What to Do If You Suspect Your Phone Has Spyware

Picture this: Sarah grabs her phone for a quick check. The battery drops from full to half in hours. Calls echo with strange clicks. Texts pop up from unknown numbers. She feels watched. In January 2026, threats like zero-click spyware in WhatsApp hit users hard. Attackers exploit flaws such as Apple’s CVE-2025-43300 in image handling and WhatsApp’s CVE-2025-55177. These let bad images install trackers without a tap, grabbing messages and data. Signal faces risks too, though less in recent reports. Apple’s December 2025 WebKit fixes patched some holes, but Android users see worms like Astaroth spreading via ZIP files in Brazil.

Spyware lurks quietly. It tracks your location, reads chats, or turns on your camera and mic. Both Android and iPhone owners stay at risk. Commercial tools target high-profile people, but everyday users catch stray hits. The good news? Spot it early, check your device, clean it out, and lock it down. You’ll sleep better with your privacy back in your hands. This guide walks you through phone spyware signs, detection steps, removal tricks, and prevention habits for 2026.

Spot These Common Signs Your Phone Might Have Spyware

Your phone acts up. It drains fast or lags. These clues point to spyware working in the shadows. In 2026, data from security firms shows battery drain tops the list, followed by odd data spikes. Spyware runs hidden tasks. It sends your info to remote servers, eating power and speed. Both Android and iPhone show these flags. Check your settings for battery and data use first. High numbers from unknown apps scream trouble.

Think of your phone as a busy kitchen. Spyware cooks data nonstop, leaving crumbs like heat and mess.

Photo by Markus Winkler

Performance and Battery Warnings

Battery dies quick? Spyware drains it by snapping photos or uploading logs in the background. Your phone feels hot even when idle, like a laptop after heavy games. Performance slows. Apps freeze or crash. Restarts happen without reason. Shutdown takes ages.

On Android, go to Settings > Battery. See which apps hog power. iPhone users tap Settings > Battery too. Look for spikes from strangers. Overheating points to constant scans or streams. One user noted her Samsung warmed up during sleep mode. Culprit: a hidden tracker.

These signs build over days. Act before it worsens.

Data Use and App Oddities

Data bill jumps? Spyware ships your texts and location overseas. Check Settings > Network & Internet (Android) or Cellular (iPhone). Unknown apps appear with weird icons. Pop-ups flood your screen.

Android lets you boot into safe mode: hold power button, long-press Restart. Only core apps run. If issues vanish, blame a third-party app. iPhone hides extras in App Library. Swipe left on home screen. Revoke odd permissions in Settings > Apps (Android) or Privacy & Security (iPhone).

Permissions matter. Spyware begs for mic or location access. Spot it early with these checks.

Call Noises and Camera Surprises

Calls crackle with clicks or echoes. That’s spyware tapping the line. Texts arrive with random symbols or codes. Green light blinks on camera; orange dot shows mic use without cause.

Advanced tools like Pegasus trigger these. They activate hardware silently. Recent WhatsApp attacks chain flaws for zero-click installs. Lights warn you now, thanks to OS updates. If your iPhone shows unexplained dots, dig deeper.

For full signs list, see ZDNet’s guide on spyware symptoms.

Quick Checks to Confirm Spyware on Android or iPhone

Suspect infection? Don’t panic. Back up photos and files to cloud first. Google Drive for Android; iCloud for iPhone. Then run simple tests. 2026 guides stress safe mode and scans. iPhones lack full safe mode but restart clears junk.

These steps take minutes. They reveal hidden apps without full wipes.

Android Detection Steps

1. Boot safe mode: Press power, hold Restart till prompt. Swipe to confirm. Third-party apps disable.
2. Review apps: Settings > Apps. Uninstall unknowns. Tap Show system for suspects.
3. Check permissions: Settings > Privacy > Permission manager. Revoke mic, camera, location from odd apps. Disable admin access in Security > Device admin apps.
4. Scan with Play Protect: Open Play Store > Profile > Play Protect > Scan. It flags malware.

Restart normal. Test battery and speed. Issues gone? You nailed it.

iPhone Detection Steps

1. Check battery and data: Settings > Battery or Cellular. Note top users.
2. Review apps: Home screen or App Library. Delete strangers. Long-press icons.
3. Permissions audit: Settings > Privacy & Security. Turn off access for unknowns.
4. Update iOS: Settings > General > Software Update. Install 26 or later. Apple patched spyware paths here.

Antivirus apps work less on iOS sandbox. Malwarebytes explains iPhone restart benefits. Restart clears temp threats.

Safe Ways to Remove Spyware from Your Phone

Checks confirm trouble? Clean it step by step. Start light; escalate if needed. Free tools like Malwarebytes or Avast catch most. Update everything first. Spyware hates fresh patches.

Test after each move. Charge fully, use for a day. Normal? You’re clear.

Run Scans and Updates First

Download antivirus from official stores. Avast or Kaspersky scan deep. Run full checks. Quarantine hits.

Update OS: Android via Settings > System > Update; iPhone as above. Patch apps too. Revoke all extra permissions.

For protection tips, check WIRED’s Android and iPhone spyware defence steps.

Some spyware hides from scans. Move to reset if signs linger.

Factory Reset as Last Resort

Backup essentials. Android: Settings > System > Backup. iPhone: Settings > [Name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup.

Reset Android: Settings > System > Reset options > Erase all data. Confirm.

iPhone: Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings.

Setup fresh. Restore selective data. Avoid full backups; they carry spyware.

Advanced cases need pros. But most users fix it here.

Prevent Spyware from Coming Back in 2026

Clean phone feels good. Keep it that way. Stick to Google Play or App Store. Skip sideloading.

Avoid phishing texts with bad links. WhatsApp worms spread via ZIPs; delete unknowns. Use strong PIN, face ID, and 2FA everywhere.

Limit app permissions. Deny mic unless needed. VPN shields public Wi-Fi. Restart weekly clears junk.

Turn on auto-updates. AI tools in Avast spot new threats fast. Daily habits build walls.

Avast details phone tapping signs to watch.

Conclusion

You now know the phone spyware signs: drain, heat, odd calls. Run checks for Android safe mode or iPhone updates. Scan, update, reset if needed. Prevent with smart habits and official sources.

Recent WhatsApp flaws show risks linger into 2026. Check your phone today. Update now. Scan with a trusted app. Share this with mates; their data matters too.

Take control. Your privacy stays yours with these steps. Sleep easy tonight.