How to Remove Malware from Android: A Step-by-Step Guide

Malware on Android devices is a growing concern, and it can create serious problems like slowing down your phone, stealing your personal information, or even spying on you.

If your Android phone is acting strange, running slow, or showing unfamiliar ads, there’s a chance it’s infected with malware. But don’t panic—there are ways to get rid of it and protect your device moving forward.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through the steps on how to identify and remove malware from your Android phone safely and effectively.

How to Know If Your Android Device Has Malware

Before you can remove malware, you need to know if it’s actually present on your Android device. Here are some common signs that your phone might be infected:

Slow performance: If your phone suddenly becomes very slow or unresponsive, this could be a sign of malware running in the background and using up your device’s resources.
Battery drain: Malware often causes your battery to drain much faster than usual because it forces your phone to run hidden processes.
Unfamiliar apps or ads: If you notice apps that you didn’t download or see ads popping up out of nowhere, this is a major red flag. Some malware installs unwanted apps or adware on your phone.
Increased data usage: Malware might use your internet data to send information from your phone to hackers. Keep an eye on unusual data usage.
Overheating: Phones infected with malware often overheat because malicious software can run constantly in the background.

Step 1: Boot Your Phone Into Safe Mode

Safe Mode is a feature that lets you temporarily disable all third-party apps. This can help you find out if an app you downloaded is causing the problem. Here’s how to start your Android phone in Safe Mode:

Press and hold the power button until the power-off menu appears.
Tap and hold Power Off until a pop-up window appears asking if you want to restart in Safe Mode.
Select OK.

When in Safe Mode, your phone will only run the apps that came pre-installed on your device. If the issues stop while in Safe Mode, it’s likely that a third-party app is responsible for the malware.

Step 2: Uninstall Suspicious or Unfamiliar Apps

Once you’re in Safe Mode, you’ll want to look through your installed apps and uninstall anything that looks suspicious or unfamiliar. Here’s how to remove apps:

Go to Settings and select Apps or Application Manager.
Look through the list of apps for anything you don’t recognize or anything that was recently installed around the time the problems started.
Tap on the suspicious app and select Uninstall.

If the uninstall button is greyed out, it could be because the app has gained admin rights. In that case, you’ll need to remove those rights before uninstalling.

To remove admin rights:

Go to Settings and select Security.
Tap on Device Administrators or Phone Administrators.
Look for the suspicious app, then disable its admin rights.

Once the admin rights are disabled, go back to the app and uninstall it.

Step 3: Install a Trusted Mobile Security App

After uninstalling suspicious apps, it’s a good idea to run a scan with a trusted mobile security app. Many Android security apps are available, but make sure you choose one with good reviews and ratings. Here are a few well-known options:

Quick Heal
Avast Mobile Security
Kaspersky Mobile Antivirus
Bitdefender Mobile Security

These apps can detect and remove hidden malware on your Android device. After downloading one of these security apps from the Google Play Store, run a full scan to check if any malicious files or apps remain on your phone.

Step 4: Clear the Cache and Data of Your Browser

Sometimes, malware can enter your phone through your web browser, causing annoying pop-ups or redirecting you to unwanted websites. If you notice strange behavior while browsing, clearing the cache and data of your browser can help remove malware-related issues. Here’s how to do it:

Go to Settings and tap on Apps.
Find your browser (for example, Chrome) in the list and tap on it.
Select Storage.
Tap on Clear Cache and then Clear Data.

This will reset your browser, removing any temporary files that may have been infected with malware.

Step 5: Update Your Android System and Apps

Outdated software can have vulnerabilities that malware can exploit. Keeping your phone’s operating system and apps updated helps close security gaps and reduces the risk of infection. Here’s how to check for updates:

Go to Settings and tap on System.
Select Software Update or System Update and check for available updates.
If an update is available, install it immediately.

You should also update all the apps on your device. Go to the Google Play Store, tap the menu button, and select My apps & games to see if any apps need updating.

Step 6: Factory Reset as a Last Resort

If the malware persists after following these steps, you may need to do a factory reset to remove it entirely. A factory reset will erase all the data and settings on your phone, returning it to its original state. This should only be done as a last resort since you’ll lose all your personal files, apps, and settings.

Here’s how to perform a factory reset:

Go to Settings and tap on System.
Select Reset Options.
Tap Erase All Data (Factory Reset) and confirm your choice.

Before doing this, make sure you back up important files like photos, contacts, and documents.

How to Prevent Malware on Android in the Future

Removing malware from your Android phone is one thing, but preventing it from infecting your device in the first place is even better. Here are some tips to help you avoid malware:

Download apps only from trusted sources: Stick to the Google Play Store for downloading apps. Avoid downloading apps from unknown or unofficial sources, as these are more likely to contain malware.
Check app permissions: Before installing an app, check the permissions it requests. If an app is asking for access to data that doesn’t make sense for its function, it might be unsafe.
Keep your software updated: Regularly update your Android operating system and apps to protect your phone from new vulnerabilities.
Use antivirus software: Keep a trusted security app installed on your device and run regular scans to catch potential threats.
Avoid clicking on suspicious links: Whether in emails, texts, or websites, never click on unfamiliar or suspicious links. These can be used to install malware on your device.

Conclusion

Malware on Android devices can cause serious issues, but with the right approach, you can remove it and protect your phone from future infections. By following the steps above—booting into Safe Mode, uninstalling suspicious apps, running a security scan, and keeping your device updated—you can regain control of your phone.

Remember, the best defense is to be cautious about what you download and install, and to use reliable security software to stay protected.