How to remove malware from your iPhone?

Why removing malware in iPhone matters

Your iPhone isn’t just a phone anymore. It’s your digital identity. That’s exactly what makes it a target for all kinds of attacks. In hybrid workplaces, your personal devices have evolved into a corporate endpoint. With this shift comes the responsibility to secure it. Usually, iOS is built with strong security, but no device is immune to attacks. If your iPhone has begun to slow down, display advertisements unnecessarily, or behave differently, it may have been infected with malware. And knowing how to remove malware from your iPhone is a necessity.

What is malware on iOS?

Malware is short for malicious software. It refers to any software designed to harm a device, steal information, or get unauthorized access to personal data. In iPhones, malware is usually introduced from phishing links, jailbreaking or downloads outside of the App Store. The common types of malware in iPhones are,

• Adware – Pushes unwanted ads to generate income for the attacker or steal personal information.
• Trojans – Disguised as a legit application, trojans infect the device with the user’s unknown approval. Once the app is installed, it releases the malware onto your device.
• Ransomware – Locks out the user and encrypts the data in the device. Then it demands ransom to access the data.
• Spyware – Spies on your device activity and steals all the personal information and financial details without consent.

Signs your iPhone may be infected

Malware usually affects the device’s performance and usability. The common indicators are,

• The device becomes very slow, freezes, or crashes often.
• Sudden increase in pop-up ads.
• High battery drainage and overheating.
• Unable to update OS.
• Unknown Configuration profiles without consent.
• A large amount of storage data is used for no reason.
• Constant redirects while browsing in Safari.
• Unapproved Apple ID sign-in alerts.
• Unknown VPN icons appear.

How do you remove malware from your iPhone?

If you see the above signs, then it is essential to take immediate action. While system-wide antivirus scans are not applicable in iPhones, the remediation relies on manual removal steps like cleaning browser data, uninstalling suspicious apps or configuration profiles, applying software update, or, in extreme cases, performing a factory reset.

Follow these step-by-step instructions to remove malware from your iPhone.

1. Restart your iPhone

A simple restart can terminate any temporary malware in the device.

To restart,

• Hold the Side button + Volume Up/Down until the power slider appears.
• Drag Slide to Power Off.
• Wait 30 seconds, then press the Side button again to turn it back on.

You can also turn off the device by going to Settings > General > Shut Down. This will bring the Slide to Power Off slider.

2. Clear browsing data

Malware often comes from infected web data or cache.

To clear Safari data,

• Go to Settings > Safari > Clear History and Website Data.
• And confirm the action.
• For other browsers, clear the cache and cookies from within the app’s own settings.

Clearing all the cookies and cache is important for removing the trace of malware.

3. Remove suspicious apps and configuration profiles

If your iPhone started to behave oddly after installing an app, then it may be the cause of the attack. Scroll through the apps and find the app which started the issue.

To uninstall it,

• Press and hold the app icon on your Home Screen.
• Tap Remove App > Delete App.
• Confirm the action.

Likewise, if the system settings are changed or unknown VPNs are added, then malicious profiles have been configured.

To remove it,

• Go to Settings > General > VPN & Device Management.
• If you see an unfamiliar profile, tap it and select Remove profile.
• Enter your iPhone passcode, if required.
• Tap Remove to confirm.
• Restart your iPhone to complete the process.

4. Update the OS

Security updates can fix malware in the device. So, regularly check for patches and keep the device updated.

To update,

• Go to Settings > General > Software Update.
• If an update is available, tap Download and Install.
• Follow the on-screen prompts.
• If prompted, enter your iPhone passcode.

5. Enable Rapid Security Responses (iOS 16.4 and later)

Rapid Security Responses allows your iPhone to get urgent security fixes between full iOS updates. These micro-updates protect your device from attacks faster than standard updates.

To enable this,

• Go to Settings > General > Software Update > Automatic Updates.
• Turn on the Security Responses & System Files option.

6. Enable Stolen Device Protection (iOS 17.3 and later)

Stolen Device Protection prevents unauthorized users from changing your security settings or using passwords.

To enable,

• Go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode (or Touch ID & Passcode).
• Enter your passcode.
• Turn on the Stolen Device Protection option.

7. Perform a full erase and reinstall

If the malware or malicious configuration profile issue persists, a full erase removes everything and restores factory settings.

To perform an erase and restore,

• Back up your important data on iCloud.
• Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings.
• Once erased, set up your phone again.
• Restore the data from your iCloud and install apps manually from the APP Store only.
• Check for the updates and install if anything is available.

Make sure you restore the backup which was selected is infection free. Select the backup which was done before the malware attack if available.

After all these steps,

1. Recheck the VPN & Device Management option to confirm that no unknown profiles exist.
2. Reinstall only trusted apps from the App Store.
3. Make sure Automatic Updates and Security Responses & System Files are turned on.
4. Go to Privacy > Analytics & Improvements > Share iPhone Analytics. Check whether it is disabled without your consent. Enable it to help detect any unusual activity.

Precautions to prevent future attacks

The above-mentioned steps are a way of removing malware from the device, which could be easily prevented in the first place by,

• Keeping iOS updated.
• Using the official App Store and avoiding jailbreaking.
• Avoiding suspicious links and attachments.
• Using a reputable content blocker/anti-phishing and a VPN while using public Wi-Fi.
• Using strong passwords and authentications.
• Reviewing app permissions.
• Enabling Stolen Device Protection and Rapid Security Responses.

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Using Hexnode for managing your iPhone

For organizations managing multiple iOS devices, Hexnode offers remote controls to detect, remove, and prevent malware threats at a large scale. Hexnode acts as a central hub allowing IT admins to remotely manage the device and introduce policies to minimize security risks.

With Hexnode we can,

• Detect and audit devices to maintain device health and no unauthorized configurations.
• Remotely remove applications which are infected even if the user can’t.
• Prevent installation of apps from unknown sources by blocking App Store and pushing managed apps only.
• Restrict installing unknown configuration profiles to prevent rogue profiles/VPN.
• Force OS updates remotely to keep the device updated and in compliance.
• Wipe or reset the device if it is compromised beyond remediation.
• Set up a business container in the device with managed open-in and Per-App VPN to separate the personal and work data for added security.
• Deny or allow websites by applying Web Content Filtering and safe-browsing policies at scale.
• Take remote control of the device to view and clear any abnormalities.
• Monitor the device compliance for any deviations and auto-remediate by necessary actions.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on how to remove malware from iPhone

Can iPhones actually get malware?

Yes, although iPhones are more secure than most smartphones due to Apple’s closed ecosystem and strict App Store policies, they are not immune to malware. Malware can enter through malicious configurations, unsafe websites, or phishing links.

How do I know if my iPhone has malware?

Common signs of malware in iPhone include heavy battery drain, overheating, unknown apps or profiles, unusual pop-ups and redirects, slow performance, excessive data usage, change in default settings or security options.

Should I install anti-virus apps on my iPhone?

Due to the iOS security model (“sandboxing”), no third-party app can deeply scan the operating system or other apps for viruses. Apps that claim to be “antivirus” for iPhone cannot perform this function.

How can I prevent malware from my iPhone?

Keep your OS updated, only use App Store for installing apps, avoid jailbreaking, never click suspicious links, and regularly check the profiles configured in your iPhone.

Conclusion

While iPhones benefit from Apple’s strong security architecture, they are not immune to unwanted software or threats. Understanding the signs of attack, taking immediate action to remove it, and establishing preventive measures with the help of tools like Hexnode or individually, can maintain the performance and safety of the device. But constant supervision and responsible usage remain the best defense.