Malware on iPhone: Signs of Infection & How to Get Rid of It

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Identify and remove threats from your iPhone using easy, safe steps

Co-authored by Bryzz Tortello and Megaera Lorenz, PhD

Last Updated: November 14, 2024 Fact Checked

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• Signs of Malware
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• Removing Malware and Viruses
|
• Video
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• Expert Q&A
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• Tips

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Do you suspect your iPhone might have a virus or malware? iPhones and iPads have a reputation for safety and security when it comes to malware and viruses. While it's rare for iOS devices to get infected with malware, no electronic device is completely safe from hackers and malicious attacks. This wikiHow article teaches you how to check for and remove malware and viruses on your iPhone or iPad, with tips from Electronics Repair Specialist Bryzz Tortello.

Common Symptoms of Malware on iPhone

If you notice apps , you may have a malware infection. Jailbroken iPhones are most susceptible to malware, so look for signs of a jailbreak, such as the presence of apps like Cydia or AltStore.

Steps

Section 1 of 2:

Signs of Malware

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1. 1
   You see apps you didn't install. According to Electronics Repair Specialist Bryzz Tortello, if you see an app you don't remember installing, it may be malware that got onto your phone through a malicious link or file download. These apps often look legitimate, so they can be hard to spot. If you see a suspicious app on your Home Screen or in your App Library, tap and hold the app icon until a pop-up menu appears, and then tap Remove App. Select Delete App in the dialog box.

   • Alternatively, you can check for apps in the Settings menu. To do so, open the Settings menu. Scroll down and tap Apps to see if you see any apps in the Settings menu you didn't install.
   • You can view a list of apps you have purchased in the App Store by opening the App Store and tapping your profile icon. Then tap Purchase History to view a list of all purchased apps, or Apps to see all the apps you’ve downloaded on any device connected to the same Apple Account.
2. 2
   Your battery isn't lasting as long as it used to. Lower battery life doesn't automatically mean your iPhone or iPad is infected with malware. Battery life is expected to decline on older devices, and sometimes legitimate apps and features can use more battery power than others. However, if you notice your battery life drops all of a sudden, it could be a sign that your phone is infected with malware or viruses.

   • You can check the health of your battery in the Settings menu. When your battery is fully charged open the Settings app and tap Battery. You will see a graph showing your battery level and how it corresponds to your activity throughout the day.
     • Tap Battery Health & Charging to see your battery’s current maximum capacity compared to what it was when your iPhone was new. If the capacity has dropped a lot, the problem may be with the battery itself.
   • The main Battery screen will also show you a list of apps and their percentage of battery use throughout the day. If you see any unknown or suspicious apps in this list that seem to be eating up a lot of battery, that may be the culprit.
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3. 3
   Your iPhone is overheating for no apparent reason. It's not uncommon for mobile devices to get hot when using resource-intensive apps, like 3D games. However, if you find your iPhone or iPad is overheating for no apparent reason, it could be a sign that there is an app or malware running in the background that is causing your iPhone or iPad to overheat.
4. 4
   Your data or call usage is higher than normal. If you are being charged for unexpected calls or higher-than-normal data usage, it could be a sign that your phone has been hijacked and being used to send data, or as part of cryptocurrency mining. If you primarily use Wi-Fi instead of mobile data, you may need to check with your internet service provider to see if you are using more data than usual. Use these steps to check your mobile data usage:

   • Open the Settings menu.
   • Tap Cellular (or Mobile).
   • Scroll down and tap Usage. This will show you the amount of data you’ve used during your current billing cycle.
   • Scroll down to the CELLULAR DATA (or MOBILE DATA) header to see a list of apps that are currently using data on your iPhone. If you see any unfamiliar or suspicious apps, toggle them off in the list and then uninstall them.
5. 5
   Apps are frequently crashing. If you find that apps are frequently crashing, it could be a problem with your iPhone's hardware or memory. It could also be a sign that your iPhone or iPad is infected with a virus or malware. Make a note of which apps are frequently crashing.
6. 6
   You're seeing random pop-ups, similar to the ones in your calendar. Tortello says that if you are receiving random pop-ups in Safari or other web browsers, it could be malware trying to get you to agree to something harmful. It could also be a sign that you have malicious cookies in your browser cache.
7. 7
   Your storage is filling up. If you have less storage space than you would expect, it could be that you have a lot of photos, videos, and apps installed on your iPhone. However, if you see the storage space classified as "Applications" or "System Data" is abnormally large, it could be a sign that you have malware or a virus. Use the following steps to check your system storage:

   • Open the Settings menu.
   • Tap General.
   • Tap iPhone Storage.
   • View the graph at the top of the page to see how much storage is being taken up in each category on your iPhone.
   • Take a look at the list of apps below the storage breakdown to see if any of the major storage users look suspicious or unfamiliar.
8. 8
   Your iPhone is jailbroken. Most malware and viruses are targeted towards jailbroken devices. Jailbreaking your iPhone or iPad may give you access to more customizable features and apps that aren't available on the App Store, but it also bypasses Apple's security features and exposes you to viruses and malware as well as voids your warranty. If you bought a pre-owned iPhone and you’re noticing other issues that suggest a malware infection, check for signs of jailbreaking.

   • To check if your device is jailbroken, look for apps that are commonly associated with jailbreaking. These include apps like Cydia, AltStore, AltServer, Fugu14, Unc0ver, and Checkra1n.
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Section 2 of 2:

Removing Malware and Viruses

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1. 1
   Uninstall unfamiliar apps. If you noticed any suspicious apps on your iPhone, it’s important to remove them immediately. Tap and hold the app icon on your Home Screen or in your App Library, then select Remove App > Delete App to delete the app and associated data.

   • You can also delete apps by going to Settings > General > iPhone Storage and tapping an app, then selecting Delete App.
2. 2
   Power your iPhone or iPad off and then back on. If you suspect your iPhone or iPad has malware, the first thing you should do after deleting any suspicious apps is to try restarting it. Power off your iPhone by pressing and holding either volume button and the side button until the power slider appears, then swiping the slider. Wait about 15 seconds and then press and hold the side button power it back on.

   • For models before iPhone X, press and hold the top or side button until the power slider appears, then swipe the slider to power down.
3. 3
   Update to the latest version of iOS. iPhone or iPad updates can patch system vulnerabilities, remove jailbreaks, and fix problems with your system. Use the following steps to update your iPhone or iPad to the latest version of iOS:

   • Ensure you are connected to the internet.
   • Ensure you have plenty of battery life, or plug in your iPhone.
   • Tap Settings.
   • Tap General.
   • Tap Software Update.
   • Tap whichever software update you want to install (if more than one is available).
   • Tap Install Now.
4. 4
   Install updates for problematic apps. If you find you are experiencing problems with specific apps, you may want to check and see if there is an update available for that app. This can fix stability and security issues. You can do so in the App Store. Use the following steps to update an app on your iPhone or iPad:

   • Open the App Store.
   • Tap your profile image in the upper-right corner.
   • Scroll down and tap Update next to the problematic app.
   • If there is no update available for a problematic app, or the update doesn't fix the problem, you may want to try uninstalling the app. Press and hold the icon, then tap Remove App > Delete App.
5. 5
   Clear your history and website data. If you're getting a lot of pop-ups in Safari, or you are being redirected to web pages you don't want to visit, you may need to clear your history and website data. Use the following steps to do so:

   • Open the Settings menu.
   • Scroll down and tap Apps (skip this if you’re using iOS 17 or earlier).
   • Tap Safari.
   • Tap Clear History and Website Data.
   • While you’re at it, toggle on security features like Prevent Cross-Site Tracking and Fraudulent Website Warning.
6. 6
   Try antivirus software. Unlike Android, macOS, and Windows, apps on iPhone and iPad are not granted system-wide access to your device. On the one hand, this makes the iPhone and iPad much more secure than other devices. On the other hand, antivirus software doesn't have the access it needs to fully secure your phone. Thus, antivirus software has limited effectiveness on iPhone and iPad. However, there are a few antivirus apps you can download from the App Store, including:

   • Malwarebytes
   • Bitdefender Mobile Security
   • AVG Mobile Security
   • Sophos Intercept X for Mobile
7. 7
   Reset your iPhone or iPad settings. If you're iPhone or iPad starts acting differently all of a sudden, it may not be malware or a virus. It could be a new feature you are not yet used to, or you may have inadvertently activated a feature or settings. You can reset your iPhone or iPad settings to their defaults. This will not erase any data on your iPhone, but it will reset your network settings, keyboard settings, Home Screen layout, location settings, privacy settings, and Apple Pay credit and debit cards. Use the following steps to reset your iPhone or iPad settings:

   • Open the Settings menu.
   • Tap General.
   • Tap Transfer or Reset iPhone.
   • Tap Reset.
   • Tap Reset All Settings.
   • Enter your passcode if prompted.
8. 8
   Reset your iPhone or iPad to its factory default settings. If all else fails, you can erase your iPhone or iPad and reset its factory default settings. This will erase all data on your iPhone or iPad. If you back up your iPhone or iPad to iCloud, you will be given the option to restore your iPhone or iPad from a backup when signing back in after resetting. Use the following steps to erase and reset your iPhone or iPad:

   • Open the Settings menu.
   • Tap General.
   • Tap Transfer or Reset iPhone.
   • Tap Erase All Content and Settings.
   • Enter your passcode or Apple ID password.
   • Power your iPhone or iPad back on after the reset is complete.
   • Follow the instructions during the initial setup process.
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Expert Q&A

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• Question

  How do I get rid of malware notifications on my iPhone?

  

  Bryzz Tortello
  Phone Repair Specialist

  Bryzz Tortello is a Phone Repair Specialist and the Owner & CEO of Tortello Repair Services. With over ten years of experience, she specializes in iPhone and iPad ranging from screen and battery replacements to microsoldering and data recovery. Bryzz attended The College of the Canyons.

  

  Bryzz Tortello

  Phone Repair Specialist

  Expert Answer

  If it's a push notification, do not click on it. Go to Settings on your phone and select the app that is sending the notifications. Then, just toggle off the option "Allow Notifications".

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Tips

• If problems persist after resetting your iPhone, the malware or virus may be saved to your backup. In which case, you will need to reset your iPhone without restoring it.
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