Is spyware hiding on your phone? How to find out and remove it - fast

Spyware is one of the top threats to your mobile security and can severely impact your handset's performance if you are unlucky enough to become infected. It is a type of malware that typically lands on your iPhone or Android phone through malicious mobile apps or through phishing links , emails, and messages.

While appearing to be a legitimate software package or useful utility, spyware will operate quietly in the background to monitor your movements, spy on your activities, and may also record your conversations, whether they are phone calls or social media threads. You may find your actions screenshotted, your call records logged, and even your physical location tracked via GPS.

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This information is then sent to a remote server and into the hands of someone else without your permission.

Similarly, a remote monitoring app for parental use or work purposes could be abused and become a privacy invader rather than a legitimate service.

Let's explore the different types of spyware you might come across, the warning signs of infection, and how to quickly remove spyware from your smartphone.

It's helpful to know the basic differences between different kinds of spyware before you tackle infections on your handset.

Nuisanceware is bundled with mobile apps. It interrupts your web browsing with pop-ups, changes your homepage or engine settings, may try to force you to watch videos, and may collect your browsing data to sell to ad agencies and networks. Although considered malvertising , it is generally not dangerous, as it focuses on generating illicit revenue by forcing ad views or clicks.

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There's also generic mobile spyware. It steals operating system data, clipboard data, and anything of value, such as cryptocurrency wallet data or account credentials. Spyware isn't always targeted and may be used in spray-and-pray phishing attacks.

Spyware may land on your device through phishing, malicious email attachments, social media links, fraudulent SMS messages, or physical device tampering.

Advanced spyware, sometimes also classified as stalkerware, is a step up from basic spyware. This malware is unethical and dangerous. It is sometimes found on desktop systems but is now more commonly installed on handsets. Stalkerware is typically used to spy on an individual and monitor what they do, say, and where they go, and is often linked to cases of domestic abuse .

Spyware and stalkerware may be used to:

Finally, there's government-grade commercial spyware, with Pegasus among the best-known variants. Unless you're part of a group of specific interest to ethically challenged governments, it's unlikely that it will impact you due to the expense of targeting victims.

There aren't always indicators of an infection attempt in real time, but the following scenarios could be warning signs that you are being targeted:

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There are also signs you can watch for that may indicate your phone has been compromised. The most common are:

One telltale sign on an Android device is a setting that allows apps to be downloaded and installed outside of the official Google Play Store . If this setting is enabled, it may indicate tampering or jailbreaking without your consent. Not every form of spyware and stalkerware requires a jailbroken device, however.

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This setting is found in most modern Android builds in Settings > Security > Allow unknown sources. (This varies depending on the device and vendor.) You can also check Apps > > Special Access > Install unknown apps to see if anything is unfamiliar.

Some forms of spyware also use generic names and icons to avoid detection. For example, they may appear to be useful utility apps such as calendars, calculators, utilities, or currency converters.

iOS devices that aren't jailbroken are generally harder to infect with malware than Android handsets, unless a spyware developer is exploiting an unpatched vulnerability.

Also: How to lock down your iPhone to the extreme - so even the FBI can't get in

However, the same principles apply. With the right tool, exploit, or software, your device could be compromised either with physical access or remotely. You may be more susceptible to infection if you have not updated your iPhone's firmware to the latest version and you do not run frequent antivirus scans.

Spyware is often hard to detect and can be difficult to remove. It is not impossible in most cases, but it may take some drastic steps on your part.

When spyware, especially stalkerware, is removed, operators may receive an alert indicating that the victim's device has been cleaned. Should the flow of your information suddenly stop, this would be another clear sign to the attacker that the malicious software has been removed. Do not tamper with your device if doing so would risk your physical safety.

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Instead, reach out to law enforcement and supporting agencies. Otherwise, here are some removal options:

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If you have found suspicious software on your handset, consider changing your passwords and enabling biometrics.

If you suspect account compromise, change the passwords for every important account you have. Many of us have one or two central "hub" accounts, such as an email address linked to all of our other services. Remove access to any such hub services you use from a compromised device.

For added security, consider changing your account passwords on a PC, forcing a logout on other devices, and enabling biometric authentication to prevent physical handset tampering.

An important point to mention is that sometimes spyware or other forms of malicious software might end up on your device via an initially benign app. There have been cases of developers releasing a genuine, useful app in official repositories, such as a currency converter or weather app, and then, after a large user base has been gathered, the developers twist the app's functions into a Trojan through a software update.

If you recently downloaded a mobile app and now your phone is displaying odd behavior, consider removing it and running a malware scan.

Unfortunately, no mobile device is completely protected against the scourge of spyware. However, we have provided some tips below to mitigate the risk of future infections:

Performing a factory reset and clean install on the device you believe is compromised may help eradicate some forms of persistent spyware. Make sure to back up important content first, as this process can't be reversed.

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Google's guide to factory resetting your device can be found here , and Apple has also provided instructions on its support website.

Unfortunately, some malware may survive factory resets. Failing that, consider restoring to factory settings and then disposing of your device.

There are cyberthreats around every corner, and while children often want a smartphone and to be on social media at a young age, parents want to monitor what they are viewing and who they are interacting with online in order to protect them.

This is a responsible position to take, but at their core, parental control apps are designed for surveillance -- as are many "employee productivity" apps.

The main issue is the potential for abuse, turning what may have been a product developed with good intentions into invasive software used for purposes beyond protecting a minor or ensuring employee time is used wisely.

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A balance between a right to privacy and protection has to be maintained. With this in mind, both Apple and Google have introduced parental controls for their devices. These features focus on restricting screen time, locking and unlocking devices, managing permissions lists, restricting web content and app downloads, and approving purchases.

Regarding employee monitoring apps, don't install them on your personal handset. If your employer insists on using them, then it should issue you a work laptop and phone.

As we mentioned earlier, many apps may be advertised as parental control monitors or simple trackers, but their use can be unethical. Other app developers freely market their products for full device control and surveillance.

Also: 5 ways to avoid spyware disguised as legit apps - before it's too late

Apps often use the phrases 'spy,' 'monitor,' or 'parental control,' but they may also disguise themselves on a device as a utility, a game, or otherwise as an innocent piece of software.

Google and Apple are generally quick to remove malicious apps that manage to evade the privacy and security protections in their respective official app stores. When individuals are considered particularly at risk, you can enroll in Google's Advanced Protection Program , which provides additional security for your Android device.

Google has also banned spyware and stalkerware ads, and the firm's Threat Analysis Group is constantly publishing research on new commercial spyware strains and their potential targets.

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Apple has cracked down on parental control apps, citing privacy-invading functions as the reason for removal. The company offers its own parental device control service called Screen Time for parents who want to limit their child's device usage.

Furthermore, the company does not allow sideloading -- that is, installing third-party apps from sources other than Apple's App Store -- and is quick to remove any iOS apps that exhibit privacy-eroding functionality.

Apple also provides Lockdown Mode , an optional setting you can enable on your iOS device for extreme security. However, unless you don't mind a heavily restricted smartphone, you should only consider this option if you are worried commercial-grade spyware.

Consider checking out ways to remove yourself from the internet and ZDNET's recommended data brokers of 2026 .