No longer can anyone say that an Apple device like an iPhone or iPad cannot become infected with a virus.
That was once a thing. It’s not so anymore.
This guide will show you how to remove viruses from your iPhone or iPad to make it safe again.
First, you need to be able to determine if your device is infected with a virus. Avast states that multiple indicators could indicate the presence of malware. It’s not a one-size-fits-all approach.
These are some common warning signs to be aware of:
- Apps that crash out of the blue: Even simple operations like freezing or launching an application could be indicators of malware.
- Unfamiliar Apps: Take a look at your apps to determine if you can remember downloading them or installing them.
- Safari is experiencing pop-ups. Safari should not have any problems with popups unless there’s a shady site that manages to infect your computer with a virus.
- Unexplained charges on financial accounts: This is the most frightening one. It means that someone can take your bank account out of your sight.
- The battery seems to be draining too fast: Any type of virus requires a lot processing power. This vulnerability is very common with older Apple iPhones, such as the 12 or 11. Make sure you scan them whenever possible.
- High data usage: Some types of malware may require that your device send or receive a lot of data. You might not be aware that your phone bill is being billed.
- Your phone is too hot. A virus will cause your device to work harder because of how much processing power it uses. It will therefore run hotter.
Jailbreaking is another thing that could theoretically make a device susceptible to viruses.
There are many reasons why jailbreaking an iPhone/iPad is dangerous. It could be a virus if your device has been jailbroken and is suffering from any or all of these problems.
Restarting is the first method of virus removal
Turning off the iPhone/iPad again is one of the easiest and most effective ways to remove a virus.
Hold down the power button and wait for the “slide-to-power off” option to appear on the screen.
If your iPhone doesn’t have the Home button, (i.e. iPhone 12 Pro), you can do this by simultaneously holding the Power button and the Volume Down button.
According to MacWorld UK, the process should take between four and five seconds.
Hold the Power Button once more to restart the device. This time the Power Button will stay on for a little longer (10 seconds). You can release the button once the Apple logo appears.
When prompted, enter the passcode of your device (TouchID and FaceID will not work during a restart). You can then test the device to see if it has improved. You can then move on to the next step if it does not improve.
Method 2 for removing viruses: Clearing browsing data
It’s possible that your iPhone or iPad was infected by a virus downloaded from the internet. Unknowingly clicking on a poor link is one of the most common hacking techniques, according to HelloTech.
Clearing out your Apple device’s browsing history could be a good idea.
This can be done by going to Settings > Safari > Clear History & Website Data and then tapping on the “Clear History & Data” prompt that appears.
Clear the cache if you are using Chrome or another browser. You’ll notice three dots in the lower right corner. Next, click Settings > Privacy > Clear Browsing data. Make sure Site Data and Cookies have been selected.
Virus Removal Method 3 – Hard Reset/Factory Recovery
If your device is still not performing well, you should do a factory reset/hard reset. Go to General > Reset > Delete All Content and Settings.
