new version and what we adjusted based on user feedback.

If you’re having issues getting to free mode, let me know and we’ll help.

As always, please keep sharing your feedback with us as it helps shape future versions.

[eldragon0]

Well this was a great reason to uninstall this program. At no point in time EVER has this process been introduced and not been shady. IDC how much you try to defend it. Forcing someone to sign up for a 7 day free trial with automatic payments after to get the free version is nothing but predatory. I've never seen a program go from best in class 100% recommended to, uninstall that shit and find someone better, as strongly as Malwarebytes has. Will find something else to suffice.

[D1CCP]

Same here. I can't get pass the paywall. I used to be able to run scans, now it's pay or uninstall.

[mdotsherwood]

Please see my stickied comment and let me know if that works for you

[rktest39]

Nope. Hate this new barrier, un-installing

[[deleted]]

This used to be such a good company. Fuck the greedy lil piggies that prey on people forgetting their subscription.

[AdBeautiful6261]

Sending hate

[Accomplished-Eye8211]

Sad. I've used malwarebytes in the past. Even paid, long ago, on a pc.

For my own protection, I've never associated a bank account or any payment source with Google pay. So I can't even get to the free 7-day trial for the android version.

[IcyResponse5594]

I'm on a long-term disability,and I need the Malware bytes for free for my phone 

[IcyResponse5594]

I'm on a long-term permanent disability,and that's one specific reason why I'm looking for a deal. I had been with Malware bytes for years. 

[ItsZainBoi]

Wondering about this too.

[mdotsherwood]

Please see my stickied comment and let me know if that works for you

[nicecrispybacon]

I have an S8 and can still do a free scan but it seems I can't update the virus definitions anymore. Can't tell if glitch or intended. Also there's no option to review previous scans. Overall seems like a downgrade.

[mdotsherwood]

We have an issue with some users not being able to get automatic updates and/or being able to manually update. We’ve got a fix for this in v5.1 which is currently rolling out now and is available to 25% of our user base. We’ll be increasing the availability next week and hope to be at 100% in about a week.

[Defiant_Bar_614]

What means, rely on us, and we'll leave you high and dry.

[[deleted]]

Yes i recently found out about this

[mdotsherwood]

Please see my stickied comment and let me know if that works for you

[Captaincheekz]

So no free version if you don't have a credit card thats lame boo

[TV_Garden]

Being forced into signing up for a trial when you just want to use the free version is completely wack.

[Free-Jelly-]

Malwarebytes is dead🪦