Having a virus on your iPhone can be scary. Your phone may run slowly, apps might crash unexpectedly, and your battery life can take a hit. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to remove viruses and malware from your device.
What is a virus?
A virus is a type of malicious software (“malware”) that can install itself on your device without your consent. It spreads by attaching itself to apps, files, or networks. Once installed, it can:
- Slow down your phone
- Cause apps to crash or freeze
- Drain your battery faster
- Gain access to your personal information
Viruses spread through:
- Clicking on unsafe links in emails or messages
- Visiting compromised websites
- Downloading infected apps from outside the App Store
How can I tell if my iPhone has a virus?
Signs your iPhone may be infected include:
- It runs much slower than usual
- Apps crash or freeze unexpectedly
- The battery drains faster than normal
- You see a lot of pop-up ads
- It overheats when not in use
- You can’t uninstall suspicious apps
You may also notice unusual activity like:
- Apps opening by themselves
- Hearing unfamiliar sounds or voices
- Seeing warning messages about malware
How can viruses get on my iPhone?
Common ways viruses infect iPhones include:
- Unsafe websites – Visiting compromised sites that automatically download malware
- Phishing emails – Clicking infected links or attachments in phishing emails
- Third-party app stores – Downloading apps from outside the official App Store
- Infected ads – Clicking pop-up, banner, or text ads containing malware
- Infected links – Tapping malicious links sent via email, text, or social media messaging
- Insecure WiFi – Connecting to public WiFi networks that contains viruses
How can I remove a virus from my iPhone?
Here are the steps to get rid of an iPhone virus:
- Close all apps and turn off your iPhone – This isolates the virus and prevents spreading.
- Boot into Safe Mode – Reboot your phone and hold the volume down button while powering back on to enter Safe Mode. This prevents apps and processes from running that could be infected.
- Delete any suspicious apps – Look for apps you don’t remember downloading and delete them. This removes malware they may contain.
- Check iOS for malware – Go to Settings > General > Profile or Device Management and delete anything suspicious.
- Reset network settings – Go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings. This clears any improper network config from malware.
- Reset all settings – Go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset All Settings. This reverts any system changes the virus made.
- Restore from a backup – Backup your data, then go to Settings > General > Reset and choose “Erase All Content and Settings”. This completely reinstalls iOS from your last clean backup.
If you still see signs of infection after all this, you may need to do a full factory reset. Back up your iPhone to iCloud or iTunes first, then choose Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings. This will completely wipe your device and reinstall a clean iOS image.
How can I avoid iPhone viruses?
Practicing safe iPhone habits helps prevent infection in the first place:
- Only download apps from the official App Store
- Don’t click questionable links or attachments
- Watch for typos or odd addresses from companies
- Don’t jailbreak your device
- Use secure WiFi from home or known networks
- Keep your iPhone OS up-to-date
- Install an iOS antivirus app like AVG AntiVirus or Avast Mobile Security
- Be cautious of public USB charging stations
- Enable two-factor authentication where possible
Staying alert for any unusual iPhone behavior can also help detect an infection early.
Can I get a virus from the iOS App Store?
The official iOS App Store is very safe, so it’s unlikely to pick up a virus there. Apple thoroughly vets all apps before approving them for the store. But there is still a very slim risk, as Apple’s review process isn’t 100% foolproof.
There have been a handful of cases over the years where infected apps slipped past Apple and into the App Store:
| Year | Infected iOS App |
|---|---|
| 2012 | Find and Call (contacts stealing Trojan) |
| 2015 | XcodeGhost (infected developer toolkits) |
| 2016 | AceDeceiver (potentially malicious DRM bypass) |
| 2019 | 17 games by Singapore developer Qwertyoruiop contained malware |
In all cases, Apple quickly removed the apps once discovered. But it’s a reminder to still be cautious when downloading, even from the App Store:
- Check app ratings and reviews
- Look up the developer
- Use antivirus software
- Monitor app behavior and device performance
- Update apps regularly for patches
Can iPhone viruses steal your personal data?
Yes, iPhone viruses can access and steal personal data like:
- Contacts
- Photos & videos
- Emails
- Messages
- Passwords
- Financial info
- Health & location data
Malware accomplishes this by exploiting vulnerabilities in iOS to gain elevated privileges. Once installed, it can monitor device activity and transmit private data to hacker-controlled servers.
How iPhone viruses access your data
iPhone viruses use various techniques to get your personal info:
- Keylogging – Recording keystrokes to steal passwords, messages, credit card numbers, etc.
- Phishing – Tricking you into entering login credentials on fake pages
- Network traffic sniffing – Intercepting unencrypted data you send over the network
- Man-in-the-Middle attacks – Inserting themselves between your phone and servers to eavesdrop on communications
How to protect your data
To keep your personal information safe from iPhone malware:
- Don’t jailbreak your device, as this disables security measures
- Encrypt iPhone backups with a password
- Use a VPN when on public WiFi
- Check app access permissions
- Use strong & unique passwords with 2-factor authentication
- Beware of phishing emails, texts, and calls
Can I get a virus from Safari or emails on iPhone?
Yes, it’s possible to get an iPhone virus through:
- Safari – Visiting a compromised website which auto-downloads malware
- Email – Opening infected attachments or tapping links to malicious sites
However, the chances are low due to iPhone’s tight security controls. Apple restricts JavaScript on Safari, monitors device activity for malware, and sandbox applications to prevent infections from spreading.
Still, exercising caution is important:
- Don’t visit sketchy websites or click questionable banner/pop-up ads in Safari
- Enable Fraudulent Website Warning in Safari settings
- Don’t open emails or attachments from unknown senders
- Check for phishing red flags like poor spelling/grammar
- Hover over links to check their actual destination before clicking
Should I use antivirus software on iPhone?
Due to Apple’s built-in security and app screening, most iPhones don’t need third-party antivirus software. However, it can still provide added protection in some cases:
- Jailbroken iPhones – Antivirus adds a security layer to make up for disabled protections when jailbroken
- Targeted attacks – If you think you may be individually targeted, antivirus helps detect threats
- Advanced warning – Scans can sometimes identify new threats before Apple does
Some top antivirus apps for iPhone include:
| Antivirus App | Key Features |
|---|---|
| AVG Antivirus | – Real-time scanning – Phishing URL detector – App locker and privacy advisor |
| Avast Mobile Security | – WiFi security scanner – App insights – Web shield for Safari |
| McAfee Mobile Security | – Device encryption – Media vault – Battery optimizer |
Free vs. paid antivirus
Most antivirus apps offer free and premium versions:
- Free – Basic protection like virus scanning, web browsing protection, anti-theft, etc.
- Paid – Adds features like more advanced AI detection, firewall protections, password manager, etc.
The free apps can be sufficient for most iPhone users. But paid provides greater security for those more at risk (journalists, activists, government workers, etc.).
Should I factory reset my iPhone if I have a virus?
Factory resetting – or erasing all contents and settings – is an effective way to remove stubborn iPhone viruses. It completely reverts the device back to factory settings.
Before factory resetting:
- Backup your iPhone data via iCloud or iTunes.
- Sign out of iCloud and iTunes & App Store accounts.
- Disable Find My iPhone.
Then to reset, go to Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings.
This removes the virus by deleting all files and settings, including your personal data. So only do it if other removal attempts fail. Make sure to restore your data from the backup once finished. An iTunes restore is best for full disinfection.
When should you factory reset?
Consider factory resetting your iPhone if:
- Malware persists after trying other removal techniques
- Your iPhone is very unstable or unusable
- You’re unable to determine the cause of suspect activity
Things to keep in mind
- Reset will delete all your personal data and settings
- Reset network settings first – this may resolve the issue without a full factory reset
- Always backup your iPhone before resetting
- Make sure to restore from a trusted backup afterwards
Conclusion
While iPhone viruses are rarer than on other devices, it’s important to be vigilant. Avoid opening suspicious links and downloads. Stick to the official App Store for apps. Use security software if jailbroken or at high risk. Act quickly at the first sign of infection, and don’t hesitate to factory reset your iPhone if malware persists.
Practicing good security habits goes a long way in keeping your iPhone and personal data safe. Be proactive about protecting your device, and you can enjoy your iPhone with confidence and peace of mind.