Buzz
Compared to computers, Android smartphones are less prone to viruses. However, if your device is getting slower, experiencing app crashes, freezes, or unexpected restarts, it might not be solely due to hardware issues or app conflicts. Keep an eye on our tips below to eradicate all viruses from your device.
Additionally, readers are advised to check out the article on how to handle running out of storage on Android.
Viruses mainly infiltrate your Android phone through network-transmitted apps, especially those from unknown sources outside the Google Play Store. Be cautious and absolutely avoid installing apps from sources other than the Google Play Store by navigating to Settings > Security > Uncheck Unknown Sources.
If, unfortunately, your device is already infected, perform a factory reset to wipe all phone data and restore it to its original state as when you first purchased it. Remember to back up your data before proceeding. However, note that backed-up data might be a hiding place for the virus, so it's advisable to discard it if it's not crucial. Currently, there are many apps like 360 Mobile Security, Avast, or Lookout that can scan and prevent viruses on Android phones.
However, at times, these antivirus apps may mistakenly blacklist the apps you commonly use. In such a situation, you can ignore the alert and continue using the app normally or manually remove the virus using the following steps.
Step 1: Put your Android phone into Safe Mode. This mode allows the device to run only the pre-installed apps without allowing third-party apps to run. Most Android devices can enter Safe Mode by pressing and holding Power off and selecting Safe Mode from the displayed list. If this method doesn't work for your device, find ways to enter Safe Mode specific to your device on Google.
Step 2: Once successfully in Safe Mode (you'll see the 'Safe mode' text at the bottom of the device), go to Settings > Apps and tap on Downloaded. You might not know which app has introduced the virus, but carefully review the list of installed apps and identify any that you didn't install but appear on your device. It could be the culprit.
Step 3: Tap on the app containing the virus, check its app information, and then tap the Uninstall button. Normally, after this step, the virus should be removed from your device. If the Uninstall button turns gray and becomes unresponsive, the virus has granted itself administrator privileges, making it unremovable in the usual way. You will need to take an additional step to revoke administrator privileges.
Step 4: Exit the Apps Menu and access the Settings >Security menu. Tap on the Device Administrators option. Here, you'll find a list of apps installed with the highest administrative privileges. Uncheck the box next to the app you want to uninstall and press the Deactivate button on the next screen. Then go back and repeat Step 3 to uninstall the app as usual.
Step 5: Once you've completed all the steps outlined here, the virus should be completely removed from your device. To safeguard against potential issues, immediately back up important data and install an antivirus app to prevent such incidents from occurring again.
By following our instructions and tricks, you can effectively rid your Android phone of viruses. If you suspect your phone is infected, take action now. Don't forget to download the antivirus apps: 360 Mobile Security Antivirus for Android and Avira for Android.
