Do I need antivirus on a Mac in 2026?

[SašaJelenič]

Is antivirus software actually necessary on a Mac these days or is that outdated advice?

[Ronaldinho23]

Does macOS have built in protection already?
Yes. macOS includes XProtect, which scans for known malware signatures automatically in the background, plus Gatekeeper, which blocks unsigned or unnotarized apps from running without your explicit approval

So Macs genuinely can't get malware?
They can, Macs are not immune, but the built in layers plus Apple's tighter control over the app ecosystem mean the practical risk for an average user staying within the App Store and notarized apps is genuinely low

When would third party antivirus actually help?
Mainly if you regularly download files from outside the App Store, open email attachments from unknown senders, or use the same machine to browse for pirated software, all of which increase real exposure

Does third party antivirus slow a Mac down?
Some do noticeably, since they scan files in the background constantly, this is the most common complaint in reviews and forums about paid Mac antivirus products

What's the actual recommended baseline?
Keep macOS updated promptly, stick to notarized apps where possible, and use a password manager and two factor authentication, that combination covers most real world risk without needing paid software

[Edward71]

TL;DR
- Built in XProtect and Gatekeeper cover most everyday use cases
- Real risk mostly comes from user behaviour, not the OS itself
- Only really worth paying for extra protection if your habits are genuinely riskier than average
- Updating promptly matters more than any antivirus app you could install