Is there a free anti-virus for iPhone?

Loyanetter wrote:

Is there an absolutely free virus removal app, virus scan app, or a virus protection app I can use for my iPhone 12?

What little malware is around is very rare and targeted, based in available information.

Anti-malware detection and removal is built into iOS.

Some of the usual scams use advertisements seeking to convince a user their device is compromised when it isn’t, and seeking to convince the user to DO SOMETHING! and to load some unnecessary or problematic app.

More than a little of the add-on anti-malware — what some of the sketchy ads are advertising — is getting hard to distinguish from malware, too.

Some more general background reading:

Apple Platform Security - Apple Support

If you believe you are at higher risk, there is some guidance here:

About Apple threat notifications and protecting against mercenary spyware - Apple Support