iPhones, like any other device, can become infected with viruses and malware. Thankfully, there are steps iPhone users can take to remove viruses and other harmful software from their devices.
Can iPhones get viruses?
Yes, iPhones are susceptible to viruses and malware just like other devices. However, it is less common for iPhones to become infected compared to Android devices or computers. There are a few reasons for this:
- Apple’s tight control over the App Store – Apps must go through an approval process before being made available for download. This helps prevent malicious apps from circulating.
- Closed operating system – iOS is a closed operating system, meaning Apple has stricter security measures and app developers have less access compared to open source operating systems like Android.
- Limited app installation options – Apps can only be installed through the official App Store, reducing exposure to unsafe third-party apps.
- Sandboxing – Apps are confined to their own “sandbox” environment and cannot access critical system files or areas used by other apps.
While iPhones have strong security, viruses and malware designed to infect iOS devices do exist. Typically they rely on exploits or bugs in the operating system code. Jailbroken iPhones are also more prone to infection.
How do viruses get on iPhones?
There are a few common ways viruses can find their way onto iPhones:
- Malicious apps – While rare, some apps hosted on the App Store may contain malicious code or be designed to steal data.
- Phishing attacks – Deceptive links sent via email, text, or social media can trick users into downloading malware.
- Insecure WiFi – Connecting to public WiFi networks that are unsecured can expose devices to viruses.
- Jailbreaking – The process of jailbreaking disables many of iOS’s security features, making devices more vulnerable.
- Physical access – Someone with physical access to an iPhone may be able to bypass lock screens and manually install malicious apps.
Practicing caution when installing apps, avoiding suspicious links, using secure WiFi, and keeping device software up-to-date can help prevent infection.
Signs your iPhone may be infected
How can you tell if your iPhone has been infected by a virus or malware? Here are some signs to watch out for:
- Decreased battery life – Malware running in the background can drain battery faster than usual.
- Sluggish performance – Viruses hog system resources, slowing down the iPhone.
- Unusual pop-up ads – Malware may cause a surge of pop-up advertisements to appear.
- Data usage spikes – Viruses often need to transmit data, leading to sudden increases in data usage.
- Overheating – The extra load on the system from viruses can cause the iPhone to run hot.
- Unknown charges – Malware designed to steal financial information may result in unknown charges to accounts.
- Unfamiliar apps – Appearance of apps you don’t recall downloading may indicate infection.
Severe issues like constant crashing or rebooting can also occur. Be wary if your iPhone exhibits abnormal behavior that cannot be otherwise explained.
How to check for viruses on iPhone
If you suspect your iPhone may be infected, there are some steps you can take to check for and diagnose viruses:
- Review installed apps – Check for any apps you don’t recognize or remember downloading. Delete anything suspicious.
- Check usage data – In Settings > Cellular or Settings > Battery, look for spikes in data, cellular, or battery usage that could indicate malware.
- Connect to iTunes – Any infections will typically be detected by iTunes when you connect the iPhone.
- Try antivirus software – Download a trusted antivirus app like Norton Mobile Security to scan for threats.
- Restore iPhone – As a last resort, backing up data and restoring the iPhone to factory default removes any malware.
Pay attention to any unfamiliar system alerts prompting you to enter passwords, enable config profiles, or provide sensitive personal information – this can indicate phishing attempts or malware activity.
Best antivirus apps for removing iPhone viruses
If you discover your iPhone is infected, antivirus software can help remove the virus or malware. Here are some top antivirus apps to consider:
Norton Mobile Security
Norton Mobile Security offers real-time protection against phishing attacks, unsafe WiFi networks, and other threats. It includes anti-malware scanning to detect infections plus additional features like a VPN, WiFi security, and secure messaging.
McAfee Mobile Security
McAfee uses advanced machine learning algorithms to constantly monitor for malware and suspicious app behavior. A phone locator feature helps track lost devices. It also offers web protection and WiFi security scanning.
Avast Mobile Security
Avast Mobile Security offers full anti-malware protection complete with antivirus scanning, anti-theft tools, a firewall, call blocker, junk cleaner, and WiFi security advisor. It gets consistent high ratings from independent labs.
AVG AntiVirus FREE
AVG AntiVirus FREE provides essential antivirus and anti-malware scanning in a streamlined, no-cost package. It detects viruses, blocks malicious links, locates lost devices, and includes a WiFi security scanner.
Lookout Security & Antivirus
Lookout uses sophisticated AI to detect emerging threats with accuracy. It offers automatic virus scanning along with additional features like a privacy adviser, identity monitoring, and backup for photos and contacts.
Safely removing viruses from iPhone
Once you’ve chosen a trusted antivirus app, follow these steps to safely remove any infections from your iPhone:
- Backup iPhone data – To avoid losing photos, messages, etc., backup your iPhone to iCloud or iTunes before making any changes.
- Download & install antivirus app – Select a highly-rated antivirus app and install it on your iPhone.
- Scan for threats – Run a full scan using the antivirus app to identify any malware or viruses.
- Quarantine viruses – The antivirus app will automatically isolate any detected threats to prevent further infection.
- Delete infected apps – If any infected apps are found, uninstall them immediately.
- Restore iPhone (if necessary) – For severe infections, a full factory reset may be required.
- Change passwords – Update passwords, especially for sensitive accounts, to prevent future misuse.
Be patient during scans and follow all prompts from your antivirus app. Some threats may require multiple scans to fully remove from your system.
How to avoid iPhone viruses
Prevention is the best medicine when it comes to smartphone viruses. Here are some tips to keep your iPhone malware-free:
- Only install apps from the App Store – Avoid third-party app stores or unknown sources.
- Keep iPhone updated – Maintain the latest iOS version and security patches.
- Avoid unknown links – Exercise caution with unfamiliar links sent via email, text, social media, etc.
- Use secure WiFi – Only connect to private WiFi networks that are password-protected.
- Install antivirus software – Use a trusted antivirus app for ongoing protection.
- Backup regularly – Maintain current iPhone backups to minimize data loss if compromised.
- Watch for signs of infection – Monitor for unusual behavior like overheating or increased data usage.
Closely supervising children’s iPhone use can also prevent them from accidentally installing malware or visiting inappropriate sites.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it really possible for iPhones to get a virus?
Yes. While iPhones are more secure than other devices, they can still become infected under the right circumstances. Malicious apps, phishing scams, insecure WiFi, and jailbreaking are common infection vectors.
Do I really need antivirus software for my iPhone?
Antivirus software provides an added layer of protection and can detect and remove infections. While the risk is low, many users choose to run antivirus apps for greater peace of mind surrounding iOS security.
What’s the best free iPhone antivirus app?
AVG AntiVirus FREE and Avast Mobile Security are two of the top free antivirus apps for iPhone. Both provide essential scanning and malware protection at no cost, albeit with limited feature sets compared to paid versions.
Is scanning my iPhone with iTunes enough to detect viruses?
Scanning an iPhone with iTunes can identify and remove some threats, but it does not offer complete antivirus protection. Specialized security apps can detect a wider range of cyberthreats in real-time and provide additional protective benefits.
Can restoring my iPhone get rid of a virus?
Yes, restoring an iPhone to factory default settings will wipe out any malware present on the device. However, this will also erase your data, settings, and apps, so backup important data first. Antivirus software is preferable if available.
The Bottom Line
While iPhones have robust integrated security, they are still vulnerable in some cases to viruses and malware. Protect your device by only installing apps from trusted sources like the App Store, using secure WiFi, keeping software up-to-date, and installing a trusted antivirus app. If you suspect an infection, act quickly to scan, quarantine, and remove any threats in order to keep your iPhone safe and secure.