iPhone viruses are rare, but you can check for signs of infection yourself

iPhones get viruses far less often than Android phones or computers because Apple controls both the hardware and software, and the App Store reviews apps before they go live. A true virus that spreads itself is extremely uncommon on iPhone. What you might encounter instead is malware hidden in a downloaded app, a phishing scam, or spyware installed by someone with physical access to your phone.

You cannot run a traditional antivirus scan on iPhone the way you would on a Windows computer. Instead, you look for signs that something is wrong — unusual battery drain, unexpected data use, apps crashing, or pop-ups that won't stop. If you find those signs, the steps below will help you narrow down the cause and remove the problem.

Key Takeaways

  • Check your battery health in Settings > Battery > Battery Health & Charging to see if a rogue app is draining power faster than normal.
  • Review which apps use the most data in Settings > Cellular or Settings > Wi-Fi to spot an app behaving unusually.
  • Delete any app you do not recognize or trust, then restart your phone to clear its memory.
  • If problems persist after deleting suspicious apps, back up your data and restore your iPhone from a backup or factory reset it.
  • Avoid downloading apps outside the App Store, clicking links in unexpected texts or emails, and giving apps permission to access your location, photos, or contacts unless you trust them.

Check your battery health and power use

A virus or malware often runs in the background and drains your battery faster than it should. Open Settings, tap Battery, then tap Battery Health & Charging. You will see a percentage labeled "Maximum Capacity" — if it is above 80 percent, your battery is in normal condition. If it is much lower, your battery may simply be old, or an app may be running constantly in the background.

Next, check which apps are using the most power. In the same Battery section, scroll down to see "Battery Usage by App" for the last 24 hours or the last 10 days. If one app is using far more battery than the others — say, 40 percent when the next highest is 8 percent — that app may be the problem. If you do not recognize the app or do not use it often, delete it and restart your phone.

Review data use and look for unfamiliar apps

Malware sometimes sends data to a remote server without your knowledge. Go to Settings > Cellular (or Wi-Fi) and scroll down to see which apps have used the most data. If an app you rarely use has consumed gigabytes of data, that is a red flag. Delete it immediately.

While you are in Settings, go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage to see a list of all installed apps sorted by size. Scroll through and look for apps you do not remember downloading. Tap any suspicious app and select Delete App, then confirm. Restart your phone after deleting apps to clear its memory and stop any background processes.

Check your app permissions and recent sign-ins

A compromised app might have permission to access your location, photos, contacts, or microphone. Go to Settings and scroll down to see a list of apps. Tap each one and review what permissions it has been granted. If an app has access to your location, camera, or microphone but you do not use those features, revoke the permission by toggling it off.

You can also check which devices have signed into your Apple ID. Go to Settings > [Your Name] > Password & Security > Devices. You will see a list of iPhones, iPads, and Macs logged into your account. If you see a device you do not recognize, tap it and select Remove from Account. This will sign out that device and prevent anyone using it from accessing your photos, messages, or payment information.

Restart your iPhone or restore from backup

A simple restart often stops malware from running. Press and hold the Side Button (or Top Button on older models) and either volume button until the power-off slider appears. Drag it to turn off your phone, wait 10 seconds, then press and hold the Side Button again until you see the Apple logo.

If restarting does not solve the problem, back up your data to iCloud or a computer, then restore your iPhone. Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset > Erase All Content and Settings. This erases everything on your phone and reinstalls a clean copy of iOS. After the reset, you can restore your backup — but only if you trust that the backup itself is clean. If you suspect the malware was on your phone for weeks, restore from an older backup or set up as a new iPhone and reinstall only the apps you need.

Avoid infection in the first place

Download apps only from the App Store, not from websites or email links. The App Store reviews every app before it goes live, though malicious apps occasionally slip through. Read app reviews before downloading, and pay attention to what permissions an app requests — if a flashlight app asks for access to your contacts, that is a warning sign.

Do not click links in text messages or emails from people you do not know, and do not tap links in pop-ups that appear while browsing. These are often phishing scams designed to steal your password or credit card information. If you receive a message claiming to be from Apple asking you to confirm your password or payment method, go directly to Settings and sign in yourself rather than clicking the link in the message.

When to consider a factory reset

If you have deleted suspicious apps, restarted your phone, and the problems continue — battery still drains fast, pop-ups still appear, or apps still crash — a factory reset is your most reliable option. A factory reset erases everything and reinstalls iOS from scratch, which will remove any malware that survived app deletion.

Before you reset, back up your data. Go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup and tap Back Up Now. Once the backup is complete, go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset > Erase All Content and Settings. Your phone will restart and ask you to set it up again. You can then restore from your backup or start fresh with only the apps you trust.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a virus just by visiting a website on Safari?

Visiting a website alone will not infect your iPhone with a virus. However, a malicious website might try to trick you into downloading an app or entering your password. If a website asks you to download something or claims your phone is infected, close Safari and do not follow the instructions.

Do I need to download an antivirus app for my iPhone?

No. Antivirus apps on the App Store cannot scan your entire phone the way antivirus software works on a computer. They can only scan files within their own sandbox. Apple's built-in security is sufficient for most users. If you want extra protection, focus on safe habits: use strong passwords, enable two-factor authentication, and avoid downloading apps outside the App Store.

What does it mean if I see a pop-up saying my iPhone has a virus?

That pop-up is almost certainly a scam. Apple does not send pop-ups warning you that your phone is infected. Close Safari immediately by swiping up from the bottom of the screen, and do not tap any buttons in the pop-up. If the pop-up keeps appearing, restart your phone or delete the app that was open when it appeared.

Will restoring from backup reinfect my phone?

If the malware was in an app you downloaded, restoring from a backup will restore that app and the malware with it. To be safe, restore from a backup that is at least a few weeks old, or set up your iPhone as new and reinstall only the apps you trust. You can always download your photos and messages again from iCloud.

Is my Apple ID password compromised if my phone had malware?

Not necessarily. Most malware on iPhone targets your data or your device, not your Apple ID password. However, if you entered your password into a phishing link or a fake app, change your password immediately. Go to Settings > [Your Name] > Password & Security > Change Password.