What to do if your phone has a virus

If your phone is running slowly, showing ads you didn't tap, draining battery fast, or opening apps on its own, it may have malware. The fastest fix is to restart your phone in Safe Mode, then uninstall any apps you don't recognize. If that doesn't work, you can factory reset your phone — which erases everything and reinstalls the operating system fresh. Before you do that, back up your photos and important files to cloud storage like Google Drive or iCloud.

Most phone viruses come from apps downloaded outside the official store. Android phones are more vulnerable than iPhones because Android allows apps from third-party sources, but both can get infected. The good news is that phone viruses rarely steal money directly — they usually make money by showing ads or collecting data to sell to advertisers.

Key Takeaways

  • Restart your phone in Safe Mode first, then uninstall unfamiliar apps — this fixes most infections without losing your data.
  • If Safe Mode doesn't work, back up your photos and files to Google Drive or iCloud, then do a factory reset to wipe the phone clean.
  • Most phone malware comes from apps installed outside Google Play or the App Store, so stick to official stores going forward.
  • You do not need to pay for antivirus software on your phone — the built-in protections in Android and iOS are usually enough.

How to restart your phone in Safe Mode

On Android: Press and hold the power button until the power menu appears. Tap and hold "Power off" until a Safe Mode option shows up. Tap it. Your phone will restart with only the built-in apps running — any third-party apps will be hidden but not deleted.

On iPhone: iPhones do not have a traditional Safe Mode, but you can restart in a way that disables recently installed apps. Press and hold the power button and volume up button together until the power-off slider appears. Slide to power off, wait 30 seconds, then turn it back on. This does not disable third-party apps the way Android Safe Mode does, but it can stop some malware from running.

Once in Safe Mode, open your Settings and look for the list of installed apps. On Android, go to Settings > Apps or Application Manager. On iPhone, go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage. Look for apps you do not recognize or do not remember installing. Tap each one and choose Uninstall or Delete. Pay special attention to apps with generic names like "System Update," "Security," or "Cleaner" — these are common malware names.

When to do a factory reset

If restarting in Safe Mode and uninstalling apps does not fix the problem, a factory reset will. This erases everything on your phone and reinstalls the operating system, removing any malware that hid itself too deep to uninstall manually. The downside is that you lose all your data unless you back it up first.

Before you reset: Back up your photos, contacts, and important files. On Android, open Settings > Google > Manage your Google Account > Backup and turn on backup. On iPhone, go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup and tap Back Up Now. Wait for the backup to finish — this can take 10 minutes to an hour depending on how much data you have.

To factory reset on Android: Go to Settings > System > Reset Options > Erase All Data (Factory Reset). You will be asked to enter your PIN or password. The phone will restart and erase everything, then walk you through setup again. When you sign back in with your Google account, your photos, contacts, and apps will restore from backup.

To factory reset on iPhone: Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset > Erase All Content and Settings. Enter your passcode and Apple ID password. The phone will erase and restart. When you set it up again, you can restore from your iCloud backup.

Apps that claim to remove viruses

You will see ads for antivirus apps in the Google Play Store and App Store. Most of them do not work and some are malware themselves. Google and Apple both scan apps before they appear in their stores, and they scan your phone regularly for known malware. That built-in protection is usually enough.

If you want extra peace of mind, Malwarebytes is a legitimate option — it is made by a real security company and does not show aggressive ads. But it is not necessary. A factory reset removes malware more reliably than any antivirus app can.

How to avoid getting a virus in the first place

Most phone malware comes from apps installed outside the official app stores. On Android, only download apps from Google Play. On iPhone, only download from the App Store. Both stores have human reviewers who check apps before they go live, though malware does occasionally slip through.

Be cautious of apps that ask for unusual permissions. If a flashlight app asks for access to your contacts or location, that is a red flag — uninstall it. On Android, go to Settings > Apps > [App Name] > Permissions to see what each app can access. On iPhone, go to Settings > Privacy to see which apps have access to your location, camera, microphone, and photos.

Do not click links in text messages or emails from people you do not know, and do not download files from untrusted websites. If a website asks you to download something to watch a video or see a photo, close it and go elsewhere.

Signs your phone might have malware

A slow phone is not always a virus — it can just mean you are running out of storage or have too many apps open. But if your phone is slow and also showing other signs, malware is more likely. Look for apps opening on their own, unexpected ads popping up, battery draining much faster than usual, or data usage spiking without explanation.

Check your phone bill for charges you did not make. Some malware signs up for paid services in the background. If you see unfamiliar charges, contact your phone company right away and ask them to reverse them. Then follow the steps above to remove the malware.

If your phone is overheating, that can also be a sign of malware running in the background. Restart in Safe Mode and uninstall suspicious apps. If the phone still overheats, do a factory reset.

What to do if you think malware stole your passwords

If you are worried that malware saw your passwords, change them on a different device — a computer or tablet that you trust. Start with your email password, since email is the key to resetting everything else. Then change passwords for your bank, social media, and any other important accounts.

Turn on two-factor authentication for accounts that offer it. This means that even if someone has your password, they cannot log in without a code sent to your phone or email. Most banks, email providers, and social media platforms offer this. It takes a few extra seconds to log in, but it stops most account takeovers.

If malware made charges on your credit card or bank account, contact your bank or credit card company right away. They can reverse fraudulent charges and issue you a new card. You are not responsible for charges made by malware in most cases.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a virus just by visiting a website?

On modern phones, no. iOS and Android both prevent websites from installing apps without your permission. You can get malware by clicking a link that takes you to a fake app store, but just visiting a normal website will not infect your phone.

Is my iPhone safe from viruses?

iPhones are harder to infect than Android phones because Apple controls what apps can do more strictly. But they are not immune. Malware can still come through apps in the App Store, though it is rare. The same precautions apply: only download from the official store and be cautious of apps asking for unusual permissions.

Will a factory reset delete my photos?

Yes, unless you back them up first. Before you reset, make sure your photos are saved to Google Photos (Android) or iCloud (iPhone). When you sign back in after the reset, your photos will restore automatically.

Do I need to pay for antivirus software?

No. Google and Apple both scan your phone for malware for free. Paid antivirus apps rarely do anything the built-in protection does not already do. A factory reset is more effective than any antivirus app.

What if my phone is still slow after I remove the malware?

Slowness can come from other things: too many apps installed, not enough storage space, or an old phone that is just aging. Check how much storage you have left in Settings. If you are using more than 80 percent, delete photos, videos, or apps you do not use. If storage is fine, try restarting your phone. If it is still slow, a factory reset will give you a fresh start.