Viruses are becoming increasingly sophisticated. They can now occur on any mobile device, including Android and Apple iPhone models. Hackers and malware authors today have more means and resources to spread them.

In worst cases, a virus can replicate itself by changing other programs on your device and inserting a malicious code. If the virus can replicate itself, it can instantly infect the device without a trigger. It would be best if you get rid of it as soon as possible when this happens. In most instances, viruses will need to be attached to a host program for them to spread. While viruses typically occur on desktop computers and laptops, they can also infect any phone.

So, whether you have an Android device or an Apple iPhone, it’s important to know how to get rid of a virus from your phone. This guide takes a detailed look at how to eliminate a virus from any phone.

Can Phones Get Viruses?

No matter what brand or model of phone you have, there’s always a possibility that a virus will infect your device. Even though tech giants designed Android and Apple iPhone devices with security in mind, viruses can still get into phones if a malicious app is downloaded or a pop-up ad gets clicked on. There’s always a chance of infection. When this occurs, it’s crucial to get rid of the application causing the virus to prevent it from spreading. If left unattended, viruses can steal your information and negatively affect the performance of your phone.

Can Viruses Infect an iPhone?

The iOS operating system installed on Apple iPhone devices is highly secure and isn’t necessarily susceptible to viruses and malware. iPhone users can only download apps directly through the App Store, so fake and malicious applications can’t be downloaded. The apps you download on your iPhone can’t directly get into the device’s operating system, reducing the possibility of viruses infecting your phone.

To effectively reduce the risk of a virus on your iPhone, you mustn’t purchase an unlocked or jailbroken phone that allows users to download applications outside the App Store. If you have an unlocked Apple iPhone, the device has the potential to be as susceptible to viruses as Android phones. The types of security threats that iPhone devices are most vulnerable to include identity theft, phishing, and unsecured WiFi networks.

Can Viruses Infect an Android Phone?

Android phones are typically considered to be more vulnerable to viruses than Apple iPhone models. These viruses are delivered to the phone by downloading malicious software. Once these viruses are downloaded and activated, they can worsen your device’s performance and corrupt any files or programs found on your phone.

The viruses that can infect your Android phone include spyware, adware, and ransomware. Even though nearly all apps from the Play Store are legitimate and don’t contain viruses, Google won’t detect viruses until they’ve been downloaded and installed by thousands of people. You’re at a higher risk of downloading a malicious app on your Android phone if you use a third-party app store.

How Do I Know If There’s a Virus on My Phone?

Viruses can get activated before you ever know that they’ve infected your phone. The most potent viruses will steal your data and damage your device without being detected. However, there are some signs that you should be on the lookout for if you want to identify viruses before they cause too much damage. These signs include everything from regular crashes with the apps you use to increased data usage.

Apps Crash Constantly

Even the most stable apps can crash from time to time, which doesn’t indicate that a virus is present on your phone. However, constant app crashes may be the result of a virus or similar malware.

Data Usage is Increasing

Among the most common signs of a virus is increased data usage. If this increase is sudden, a virus may be running different background tasks on your phone. It’s also possible that the increase in data usage is caused by the virus using your internet connection to transfer information and data from your device.

Battery Drains Quickly

While batteries don’t retain their charge for an unlimited time, the battery on your phone shouldn’t drain too quickly. If the battery is draining fast, a virus may have created this problem. The battery will continue draining quickly until you get rid of the virus.

Frequency of Adware Pop-Ups is Increasing

The majority of pop-up ads that occur on an Android or Apple iPhone model are harmless and are only designed to market products and services. Downloading a simple ad blocker will allow you to avoid seeing any pop-up ads while using an internet browser on your phone. However, there are times when pop-up ads will come up even when the browser is closed, indicating a virus. This type of virus is known as adware, and it can steal your data if you click on one of them.

Unfamiliar Apps Are Constantly Appearing

If you find an application on your phone that you don’t remember downloading, don’t open the app. It could be a virus or malware that needs to be activated before it can damage your device. To prevent this from happening, delete all unfamiliar apps immediately.

How Do I Check For Viruses on My Phone?

Knowing if there’s a virus on your phone and checking if there are viruses are two different things. The latter can allow you to detect threats early and prevent more viruses from spreading and infecting more parts of your device.

To check for viruses on your phone, you can download and install a reliable mobile security app with a virus scanner. Once you have the app, you can perform manual or regular scans to detect threats and viruses.

What Viruses Can Do to Phones

If your phone has a virus on it, there are many ways that this virus can damage the device. When you download a malicious app to your phone, the effects can include:

  • Your phone can be infected with ransomware, which will cause your files to be locked
  • Your charges could increase through SMS charges, app charges, or data depletion
  • A large amount of your personal information could be collected, which extends to your contact list, banking details, email address, photos, and GPS location
  • Your device could be taken over entirely via a process known as rooting
  • Phone conversations could be recorded and sent directly to hackers
  • The virus could sign you up for costly services or send various SMS messages that cost money

Can a Virus Destroy My Phone?

Your physical device won’t be affected, but these viruses attack your software and data. They can affect your device’s overall performance, or worse, steal your personal and financial information. Hackers and malware authors have different ways and resources to inflict damage.