The fastest way to check for viruses on your phone
Run a scan using your phone's built-in security tool or a dedicated antivirus app. On Android, open Google Play Protect (found in the Google Play Store app under your account menu), tap "Scan," and wait for the results. On iPhone, there is no built-in scanner because iOS blocks the kind of malware that Android phones catch — but you can still look for signs of compromise by checking your installed apps and reviewing what permissions they have.
A scan takes a few minutes and checks every app and file on your device against known malware signatures. If something is found, the app will tell you to uninstall it or quarantine it. Most of the time, a phone scan finds nothing, which is the normal outcome.
If you want a second opinion or more detailed scanning, you can install a third-party antivirus app like Malwarebytes, Norton Mobile Security, or Bitdefender. These work on both Android and iPhone, though they are more useful on Android because they can scan deeper into the system.
Key Takeaways
- Google Play Protect on Android and the App Store on iPhone both scan for malware, and both run automatically — you can also trigger a manual scan yourself.
- Most phone viruses come from sideloaded apps (apps installed outside the official store) or from clicking links in text messages and emails, not from visiting websites.
- If a scan finds malware, uninstall the app immediately and change passwords for any accounts you used on that phone.
- Third-party antivirus apps add extra scanning but are not necessary if you stick to official app stores and do not sideload.
Why your phone is harder to infect than your computer
Phones run operating systems (iOS and Android) that are designed to isolate apps from each other. Each app runs in its own sandbox, which means a malicious app cannot easily access files from another app or take over your whole device the way a computer virus can. This is why a phone virus is usually limited to stealing data from one app or showing you ads, rather than locking your entire device.
Both Apple and Google also review apps before they go into their stores. The App Store and Google Play Store are not perfect — malicious apps do slip through — but they catch the majority of obvious threats. This is why sideloading (installing apps from outside the official store) is the biggest risk: those apps skip the review process.
That said, phones can still get compromised. A malicious app can steal your passwords, read your text messages, track your location, or use your camera without your knowledge. The protection is good, but it is not absolute.
What to look for if you think your phone is infected
Watch for these signs: your phone is unusually slow, apps crash frequently, your battery drains much faster than normal, you see pop-up ads even when you are not using the browser, or you notice apps you do not remember installing. Another red flag is a spike in your mobile data usage — malware often sends data to remote servers in the background.
If you see unfamiliar apps in your app list, tap and hold each one to see where it came from. Apps from "Unknown Sources" or sideloaded are more likely to be malicious. You can also check your app permissions: go to Settings, then Apps (or Application Manager on older Android), and look at what each app is allowed to do. If a flashlight app is asking for permission to read your contacts, that is suspicious.
On iPhone, check Settings > General > iPhone Storage to see all installed apps. If you see apps you do not recognize, delete them. iPhone does not show permissions the same way Android does, but you can see what apps have access to your location, camera, and microphone by going to Settings > Privacy.
How to remove a virus or malicious app
If a scan finds malware or you spot a suspicious app yourself, uninstall it immediately. On Android, go to Settings > Apps, find the app, and tap "Uninstall." On iPhone, press and hold the app icon on your home screen, tap "Remove App," then "Delete App." The app and all its data will be removed from your phone.
After you uninstall, change your passwords — especially for email, banking, and social media. Do this from a different device if possible. If the malicious app had access to your email password, an attacker could have changed your recovery email or phone number, locking you out of your account. Changing passwords from your phone is better than nothing, but changing them from a computer is safer.
If you cannot uninstall an app (it is grayed out), it may have been installed as a system app or have admin privileges. On Android, go to Settings > Apps > Special App Access > Device Admin Apps and remove the app from that list first, then uninstall it. If the problem persists, a factory reset is the most reliable way to remove stubborn malware, though it will erase everything on your phone.
When to do a factory reset
A factory reset erases your entire phone and reinstalls the operating system fresh. It is the most thorough way to remove malware, but it also deletes all your photos, messages, contacts, and apps. Only do this if a scan finds serious malware, you cannot uninstall a suspicious app, or your phone is behaving so strangely that you suspect a deep infection.
Before you reset, back up your data. On Android, go to Settings > System > Backup and turn on "Back up to Google Account." On iPhone, go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud and turn on "iCloud Backup." Wait for the backup to finish, then go to Settings > System > Reset Options (Android) or Settings > General > Transfer or Reset (iPhone) and choose "Erase All Content and Settings."
After the reset, your phone will restart as if it is brand new. You can then sign back into your accounts and restore your backup. Any malware will be gone, but so will any data that was not backed up.
How to avoid getting infected in the first place
The best defense is not clicking links in text messages or emails from people you do not know. Malware often spreads through phishing — a text that looks like it is from your bank or a delivery service, asking you to click a link. If you click, you might download malware or land on a fake website that steals your password.
Stick to downloading apps from the official App Store or Google Play Store. Do not sideload apps, even if a friend sends you a link or tells you an app is not available in your region. If an app is not in the official store, there is usually a reason.
Keep your phone's operating system up to date. Apple and Google release security updates regularly, and they patch vulnerabilities that malware could exploit. Go to Settings > System > System Update (Android) or Settings > General > Software Update (iPhone) and install updates as soon as they are available.
You do not need to install a third-party antivirus app unless you sideload frequently or want extra peace of mind. Google Play Protect and the App Store's built-in scanning are enough for most people. If you do install one, choose a well-known brand like Malwarebytes or Norton, and be aware that antivirus apps use battery and data.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a virus just by visiting a website on my phone?
It is very unlikely. Websites cannot directly install apps on your phone. You would have to click a link, download a file, and then manually install it. The bigger risk is a fake website that looks real and tricks you into entering your password. Avoid clicking links in text messages or emails from unknown senders.
Does my iPhone need antivirus protection?
No. iOS is designed to prevent the kind of malware that Android catches. The App Store reviews apps before they are published, and each app runs in isolation. You do not need a third-party antivirus app on iPhone. If you are concerned, run a manual scan through the App Store by going to your account and tapping "Purchased" to review what you have installed.
What does Google Play Protect actually do?
It scans apps in the Google Play Store before they are published and scans your installed apps regularly in the background. You can also trigger a manual scan by opening the Google Play Store, tapping your profile icon, then "Manage Apps & Device," then the "Manage" tab, and tapping "Scan." It takes a few minutes and checks against known malware signatures.
If I factory reset my phone, will I lose my photos?
Only if you do not back them up first. Before you reset, make sure your photos are backed up to Google Photos (Android) or iCloud (iPhone). Both services back up automatically if you turn them on in Settings. After the reset, you can sign back in and restore your photos.
Can malware survive a factory reset?
No. A factory reset erases everything and reinstalls the operating system, so any malware is removed. The only exception is if malware is embedded in the phone's firmware (the lowest level of software), which is extremely rare and would require specialized tools to remove.