How to remove cell phone spy software

If you detect that your phone is being spied on, then you have to remove the smartphone spy software. On this page, we have collected some tips for removing spy applications from Android phones and tablets. To prevent the problem in the future, we will teach you how to protect your phone from tracking apps. No one wants to share his or her personal and sensitive information with someone unknown, and here you will learn how to protect yourself against spying.

What is spy software?

There are two types of spy software: spyware viruses and specialized spy applications. The main difference is that the first, as a rule, is used impersonally. The second type — spy apps, are installed intentionally and personally on your device. In the first case, the spy does not know you personally, and in the second, you are personally connected in some way.

Spy software available for all popular operating systems:

• Android;
• iOS;
• Windows;
• And more.

Such programs collect information from the target devices. This information can be either simple keystrokes—such apps are called keyloggers—but other spy software could collect other information:

• The websites you visit;
• The contacts in your address book;
• What you write on social networks;
• Where you are (geo-location);
• Who you call;
• And much more.

Of course, all this is personal information, and it is very important. If you do not want to share such sensitive data with unknown people, it is important to know three things: how to find out that spy software has been installed on your device, how to remove it, and how to protect yourself against spy software. Below you will find the answers to all those questions.

How to detect if your smartphone is being spied on

We have already discussed in detail how to detect if your smartphone is being tracked, monitored, or spied on, so we will just briefly remind you of the key signs:

• Your smartphone is making strange sounds;
• Your device sometimes turns off by itself;
• You see some strange additional icons on the screen;
• The phone’s battery drains quickly;
• Any other behavior that cannot be called normal.

If the smartphone begins to work strangely, then this is a reason to think about the possibility that someone is spying on you. You at least need to check whether there are extra icons on the screen. They could be not only on the home screen but also in the bar at the top or bottom of the screen. This tip is relevant for all models of Android and iOS devices.

Also, watch how fast the phone’s battery drains. One day of battery life in 2023 is normal. It is also normal if you have an old phone, and it starts to drain quickly. However, if you notice that a month ago your charge could last a whole day and now the smartphone is draining from, for example, 80 to 30 percent in a couple of hours while you’re not using the device, then your phone might be being monitored.

Many applications work secretly — that is why you will not see any icons or hear sounds in most cases. Nevertheless, the software affects the charge. Energy is required to collect information and send it.

There are also errors sometimes in the application that are solved by rebooting. Therefore, for such seemingly inconspicuous facts, you can figure out if your phone is being monitored.

How to remove spy applications from an Android device

The first step is to decide if you want to remove spy application or to learn the name of the person who is tracking you. If you want to know who is spying on you, do not remove app — it is only one clue for the finding the spy. If you want to end the spying, then follow these steps:

• Open the Settings on your phone or tablet.
• Find the Recovery or Reset button (the name vary on the Android version and your location).
• Reset the device by pushing the Recovery or Reset button.

This is called a “hard reset” or “factory reset.” Your device will return to the same settings it had when you just bought the device. Please note that during the hard reset, you will lose all your data—videos, photos, applications, and so on. Therefore, you may want to save your data before resting the device. It is possible, but you have to be careful.

Doing a factory reset should not bother you, because it is a pre-installed feature. You do not need to install any app to do it — just use the official feature. However, be careful about your personal data, and try to save it. You can use cloud services to download your pictures and videos. Choose services that accept media files only. Even if a virus file is among your photos, it will not be uploaded there. Then you will download a clean archive without any viruses.

Do not copy all data. Choose only trusted files. Moreover, do not copy full folders but check what is inside of them. Otherwise, you could transfer the spyware yourself. The advice to back up your phone first is dangerous — do not make an automatic backup copy!

How to Delete Spyware on iOS

Most of the spyware on iOS works only on jailbroken devices. Therefore, if you quit jailbreak mode, you will solve the problem. Even if you have never jailbroken your phone, check the settings — someone else could have jailbroken your iPhone to spy on it.

Update your iPhone or iPad. Jailbreaking is removed by updates, and spy software will be removed at the same time as well. With just one step, the problem is solved.

The trick with updates works with Android devices as well, but resetting to the factory settings is the most efficient way. If you are using a BlackBerry, you can also do a factory reset—it’s a solution to most problems.

Is it possible to remove spy apps manually?

Yes, it is possible to remove spy apps manually if you have the skills. It is quite hard to find a spy app, but it is possible. For this, you will need to follow these steps:

• Connect your phone to a desktop or laptop computer.
• Use a file manager to find the spy app.
• Delete it.

You cannot delete the app manually from the phone’s file manager, because it’s not heavily developed. From the laptop, it is much easier to delete the app, but you have to know what you are searching for. Usually, spyware called something simple, and you would not know by the name that it is a dangerous file.

You can also use antivirus software. Some of them, such as NOD32, Kaspersky, or ESET, will catch the signs of a virus and show you the spy app.

We do not recommend manually removing the app, because it is not safe. You could delete a file that is important for the operating system or only partly remove the spyware. After a couple of hours spent searching for the app could bring results that are worse than you could expect.

Use antivirus software

To find the spy app and remove it from the cell phone, you can use antivirus software:

• AVG Antivirus: FREE for Android Security 2023;
• Kaspersky Mobile Antivirus: AppLock & Web Security;
• Anti-virus Dr.Web Light;
• Avast Mobile Security 2023: Antivirus & App Lock;
• Security Master: Antivirus, VPN, AppLock, Booster.

All of these apps are solutions not only for removing spy apps but also for protection. You can use them to protect your Android smartphone against spyware, malware, and other dangers.

Note that antiviruses are battery-consuming. If you do not want to lose your charge, you can install the antivirus app, scan the phone, remove the spyware, and then delete the antivirus app. Alternatively, you could install light versions, such as the following:

• Virus Cleaner: Antivirus, Cleaner (MAX Security);
• Phone Cleaner: Antivirus, Speed Boost (MAX Cleaner);
• Virus Cleaner: Scan & Remove Viruses.

These apps are for scanning and removing, but they cannot protect your device from new spyware. However, they do have one big advantage: they do not consume your battery life. They work only when you open them.

Whatever you choose — a complex antivirus app or just a cleaner — do not forget to update the software regularly. Having an antivirus app does not make your device secure unless you update the software. It is very important, so do not neglect it.

How to protect your smartphone from spy applications

There are several simple steps to protect your smartphone from spy applications. Follow them, and you will not need to remove the spy apps.

Control your phone

Do not give your phone to people you do not trust. They could install spyware to steal your bank card details or spy on your personal information. In 2023, thieves do not need to rob you on the street. It’s enough for someone to ask to use your phone to make a call and then install a small application.

Do not let anyone you do not know t touch your phone.

Lock your phone

Control where your device is and who is using it. Even if you are at home, it is better to always know that nobody can use your gadget. Lock your phone.

Use antivirus software

To protect your device, use antivirus software. There are paid and free options, and you can choose the best one for you.

Please be careful while choosing because there are many fraudulent offers on the antivirus market. Download s solution from the official marketplace or store—the Google Play Store or the App Store.

Above, we have collected some security apps, and you can choose one from them.

How to use spyware for your benefit

Now that you have learned that spyware can be bad, we will discuss how to use spyware for your benefit. You can be on the other side!

You do not need to be a hacker or a professional programmer to us a spy app. For example, you can download and install Hoverwatch.

Spy apps can be installed on the target device to track the following:

• Calls;
• SMS;
• Social media activities;
• Messengers;
• Locations;
• And another data from the smartphone.

It is very easy to use Hoverwatch or another spy application for Android. First, download the installation file. Usually, it is an .APK file, but it may vary. Then, install the software on the target device—for example, on your child’s phone.

The software will work for you. All the tracked data will be collected in a control panel. You can view it at any time, anywhere — for example, at home from a personal computer. Simply your personal account through your browser. Of course, the account is secured by a password.

Note that Hoverwatch is not a virus, so it is much easier to work with it. It is a normal application that has a hidden mode. Stealth mode can be disabled if desired, and you can monitor device the same as before.

The best way to remove cell phone spy software in 2023

Preventing the problem is better than solving it. Now you learned how to delete (uninstall) smartphone spy applications, so you are ready for them. We hope you will never need to use knowledge, but now you are ready for all cases.