How do I check my Android phone for a virus?

Open the Play Store, tap your profile picture, then Play Protect, and make sure Scan apps with Play Protect is on. Samsung phones also have Scan phone in Settings. Then look through Settings → Apps and uninstall anything you don't recognize. A pop-up saying your phone has a virus is a warning sign, so don't tap it.

Steps to check

1. Know the warning signs

   Google lists these as possible signs of malware (harmful software): messages about a virus, pop-up ads that won't go away, a phone that is suddenly very slow or low on space, your browser's homepage or search engine changing by itself, and contacts getting messages from you that you didn't send. Samsung adds apps you don't remember installing, calls or texts you didn't make, unusually high data use, and a battery that drains much faster than before. One of these on its own often has an ordinary cause, so keep going with the checks below before you worry.

2. Don't tap pop-up virus warnings

   A website or ad that suddenly says your phone is infected is usually trying to get you to install something. Google's Chrome help says to be wary of virus warnings, especially if you haven't run a virus scan yourself. Close it with the Back button or by closing the browser tab. Do not tap inside it, call any number it shows, or install the app it suggests. For pop-ups that keep coming back, see how to stop pop-up ads.

3. Check Google Play Protect

   Play Protect is Google's built-in safety check. It is on by default, checks apps when you install them, and scans your phone from time to time. If it finds a harmful app, it can warn you, turn the app off, or remove it. Open the Google Play Store app, tap your profile picture at the top right, then tap Play Protect. Open its settings and make sure Scan apps with Play Protect is on. If you have installed apps from outside the Play Store, also turn on Improve harmful app detection. If the Play Protect screen shows a Scan button, tap it to check now.

4. On Samsung, also run Scan phone

   Samsung phones have their own scan in addition to Play Protect. Samsung says antivirus apps are not preinstalled on Galaxy phones and that it does not recommend third-party anti-malware apps, so this built-in check is the one to use. On Pixel, Motorola, and most other Android phones, Play Protect from the step above is the built-in check.

   • Samsung Settings → Security and privacy → App security → App protection → Scan phone. On some models it is under Settings → Device care → App protection, or Battery and device care → Device protection. Samsung notes it may not be available on every model or carrier. While you are in Security and privacy, you can also turn on Auto Blocker, which blocks apps from unauthorized sources.

5. Look through your apps and remove strangers

   Open Settings → Apps (on some phones, Apps & notifications → See all apps). Scroll slowly. Look for apps you don't remember installing, apps with blank or random-looking names, and apps that didn't come from the Play Store or Galaxy Store. Tap one you don't trust, then tap Uninstall. If an app won't uninstall or the problem comes right back, restart in safe mode, which pauses downloaded apps so they can't interfere, then uninstall it from there. Restart normally afterward to leave safe mode (see turning off safe mode).

   • Samsung To start safe mode, press and hold the Side button and Volume down, touch and hold Power off, then tap Safe mode.
   • Pixel To start safe mode on Pixel 6 and later, press and hold the Power and Volume up buttons, then touch and hold Power off or Restart and tap OK. On Pixel 5a and earlier, press and hold Power, then touch and hold Power off. Safe mode turns on airplane mode, so turn that off if you need Wi-Fi.

6. Install updates

   Updates fix security holes. Open Settings → System → Software updates and follow the steps on the screen. Google says most security patches install automatically, and you can check them under Settings → Security & privacy → System & updates, where Security update and Google Play system update are listed separately. On Samsung, go to Settings → Software update → Download and install. See also whether to install a system update.

7. Check your Google Account too

   If you think something got in, make sure your account is safe as well. In a web browser, go to myaccount.google.com/security-checkup and fix anything it flags. You can also see which devices are signed in to your Google Account and sign out any you don't recognize.

8. Last resort: factory reset

   If the signs continue after all of this, Google and Samsung both suggest a factory reset, which erases the phone and puts it back the way it came. Back up your photos and contacts first, and do not restore apps you didn't trust. See how to factory reset your Android phone. If problems remain even after a reset, contact your phone maker.

Normal vs. not

Common questions

Do I need to install an antivirus app?

Usually not. Play Protect is built into phones with the Play Store and is on by default. Samsung says it does not recommend third-party anti-malware apps and has its own Scan phone check. If you installed a "cleaner" or antivirus app from an ad, treat it like any other app you don't trust.

Can I check for a virus without installing anything?

Yes. Play Protect in the Play Store, and Samsung's Scan phone in Settings, are already on your phone. Looking through Settings → Apps for strangers is the other half of the check.

How do I keep an older relative's phone safe?

Keep Play Protect on and install apps only from the Play Store or Galaxy Store. On Samsung, turn on Auto Blocker in Settings → Security and privacy. Remind them never to tap pop-ups that say the phone is infected.

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