How to tell if your phone has a virus
Your phone shows signs of infection through behavior changes you can spot without special tools. Look for a sudden slowdown when opening apps, unexpected battery drain even when you are not using the phone, data usage spikes you cannot explain, apps crashing repeatedly, or your phone getting hot during normal use. You might also notice pop-ups appearing outside of web browsers, unfamiliar apps you did not install, or your phone restarting on its own.
These symptoms do not always mean a virus — a full storage drive or an app with a bug can cause the same problems. But if several of these happen at once, especially after downloading something from an unfamiliar source, a virus scan is worth running. The difference between Android and iPhone matters here: Android phones are more commonly targeted, while iPhones are harder to infect but not impossible.
Key Takeaways
- Sudden slowdowns, battery drain, unexpected data usage, and random restarts are the most common signs a phone may have picked up malware.
- Android phones can be scanned with Google Play Protect (built in) or third-party apps like Malwarebytes; iPhones have no direct scan option but can be checked by looking at storage and app permissions.
- Uninstalling recently downloaded apps and clearing your browser cache are the fastest ways to remove most common infections without losing your data.
- Restarting your phone in Safe Mode (Android) can help you identify which app is causing problems before you delete it.
Running a scan on Android
Android phones come with Google Play Protect built in. Open the Google Play Store app, tap your profile icon in the top right, select "Manage apps and device," then go to the "Manage" tab. Tap "Security" and you will see an option to scan your device. Google Play Protect runs a scan and flags any apps it recognizes as harmful. If it finds something, you can uninstall the app directly from the scan results.
If you want a second opinion or Google Play Protect does not catch anything but your phone still feels infected, download Malwarebytes or Avast from the Play Store. Both are free and run a more thorough scan than Google Play Protect. Install the app, open it, and tap the scan button. The scan takes a few minutes and will list any threats it finds. You can then remove them from within the app. Do not install multiple antivirus apps at once — they can interfere with each other and slow your phone down.
Checking an iPhone for malware
iPhones do not have a built-in malware scanner the way Android phones do, because Apple's system makes it harder for viruses to run in the first place. If you think your iPhone has a virus, start by checking what is taking up storage space. Go to Settings, tap General, then Storage. Look for apps you do not recognize or apps that are much larger than they should be — a calculator app should not be 500 MB, for example.
Next, review which apps have permission to access your location, contacts, photos, and microphone. Go to Settings, scroll down to Privacy, and check each category. If an app you barely use has permission to access your location or microphone, that is suspicious. You can revoke permissions by tapping the app name and toggling off the permission. If you find an app you did not install, delete it by pressing and holding the app icon, then selecting "Remove App."
If your iPhone is still behaving strangely after removing suspicious apps and revoking permissions, restart it by holding the power button and either volume button, then sliding to power off. Wait 30 seconds and turn it back on. If the problem continues, you may need to back up your data and restore the phone through Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings, though this is a last resort.
Removing malware without losing your data
The safest first step is to uninstall apps you do not recognize or do not remember downloading. On Android, go to Settings > Apps, find the suspicious app, and tap "Uninstall." On iPhone, press and hold the app icon and select "Remove App," then choose "Delete App." If you are not sure whether an app is legitimate, search its name online — malware apps often have names that mimic real apps but with slight spelling changes.
Clear your browser cache and cookies, which is where malware sometimes hides. On Android, open Chrome, tap the three-dot menu, go to Settings > Privacy > Clear Browsing Data, check "Cookies and site data," and tap Clear. On iPhone, go to Settings > Safari > Clear History and Website Data. This removes temporary files that might contain malicious code without deleting your photos, messages, or other important data.
If your phone still has problems after uninstalling suspicious apps and clearing your browser, restart it in Safe Mode. On Android, hold the power button until the power menu appears, then press and hold "Power off" until Safe Mode appears. Your phone will restart with only essential apps running. If the problems stop, a third-party app is likely the culprit — you can then uninstall apps one by one until you find the problem. On iPhone, you cannot enter Safe Mode the same way, so if clearing cache and uninstalling apps does not work, a full restore is the next option.
Where viruses come from on phones
Most phone viruses come from downloading apps outside the official app stores. The Google Play Store and Apple App Store both scan apps before listing them, though malware occasionally slips through. Third-party app stores, websites offering "free" versions of paid apps, and links in text messages or emails are much riskier. If you only download from the official stores, your risk drops significantly.
Phishing links are another common entry point. A text message or email that looks like it is from your bank, a delivery service, or a social media platform might actually be malware in disguise. Do not click links in unsolicited messages — instead, go directly to the official website or app and log in there. Malware can also hide in files you download, like PDFs or images, especially if they come from untrusted sources.
Preventing future infections
Keep your phone's operating system updated. Go to Settings > System > System Update on Android or Settings > General > Software Update on iPhone and install updates as soon as they are available. These updates patch security holes that malware exploits. Also update your apps regularly — the App Store and Play Store can be set to update apps automatically.
Use a strong, unique password for your Google or Apple account, since malware sometimes tries to access your account to install more apps or steal data. Enable two-factor authentication on your account if you have not already. Be cautious about what permissions you grant apps — if a flashlight app asks for access to your contacts, that is a red flag. Review app permissions every few months and revoke access for apps that do not need it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a virus on my phone steal my passwords and banking information?
Yes, some malware is designed to capture passwords and financial data. This is why keeping your phone updated and avoiding suspicious apps matters. If you think your phone was infected and you use banking apps, change your passwords from a different device and contact your bank to report the potential breach.
Will restarting my phone remove a virus?
Restarting alone will not remove a virus, but it can temporarily stop it from running. A full restart in Safe Mode can help you identify which app is causing problems. To actually remove the malware, you need to uninstall the infected app or run a malware scan.
Is it safe to use my phone while it might have a virus?
It depends on what the malware does. Some viruses just drain battery or show ads. Others steal data or monitor your activity. If you suspect an infection, avoid logging into banking apps or entering passwords until you have scanned and cleaned your phone. Using the phone for basic tasks like calling or texting is generally safe.
Do I need to pay for antivirus software on my phone?
No. Google Play Protect is free and built into Android. Malwarebytes and Avast both offer free versions that work well for most people. Paid antivirus apps offer extra features like VPN or real-time scanning, but they are not necessary for basic protection.
What should I do if a scan finds a virus but I cannot remove it?
If an app will not uninstall normally, restart your phone in Safe Mode and try uninstalling again. If that does not work, go to Settings > Apps, find the app, and tap "Disable" instead of uninstall — this turns off the app without removing it. As a last resort, you can back up your data and perform a factory reset to wipe everything and start fresh.