How To Remove Malware From Android Phone [7 Easy Methods]

Explore the top effective methods to Remove Malware From Android Phones. Here you will also learn about malware types and the top anti-malware tools:

Malware is malicious software that can easily get into your phone while you are surfing the internet on your phone or downloading applications from malicious websites that cause harm to your system.

Even cybercriminals use malware to access the data of the users which they used to commit crimes. Besides making your data vulnerable to cybercriminals, these malicious programs also harm the working of the device and reduce its performance.

In this article, we will discuss various types of malware and will learn how to get rid of malware on phones.

What Is Malware

Malware is a malicious program that is infiltrated in victims’ devices with the sole intention of data theft and privacy intrusion. These programs harm the working of the device and make your device vulnerable to various other viruses and harmful programs.

How To Find Malware On Android

There are various symptoms that will help you determine your phone is infected by malware. A few of the symptoms are mentioned below:

#1) Reduced performance: Malware reduces the device performance, and you will notice that your phone will lag at times. Also, you might have to click on a button multiple times to reach the next window or web page.

Also Read => Top Reasons And Their Solutions for Slow Phone

#2) Increased data usage: Malware work in the background and shares your data to the respective servers, which results in increased data usage.

#3) Advertisements: Adware floods your device with advertisements that interrupt the working of the device and are extremely annoying for the users.

#4) Crashes apps: Many users complain that when they try to open an application, it crashes multiple times. This suggests that the application is suspicious, and you must instantly uninstall it to save your device from getting infected.

#5) Overheating and battery draining: As malware works in the background, you will notice that even when you are not using your device, it will cause overheating, and the battery of your device will drain fast.

#6) Spam: A lot of users complain that their friends have received spam from their mobile phones. It is because sometimes malware accesses your contacts and replicates via sharing a copy of a malicious program via SMS or mail.

Harm Caused By Malware

It can cause harm to users in multiple ways, and some serious threats are listed below:

1. Collects your sensitive information, including passwords, bank details, and various other credentials.
2. Downloads suspicious applications on your device.
3. It displays advertisements and affects the working of your device.
4. Spies on the users and records working and phone conversations.
5. Spam the copy of the malicious program to your contacts.
6. Displays advertisements and pop-ups in your browser.

Malware Types

Normally, these are of four types and they are listed and discussed below:

1. Spyware: These types of malicious programs can spy on your work and record phone conversations and other important data.
2. Ransomware: As the name suggests, these malicious programs hold the sole intent of gaining ransom from the user in return for stealing some crucial data.
3. Worm: This form of malicious program replicates itself and attaches to mails, SMS, MMS, etc., and then moves from one host to another and keeps replication, harming the working of the device.
4. Trojan: These types of malicious programs are used to remotely control the user’s device.

How To Get Rid Of Malware On Phone

Enlisted below are some most effective methods.

Method 1: Delete Suspicious Applications

The most known and probable cause of malware infiltration is the installation of suspicious applications, so you must make sure that the applications you are downloading are safe and secure.

There are multiple tips that you can follow to reduce the chances:

1. Download applications only from Play Store/Apple store as applications on these platforms are secure.
2. Ensure that the downloaded application is safe before providing it with access to GPS, contacts, and other important data.
3. Do not download the application from any link or directly from Google.
4. Make regular checks of the applications.
5. Monitor the data usage of the applications, as this will help you locate any suspicious activity.

Follow the steps listed below to uninstall suspicious applications from your phone:

1. Open “Settings” and search for the “Applications” option.
2. Locate the application and tap on it.
3. Click on “Uninstall” to uninstall the application from your phone.

Further Reading => Phone Screen Green Issue – Quick Fixes

Method 2: Install Anti-Malware

Anti-malware can help you scan your device and remove the malicious program from your device. Download a secure and trusted anti-malware, install it on your device and run a complete device scan to locate any malicious program on your device.

These anti-malware applications make it easier for the users to locate any security breach or any vulnerability to sensitive data on the device.

Top Android Malware Removal Tools

There are various best-suited tools for your mobile devices, and some of them are listed below:

#1) Norton 360

Norton 360 is an advanced anti-malware application that provides its users with a secure system scan and makes the system secure against malicious programs. Norton has earned a great reputation among its users and it is expanding with its top-notch services which include features like Web Security, Device Security Advisor, and many more.

Features:

• App advisor
• Web Protection
• Wi-Fi security
• Device security

Pricing: $14.99/year

#2) AVG

AVG has been serving its users with enhanced and secure services, which has made data sharing simplified. It remains one of the most used anti-malware applications.

AVG works strongly against network-related threats, which often include phishing attacks, ransomware attacks, or some loopholes in the security system. It works with advanced algorithms to keep the device secure.

Features:

• Phishing protection
• Ransomware protection
• Internet Security and VPN

Pricing:

• Free (Protection against malware, ransomware, and virus)
• $3.69/month (Internet Security)
• $4.99/month (Ultimate)

#3) Malwarebytes

Malwarebytes remain a great choice for multiple device protection because it offers safety to multiple devices and also provides high-end security. Malwarebytes provides security to a user’s device against various threats like Ransomware, and it crushes all such programs intended to harm the device. Also, it keeps you safe and prevents real-time threats.

Features:

• Crushes Ransomware
• Deletes malware
• Prevents real-time threats

Pricing:

• Premium 1 device $3.33/month
• Premium 5 devices: $6.67/month
• Premium+Privacy 5 devices: $8.33/month

Further Reading => TOP Android Cleaner Apps to Clean your Phone

#4) McAfee Total Protection

McAfee is one those rare security solutions today that’s powered by an AI. You can count on the tool for total protection of your android phone from malware, ransomware, viruses, etc. It can keep you safe from online threats as soon as it is installed on your Android device. Plus, you get round-the-clock tech support if you ever find yourself in a bind with the software. 

Features:

• Scam Protection
• VPN
• Anti-Virus
• Web Protection
• Tracker remover
• Parental control

Price: McAfee offers three subscription plans. They are as follows:

• Basic: $29.99/year
• Essential: $39.99/year
• Advanced: $89.99/year.

#5) Bitdefender

Bitdefender is one of the most affordable applications available. The application is popular among its users because of its affordable price and quality services. Bitdefender has an advanced sophisticated algorithm which makes its working much secure and efficient.

Features:

• Malware Protection
• Web Protection
• Anti-theft
• Malware scan

Pricing: $14.99/year

#6) Clario

Clario is one of the most suitable applications available in the market. It has gained an immense amount of trust and faith among its users, and therefore it remains one of the most used applications.

Clario provides various facilities to users which range from VPN (Virtual Private Network), AdBlock services, Web Protection, and many more. Such features help users in keeping their devices safe.

Features:

• VPN
• Adblock
• Malware Protection
• Web Security

Pricing:

• $12/month for three devices
• $5.75/month for a 1-year pop-up plan

Website: Clario

Method 3: Clear Downloads

Various infected files are infiltrated into the device via downloads. People with malicious intentions attach the harmful programs with the downloaded file, and when it enters the victim’s phone, it replicates and causes harm to the device. So you must clear your downloads regularly to keep your device safe and remove malware on Android.

Open Downloads and select all the suspicious downloads and delete them from your phone.

Method 4: Disable Pop-Ups

Many times users have complained that when they are surfing on a browser, suddenly pop-ups occur on the screen, and clicking on it redirects them to another website that starts displaying ads. The best way to remove malware from Android is to disable pop-ups in your browser.

Follow the steps listed below to disable pop-ups in your browser:

#1) Open the browser on your mobile and open the menu. Click on Settings as displayed in the image below.

#2) Now, click on Site Settings.

#3) Click on Pop-ups and redirects as displayed below.

#4) Now toggle switch to disable pop-ups and redirects as displayed below.

Method 5: Remove Administrator Access

When you download any application on your mobile and install that application, you notice that the application asks for several permissions like Allow application to access contacts, allow the application to access the camera, and many more.

You must always make sure that you do not provide an application with access control and permission to use the resources of your device. You must open settings and then disable permissions of any suspicious application and plan to keep some very basic symptoms and keep your system secure.

Further Reading => Simple Steps to Retrieve Deleted Text Messages on Android

Method 6: Activating Safe Mode

Mobile users get an inbuilt safe mode/recovery mode as a dedicated feature, which makes it easier for them to fix their devices via administrator access.

There are numerous applications that can not be deleted in a normal mode as some processes might be running in the background and it will show a pop-up stating can’t delete applications. So you need to use safe mode to deactivate such background applications and delete them.

Follow the steps listed below to enable safe mode on your device and learn how to remove malware from Android:

1. Press the power button for 4-5 seconds, and the power off option will be displayed on the screen.
2. Click on the power off button for 4-5 seconds, and the safe mode option will appear on the screen. Click on the “Safe Mode” icon.
3. Now mobile phones will restart and start in safe mode; if you are using the launcher, then icons might look a bit different, but basic menu icons will remain by default.
4. Open Settings and go to Applications; uninstall any suspicious application.
5. If you cannot delete an application, then go to application permissions in Settings and disable all permissions for the application and then Uninstall it.
6. Now power off the mobile phone and then power it on, and the suspicious application will be removed.

For some different mobile phones:

Some mobile phones do not offer the option to enable the safe mode directly, so follow the steps listed below to enable safe mode in them:

1. Press the Power button and volume up button together for 4-5 seconds, and your phone will be switched off.
2. Now press the power button with the volume low button for 4-5 seconds, and your phone will display a white screen with a language option. Select the language.
3. Now various options will be displayed on the screen. Click on “Reboot”, and your phone will restart in safe mode.

Further Reading => How to Completely Uninstall or Delete Apps on Mac

Method 7: Factory Reset Phone/Wipe Data

If your mobile phone is infected with malware programs and you have a backup of your important data, then it is best suited to reset your mobile phone. You can simply wipe all the data from your phone, and it will begin like just new.

Follow the steps mentioned below for android malware removal:

1. Press the Power button and volume up button together for 4-5 seconds, and your phone will be switched off.
2. Now press the power button with the volume low button for 4-5 seconds, and your phone will display a white screen with a language option. Select the language.
3. Now various options will be displayed on the screen. Click on “Wipe Data”.

Steps to Prevent Malware Infiltration

There are various tips and methods which can prevent malware infiltration, and some of them are discussed below.

1. Buy a reliable and trustworthy antivirus/anti-malware for your device.
2. Keep your phones updated.
3. Do not open insecure links or visit insecure websites.
4. Use strong passwords and do not save your passwords on browsers.
5. Do not connect to a public network.
6. Use VPN to access the browser.
7. Download from trusted sources.
8. Read carefully before providing permissions to applications.
9. Scan phone for malware regularly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Malicious programs have become a serious threat to the privacy and information of users. And therefore, we should try to avoid malware from sneaking into our devices to keep them safe and secure.

Therefore, in this article, we discussed various types of malware and further talked about various ways regarding how to remove malware from Android.

Further reading =>> Top effective methods to remove malware from iPhone