iPhone viruses are rare, but you should still know what to watch for

iPhones get infected far less often than Android phones or computers because Apple controls what software can run on the device. Every app in the App Store goes through review before it appears, and the operating system itself is closed — malware cannot install itself the way it can on an open system. That said, infection is possible, especially if you have jailbroken your phone or clicked a malicious link in email or text.

The signs of a compromised iPhone are often the same as signs of a phone that is straightforward running slowly: battery drains fast, the device gets hot, apps crash, or you see unfamiliar apps you did not install. The challenge is that these symptoms usually mean something else — a full storage drive, too many background apps, or an old battery. Before you assume malware, you should rule out the simpler causes first.

Key Takeaways

  • Apple's App Store review process makes iPhone malware uncommon, but jailbroken phones and phones that have clicked malicious links are at higher risk.
  • Battery drain, overheating, unexpected app crashes, and unfamiliar installed apps are the most common signs of infection, though they usually point to other problems.
  • Restarting your phone, checking your storage space, and reviewing your installed apps are the first steps before assuming malware is present.
  • If you believe your phone is infected, signing out of iCloud and resetting to factory settings will remove any malware, though you will lose all data unless you have a backup.
  • You do not need to install antivirus software on an iPhone — Apple's built-in protections are sufficient for most users.

Check what apps are installed and remove anything you do not recognize

Open the App Library by swiping to the rightmost home screen, or open Settings and tap General, then iPhone Storage. Scroll through the list of installed apps and look for anything you do not remember downloading. Malware often hides under names that look like system apps — something like "System Update" or "Security Check" that you did not deliberately install.

If you find an unfamiliar app, tap it and select Remove App, then Delete App. If the app will not delete — if the option is grayed out — that is unusual and suggests the phone may have been compromised. Note the app name and move to the factory reset section below.

Also check Settings > General > VPN & Device Management. If you see a profile or configuration installed that you do not recognize, that is a sign someone has installed management software on your phone. Tap it and select Delete Profile. If you cannot delete it, the phone needs a factory reset.

Restart your phone and check battery and storage

Before you assume malware, restart the phone. Press and hold the power button and either volume button until the power-off slider appears, then drag it to turn off the phone. Wait 30 seconds, then press the power button to turn it back on. Many slowness and battery problems resolve after a restart.

Next, check how much storage you have left. Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage. If the phone is more than 90 percent full, that alone will cause slowness, battery drain, and app crashes. Delete photos, videos, or apps you no longer need until you have at least 10 percent free space.

Check battery health by going to Settings > Battery > Battery Health & Charging. If Maximum Capacity is below 80 percent, your battery is aging and will drain faster — that is normal wear, not malware. If it is above 80 percent and the battery still drains in a few hours, move to the next step.

Review background app activity and location services

Malware often runs in the background and drains battery by sending data or checking for commands. Go to Settings > General > Background App Refresh and look at which apps are allowed to refresh in the background. Turn off background refresh for any app you do not use regularly — especially social media apps, which drain battery even when you are not using them.

Also check Settings > Privacy > Location Services. Scroll through the list and look for apps that have location access set to "Always" or "While Using". Malware sometimes requests location permission. If an app you rarely use has location access, change it to "Never" or "Only While Using the App".

These changes alone often fix battery drain and slowness. Restart the phone again and use it for a day to see if performance improves.

Check your Apple ID and iCloud settings for unauthorized access

If someone has compromised your phone, they may have added their own Apple ID or changed your password. Go to Settings > [Your Name] at the top. Look at the list of devices under "Your Devices" — you should recognize all of them. If you see a device you do not own, tap it and select Remove.

Check Settings > [Your Name] > Password & Security > Recent Security Events. This shows login attempts and changes to your account. If you see sign-ins from locations you do not recognize, your Apple ID password may have been compromised. Change your password when ready by going to Settings > [Your Name] > Password & Security > Change Password.

Also check Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud to see which apps have permission to access your iCloud data. If you see apps you do not recognize, turn off their access.

Factory reset if you cannot remove an app or suspect active malware

If an app will not delete, you cannot remove a management profile, or you see other signs of compromise that did not resolve after the steps above, the most reliable fix is a factory reset. This erases everything on the phone and reinstalls the operating system, which removes any malware.

Before you reset, back up your data. Go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup and tap Back Up Now. Wait for the backup to finish — this may take several minutes if you have a lot of photos or videos. If you do not trust the backup (because malware may have compromised it), you can skip this step and restore from a backup after the reset instead.

To reset the phone, go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset > Erase All Content and Settings. Enter your Apple ID password when prompted. The phone will restart and walk you through setup. When you reach the Apps & Data screen, choose "Restore from iCloud Backup" if you backed up, or "Restore from Mac or PC" if you have a computer backup. If you did not back up, choose "Set Up as New iPhone" and reinstall your apps from the App Store.

You do not need antivirus software on iPhone

Apple's operating system includes built-in protections that scan apps for malware and monitor for suspicious behavior. Apps labeled "antivirus" or "security" in the App Store cannot actually scan your phone the way antivirus software works on a computer — Apple does not allow it. These apps can only monitor your network or show you which apps have permissions, which you can already see in Settings.

If you see an app claiming to remove viruses or clean your phone, it is not doing what it claims. The only reliable way to remove malware from an iPhone is to restart the phone, remove suspicious apps, or factory reset if necessary.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a virus from opening an email or text message?

straightforward opening an email or text will not infect your phone. Clicking a link in an email or text can, especially if the link takes you to a fake login page that steals your password. If you clicked a suspicious link, change your password when ready and monitor your account for unauthorized activity.

What does jailbreaking do and why does it increase malware risk?

Jailbreaking removes Apple's restrictions so you can install apps from outside the App Store. This gives you more control but also removes the security review that all App Store apps go through. Jailbroken phones can install malware just like a computer can. If your phone is jailbroken and you suspect infection, a factory reset is the safest option.

Should I be worried about malware if I only use the App Store?

App Store malware is rare because Apple reviews every app before it appears. Your main risk is clicking a malicious link in email, text, or a website, or downloading an app that looks legitimate but collects your data. Stick to well-known apps with many reviews and be cautious with links from unknown senders.

Will a factory reset remove all my data?

Yes, a factory reset erases everything on the phone unless you restore from a backup. Before you reset, back up to iCloud or your computer. After the reset, you can restore your photos, messages, and app data from the backup. Apps themselves must be reinstalled from the App Store.

What should I do if I think my Apple ID password was stolen?

Change your password when ready in Settings > [Your Name] > Password & Security > Change Password. Check your Recent Security Events to see if anyone else signed in. If you see unauthorized sign-ins, enable two-factor authentication if you have not already, and consider checking your payment methods for unauthorized charges.