How to Remove a Hacker From My Phone in 2024 (Easy Steps)
Reading time: 10 min
Updated on February 28, 2024
Your phone is always at risk of getting hacked. Whether you use an Android or iOS device, hackers can use various techniques to access your device, like malicious apps or phishing websites. After hacking your device, they can steal your data and affect your phone’s performance. Thankfully, there are reliable methods to protect your phone from hackers.
Avoiding potentially malicious apps and unsafe websites reduces the chances of a phone hack, but using a top antivirus is the best way to protect your phone. A reliable antivirus finds and removes all malware from your device and includes other features to prevent reinfection.
There are several options, but my tests showed that Norton is the best antivirus for defending against hackers. It has a flawless malware detection score, app scanning, and more to ensure you’re always safe. Plus, it has a 60-day money-back guarantee.
Defend against hackers with Norton
Quick Guide: 3 Easy Steps to Remove a Hacker From Your Phone
- Subscribe to an antivirus. I suggest you get Norton for your phone, which offers excellent malware detection and other safety features.
- Install your antivirus. Access your phone’s app store and install your preferred antivirus app.
- Scan your phone. Scan your mobile device to find and remove malware and other threats hackers may have planted.
What Is Phone Hacking and What Are Its Common Signs?
Phone hacking is when unauthorized individuals can access your mobile device, compromising your personal information, privacy, and security. It’s a severe threat because hackers can steal sensitive data, track your location, or even impersonate you.
Hackers can access your phone through malicious apps, phishing attacks, and exploiting software vulnerabilities. Stay cautious, avoid suspicious links, and keep your phone’s software up to date to minimize hacking threats.
The following signs indicate that your phone is hacked:
- Unusual battery drain. If your phone battery depletes faster than usual, it could indicate malicious activities running in the background.
- Unexpected data usage. An increase in overall data usage without changes in your own usage patterns may suggest unauthorized apps or processes using data.
- Slow performance. Hacked phones often experience slower performance due to the additional load on the system.
- Strange pop-ups or advertisements. Pop-ups or ads appearing on your phone, especially when not using any apps, are signs your phone has been hacked.
- Unfamiliar apps. Hackers may install malicious apps without your knowledge.
- Unusual texts and calls. If you receive strange messages or calls from contacts claiming they didn’t reach out, it could be a sign of a hacked phone.
- Increased bill. Hacked phones may increase call or message charges, reflected in your monthly bill.
- No symptoms. It’s possible for a hacked phone to not show symptoms, as hackers nowadays have sophisticated malware that remains hidden. Using a reliable antivirus can help confirm whether your phone is infected.
Being aware of these signs can help you take prompt action to secure your phone and personal data.
How to Remove a Hacker From Your Phone
The following detailed steps explain how you can remove hackers from your phone with a top antivirus.
1. Subscribe to Your Preferred Antivirus
Start by choosing a subscription plan for your preferred antivirus. Norton is the best overall choice, but you can choose any reliable antivirus with Android and iOS apps. Navigate to your chosen app’s subscription page and choose a plan that suits you.
2. Install Your Antivirus
Access your device’s app store and install the antivirus you subscribed to.
Log into the installed antivirus using the details you subscribed with.
Wait for the antivirus to set up and initialize when you launch it for the first time.
3. Scan Your Phone
Once your antivirus is initialized and running, navigate to the scans menu. This is usually under the “Security” section of the app.
Tap the “Scan Now” button to start finding and removing any malware hackers may have planted on your device.
Best Antivirus to Protect Your Phone From Hackers in 2024
Norton — The Best Overall Antivirus for Removing Hackers From Phones
Key Features:
- Finds and removes 100% of malware from phones
- Includes WiFi protection, a VPN, and more for online safety
- Protects 10 devices with a single subscription
- Works on Android (8.0 and up) and iOS (14.0 and up)
- Has a 60-day money-back guarantee
Norton is the best antivirus for defending your phone against hackers. It finds 100% of malware via its scans and offers equally effective real-time protection to block any reinfection. Plus, its mobile apps include valuable features to add extra layers of security, such as:
- WiFi scanner — finds vulnerabilities in your WiFi network.
- Vulnerability scanner — looks for KRACK vulnerabilities and untrusted certificates on your device.
- Protection reports — provides a detailed report of your device’s security status.
- Built-in VPN — encrypts your connection and keeps you anonymous online.
- SMS protection — monitors your text messages to detect malicious links.
- App Advisor — checks if an app is safe to install.
Many hackers use malicious apps to infect your device, making Norton’s App Advisor an excellent tool against hackers. Before installing an app, App Advisor instantly scans it to check if it’s safe. This helps ensure you never get malicious apps on your phone. It doesn’t check sideloaded apps, so you should only get apps from your device’s app store to stay safe.
Besides its reliable security, Norton provides excellent customer support. You can contact support via live chat or phone to get in touch instantly. In my tests, Norton’s live chat channel always connected me to an agent within 2 minutes. Also, all the agents I talked to were helpful and gave detailed answers that resolved my queries.
The cheapest way to get Norton on your phone is via the Norton Mobile Security plan for iOS or Android. However, this plan only protects 1 device and isn’t worth the cost. Instead, you should get Norton’s Deluxe plan for the best value. It includes all the app’s key features and protection for up to 5 devices at just $49.99/year.
Whichever plan you choose, you can try Norton without risk. It comes with a 60-day money-back guarantee that lets you get a refund if you’re unsatisfied. I even tested the refund policy, and Norton gave me a full refund after I requested one via live chat.
Tips to Protect Your Phone From Hackers
Safeguarding your phone from hackers is crucial in today’s digital landscape. Here are practical tips to enhance your phone’s security:
- Use strong, unique passwords. Create complex passwords for your phone and apps to make it harder for hackers to gain access.
- Enable two-factor authentication (2FA). Add an extra layer of security by enabling 2FA wherever possible, requiring a second verification step.
- Update software regularly. Keep your phone’s operating system and apps updated to patch security vulnerabilities.
- Download apps from trusted sources. Stick to official app stores to minimize the risk of downloading malicious apps.
- Be wary of phishing attempts. Avoid clicking on suspicious links or responding to unsolicited messages. Verify the sender’s legitimacy.
- Use a virtual private network (VPN). Secure your internet connection using a top VPN to encrypt data, especially on public WiFi.
- Review app permissions. Regularly check and limit app permissions to restrict access to sensitive data.
- Install a reliable security app. Getting a reputable antivirus for your Android and iOS devices enhances protection significantly.
- Avoid rooting and jailbreaking. Rooting (Android) or jailbreaking (iOS) your phone lets you customize your phone extensively. However, doing any of these will prevent you from getting the latest OS updates, thus leaving you vulnerable to exploits.
Incorporating these practices into your routine can significantly reduce the likelihood of falling victim to phone hacking attempts.
FAQs on Removing Hackers From Phones
Can my phone be hacked?
Yes, your phone can get hacked. Whether you’re using Android or iOS, your device may get compromised if you download an unsafe app. Also, anyone can hack your phone if they can physically gain access to it.
Can I remove a hacker by factory resetting my phone?
Yes, factory resetting your phone can remove hackers. However, using an antivirus to secure your phone is a better solution, as a factory reset will remove all the data from your device, including sensitive documents.
If you don’t want to factory reset, you can get a reliable top antivirus with mobile apps to remove cyber threats from your device.
What should I check if I think my phone’s been hacked?
You should follow these steps if you think your phone was hacked:
- Check data usage to see if an app uses too much data.
- Check installed apps to learn if your phone has spyware or any other malware.
- Check text and call logs for suspicious text messages or outgoing calls.
- Check battery stats to determine whether an app has needlessly high consumption.
Can someone hack your phone number?
Yes, hackers can take control of your phone number with SIM swap scams, but a top antivirus helps protect against this. These scams trick your carrier into connecting your number to a SIM card in the hacker’s possession, giving them access to your 2FA codes and other sensitive data. Since they use your personal data to scam your cell carrier, it’s crucial to protect all your online activities.
What’s the best phone hacker protection?
A top antivirus like Norton is best for protecting phones against hackers. It has a 100% malware detection score, WiFi scanning, SMS security, vulnerability scanning, and more to ensure your phone is always protected.
Stay Safe From Hackers With a Reliable Antivirus
Nowadays, malicious actors can use unsafe apps, phishing sites, and many other tools to access your phone’s data. Considering how much vital data we all keep on our phones, defending your phone against hackers is critical.
Safety practices like only downloading apps from the official app store and avoiding suspicious links help reduce the chances of a hack. However, I found that an antivirus is the best defense against hackers. The best antiviruses ensure your phone doesn’t get hacked by removing malware, blocking unsafe sites, and providing other protection tools.
While many antiviruses claim to defend against hackers, Norton is the best overall choice. Its impressive variety of mobile security features and flawless 100% malware detection are more than enough to protect you. Plus, the generous 60-day money-back guarantee means you can try Norton without risk.
Summary — Best Antiviruses for Stopping Hackers
Editor's Note: We value our relationship with our readers, and we strive to earn your trust through transparency and integrity. We are in the same ownership group as some of the industry-leading products reviewed on this site: ExpressVPN, Cyberghost, Private Internet Access, and Intego. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.
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