What to look for on your iPhone
An iPhone with a virus or malware usually shows signs before it becomes a serious problem. The most common warning is a sudden change in how your phone behaves — it may slow down noticeably, drain battery much faster than usual, or get hot during normal use. You might also see apps crashing repeatedly, even ones you use every day.
Look for unexpected charges on your phone bill or credit card statements tied to your carrier or Apple. Malware sometimes generates premium text messages or subscribes you to services without your knowledge. Check your data usage in Settings — if it has spiked without explanation, something running in the background may be consuming it.
Pay attention to your lock screen and home screen. If apps appear that you did not install, or if your wallpaper or settings have changed on their own, that is a red flag. Some malware also causes your phone to restart randomly or freeze during basic tasks.
Key Takeaways
- iPhones are harder to infect than Android phones because Apple controls what can be installed, but malware can still reach your device through phishing links or compromised apps.
- Battery drain, unexpected slowness, overheating, and apps crashing are the most common signs something is wrong with your iPhone.
- Check your App Library and Settings to find apps you do not recognize, and review your phone bill for charges you did not authorize.
- Restarting your iPhone in Safe Mode lets you see whether the problem is caused by a third-party app or built into the system itself.
- If you find malware, deleting the app, changing your passwords, and running a full backup are the fastest ways to stop it from spreading to your other devices.
How to check your installed apps
Open Settings and tap General, then iPhone Storage. This shows every app on your phone, listed by how much space it uses. Scroll through the entire list slowly — you are looking for anything you do not remember installing. Malware often disguises itself with a generic name like "System Update" or "Settings Manager" or uses a name similar to a real app.
If you find an app you do not recognize, tap it and select Delete App, then Delete App again to confirm. Do not worry about accidentally deleting something important — Apple's built-in apps cannot be deleted, and you can always reinstall anything from the App Store.
Also check your App Library by swiping to the rightmost home screen page. Tap the search icon at the bottom and look through the categories. Malware sometimes hides in folders or appears only in the App Library, not on your home screen.
Restart your iPhone in Safe Mode
Safe Mode prevents third-party apps from running while keeping your phone's core functions intact. If your phone works normally in Safe Mode but shows problems when you restart normally, a third-party app is causing the issue.
To enter Safe Mode, hold down the power button and either volume button until the power-off slider appears. Do not slide it — instead, release the buttons and wait. Your phone will restart and display "Safe Mode" in the bottom left corner of the lock screen. Use your phone normally for a few minutes and notice whether the slowness, battery drain, or crashes stop.
If the problems disappear in Safe Mode, restart your phone normally (hold the power button again until the slider appears, then slide to power off). When it restarts, the issue will return — that tells you a third-party app is responsible. Go back to Settings > General > iPhone Storage and delete apps one at a time until the problem stops.
Check your payment methods and subscriptions
Open Settings and tap your name at the top, then Subscriptions. This shows every recurring charge tied to your Apple ID — apps, services, and in-app purchases. Look for anything you do not recognize or do not remember signing up for. Malware sometimes creates hidden subscriptions that charge you monthly.
Tap any subscription you want to remove and select Cancel Subscription. Apple will ask you to confirm, and the charge will stop when ready. You will not be refunded for the current billing period, but future charges will not occur.
Also check your actual credit card or phone bill. Some malware charges you through your carrier instead of Apple, so look for unfamiliar vendor names or premium text message charges. Contact your bank or carrier when ready if you see charges you did not authorize — they can often reverse recent transactions.
Review your iCloud security settings
Malware sometimes changes your iCloud password or enables features you did not turn on. Open Settings, tap your name, then Password & Security. Review the list of devices signed into your account — if you see a device you do not own, tap it and select Remove from Account.
Check whether two-factor authentication is turned on. Tap Password & Security and look for "Two-Factor Authentication" — it should show "On". If it is off, turn it on when ready. This prevents someone from accessing your account even if they have your password.
Scroll down to "Apps & Websites" or "App Passwords" (depending on your iOS version) and review which apps have permission to access your account. Delete any you do not recognize or no longer use.
Update iOS and delete the problem app
Open Settings, tap General, then Software Update. If an update is available, read and install it when ready. Apple releases security patches regularly, and updating closes the door that malware used to get in.
Once your phone is updated, delete the app you identified as the problem. Go back to Settings > General > iPhone Storage, find the app, tap it, and select Delete App. Confirm the deletion.
After deleting the app, restart your phone by holding the power button until the slider appears, then sliding to power off. Wait 10 seconds, then hold the power button again to turn it back on. This clears any remaining traces from your phone's memory.
Change your passwords and monitor your accounts
If malware was on your phone, change the passwords for your most important accounts — email, banking, social media, and any accounts that store payment information. Use a different password for each account, and make each one at least 12 characters long with a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols.
Change your passwords from a different device if possible — a computer or tablet — rather than from your iPhone, in case malware is still running. If you only have your iPhone, restart it in Safe Mode first, then change your passwords.
Monitor your email and bank accounts for the next few weeks. Look for password reset notifications you did not request, unfamiliar login attempts, or unauthorized charges. If you see anything suspicious, contact your bank or email provider when ready.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can iPhones get viruses from websites?
iPhones are protected by Safari's built-in security, which blocks most malicious websites automatically. However, you can still be tricked into downloading a malicious app by clicking a link that looks legitimate. Never read apps from outside the App Store, and be cautious of links in text messages or emails from people you do not know.
What should I do if I cannot delete an app?
If an app will not delete, restart your phone and try again. If it still will not delete, the app may be built into iOS and cannot be removed — in that case, you can only hide it. If a third-party app will not delete, your phone may have a configuration profile installed. Go to Settings > General > VPN & Device Management and delete any profiles you do not recognize.
Do I need antivirus software on my iPhone?
No. Apple's App Store review process and iOS security make traditional antivirus unnecessary. Apps claiming to scan your iPhone for viruses are usually scams themselves. The best protection is keeping iOS updated, using strong passwords, and being careful about what you read.
Will a factory reset remove the virus?
Yes, but it is rarely necessary. Deleting the malicious app and updating iOS will solve almost every problem. A factory reset erases everything on your phone, so only do it as a last resort if the problem persists after deleting apps and updating. Back up your important data first.
How do I know if a link is safe to click?
Hover over a link (press and hold it) to see the actual URL before tapping. If the address does not match what the text says, do not click it. Be especially cautious of links in unexpected text messages or emails, even if they appear to come from someone you know — their account may have been hacked.