Published on: May 6, 2025
Short on time? Here’s how to remove a hacker from your smartphone in 2025:
- Scan your phone. Use a reputable antivirus app like Norton to scan your phone for malware and suspicious activity.
- Remove threats. Once the scan is done, follow the on-screen prompts to remove any threats.
- Stay vigilant. Update your antivirus and turn on all real-time protection features. Be careful online (and with what you download).
A quality antivirus is the most effective way to ensure your phone is safe from hackers. This is because some of these threats can copy themselves, mimic trusted system functions, and hide from your system — making it almost impossible to remove them manually without a lot of technical know-how. But good antivirus apps can find and remove malware like spyware, rootkits, and adware and safeguard your device from future intrusions.
After testing dozens of options, I found Norton to be the best antivirus for phones. It offers perfect malware detection, a wide range of security features, and a 60-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it risk-free. Here’s a simple guide with all the tools and steps needed to secure your phone now.
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How Can I Know if My Phone Was Hacked?
The signs of a hacked phone aren’t always obvious. Here are the most common symptoms of a hacked phone:
- Unusual battery drain: Malware running in the background often drains a phone’s battery more quickly.
- Unfamiliar apps: Hackers may install unknown apps on your phone without your knowledge.
- Increased data usage: Malware often uses your mobile data connection to send information from your phone.
- Pop-up ads: Adware might display excessive ads or trick you into downloading more malware.
- Sluggish performance: Malware can slow down your phone or cause frequent crashes.
- Strange calls or texts: Incoming calls or texts from unknown or international numbers could indicate a breach.
- Changed settings: Hackers may alter your security or privacy settings without your permission or knowledge.
How to Remove a Hacker From Your Phone
If you suspect that your phone has been hacked, don’t panic. Here are the steps you should take to secure your data and reclaim your device:
Step 1. Install a Good Antivirus App to Identify Malware
Download a good antivirus app like Norton to detect and remove malware. Norton’s malware scanner is fast and effective – it removed 100% of the malware samples I tested, with minimal impact on my device’s performance. It also offers real-time protection, which alerts you to new threats as they arise.
Norton includes some useful extra features for smartphones. App Security monitors your downloaded apps and alerts you to potential privacy risks, while App Advisor (for Android) warns you about malicious apps before downloading. Its anti-phishing protection will stop you from inadvertently visiting fake and dangerous sites (common sources of phone malware), and its virtual private network (VPN) and identity theft protection add an additional layer of security and privacy.
Step 2. Remove Malware & All Other Infected Files
Once your antivirus app completes the scan, it’ll identify any security issues on your phone. Most antivirus apps isolate suspicious files in a quarantine folder, allowing you to decide whether to delete or ignore them. Unless you’re confident a file or app is a false positive, it’s best to remove all flagged items immediately to keep your phone safe. Norton’s scans typically yield very few false positives anyway, so your best bet is to remove all of the files it flags.
After removing the threats, restart your phone. Then, run another scan to confirm all malware has been eliminated. If the scan comes back clear, your device is secure.
Step 3. Keep Your Device & Data Protected From Further Threats
Start by enabling real-time malware protection in your antivirus app. This feature continuously scans for potential threats and blocks them as soon as they’re detected. You should also enable your antivirus app’s phishing protection to block harmful websites, and consider a good VPN (such as the one that Norton comes with) for added security when using public Wi-Fi.
You should also change the passwords for all your accounts, especially if they were saved on your phone. Use a secure password manager (like 1Password) to create and store strong, unique passwords, and enable two-factor authentication wherever possible for added protection.
Next, it’s important to keep your device updated to ensure you have the latest security patches, and back up your files to avoid losing data in case of a successful malware attack.
Finally, it’s a good idea to let your contacts know if you’ve been hacked. Hackers might use your data to target your friends and family. Give them a heads-up so they can watch out for suspicious messages or activity.
Best Antivirus Apps for Removing Hackers From Your Phone in 2025
Quick summary of the best antiviruses for your phone in 2025:
- 🥇Norton — Best antivirus for removing hackers from your smartphone with 100% protection.
- 🥈Aura — Easy-to-use app with Wi-Fi security + spam call & SMS filtering.
- 🥉Bitdefender — Cloud-based scanner detects hackers with no phone slowdown.
How Do Hackers Access Your Phone?
Cybercriminals use various methods to hack phones. Here are some common techniques:
- Phishing/smishing: Hackers send malicious links or attachments via email or text, tricking you into downloading malware or revealing sensitive info.
- Spyware/keyloggers: These apps run in the background, recording keystrokes and spying on your activities, often sending the data back to hackers.
- Brute force attacks: Hackers use software to generate many password guesses, sometimes breaking into accounts or devices.
- Public Wi-Fi/Bluetooth exploits: Vulnerabilities in public networks or Bluetooth can give hackers unauthorized access to your device.
- Text message redirection: Malicious actors exploit network vulnerabilities to reroute your texts, which is risky if you use SMS for two-factor authentication.
- SIM swapping: Hackers impersonate the victim to convince mobile carriers to transfer the victim’s phone number to a new SIM card controlled by the attacker.
What Can Happen When Your Phone Is Hacked
A hacked phone can lead to serious consequences. Here are some potential risks:
- Invasion of privacy: Hackers can monitor your behavior, track your location, read messages, and access apps, your microphone, and camera using spyware.
- Theft of passwords and sensitive data: Keyloggers and phishing attacks can steal passwords, banking info, and personal data, leading to identity theft and unauthorized transactions.
- Spread of infected messages: Hackers can use your phone to send malware to your contacts, potentially compromising their devices.
- Ransom demands: Ransomware can lock you out of your phone, with hackers demanding payment for access.
- Data wipeout: Malware can erase all your data, including photos and documents, sometimes irreversibly.
- Monetary charges: Hackers can manipulate your phone to make expensive calls or sign you up for paid services.
- Exposure of corporate data: If you use your phone for work, hackers can access sensitive company data, jeopardizing security.
How to Protect Your Phone From Being Hacked
To protect your phone from hacks, follow these simple steps to reduce your risk:
- Use an antivirus app with real-time protection: Install a reliable app like Norton or Bitdefender. Both offer features like Norton’s App Security and Bitdefender’s App Anomaly Detection to scan apps for malicious behavior.
- Avoid suspicious links: Don’t click on links from unknown sources in emails, texts, or social media — these could be phishing attempts.
- Stick to the Google Play store: Only download apps from the Google Play Store. Third-party stores may host apps containing malware (so can Google Play, but it’s far less likely).
- Use secure passwords and biometrics: Set strong, unique passwords and use biometric authentication where available. Good password managers like 1Password can help you create, store, and auto-fill highly secure passwords.
- Enable two-factor authentication (2FA): Activate 2FA to add an extra layer of security to your accounts.
- Use a VPN on public Wi-Fi: Public Wi-Fi is often unsecured. A good VPN for mobile devices encrypts your data, making it harder for hackers to intercept any sensitive information. Norton offers a VPN with unlimited data on all its 360 plans.
- Keep your software updated: Regularly update your phone’s operating system and apps to patch security vulnerabilities.
- Monitor app permissions: Review app permissions regularly to ensure apps only have the necessary data access.
- Be cautious of unsolicited communication: Never share personal info or device access if contacted unexpectedly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you remove hackers from your phone?
Yes, you can remove hackers from your phone. Start by installing a reputable mobile antivirus application like Norton, perform a full scan, and make sure all real-time protection features are turned on.
Next, remove any unfamiliar apps and change all your passwords. Check app permissions and ensure your operating system and software are up-to-date. In severe cases, performing a factory reset might be necessary.
What is the solution for a hacked phone?
The primary solution for a hacked phone is to install antivirus software. A reputable antivirus like Norton will scan for and remove malware installed on your phone. I also recommend changing all your passwords for any accounts that were accessed from your phone.
If you suspect that the hacker still has access even after these steps, it might be necessary to perform a factory reset. Finally, always keep your operating system and apps updated to the latest versions, as these updates often contain security patches that can prevent hacking.
What do I dial to see if my phone has been hacked?
There is no universal number to dial to check if your phone has been hacked. The best way to check if your phone has been compromised is to run regular scans using a mobile antivirus app, like Norton or Aura. Additionally, look out for unusual behavior, such as battery drain, slow performance, or unfamiliar apps.
Can turning a phone off stop a hacker?
Turning your phone off can temporarily disrupt a hacker’s access. However, this is not a permanent solution. Once the phone is turned back on, if the malware or unauthorized access tools are still present, the hacker can regain access. It’s vital to follow proper security protocols like installing an antivirus, removing suspicious apps, and changing passwords to truly secure your device.
How to remove a hacker from my Samsung phone?
To remove a hacker from a Samsung phone, start by installing a trustworthy antivirus like Norton or Bitdefender. Run a full system scan and follow the app’s recommendations for dealing with any threats. Next, uninstall any unfamiliar or suspicious apps.
Then change all your passwords, especially for sensitive accounts like email and banking. That done, you should make sure your phone’s operating system and apps are updated to the latest versions. As a last resort, consider performing a factory reset.
