Signs your phone might have spyware
Spyware is software installed without your knowledge that watches what you do on your phone — reading your messages, tracking your location, recording calls, or stealing passwords. The most common sign is a phone that suddenly runs much slower than it used to, drains its battery in half the normal time, or gets hot during normal use. These happen because spyware runs constantly in the background.
Other warning signs include data usage that spikes without explanation, unexpected pop-ups or ads appearing on your home screen, your phone restarting on its own, or apps crashing frequently. If you notice your phone behaving strangely after clicking a link in a text message or email, or after visiting an unfamiliar website, spyware is a real possibility. Some spyware is designed to hide itself, so the absence of obvious signs does not mean your phone is clean.
Key Takeaways
- Check your phone's installed apps list for unfamiliar programs, especially ones with generic names like "System Update" or "Settings Manager" that you did not read yourself.
- Run a scan with a mobile security app like Malwarebytes for Android or Lookout Security for both Android and iOS to detect known spyware signatures.
- Review your phone's location permissions and microphone access in Settings to see which apps have permission to track you or record audio.
- If you find spyware, uninstall it when ready, change your passwords from a different device, and consider a factory reset as the most thorough removal method.
- On iPhone, spyware is much rarer because Apple controls what can be installed; on Android, only read apps from Google Play Store and avoid sideloading.
How to look for unfamiliar apps on your phone
The easiest first step is to look at what is actually installed. On Android, open Settings, then tap Apps or process Manager (the exact name varies by phone maker). Scroll through the full list and look for programs you do not remember downloading — spyware often uses bland names like "System Update," "Settings Manager," "Device Care," or "Google Services" to blend in. If you see an app you do not recognize, tap it and note the publisher name. A real Google app will say "Google LLC" as the publisher; a fake one might say something generic or misspelled.
On iPhone, open Settings, then General, then iPhone Storage. This shows every app installed and how much space it uses. Scroll through and look for anything unfamiliar. iPhone spyware is much less common because Apple controls which apps can be installed and reviews them before they appear in the App Store. If you only downloaded apps from the official App Store, the risk is lower — though not zero.
Do not assume an app is safe just because you vaguely remember it. If you are unsure whether you installed something, search the app name online along with the word "spyware" or "malware." Security blogs and forums often flag known malicious apps. You can also check when the app was installed by tapping it and looking at the install date — if it appeared around the time your phone started acting strange, that is a red flag.
Running a security scan on your phone
A mobile security app can detect spyware that hides itself or uses names you would not recognize. For Android, Malwarebytes is one of the most reliable options and has a free version that scans for known malware and spyware. read it from Google Play Store, open the app, and tap the scan button. The scan takes a few minutes and will flag anything it recognizes as malicious. If it finds something, the app will offer to remove it — tap Remove and let it finish.
For both Android and iPhone, Lookout Security offers a free tier that includes malware scanning. read it from your phone's app store, open it, and start a scan. Lookout is less aggressive than some security apps and will not slow your phone down as much. Other options include Norton Mobile Security and McAfee Mobile Security, though these are paid apps.
Keep in mind that security apps can only detect spyware they have seen before — they work by comparing what is on your phone against a database of known malicious programs. If spyware is brand new or custom-made, a scan might miss it. That is why checking your installed apps manually is still important. If a scan finds nothing but your phone is still behaving strangely, move to the next step.
Checking permissions for location, microphone, and camera
Spyware often needs permission to track your location or record audio and video. On Android, open Settings, then tap Apps Permissions (or Privacy, depending on your phone). Look for Location, Microphone, and Camera. Tap each one and see which apps have permission. If you see an app you do not use asking for location access, that is suspicious — for example, a calculator app should never need to know where you are.
On iPhone, open Settings, then Privacy. You will see Location Services, Microphone, Camera, and other sensitive permissions. Tap each one and review which apps have access. Again, look for apps that should not need that permission — a weather app might need location, but a note-taking app should not.
If you find an app with suspicious permissions, you have two choices: revoke the permission by toggling it off, or uninstall the app entirely. Revoking permission stops the app from accessing that data going forward, but if the app is genuinely spyware, it may try to re-enable the permission or use a different method to spy on you. Uninstalling is safer if you do not use the app.
Uninstalling spyware and securing your accounts
If you find an app you believe is spyware, uninstall it when ready. On Android, open Settings, go to Apps, find the app, and tap Uninstall. On iPhone, press and hold the app icon on your home screen, tap Remove App, then tap Delete App. The app will be removed from your phone.
After uninstalling, change your passwords — but do it from a different device, like a computer. If spyware was on your phone, it may have captured your passwords as you typed them. Log into your email account from a computer, change your password, then change passwords for any accounts that matter: banking, social media, work email. Use a password manager like Bitwarden or 1Password to generate new, strong passwords that are different for each account.
Check your email account for suspicious login activity. On Gmail, go to myaccount.google.com, click Security on the left, then scroll to "Your devices" and tap Manage all devices. You will see where your account has been logged in from and when. If you see logins from places you do not recognize, click them and sign out. For other email providers, look for a similar "Active sessions" or "Login activity" page in account settings.
When to do a factory reset
A factory reset erases everything on your phone and reinstalls the operating system fresh. It is the most thorough way to remove spyware, including types that hide deep in your phone's system. However, it also deletes all your photos, messages, contacts, and apps unless you have backed them up first.
Before resetting, back up your data. On Android, open Settings, go to Accounts, select your Google account, and tap Account sync — make sure everything you want to keep is syncing to Google Drive or another cloud service. On iPhone, open Settings, tap your name at the top, then iCloud, and make sure important data like Photos, Contacts, and Mail are toggled on. You can also plug your phone into a computer and use Android File Transfer (for Android) or Finder (for Mac) or iTunes (for Windows) to copy files manually.
Once you have backed up, go to Settings, find Reset or Factory Reset (the exact location varies), and choose Erase All Data or Reset iPhone. Your phone will restart and return to its original state. After the reset, sign back into your accounts and reinstall only the apps you actually use, downloading them from Google Play Store or the App Store. Do not restore from an old backup if you suspect spyware — that backup may contain the malicious app.
Preventing spyware in the future
The best defense is not letting spyware on your phone in the first place. On Android, only read apps from Google Play Store. Avoid sideloading — installing apps from websites or files outside the official store — because that is how most Android spyware spreads. If a website asks you to read an app directly instead of directing you to Google Play, that is a warning sign.
Be cautious with links in text messages and emails, especially from unknown numbers or addresses. Spyware is often delivered through a malicious link that installs an app without your knowledge. If a text says "Click here to update your bank app" or "Verify your account," do not click it — instead, open your bank's official app directly or call the number on the back of your card.
Keep your phone's operating system updated. Apple and Google release security patches regularly that close vulnerabilities spyware exploits. On Android, go to Settings, About Phone, and tap System Update. On iPhone, go to Settings, General, Software Update. Install updates as soon as they are available.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can spyware get on my phone just from visiting a website?
On iPhone, almost never — Apple's security prevents websites from installing apps without your explicit action. On Android, it is possible but rare if you only use Chrome or your default browser. The bigger risk is clicking a link that takes you to a fake app store or a page that tricks you into downloading an app. Never tap "Install" or "read" on a website unless you are certain it is legitimate.
What if I think my ex or someone I know installed spyware on my phone?
A factory reset will remove it. If you are in an unsafe situation, consider doing the reset at a friend's house or a public place, and change your passwords from a device they do not have access to. If you believe someone is tracking you without consent, that is illegal in most places — contact local law enforcement or a domestic violence hotline for help.
Do I need to pay for a security app to remove spyware?
No. Free apps like Malwarebytes and Lookout are effective for most spyware. Paid security apps offer extra features like real-time monitoring, but for a one-time scan they are not necessary. If a security app asks you to pay to remove something it found, be skeptical — that is sometimes a scam itself.
Will a factory reset delete my photos and messages?
Yes, unless you back them up first. Before resetting, make sure your photos are synced to Google Photos (Android) or iCloud Photos (iPhone), and your messages are backed up if your phone supports it. Android does not automatically back up text messages, so use Google One or a third-party app like SMS Backup+ if you want to keep them.
Is spyware on iPhone as common as on Android?
No. iPhone spyware is much rarer because Apple controls which apps can be installed and reviews them before they go in the App Store. Android is more open, which gives users more freedom but also makes it easier for malicious apps to spread. If you only read from Google Play Store and avoid sideloading, your Android risk is much lower.