Updated on: July 17, 2024
Short on time? Here’s how to remove viruses & malware from your iPhone or iPad:
- Examine your OS and storage in Settings. Making sure your OS is up to date and clearing up storage can often get your device running normally again.
- Remove suspicious apps and check app permissions. Check for any apps you don’t recognize and delete them.
- Clear Safari’s history, cache, and cookies. Go to Settings > Safari > Advanced > Website Data and tap on Remove All Website Data.
- Reset your iPhone or iPad. Go to Settings > General, then scroll down to Transfer or Reset iPhone/iPad. Tap on Reset.
- Stay Protected. Use a high-quality internet security package like Norton Mobile Security to protect yourself from unsafe networks, device theft, smishing messages, and phishing sites.
If your iPad or iPhone is running slowly, it’s probably due to storage issues, an out of date OS, or your device reaching the end of its life cycle.
That said, iOS devices are not immune to malware: there are plenty of sketchy apps in Apple’s App Store that are designed to harvest your data and fleece you with hidden fees and subscriptions. Plus, iOS users are frequently targeted by hackers using tools like phishing attacks, SMS-based smishing attacks, fake public Wi-Fi networks, and, of course, plain old theft.
If your iPhone or iPad is having performance issues, I’ll share some useful techniques and tricks that can help get your device running normally. I’ve also tested a few of the best security apps for iOS, which contain useful features like anti-theft tools, VPNs, Wi-Fi monitors, and parental controls.
How to Remove Malware & Prevent Security Issues on Your iPhone or iPad (Step-By-Step Guide)
Step 1. Examine Your OS and Storage Using Settings
If your iOS device is behaving strangely, there are 2 quick checks that will probably help you identify the source of the issues:
- Make sure your operating system (OS) is up to date.
- Investigate your storage.
Checking your operating system’s status is extremely easy. Simply navigate to Settings > General > Software Update. Select any available software updates and install them (and don’t forget to turn on Automatic Updates as well). Once your device is fully up to date, you can check its storage just as easily.
For device storage, go to Settings > General > iPhone/iPad Storage. If your device only has 5 GB or less of available storage, you definitely need to delete some files (or upgrade your iCloud storage, which will automatically upload your photos and videos to the cloud). You can start by deleting videos, which take up the most space on your device. You should also look at which apps are installed — the Storage menu contains a list of all of your apps, along with how much space each one takes up.
Once you’ve updated your OS and cleared up space on your device, if you’re still having issues, go to Step 2. If your device is running normally now, move on to Step 4.
Step 2. Remove Suspicious Apps and Check App Permissions
Apple’s App Store is famously well-protected, but there are still many malicious apps that sneak through Apple’s safeguards. Some are designed to steal your data, while others send malware to other devices in your network, spam your device with notifications and phishing links, or deceive you into signing up for costly subscriptions.
In your device’s Settings menu, you will find all of your apps listed once you scroll down far enough. Tapping on an app’s name pulls up that app’s permissions. Turn off any permissions that you don’t want an app to have, including Location, Camera, Microphone, Local Network, Tracking, and Contacts.
Next, examine your app battery usage, as this can help determine whether an app is behaving suspiciously. In Settings, go to Battery and scroll down to see a chart indicating which apps are consuming the most battery life. Obviously, your most-used apps should be at the top of this list, as well as media apps like YouTube, Spotify, and Instagram, which take a lot of battery life to stream audio and video content.
If you have apps with unusual permissions, apps that you don’t remember installing, or apps that are draining an unusual amount of your battery, remove them from your device.
To do this, simply:
- Touch and hold the app.
- Tap Remove App.
- Tap Delete App, then tap Delete to confirm.
Once you’ve deleted any unsafe or unusual apps, you should restart your iPhone or iPad. If your device is no longer malfunctioning, proceed to Step 6. If you’re still having issues, there are a couple more things you can do (Steps 3, 4, and 5).
Step 3. Clear Your Browser’s History, Cache, and Cookies
Sometimes, cookies and web caches can include harmful code. You can clear Safari’s history, cache, and cookies by performing the following steps:
- Head to Settings > Safari > Advanced > Website Data.
- Tap on Remove All Website Data.
Step 4. (Factory) Reset Your iPhone or iPad
Resetting your iPhone or iPad is easy — head back to your iOS Settings > General menu, and scroll down to Transfer or Reset iPhone/iPad.
Your first option is to reset your device settings. Selecting Reset All Settings will set your network settings, keyboard dictionary, home screen layout, and location and privacy settings back to default. This can disrupt any unusual activity on your device from apps, unsafe networks, or even just bugs in iOS itself. If you reset your device and it starts behaving normally again, proceed to Step 6.
However, if you have a severely compromised device, you’ll need to select Erase All Content and Settings. This is essentially a factory reset, which will remove all of your installed apps, contacts, data, and settings — this is your last resort, and you should only select this option after you’ve thoroughly gone through Steps 1, 2, and 3. Back up as much data as possible to your iCloud storage (or other storage devices), and then select Erase All Content and Settings.
Step 5. Optional — Restore a Previous Backup
You’ll need to perform this step only if you had to factory reset your phone and erase all of its contents. In that case, you can restore it from an iCloud backup. Here’s how:
- Power on your iPhone. Start your iPhone and proceed through the setup instructions until you see the Transfer Your Apps & Data screen.
- Choose From iCloud Backup.
- Log into iCloud using your Apple ID.
- Select a backup. Review the available backups by their dates and sizes, then choose the most appropriate one.
- Maintain connection. Make sure your iPhone stays connected to Wi-Fi and plugged into a power source during the restoration process.
- Finalize setup. Complete the setup process on your iPhone. Your apps, photos, and other data will continue to be restored in the background.
Step 6. Stay Protected
You’ve now restored your iOS device to good working order. However, you need to follow good security practices so you don’t get hacked in the future.
First, download a trustworthy iOS security app. These apps can monitor Wi-Fi networks for security breaches, block phishing links, notify you about software updates, trigger remote alarms and device tracking, and even protect your browsing data with secure VPNs.
Next, your wireless network and IoT (internet of things) devices need to be protected with strong passwords. 1Password is an excellent password manager that can securely generate, encrypt, and store strong passwords for your online accounts, home network, and IoT devices.
Be extremely cautious about the applications you download from the App Store. Bad programs like fleeceware, data harvesting apps, and other malicious apps can get past Apple’s safeguards and onto the App Store.
You should also navigate the App Store’s preferences and ensure auto-update is enabled. This allows Apple to auto-update your apps, preventing them from becoming vulnerable to the latest malware threats.
Finally, regularly backup your important files so you don’t lose them if your device is compromised again. iOS will automatically back up your files, videos, and photos to iCloud as long as you have enough space.
Best Security Apps for iPhone & iPad in 2024
Quick summary of the best iOS security apps in 2024:
- 🥇1. Norton Mobile Security — Best overall security app for iOS in 2024 (secure, feature-rich & intuitive).
- 🥈2. McAfee Mobile Security — Lightweight iOS app with excellent web protection + easy-to-use interface.
- 🥉3. Avira Mobile Security — Best free iOS security app with good anti-theft features and a call blocker.
How to Tell if Your iPhone Has a Virus
Detecting malware on an iOS device can be challenging due to the system’s strict security measures. However, certain warning signs may indicate security issues on your iPhone. Here are some key indicators:
- Increased data usage. If you notice a sudden spike in data usage, it could be a sign that malware is running background processes.
- Battery drains quickly. Malware can consume a significant amount of power, causing your battery to drain faster than usual.
- Strange pop-ups. Frequent and unexpected pop-up ads, especially outside of a web browser, may indicate adware.
- Unfamiliar apps. If you find apps on your device that you didn’t download, it could be a sign of a security breach. These apps might be disguising malicious activities or serving as a gateway for further infections.
- Overheating. Malware running in the background can cause your device to overheat, even when it’s not in heavy use. This can strain your phone’s hardware and reduce its lifespan.
- Poor performance. If your iPhone starts to lag, crash, or freeze regularly, it could be infected with malware.
- Strange messages. If your contacts receive messages from you that you didn’t send, your device might be compromised.
If you notice any of these signs, take action immediately by removing suspicious apps, updating your software, and using a reliable security app to protect your iPhone from further harm.
Can You Scan an iPhone for Viruses?
iOS devices don’t need traditional virus scanners because of their excellent built-in security features (and the way apps are sandboxed). So, an antivirus app won’t be able to scan for viruses, but you can still use it to flag other security issues like unsafe Wi-Fi networks, phishing attempts, and data breaches. Here’s how:
- Download and install a reputable antivirus app. Go to the App Store and search for a trusted antivirus app. I highly recommend Norton Mobile Security because it’s very secure, feature-rich, and user-friendly. Once downloaded, follow the on-screen instructions to install it on your iOS device.
- Open the app. Launch the antivirus app from your home screen.
- Allow the app to check over your phone. Once installed, Norton will check for potential security issues like outdated software or risky settings. I recommend fixing the issue(s) Norton discovers during this step.
What Kinds of Malware Affect iOS Devices?
While iOS devices are generally secure, they aren’t entirely immune to malware. Despite Apple’s stringent app review process and strong security features, some threats can still slip through. Here are the main types of malware that can affect iOS devices:
Spyware
Spyware can secretly monitor your activities and steal sensitive data like passwords, messages, and browsing history. It often comes bundled with apps from unofficial sources. Once installed, it can operate in the background, capturing sensitive information without your knowledge. Mobile security apps like Norton can help protect against spyware by providing real-time protection and alerting you to potentially malicious apps, preventing them from being installed on your device.
Adware
Adware delivers intrusive ads that can degrade your device’s performance and lead you to malicious websites. It typically gets installed when you download apps that seem legitimate but have malicious code embedded. These ads can be persistent and hard to remove, disrupting your user experience. McAfee protects your iPhone or iPad against adware by scanning and blocking suspicious apps before they can be installed.
Trojans
Trojans disguise themselves as legitimate software but carry out harmful activities once installed. They can steal your data, monitor your activities, and even provide hackers with remote access to your device. Trojans often come from apps downloaded outside the official App Store or through phishing links. Using an app like Avira’s, that provides phishing protection to prevent you from clicking on harmful links, will significantly reduce the risk of a trojan infiltrating your iPhone.
What to Do if Malware Has Blocked Your iPhone or iPad?
If you can’t access your iPhone or iPad at all to examine your device settings, then you need to use recovery mode to either update or restore your device.
Note: You will need either a PC or Mac for this process.
Depending on your device, you’ll need to hold a combination of the side button and volume button for a few seconds. On iPhone generations 8 and above, this is how to enter recovery mode:
- Quickly press the Volume Up button.
- Quickly press the Volume Down button.
- Press and hold the Side button until you see the recovery mode screen.
Now that your device is in recovery mode, simply plug it into a Mac computer, or install iTunes on your PC and plug your device into your PC.
You will see a dialogue box that asks if you want to Update or Restore your device. Try updating it — this is a much less drastic process that will update your OS without affecting your data. If that doesn’t work, then you will need to select Restore, which will completely wipe your device’s data and revert it to factory settings.
If restoring your device doesn’t work, or you can’t get your device into recovery mode, then you need to take it to an Apple Store or get it serviced by a competent professional.
What Else Can You Do to Protect Your iPhone?
Here are a few more security recommendations for iOS that’ll help you safeguard your phone or tablet against various threats:
- Use biometric logins. All iOS devices come with biometric login features, and I highly recommend using them, since they’re both very secure and convenient.
- Use two-factor authentication (2FA) when possible. When you enable 2FA, you’ll be required to enter a second type of verification in addition to your password. This can include options like an email address, a time-based one-time password (TOTP), a 2FA USB tool like YubiKey, or even a biometric scan.
- Protect your logins with a password manager. Password managers generate secure, random passwords for all your accounts and store them in a securely encrypted vault. On iOS, you can enable password managers to auto-fill your logins for websites in your password vault, and the best password managers can be secured with your iPhone or iPad’s biometric scanner, too.
- Install anti-phishing tools. Although you can, to some extent, rely on Safari to block deceptive phishing links and harmful exploit attacks, internet security apps like Norton all offer far better web protections than either Safari or Chrome.
- Get a secure VPN. A VPN hides your IP address by bouncing your data to a securely encrypted server — which can prevent ISPs, governments, hackers, and other users from identifying you online. High-quality VPNs like ExpressVPN also provide lightning-fast connections, advanced security tools, and convenient multi-device functionality, so you can connect to your VPN on your computer and your iPhone simultaneously.
Editors' Note: ExpressVPN and this site are in the same ownership group.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can iOS get malware?
Yes, iOS can get malware, although it’s less common than on other platforms due to Apple’s strong security measures and app review process. Malware can still infiltrate through phishing attacks, malicious websites, or apps installed from unofficial sources.
Key indicators of malware include increased data usage, battery drain, strange pop-ups, unfamiliar apps, overheating, and poor performance. To protect your device, keep your iOS and apps updated, avoid downloading apps from outside the App Store, use two-factor authentication, and consider using a reputable security app to detect and remove potential threats.
How do you check iOS for malware infection?
There are several ways you can determine if your iPhone has malware. First, you can check for increased data usage, which might indicate background malware activity. Next, observe if your battery drains quickly, as malware can consume significant power.
Watch for strange pop-ups, especially outside of your browser, which can be a sign of adware. Check for unfamiliar apps that you didn’t download, as these could be hiding malicious activities. Overheating and poor performance, such as lagging or crashing, are also indicators. Lastly, if your contacts receive strange messages from you, your device might be compromised.
Will an iOS update remove malware?
Yes, an iOS update can help remove malware by patching security vulnerabilities that the malware exploits. Updates often include security improvements and bug fixes that can eliminate threats. However, simply updating your iOS might not remove all types of malware.
For a thorough removal, you may need to reset your device to factory settings and restore from a backup. Additionally, using a reputable security app (like Norton) to scan for and remove malware can be effective. Always keep your device updated to protect against new threats and maintain strong security.
Can you get iOS malware from a website?
Yes, visiting malicious or compromised websites can expose your device to malware through drive-by downloads or phishing attacks. These sites may exploit vulnerabilities in your browser or trick you into downloading malicious apps.
To protect yourself, avoid clicking on suspicious links, keep your iOS and apps updated, and use a reputable security app that offers web protection. Additionally, only download apps from the official App Store to reduce the risk of malware.
