Mobile phones are now central to our lives. As our need for constant connectivity grows, so does the likelihood of encountering malicious software or a virus. This is particularly true for our smartphones, which have become an indispensable part of our daily lives. Mobile phones hold a wealth of personal information and data that can be lucrative to cybercriminals. 

Given this, it’s crucial to know whether your phone is infected and if so, how to effectively deal with the situation. In this article, we will cover how to identify a phone virus, remove it, and prevent future infections. 

Symptoms of a virus infection

Smartphones have become just as susceptible to malware as personal computers. You may be unaware of the symptoms, but your mobile device could already be showing warning signs of a virus infection. Some are quite sophisticated and designed to run invisibly in the background. Knowing what to look out for is a critical first step in preventing further damage.

Here are some signs that your phone might be infected:

  • Increase in data usage: A sudden increase in data usage could indicate that a virus is running tasks on your phone. Most malware works by sending data back to the hacker’s server, causing your data usage to spike unexpectedly.
  • Battery drain: Viruses tend to use a lot of battery power because they run continuously in the background. If your fully charged battery loses power quickly and for no apparent reason, you might have a virus on your phone.
  • Pop-up ads: If you are seeing a multitude of unwanted pop-up ads on your smartphone, you may be infected with adware, a type of malware that forces devices to view and interact with harmful ads.
  • Slow performance: If your phone is suddenly running significantly slower, crashing, or freezing, a virus may be the culprit. Malware uses up your phone’s resources, causing it to work harder and slowing down.
  • Unexplained charges: If you notice unexplained charges on your billing statement, particularly in the ‘SMS’ category, it’s possible your phone is sending costly messages to premium-rate phone numbers.

Scareware: fake or real virus alerts?

Fake virus warnings, often called “scareware,” are a common trick to get you to download malware or pay for useless services. These alerts typically appear as aggressive pop-ups in your browser, using urgent language like “Your phone is infected! Act now!” 

To spot a fake, look for these signs: poor grammar, sensationalist warnings, and a demand for immediate action or payment. 

A real virus alert from a legitimate security app will be calm, professional, and will appear within the app itself, not as a random browser pop-up. If you see a suspicious alert, do not click on it. The safest response is to close the browser tab or the entire browser. Afterward, run a scan with your trusted security app to confirm your phone’s status.

Android vs. iPhone: different risk levels

Both Android and iPhones can contract viruses, largely based on the user’s digital habits. However, the risk level differs due to the phones’ core design. 

Android’s open-source nature and allowance for third-party app stores create more opportunities for malicious actors. In contrast, Apple’s iOS operates in a walled environment where apps are strictly vetted and only available through the App Store to reduce the risk of malware downloads. iPhones are not entirely immune, however, to phishing attacks, an insecure Wi-Fi, and sophisticated spyware, especially if the device has been jailbroken.

The impact of viruses and other malware on your phone

Beyond a slow device or annoying pop-ups, the real danger in your phone lies in the theft of your personal and financial information, which can lead to devastating consequences. Here are some of the consequences of a virus infection on your phone:

  • Disrupted operations: Slower phone performance, frequent crashes, fast battery drain, or a complete lockout will bar you from communicating with your groups through calls or messaging, making bank transactions, and other important operations.
  • Information theft: Malware can secretly collect your contacts, photos, emails, and location data, sending it directly to cybercriminals.
  • Financial loss: Banking trojans can steal your login credentials for financial apps, leading to unauthorized transactions and drained bank accounts.
  • Compromised identity: With your personal data, hackers can open new accounts, claim benefits, or apply for loans in your name, and eventually damage your reputation, which takes years to recover.
  • Loss of trust: Your compromised identity could degrade the confidence of your circle of family, friends, coworkers, and organizations in you.

Types of phone viruses

Unlike traditional computer viruses that need a host file to spread, mobile viruses or malware often come in the form of a malicious application you’re tricked into installing. Whatever form they take, phone viruses aim to gain unauthorized access to your applications and data, disrupt operation, or steal your data.

  • Banking Trojans: These viruses are particularly vile and are designed to steal your financial information. They often mimic your bank’s legitimate app or login page to trick you into entering your credentials.
  • Worms: Worms can replicate themselves and spread from one device to another, often through SMS or MMS messages. 

Other kinds of malware that attack your phone

While these are technically not viruses, they fall under the malicious family of apps that aim to impact your phone usage or your life:

  • Adware: These aggressively push unwanted advertisements, often as a barrage of pop-ups or full-screen ads. While mostly annoying, adware can slow your phone down or link to more dangerous malware.
  • Spyware: Designed to be invisible, spyware records everything you do on your phone, from keystrokes to location, call logs, and app usage. The main sign is often unexpected battery drain or data usage. 
  • Ransomware: This malicious software locks your files or your entire device, demanding a ransom for their release. A ransomware attack is obvious—you’ll see a message demanding money. 
  • Stalkerware: This is a type of spyware installed by someone with physical access to your phone, allowing them to monitor your activities without your consent. If you notice settings changing on their own or apps you don’t recognize, it could be a sign. 

Sources of virus and other malware

These viruses and other malware could come from nearly anywhere as smartphones become central to our lives. Here are some possible sources:

  • Malicious apps: This is the most common way your phone is infected. While official stores like Google Play and the Apple App Store have security checks, malicious apps sometimes slip through. The risk is much higher if you download apps from unofficial, third-party stores.
  • Phishing and smishing: These deceptive emails or text messages trick you into clicking a malicious link or downloading an infected attachment. The message might look like it’s from a trusted brand or contact.
  • Unsecured Wi-Fi: Connecting to public Wi-Fi networks at cafes, airports, or hotels can be risky. Cybercriminals on the same network can intercept your data or push malware to your device.
  • Compromised websites: Visiting an unsecure or malicious website can be enough to infect your phone through a “drive-by download,” which installs malware without you even clicking anything.
  • Outdated Operating System: Updates frequently include patches that fix security flaws that malware creators exploit. Failing to install the latest system updates leaves your device vulnerable.

Quick guide: Scan and clean your phone

If you suspect that your phone is infected, it’s important to act quickly to prevent any further damage. 

Scan and remove the virus from your Android phone

For Android users, running a full system scan is the best way to know if your phone has a virus. Here’s a detailed guide to help you get started on the process and keep your phone virus-free:

  1. Install trusted antivirus software: Go to the Google Play Store or Apple App Store and download a reputable security app like McAfee Mobile Security. Avoid downloading from third-party sites.
  2. Grant necessary permissions: Open the app and follow the setup instructions. You will need to grant it permission to scan your files and apps to effectively check your phone for viruses.
  3. Run a full system scan: Tap the “Scan” button to begin. The app will check your installed applications, files, and system for any known malware, spyware, or other threats. 
  4. Review the results and take action: Once the scan is complete, the app will display any threats it finds. Follow the on-screen prompts to quarantine or remove the malicious files.
  5. Enable real-time and automatic scanning: For ongoing protection, go into the app’s settings to enable real-time protection and scheduled regular automated scans. This helps ensure your device stays secure without you having to manually scan it every time.

Step-by-step virus removal

The results of the scan indeed show a virus in your phone. What now? It is best to act quickly and remove the virus. The process to do this is different for Android and iOS phones. Allow us to walk you through it:

  1. Enter Safe Mode: Press and hold your phone’s power button, then tap and hold the “Power off” option on the screen. A prompt to “Reboot to safe mode” will appear; tap it. Safe Mode loads only essential system apps, preventing malware from running.
  2. Find and uninstall the malicious app: In Safe Mode, go to Settings > Apps. Look for any suspicious apps you don’t remember installing or that appeared around the time the problems started. Tap the app and select “Uninstall.”
  3. Revoke admin permissions: If the “Uninstall” button is inactive, it means the app has administrator privileges. Go to Settings > Security > Device administrators (or similar path), find the malicious app, and uncheck the box to deactivate it. You can now go back and uninstall it.
  4. Clean your browser and downloads: Go into your browser settings and clear the cache and data to remove any lingering malicious scripts. Also, check your “Downloads” folder and delete any suspicious .apk files.
  5. Restart and scan: Reboot your phone to exit Safe Mode. Once it’s back in normal mode, install and run a scan with a mobile security solution to ensure the threat is completely gone and to protect against future infections.

Can you scan an iPhone for malware?

Due to Apple’s strict security model, traditional antivirus apps can’t scan the entire iPhone system. However, you can still perform important security checks:

  1. Update iOS: The first and simplest step is to ensure your software is current. Go to Settings > General > Software Update and install any available updates. Apple updates frequently contain security patches that can eliminate vulnerabilities or remove malware.
  2. Delete suspicious apps: Look through your apps and delete any you don’t recognize or that you installed right before problems began. Simply hold your finger on the app icon and tap “Remove App” to delete it.
  3. Clear browser history and data: Malicious code can hide in your browser’s data. Go to Settings > Safari and tap on “Clear History and Website Data.”
  4. Regain full control: Navigate to Settings > General > VPN & Device Management. If you see any unexpected profiles here, delete them, as they can be used to control your device. 
  5. Restart your iPhone: A simple restart can sometimes resolve issues and stop a malicious process from running.
  6. Restore from a backup or factory reset: If problems persist, your final options are to restore from an iCloud backup made before the virus appeared or perform a factory reset. To do this, go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone and choose “Erase All Content and Settings.” This will wipe your phone clean, so only do this as a last resort.

While you can’t execute the “scan my phone for viruses” function in the traditional sense, iOS security apps from trusted providers can still offer vital protection by scanning for threats in web traffic and protecting your online privacy.

Factory reset: The last resort

If a virus prevents your phone from turning on, you still have other—although more technical—options. 

For Android users, booting into Android Recovery Mode allows you to perform actions like wiping the cache partition or initiating a factory reset. For iPhone users, Device Firmware Update Mode or Recovery Mode allows you to restore the device to its factory settings using a computer. Before attempting these, remember that a factory reset will erase all your data, so hopefully you have a recent backup. 

If you don’t have a backup or are uncomfortable with these steps, seeking help from a professional repair service is the safest choice to avoid further damage.

In most cases, a factory reset erases all data, apps, and settings on your device, effectively wiping out most types of malware. It’s often the most reliable way to remove a persistent phone virus. 

Some words of warning: this process is irreversible. That’s why it’s important to back up your important data (photos, contacts) as a matter of routine, before disaster strikes. Also, be careful to restore from a backup made *before* you noticed the infection, to avoid reintroducing the virus. 

In very rare instances, some advanced malware can infect a device’s firmware or recovery partition, potentially surviving a reset. After performing a reset, immediately install a security app and run all system updates to protect your newly cleaned device.

Prevent re-infection: Other post-cleanup best practices

After successfully removing the virus, you certainly want to prevent another infection. We recommend the following steps you could take:

  • Ensure your phone’s software is up-to-date. Regular updates are not only beneficial for gaining new features but a must to improve security. Updates include patches for security vulnerabilities that have been discovered. 
  • Change passwords: Immediately after removing a threat, change the passwords for all your important accounts, including email, banking, and social media.
  • Enable two-factor authentication: This makes it much harder for cyber criminals to gain unauthorized access, even if your log-in details get stolen.
  • Download apps only from official app stores. Unofficial or third-party app sources often don’t perform the stringent security checks, and only increase the odds of downloading a malicious app. Additionally, avoid clicking on suspicious links in emails and text messages.
  • Install a reliable mobile security solution. This tool will provide real-time protection from potential threats. A notable mobile security solution is one that offers robust and comprehensive protection.
  • Thoroughly vet app permissions. Some apps request permissions unneeded to function, putting your personal data at risk. It’s wise to be discerning before granting these permissions.
  • Maintain a culture of vigilance. Caution, combined with continuous education about potential threats, can go a long way in protecting your phone and your information.
  • Schedule periodic security scans. Use your security app to schedule automatic weekly scans to continuously monitor for new threats.
  • Added layer of security: Especially on public Wi-Fi, use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to encrypt your connection, making it unreadable to potential snoops.
  • Regularly back up your data. This will enable you to restore your phone if a virus forces a factory reset. 

Key takeaways: Why mobile security matters

In an increasingly connected world, your smartphone is not just a device—it’s a gateway to your personal and financial life. The impact of a phone virus goes beyond a slow device or annoying pop-ups. The risk is in losing your data to cyber criminals, leading to devastating consequences such as financial loss, identity theft, and a damaged reputation. 

Given these, protecting it from viruses and malware is no longer optional; it’s essential. To guard against these personal disasters, install trusted services like McAfee Mobile Security, which offers not just antivirus safeguards, but also a scam detector, VPN, and identity monitoring, giving you a chance to act before the damage is done.

By staying informed, taking immediate action when threats arise, and following best practices for prevention, you can safeguard your data, your privacy, and your peace of mind. Mobile security starts with awareness—and now, you’re one step ahead.