iPhones rarely get viruses, but you can still check for signs of trouble

iPhones are harder to infect than Android phones or computers because Apple controls both the operating system and the App Store, and it reviews apps before they go live. A true virus — code that copies itself and spreads — is extremely rare on iPhone. What you might actually have is malware: an app or website that steals data, tracks you, or drains your battery. The good news is that you can spot the signs yourself without installing a separate antivirus app, which iPhone does not really need.

If your phone is running slowly, draining battery fast, overheating, or showing apps you do not remember downloading, something is wrong. It might be malware, but it might also be a buggy app, too many background processes, or a full storage drive. The steps below will help you figure out which, and what to do about it.

Key Takeaways

  • Check your battery usage in Settings to see which apps are consuming the most power — a sudden spike in an unfamiliar app is a red flag.
  • Review your App Library and recently updated apps to spot anything you do not recognize or remember installing.
  • Look at your location and microphone permissions in Settings, and revoke access from any app that does not need it.
  • Restart your phone in Safe Mode by holding the power button, then sliding to power off, then holding power again until you see the Apple logo — this disables third-party apps and can reveal if one is causing the problem.
  • If you find a suspicious app, delete it and change your passwords for email, banking, and social media from a different device.

Check which apps are using the most battery and data

Open Settings, then tap Battery. Scroll down to see Battery Usage by App over the last 24 hours or the last 10 days. Look for apps that are using far more power than you would expect — for example, a calculator app using 40% of your battery is a sign something is wrong. Legitimate apps like Maps, Spotify, or YouTube will show high usage if you used them a lot, but an app you barely touch should not be near the top.

Next, check data usage. Go to Settings, then Cellular, and scroll down to see which apps have used the most cellular data. If an app you rarely open has used gigabytes of data in the background, it may be sending information somewhere without your knowledge. Do the same check under Settings > Wi-Fi to see data over your home network.

Look for unfamiliar apps and review permissions

Open the App Library (swipe to the rightmost home screen) and scroll through all your apps. Look for anything you do not recognize or do not remember installing. Pay special attention to apps with generic names like "System Update", "Security", or "Cleaner" — these are common names for malware. If you find something suspicious, tap and hold it, then tap Remove App, then Delete App.

Now check permissions. Go to Settings, then Privacy. Tap Location Services and review which apps have access to your location. Tap Microphone and Camera and do the same. Most apps do not need these permissions — a flashlight app should never need your location or microphone. If you see something odd, tap the app name and change the setting to Never or Ask Next Time.

Restart your phone in Safe Mode to test for problem apps

Safe Mode disables all third-party apps and runs only Apple's built-in software. If your phone works normally in Safe Mode but has problems when you restart normally, a third-party app is the culprit. To enter Safe Mode, press and hold the power button (on the side of the phone) until the power-off slider appears. Drag the slider to turn off the phone. Wait 30 seconds, then press and hold the power button again until you see the Apple logo. The phone will boot into Safe Mode.

Use your phone normally for a few minutes. Does it feel faster? Is the battery draining at a normal rate? If yes, restart normally and start deleting apps one by one until the problem returns. If the phone still has problems in Safe Mode, the issue is likely not malware — it could be a storage problem, a failed iOS update, or a hardware issue.

Check for suspicious activity on your accounts

If you suspect malware, change your passwords from a different device (a computer or tablet) rather than your iPhone, in case the phone is compromised. Start with your email password, because email is the master key to resetting passwords everywhere else. Then change passwords for your bank, social media, and any other accounts with sensitive information.

Check your email account for suspicious login activity. In Gmail, scroll to the bottom of the inbox and click Details next to "Last account activity". In Outlook, go to Account > Security & Privacy > Recent Activity. Look for logins from unfamiliar locations or devices. If you see something wrong, sign out all other sessions and change your password again.

Update iOS and delete the suspicious app

Go to Settings, then General, then Software Update. If an update is available, install it. Apple patches security holes regularly, and keeping iOS current closes gaps that malware could use. After updating, delete any app you identified as suspicious. Tap and hold the app, tap Remove App, then Delete App.

If you are not sure which app is the problem, delete the ones you use least or do not recognize at all. You can always reinstall them later from the App Store if you need them. Stick to apps from well-known developers and read the reviews before installing anything new.

When to restore your iPhone from backup

If you found malware, deleted it, and your phone still behaves strangely, or if you are very worried about what data may have been stolen, you can restore your iPhone. This erases everything and reinstalls iOS fresh. Go to Settings, then General, then Transfer or Reset, then Erase All Content and Settings. You will need your Apple ID password. After the phone restores, you can set it up as new or restore from a backup you made before the malware arrived.

Restoring is the most thorough way to remove malware, but it also means losing any data you created after your last backup. If you backed up regularly to iCloud, you will not lose much. If you have not backed up in months, you may lose recent photos, messages, or notes. Weigh the risk of keeping the malware against the data you might lose.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to install an antivirus app on my iPhone?

No. Apple's App Store review process and iOS security make antivirus apps unnecessary. Apps claiming to scan for viruses cannot actually do a deep scan the way antivirus software works on a computer. If an app promises to remove viruses, it is likely a scam itself. Stick to the built-in tools in Settings.

Can I get a virus from visiting a website on Safari?

It is extremely unlikely. Safari and iOS are designed to isolate websites from the rest of your phone. A malicious website cannot directly install code on your iPhone. However, a website could trick you into downloading a malicious app, so be cautious about clicking links that ask you to install something.

What if I think my iPhone was hacked and someone has my passwords?

Change your passwords when ready from a different device. Start with email, then move to banking and social media. Check your email and bank accounts for unauthorized activity. If you see charges you did not make, contact your bank right away. Consider enabling two-factor authentication on all your accounts so a stolen password alone cannot unlock them.

Is it safe to read apps from the App Store?

The App Store is much safer than downloading from random websites, but not every app is trustworthy. Read reviews, check the developer's name, and look at what permissions the app is asking for. If an app wants access to your location, camera, or microphone but has no reason to need it, do not install it.

What does it mean if my iPhone keeps asking for my Apple ID password?

Repeated password prompts can be a sign of malware, but they usually mean your Apple ID password needs to be reset or your device is having trouble connecting to Apple's servers. Go to Settings, then [Your Name], then Password & Security, then Change Password. If the prompts continue after that, restart your phone or contact Apple Support.