How to Remove Viruses & Malware From Android in 2024

Updated on: March 19, 2024
Fact Checked by Hazel Shaw
Ben Martens Ben Martens
Updated on: March 19, 2024

Short on time? Here’s how to remove viruses & malware from Android:

  • 1. Install an Antivirus & Run a Scan. Download a high-quality antivirus app (I recommend Norton), and run a scan of your Android device.
  • 2. Remove Viruses & Malware. On the scan results screen, let the antivirus app remove viruses from your phone when prompted.
  • 3. Stay Protected. Make sure your antivirus app’s real-time virus protection feature is enabled and avoid visiting dangerous sites and links to stay secure.

The most effective way to remove malware from your Android device is to use a trustworthy antivirus app. Good antivirus scanners can detect Android-specific malware files like ransomware, spyware, and rootkits and remove them from your system.

Unfortunately, many of these malware files can replicate themselves on your system, name themselves after secure system processes, and even hide from your Android operating system, so it’s not really possible to remove malware from your system manually (at least without a computer science degree).

The good thing is, there are many Android security apps that are both super secure and really easy to use, so you can keep your device protected with just a few simple methods. Norton is our top pick for the best Android antivirus in 2024. This guide will show step-by-step how you can remove malware from your Android and keep it safe from future infections.

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Step 1. Install an Antivirus for Android and Identify Any Viruses

There are many antivirus apps for Android, but not all of them provide a high level of protection. To guard your device against different types of malware, you should make sure to install a reputable antivirus and then perform a full system scan to detect any infected areas within your Android OS.

My favorite antivirus app for Android is Norton. This app has a powerful malware scanner with advanced machine learning capabilities. I tested a huge range of Android antivirus apps with a malware test file including trojans, ransomware, spyware, and more — Norton was one of the only Android security apps that detected 100% of the malware on my test devices. Plus, it comes with excellent features like:

  • Scam SMS message and call filtering. Filters scam messages and nuisance robocalls.
  • Wi-Fi network monitoring. Identifies network security protocols and flags unsafe Wi-Fi connections.
  • Advanced identity theft tools. Alerts you if your data is hacked, leaked, or stolen in a data breach.
  • VPN. Encrypts online activity with 256-bit AES encryption, provides fast connections, and works with some popular streaming sites.

Norton is my favorite Android antivirus, but there are a lot of other good Android antivirus apps out there.When you’ve chosen an antivirus for your Android, make sure to run a complete scan and let it finish. Once your antivirus is done scanning, it will place all flagged malware files in a quarantine folder. Don’t interrupt your antivirus during a scan — when your antivirus is finished scanning, you’re ready for step 2.

Step 2. Remove Malware and All Other Infected Files

After running a full scan, your antivirus app will reveal any malware files or other security issues on your Android device. Most antiviruses place suspicious files in a quarantine folder so you can choose what to do with them — you can either ignore the threats or remove them from your device.

But you need to be careful! Some flagged files may be false positives, which are safe files incorrectly identified as harmful. If you need help determining which flagged files on your device are actually unsafe, you can contact your antivirus’s support team.

Make sure to remove all the threats detected by your antivirus app. Once you’ve removed malware from your Android, restart and re-scan to make sure you removed all infected files and apps. If your second scan comes clear, it means your device is now free of malware.

Step 3. Keep Your Device Protected From Internet Security Threats

Here are some important tips to make sure you stay protected from online threats:

  • Enable real-time malware protection. Real-time virus protection is a feature that continuously monitors your device and immediately blocks any potential malware downloads. You can usually activate this from your antivirus’s app’s home screen.
  • Avoid suspicious files and websites. Always download files from known and trusted sites. If a site is using HTTPS encryption, then you know it’s trustworthy (and securely encrypted). You can tell if you’re on an HTTPS-enabled site if there’s a lock icon on the URL bar.
  • Enable phishing protection. The built-in phishing protection tools in mobile browsers like Firefox and Chrome aren’t strong enough. Instead, use your antivirus’ web shields to block dangerous sites (Norton offers great web protections).
  • Secure your wireless network. Unsecured Wi-Fi networks are easy targets for hackers wanting to exploit the data on your Android device. Make sure to use a strong password for your home and secure it with a trustworthy password manager like Dashlane. If you’re using an unsecured public Wi-Fi network, it’s a good idea to use a VPN. VPNs like ExpressVPN protect your device and data while connecting to unsecured public networks.
  • Don’t delay software updates. Most app and Android OS updates include important security patches. Use auto-update (you can enable this in Google Play Store settings) to make sure you’re always using the latest software on your device.
  • Backup files regularly. In worst-case scenarios, your only option is to reset your Android device to get rid of any malware on your system. But this will only be a minor inconvenience if you have all your data backed up on cloud storage or other media (Norton provides easy cloud backup options).
  • Use ransomware protection. All of the best antivirus scanners now include ransomware detection tools that can block ransomware files before they can lock you out of your system.

Best Antiviruses for Android in 2024

🥇1. Norton — Best Android Antivirus App in 2024

🥇1. Norton — Best Android Antivirus App in 2024

Norton is a powerful antivirus app with the most comprehensive set of security features of any Android antivirus in 2024. During testing, Norton detected 100% of Android-based malware files without any slowdown on my device.

Norton’s key features include:

  • App Advisor.
  • Web security.
  • VPN (virtual private network).
  • Wi-Fi network security scanning.
  • Malicious app detection.
  • Scam SMS and call filtering.
  • Advanced Identity theft tools (using LifeLock technology).

Norton’s App Advisor is a very useful feature that scans Google Play Store apps and notifies you if it suspects any threats within the apps before you download them. Norton also has a very accurate phishing protection tool that blocked most of the fraudulent sites that I tried opening. It even scans and filters SMS messages for unsafe links and blocks nuisance scam calls.

I’m also a fan of Norton’s Wi-Fi Security tool, which scans the wireless network you’re connected to and makes sure it has strong encryption and is password-protected. And I also like Norton’s identity theft feature — it continuously scans millions of leaked records to see if any of your personal information has been breached, including bank details, home address, credit card numbers, insurance documentation, gamer tags, and much more.

Norton Mobile Security costs $17.99 / year*, but if you want complete malware protection for all of your devices (including Android, PC, Mac, and iOS), then Norton’s 360 plans provide the best value (they start at just $29.99 / year*). Norton backs all annual subscriptions with a generous 60-day money-back guarantee.

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🥈2. Bitdefender — Solid Malware Detection With Phishing Protection

🥈2. Bitdefender — Solid Malware Detection With Phishing Protection

Bitdefender has a fast and lightweight Android antivirus app that comes with an advanced malware scanner and one of the best anti-phishing tools on the market.

Bitdefender’s cloud-based malware scanning engine uses machine learning technology to detect malware. Like Norton, it detected 100% of the Android-specific malware files in my testing, and I barely detected any slowdown or battery drain with Bitdefender running on my device. I was very impressed by the App Anomaly Detection feature. Bitdefender not only checks new app downloads but continuously scans all apps and notifies me of any suspicious activity.

My favorite Bitdefender feature is its anti-phishing tool. I tested dozens of known phishing sites and Bitdefender blocked considerably more of these than Chrome and Firefox could. I also really like Bitdefender’s scam alert tool, which detects and blocks the spread of harmful links shared through messaging apps.

Here are some of Bitdefender’s additional mobile features:

  • Ransomware protection.
  • Parental controls.
  • Anti-theft tools.
  • VPN.
  • And more…

Bitdefender’s mobile VPN is also very good. It offers fast connection speeds, secure 256-bit AES encryption, decent streaming capabilities, and access to 30 server locations worldwide. Bitdefender’s included VPN only offers 200 MB of daily data, but upgrading to Bitdefender’s paid VPN gets you unlimited data.

At $17.49 / year, Bitdefender Mobile Security also provides data breach scanning and camera and microphone protection. However, Bitdefender’s Premium Security plan covers up to 10 Android, Windows, macOS, and iOS devices (with unlimited VPN data and a fully-featured password manager) for only $79.99 / year. All Bitdefender plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

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🥉3. McAfee — Intuitive App With Easy-to-Use Security Features

🥉3. McAfee — Intuitive App With Easy-to-Use Security Features

McAfee’s Android app is very simple to set up and use — it has a well-designed interface that makes it easy to navigate each feature. I found it super easy to run a virus scan and remove suspicious files, and it only took me a few seconds to set up the web protections.

I was very impressed by how McAfee performed in my tests. It managed to detect almost all of the mobile malware on my Android phone, and it also blocked all of the verified phishing sites I tried to access via Chrome and Firefox.

McAfee’s Android app includes:

  • Malware scanning.
  • Wi-Fi security.
  • VPN.
  • ID theft alerts.

The VPN included in McAfee’s app offers decent speeds and security, but it it doesn’t work with Disney+ and ESPN+. I much prefer a standalone VPN like ExpressVPN, which is incredibly fast, works with all of the popular streaming apps, allows torrenting, and offers advanced features. McAfee’s ID theft tool scans email address, phone number, passport, and more for breaches — it’s similar to Norton’s identity theft protections.

Priced at $49.99 / year, McAfee’s app-only plan doesn’t offer the best value, especially when compared to Norton’s mobile plan. But if you subscribe to one of McAfee’s multi-device plans (starting at $39.99 / year), you can get a much better deal. McAfee’s plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

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What to Do if Malware Has Blocked Your Device (& You Can’t Run an Antivirus Scan)

Some kinds of malware (like ransomware) can lock you out of your Android device. In this situation, you will need to either:

  • Boot your device in safe mode and uninstall malware apps.
  • Boot in recovery mode and either reboot or reformat your device.

In safe mode, your phone disables all non-essential apps, which means any viruses in your phone should be deactivated. This gives you a chance to locate and remove the malicious app from your phone.

To enter safe mode, press and hold the power button until the power off option pops up. Then, long press the power off button on your screen until you see the “Reboot to safe mode” prompt appear. Tap OK on the prompt to reboot your phone in safe mode.

When you’re within safe mode, go to your phone settings and then open the Apps & Notifications menu. Here, look for any app that you don’t recognize (malware apps are often disguised as authentic apps with normal names, so look carefully) and uninstall it from your device.

If you deleted the correct malware app, you should now be able to boot your Android device normally. Make sure to run a virus scan using a reliable antivirus app on your device to remove any trace of remaining infected apps from your phone.

If this doesn’t work, then you may have to factory reset your Android device in recovery mode.

Every Android device has different key combinations to run in recovery mode, so read your smartphone’s manual to find the right combination for your device. It’s usually a combination of the power button, the volume buttons, and the home or camera button. Once you’re in recovery mode, you will be able to navigate a simple text menu to either reboot your system, update the OS, or completely wipe your device (factory reset).

Obviously, wiping your device is the last resort — first try to reboot, then update your operating system, and finally, if you can’t get the malware off of your device, you should factory reset it, and immediately install and run a scan using a trustworthy antivirus app.

Other Android Security Recommendations

Steer clear of third-party app stores. Most Android hacks stem from these unsafe stores that offer discounted versions of reputable apps. While you might be enticed by the allure of affordable games or apps, the risk of also getting malware on your Android device is high. Stick to official app sources to ensure your device’s security.

Only download apps from the Google Play Store that you know to be reputable. Despite being considered ‘safe,’ the Play Store has hosted fleeceware, spyware, stalkerware, and ransomware apps. Always be cautious when installing new apps.

It’s extremely important to use strong and unique passwords for all of your apps and online accounts. It can be difficult to remember long and complicated passwords, but it’s much easier to manage your passwords using a good Android password manager like Dashlane.

I would also recommend enabling two-factor authentication (2FA) on your accounts. Logging into 2FA-enabled accounts necessitates a password and a secondary verification method, offering an extra layer of security in case of password compromise. TOTP authenticators (like Google Authenticator), biometric confirmation, USB tokens, and SMS verification are all examples of 2FA.

Another important tip is to use a VPN service to hide your real IP address and identity online. Good Android VPNs like ExpressVPN provide bank-grade 256-bit AES encryption to secure your data, as well as intuitive Android apps that won’t drain your device’s battery while they’re protecting you online.

With a combination of these tools and practices, you can protect your Android device from the majority of malware and online threats.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Android be infected with malware?

Yes, there are billions of Android devices in the world, and in 2024, millions of users are hacked every day.

Android users are frequently hacked by attachments sent via phishing email. And malicious apps can sometimes creep into the Google Play Store itself. However, the most common vectors for Android-based malware are third-party app stores. These stores usually offer cracked versions of premium apps for free — but the hidden cost is that they infect your Android with malware!

To keep your Android phone free from malware, make sure to use a strong antivirus app like Norton, whose real-time malware protection and powerful virus scanning features prevent malware from attacking your device at all times.

How do I know if my Phone is infected?

The quickest way to find out if your Android phone is infected is to run a virus scan with a reliable antivirus app. If your device is infected, the scan result will show details about the malware and let you clean your device from it.

Infected Android devices often display signs like slower performance, lower battery life, random popup ads, and strange apps that you don’t remember installing. If you notice anything different about the behavior of your phone, make sure to run a virus scan with a powerful antivirus app like Bitdefender, which uses advanced machine learning technology to detect and remove malware.

How do I scan my Android for malware?

You scan your Android for malware using antivirus apps for Android. Manually scanning for malware is extremely hard to do, even for advanced users — many malware files will rename themselves, duplicate themselves on your device, or even hide themselves so your operating system doesn’t even know they’re installed. That’s why you should just run a scan with a trustworthy antivirus app.

When the scan is finished, your antivirus displays the results and notifies you if any signs of malware infections or harmful apps were found. In most cases, any viruses can be removed with the tap of a button — and apps like Norton also provide live customer support if you need help removing malware from your system.

Will resetting my Android phone remove malware?

Resetting your Android phone can remove malware. However, a reset also removes all of your saved files, photos, and apps (and some malware files like rootkits can actually survive a factory reset). This is why you should only consider resetting your Android phone when all other methods have failed to remove malware from your device.

In many cases, you can remove malware from your phone without needing to reset the device. For this, you need a premium antivirus app like Norton. These apps use advanced anti-malware technologies to quickly remove malware from your Android while keeping your important files safe and intact.

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About the Author
Ben Martens
Ben Martens
Senior Editor
Updated on: March 19, 2024

About the Author

Ben Martens is a former cybersecurity journalist for SafetyDetectives with a background in internet ethics, malware testing, and public policy. He resides in Oregon, and when he's not advocating for the rights of internet users, he's walking with his dog and inventing stories with his daughter.