In today’s digital age, smartphones have become an essential part of our lives, and with this increase in usage, the risk of viruses and malware infecting our phones has also increased. Viruses can slow down your phone, steal your data, and compromise your security. That is why it is crucial to know how to remove a virus from your Android phone to protect your device and personal information.
What Do Viruses Do to Your Phone?
When a virus infects your Android phone, it can cause various problems that can significantly impact your device’s performance and compromise your security. Some of the common signs of a virus-infected phone include sluggishness, freezing, crashing, pop-ups, and unusual battery consumption. The virus can also steal your personal information, such as your contacts, messages, and browsing history, and send it to the attacker. Moreover, some viruses can install additional malware on your phone, making it vulnerable to further attacks. That is why it is crucial to remove any viruses from your phone as soon as possible to prevent any significant damage.
How to Check Android Phones for Viruses When Online
Checking your Android phone for viruses when online is a crucial step in ensuring that your device is free from any potential threats. One way to do this is by using online virus scanners. There are various online virus scanners available that can scan your phone for viruses and malware, such as Bitdefender, Kaspersky, and Norton. To use these scanners, you need to visit the antivirus software’s website, select the option to scan your phone, and follow the instructions.
Another way to check for viruses is by using Google Play Protect. Google Play Protect is a built-in security feature in Android phones that scans your phone for any harmful apps and alerts you if any suspicious activity is detected. To enable Google Play Protect, go to your phone’s settings, navigate to the “Security” section, and turn on the option for Google Play Protect.
How to Check Android Phones for Viruses Offline
Checking your Android phone for viruses offline is also a crucial step in ensuring that your device is free from any potential threats. One way to do this is by preemptively downloading antivirus software when you are online that can scan your phone for viruses and malware without an internet connection. There are various antivirus applications available in the Google Play Store that you can download and install on your phone. Once installed, you can run a full system scan to detect any viruses or malware on your phone.
Another way to check for viruses offline is by using a USB cable and a computer. You can connect your phone to a computer and scan it with antivirus software that is installed on your computer. This method is particularly useful if your phone is infected with a virus that prevents it from connecting to the internet.
How to Get Rid of Viruses on Phones:
Here are some steps you can take to remove a virus from your Android phone:
1. Restart Your Phone in Safe Mode
Restarting your phone in safe mode is the first step to removing a virus from your Android phone. Safe mode is a diagnostic mode that disables all third-party applications, allowing you to identify and remove any malicious apps that may be causing problems.
To restart your phone in safe mode, press the power button on your Android phone and hold it down until the power menu pops up. Then, press the “Power off” option until the “Reboot to safe mode” option appears. Finally, tap on “OK” to confirm and restart your phone in safe mode.
Once it has restarted in safe mode, you will see “Safe mode” which should appear at the bottom of your screen, on the left. In safe mode, your phone will only run essential system applications and built-in functions. This mode will disable any third-party apps that you have installed, making it easier for you to identify and remove any suspicious apps that may be causing problems.
2. Uninstall Suspicious Apps
Uninstalling suspicious apps is another crucial step in removing a virus from your Android phone. Malicious apps can hide on your phone and cause various problems such as pop-ups, redirects, slow performance, and high battery consumption. It is important to identify and remove any suspicious apps that you did not install or any apps that are causing problems. To uninstall suspicious apps, go to your phone’s settings and navigate to the “Apps” or “Application Manager” section. Look for any suspicious apps that you did not install or any apps that are causing problems, then tap on the app to open its information page. Finally, tap on the “Uninstall” button to remove the app from your phone.
If the “Uninstall” button is grayed out, it means that the app has administrative access, and you need to remove its permissions before uninstalling it. To remove the app’s permissions, go to your phone’s settings, navigate to the “Security” section, and select “Device administrators.” Find the app that you want to remove and disable its administrator access. Once you have disabled its administrator access, go back to the app’s information page and tap on the “Uninstall” button to remove it from your phone.
3. Install and Run Antivirus Software
Installing and running antivirus software is another crucial step in removing a virus from your Android phone. Antivirus software can detect and remove any viruses or malware that may be hiding on your phone and protect your device from future threats. To install and run antivirus software, go to the Google Play Store and search for antivirus software.
Choose a reputable antivirus app such as Bitdefender, then download and install the app on your phone. Open the app and follow the instructions to set it up and run a full system scan to detect any viruses or malware on your phone. Antivirus software uses various methods to detect and remove viruses from your phone, such as signature-based detection, behavioral analysis, and heuristics, so once the antivirus software has detected any potential threats, it will alert you and give you the option to remove them from your phone.
4. Clear Your Phone’s Cache and Data:
Clearing your phone’s cache and data is another important step in removing a virus from your Android phone. The cache and data on your phone can accumulate over time and take up a significant amount of storage space. Clearing your phone’s cache and data can also help remove any viruses or malware that may be hiding on your device.
Begin by going to your phone’s settings and navigating to the “Storage” section, then tap on “Cached data” to clear your phone’s cache. Finally, tap on “Free up space” or “Clean storage” to remove any unnecessary data from your phone. Clearing your phone’s cache will remove any nefarious temporary files and data that your phone has accumulated. This can help improve your phone’s performance and speed and prevent a virus from replicating itself from your temporary files.
Last Resort – Factory Reset Your Phone:
Factory resetting your phone is a last resort when it comes to removing a virus from your Android phone. This step will erase all the data and settings on your phone and restore it to its original factory settings. However, it is a powerful tool to remove any persistent viruses or malware that may have infected your phone. Begin by backing up your important data to a secure location, such as a cloud service or a computer. Go to your phone’s settings and navigate to the “Backup and reset” section, then tap on “Factory data reset” and follow the instructions to confirm the reset. Finally, wait for the reset process to complete and set up your phone as a new device.
Factory resetting your phone will remove all apps, data, and settings from your device, including any viruses or malware that may have infected your phone. This step can be effective in removing any persistent viruses that cannot be removed through other methods. However, it is important to note that factory resetting your phone will also remove any customisations and settings that you have made to your device.
Preventative Measures
In addition to the above steps, it is also important to take preventive measures to protect your Android phone from viruses and malware. One of the best ways to prevent your phone from getting infected is to keep it up to date with the latest security patches and software updates. These updates often include bug fixes and security improvements that can help protect your phone from potential threats. Another important preventive measure is to be cautious when downloading and installing apps, so try to always download apps from reputable sources such as the Google Play Store or the App Store and read the app reviews before installing them.
Viruses and malware can cause significant damage to your Android phone, compromise your security, and steal your personal information. That is why it is crucial to take proactive measures to prevent your phone from getting infected and to remove any viruses or malware that may be present on your device. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can effectively remove any viruses or malware from your Android phone and protect your personal information.