How To Uninstall Hidden Phone Spy Apps On Android

If you think that your Android phone may have a hidden spy app, there are a few ways to find out and uninstall it. Spy apps are usually hidden or attached to other apps running on your Android device. They can be used to track your location, read your texts, take pictures, impersonate you in texts, and listen to your calls.

Many spy apps are designed to be difficult to remove so you may need to try more than one of the methods below to fully remove the app.

Use Safe Mode To Uninstall A Hidden Spy Phone App

The surest way to uninstall a hidden spy app is to put your Android into Safe Mode. This will disable all third-party apps, including any spy apps that may be running in the background, so they should not have a defense against being removed.

To enter Safe Mode on most Androids:

1. Press and hold the Power button until the power off icon appears.
2. Tap and hold the Power Off option until you see a Reboot to Safe Mode message.
3. Select OK to reboot your Android device.

Once in Safe Mode, go to Settings > Apps or Applications and look for anything suspicious or that you don't recognize.

If you find an app you think may be a spy app, tap on it and then select Uninstall. If prompted, confirm that you want to delete the app.

Repeat these steps for all other suspicious apps.

Before exiting, you will want to block unknown or unverified apps from being put on the phone. To do this, go to Settings > Security and scroll down to the Unknown Sources option.

Once you have removed all the suspicious apps, reboot your device to exit Safe Mode and then check to see if the spy app is still installed.

If the box next to Unknown Sources is checked, tap on it to uncheck it and then select OK on the confirmation popup. This will prevent other programs from being installed without your knowledge.

Factory Reset Your Phone

If you can't remove hidden spyware using the methods above or you think there may be more than one installed, your best bet is to factory reset the phone. This will erase all of the data on the target phone, including any hidden spy apps, so they will not be able to reinstall themselves after the reset.

Before doing this, back up any data you want to keep as the reset will erase everything on your device.

To factory reset your phone:

1. Go to Settings > Backup & Reset.
2. Press 'Factory Data Reset' and then 'Reset Phone'.
3. If prompted, enter your password or PIN and then tap Continue.
4. Tap Delete All to confirm you want to perform a factory reset.

Once the reset is finished, all of the data on your device will be erased and you will be taken through the initial setup process again.

Check For Spy Apps After A Resetting

Just because you performed a factory reset does not mean your cell phone is completely free of spyware. If someone has access to your phone, they can still install malware again without your knowledge.

To prevent this, set up a passcode or PIN to unlock your smartphone. This will make it difficult for someone to use a spyware without you knowing.

You should also check the permissions of apps on your phone to make sure they are not asking for permission than they should need. For example, a simple game app should not need to access your camera, microphone, or location.

If an app is asking for a permission it should not need, do not continue and remove it if you have it already.

What To Do After Uninstalling Hidden Spyware From Android

Immediately after you have uninstalled hidden spyware from your Android, change all of the passwords you use on your smartphone. This includes your email, social media, and other accounts that you have accessed.

Be sure to also set up a passcode or PIN to unlock your device. This will prevent someone from being able to access your device and install a hidden spyware without your knowledge.

Once that is done, you can take these more substantial steps to ensure that your device stays secure.

Update Your Software

One of the best ways to keep your cell phone secure is to make sure that the everything is up to date. This includes both the operating system and apps on your phone.

When a new version of the operating system or an app is released, it often includes security fixes for vulnerabilities that could be exploited by hackers. By keeping your Android device up to date, you can help to close these holes and make your phone more secure.

Use Antivirus And Security Software

Another way to ensure your devices are secure is to use antivirus and security software. This can protect you from spyware, malware, and other threats.

There are a number of good options available like Avast, AVG, Bitdefender, and Norton but you will want to research the different options to find the one that best meets your needs.

Be Careful About What You Download

One of the biggest risks to your security is installing apps from unknown sources. When you download an app from outside of the Google Play Store, you are bypassing many of the security measures that are in place to protect you.

This means it is very important to be careful about what you put on your phone. Only download programs from trusted sources and be sure to

FAQ

How will I know I have fully removed the hidden spy phone app?

If you have followed the steps in this guide, then you should have successfully removed hidden spyware from your Android. You can check to be sure by checking the permissions of any application on your phone and making sure it is not asking for more permissions than it needs.

Can I reinstall apps after uninstalling them?

Yes, you can reinstall apps you have uninstalled after following the steps in this guide. However, I recommend only installing apps from trusted sources.

What if I can't find the hidden spy app?

If you cannot find any spyware, it may be because it is hidden very well. In this case, you may want to try a different method of removing the app like factory resetting your Android phone.

Do I need to use anti-malware software to remove a hidden spy app on Android?

No, you do not need to use anti-malware software to remove a spy app on an Android phone. However, we recommend you use antivirus and security software.

Conclusion

If you think that there is spyware on your Android, follow the steps in this guide to uninstall it. Once the app is uninstalled, change all of your passwords and set up a passcode or PIN to keep your phone secure. I would also advise you to install antivirus and security software to help protect your phone from future threats.

With the proper precautions, you should not have to repeat the process in the future.

About The Author

Katya Seryabkina

Ukrainian born, and a self-taught computer security expert. I started hacking when I was 14 and can write code in 5 languages, but have no formal technical education. The edge of technology is what keeps me interested. I cover cell phone tracking, spy apps, cybersecurity, the dark web, and certain gadgets for The High Tech Society.