Lately, we have been asked this question by plenty of Android users. With the rapid increase in cyber attacks and intrusions, the need for virus detection and removal has become more than ever. If you wish to keep your Android device protected, then you need to take some added measures. Don’t worry! We are here to help you. In this guide, we will answer the question of “does my phone have a virus?” with different ways for virus detection and removal.
In a nutshell, any malicious entity that tampers with the ideal functioning of your device can be categorized as a malware. Mostly, a malware enters a well-functioning device from an external source – it could be any other device or the web. There are different kinds of malware out there with their distinctive attacks.
After entering your device, an Android virus can download certain packages without your approval. It can alter with the overall functionality of the device and can even gain access to your personal information. From generating ads to recording your calls, malwares are capable of running several kinds of malicious activities.
Most of the Android users don’t get alerted even after getting their device infected by a virus attack. Before you ask does my phone have a virus, make sure that you look for certain signs while using your device. Following are some common signs of having a virus on your Android device.
These are only a handful of symptoms. Ideally, if your device is not functionally flawlessly, then you need to ask yourself, does my phone have a virus or not?
If you think your Android device has been infected by a virus or malware, then don’t worry. After implementing some rigorous steps, you can get rid of it for sure. We have listed some suggestions that can help you remove malware from your phone or tablet without much trouble.
In order to ensure that the virus won’t attack other apps, make sure that you close all the running apps in the background. It can be done by following these steps:
After closing apps in the background, it is also important to clear the cache data on your device. Additionally, you should also clear all the app data as well in order to protect your device.
Firstly, clear the cache storage on your device. To do this, visit its Settings > Storage > Cache Data and manually delete all the cache data files from the system. Simply agree to the pop-up message to get rid of the cache data. If a malware is present in the cache storage, then it would automatically be removed.
Now, do the same with app data as well to remove a virus manually. Visit every app that you think could be infected by a malware and tap on the “Clear Data” button. This will manually delete its data. You should start with browsers (like Chrome) as they are most likely to be infected by a malware.
If you think your device has been affected by a virus, then immediately restart it in safe mode. It can be done by applying correct key combination like Home + Volume Down button. The key combination can differ from one device to another. Also, you can press the Power button and hold the “Power off” option for a few seconds. This will let you restart your phone in safe mode.
Wait for a while as your device would be restarted in safe mode. Once it is done, go to App manager and manually uninstall every app that you think could have been infected by the virus. Simply open the app and tap on the “Uninstall” button.
There are times when even after manually deleting every app – your device can still be affected by the malware. You can simply check does my phone have a virus or not by taking the assistance of antivirus software. Though, if it still has a malware, then factory reset your device.
Go to its Settings > Backup & Reset and tap on the “Factory Reset Data” option. Select to “Reset” the device in the next tab and erase everything from it. Your device would be restarted with factory settings.
Since it would wipe your device entirely, it is recommended to take its backup beforehand. Simply use a Backup & Restore application or take the assistance of Google Backup feature to save your data files from getting deleted. Wondershare TunesGo is also great tool, which would help you backup your contacts, photos, call logs, music, apps and more files from Android to PC with one click.
One Stop Solution to Backup & Restore Android Devices
After knowing does my phone have a virus, you would be able to remove it by following the above-mentioned steps. Though it is always recommended to be safe and protect your phone from a malware attack. Simply follow these suggestions to keep your device protected.
Now when you know the answer to “does my phone have a virus?” and various techniques to get rid of it from your device, you can certainly keep it protected. We have also listed various solutions that can let you get rid of a malware from your device without much trouble. Go ahead and implement these suggestions and let us know about your experience in the comments below.
Mar 25,2021 11:03 am / Posted by Christine Smith to Android Tips