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Redesigning a mobile security app to improve trust and conversion

Modernising the experience of a well-established Android security app to increase clarity, usability and premium conversion

Context

dfndr security is one of the most widely used Android cybersecurity and optimisation apps in Latin America. It offers features like antivirus protection, phone optimisation, VPN, and identity monitoring for millions of users.
 

Despite its scale, the app had aged visually. The interface reflected design conventions from several years prior, creating a perception gap between the product's actual capabilities and how users experienced it. The brand felt playful when it needed to feel dependable.

My role

  • Product Designer (UX/UI end-to-end)

Scope

  • Research, flows, UI, prototyping, testing

Plataform

  • Mobile and tablet (Android)

A security product must feel secure before it can be trusted. Perception is part of the product.

Original app screens

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The Problem

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  • Low perceived trust. The UI used playful illustrations and soft tones that conflicted with the expectations users have from a security application.
     

  • Confusing feature set. Features were presented without clear hierarchy, leaving users unsure what the app actually did or what they should do next.
     

  • Navigation inconsistencies. Patterns varied between screens. Labels, icons, and actions were not applied consistently across the product.
     

  • Weak plan differentiation. The distinction between Free, Pro, and Ultra tiers was unclear. Users could not easily understand the value of upgrading.
     

  • Accessibility gaps. Contrast ratios, touch targets, and text sizing did not meet modern accessibility standards.

Approach

Before defining solutions, I spent time understanding the competitive landscape and the specific expectations of dfndr's user base. This initial phase shaped the direction of the entire redesign.

Benchmark Analysis

I reviewed leading security and utility apps across markets, looking at how they communicated safety, structured their navigation, and presented premium features. The analysis revealed a clear pattern: credibility and restraint in visual language correlate strongly with perceived trustworthiness.

Market Research

User data and stakeholder input pointed to a key insight: dfndr's audience is largely composed of users who are non-technical and resistant to major changes. This shaped a core constraint for the project: the redesign had to feel like an evolution, not a disruption.

01

Increase trust

Shift visual language toward clarity and reliability

04

Support conversion

Communicate premium value at the right moments

02

Improve clarity

Reduce ambiguity in features, flows, and labels

03

Reduce visual noise

Remove decorative elements that compete with function

05

Improve accessibility

Meet WCAG AA standards across contrast and touch targets

Solution

The redesign addressed the identified problems through four interconnected areas: visual design, UX improvements, growth and conversion, and new feature work.

Visual Design

The visual overhaul moved the product away from its playful, illustration-heavy aesthetic toward a cleaner, more confident interface. Iconography replaced most illustrations, reducing visual load while improving scannability.​

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UX Improvements

Navigation was simplified to reflect how users actually move through the app. A clearer information hierarchy was established, grouping features logically and reducing decision fatigue on the home screen.

 

Key flows were redesigned from the ground up, with particular attention to the login experience, which previously caused friction at a critical point in the user journey. Each step was mapped, tested with stakeholders, and refined to be more direct.

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Growth and Conversion

Premium screens were redesigned to better communicate the value of paid plans. The distinction between Free, Pro, and Ultra tiers was made explicit through visual treatment and content hierarchy, not just labels.

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Upgrade touchpoints were repositioned to appear at moments when users were already experiencing the product's value. The intent was to make the case for upgrading feel natural rather than interruptive.

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New Features

Three new features were designed as part of this project: a PIX check tool for validating payment keys, an invite friends flow to support organic growth, and an improved login experience that reduces entry friction for returning users.

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Each was designed to integrate naturally into the existing product structure rather than feeling bolted on.

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Key Design Decisions

  • Retain brand colours, improve contrast. Rather than changing the palette, contrast ratios were adjusted to pass WCAG AA. âžœ This preserved brand recognition while fixing a real accessibility problem.
     

  • Shift to trust-oriented visual language. Illustrations were reduced in favour of clear iconography and structured layouts. âžœ The design began to communicate control and reliability rather than friendliness.
     

  • Introduce visible plan differentiation. Free, Pro, and Ultra features were visually separated across the interface. âžœ Users now understand what they have access to and what upgrading unlocks at a glance.
     

  • Design for remote config flexibility. Components were built to support remote configuration. âžœ  Allowing the team to adjust content, enable features, and run experiments without requiring a new release.
     

  • Reduce animations. Excessive motion was removed. âžœ The product now uses animation with intention, applying it only where it reinforces clarity rather than adds decoration.

Several decisions required deliberate trade-offs between brand continuity, user familiarity, and the product's need to modernise. These were discussed and aligned with stakeholders throughout the process.

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