How To Find Spyware on an Android Phone

So, what exactly is spyware, and how can you detect it on your Android phone?  

In this article, we’ll cover the differences between spyware and stalkerware, how you can detect spyware on your Android, and finally, how you can avoid being infected with spyware in the first place.

The difference between stalkerware and spyware

Spyware is a type of malware that attempts to collect your data and transfer it to a malicious third party. Usually, spyware is disguised as a normal app or program and tries to gather information such as your login credentials, online activity, or other personal data.  

Key Differences:

• Intent: Spyware is typically used for financial gain or mass data collection, while stalkerware targets a specific individual.
• Installation method: Spyware is often installed via malicious links or apps, whereas stalkerware usually requires physical access to the device.
• Visibility: Stalkerware may run silently but is sometimes disguised as legitimate monitoring tools.
• Legal status: Stalkerware may be illegal depending on consent and jurisdiction.

There are several reasons that malicious actors would want to steal your data. But mostly, they do so because it’s profitable. Once they have your information, they can sell it, steal your identity, or even blackmail you.  

On the other hand, stalkerware is a form of monitoring software that’s commonly used for cyberstalking. It’s a kind of spyware, but it’s usually installed on a victim’s device by someone they know (such as their spouse or employer). Once installed, the stalkerware is able to lift key information about the user that can then be used against them.  

So, you can see why it’s vital to prevent spyware from infecting your devices, but how can you detect it if it’s already present?

How to tell if spyware is on your phone

Spyware often infects your phone via unsafe downloads, risky online behaviour, or by following infected pop-ups or links. While spyware is often quite hard to detect, there are a few telltale signs that can help you find spyware on an Android.

How to tell if spyware is on your phone:

1. Your device is suddenly sluggish or the battery is draining quickly. If your device suddenly begins loading much slower, the phone gets hot, or you’re using data quicker than expected, it’s a sign that malware, such as spyware, is using up its system resources.
2. Pop-ups and advertisements are appearing in unexpected locations, or more commonly than before. Unexpected pop-ups are a sign of adware, a form of malware that is commonly interlaced with spyware.
3. Your web browser is behaving differently. If your browser begins acting weirdly, such as new toolbars, search engines, or pop-ups appearing, it’s likely you’ve been infected with malware.
4. Your antivirus is suddenly not working. More sophisticated forms of spyware will disable your antivirus in ways that help it remain hidden or allow it to interact with your phone to steal and communicate your information.
5. You have trouble logging into secure sites. Usually, this means your first attempt at logging in was on a false website and the spyware has communicated your credentials to a third party.
6. Your autocorrect system is not working properly. Keyloggers sometimes interfere with the behaviour of the autocorrect system, so this can be a sign that you’re infected.

These are not guarantees that your phone is infected with spyware, but if you experience multiple things in this list all of a sudden, it’s very likely.  

How to check for spyware on Android

Checking for spyware on Android involves a combination of manual inspection and automated scanning tools. This includes reviewing installed apps, analyzing permissions, monitoring unusual behavior, and using built-in or third-party security tools to detect hidden threats that may not be immediately visible. Below, we’ll cover eight ways you can detect spyware on your phone.  

1. Check for unfamiliar apps

Unfamiliar or recently installed apps are one of the most common indicators of spyware on Android devices. Since spyware often disguises itself as legitimate software, reviewing your installed apps—especially in Safe Mode—can help you identify suspicious or unauthorized applications that may be running without your knowledge or consent.

To do this:  

1. You need to restart your phone in safe mode. First, hold down the power button until the menu appears.
2. Tap and hold Power Off until the option for Safe Mode appears, then tap it.
3. When your phone restarts, open Settings.
4. Tap Apps.
5. Scroll through the list and note suspicious apps that you don't remember installing on your device.
6. If you think you’ve uncovered spyware, see our article on how to remove it.

2. Set a trap

The second thing you can do to see if someone is using stalkerware against you is setting a trap. To do this, create a shortened link to a website (this can be any website, and a link shortening service such as bit.ly will do the job fine).  

Talk to a friend in person and tell them to not click the link, then send it to them. Likewise, don’t click the link yourself. Bit.ly will log any time the link is followed, so if after some time people have clicked the link, you’ll know that your information is being accessed by a third party.

What to look for:

• Link clicks that cannot be explained
• Access from unknown locations or devices

3. Check app permissions

Reviewing app permissions helps identify software that has access to sensitive features like your microphone, camera, messages, or location. Spyware often requests excessive permissions to monitor user activity, making permission analysis a critical step in detecting hidden threats.

To check app permissions:

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap Security and privacy.
3. Select Permission Manager.
4. Review categories like Camera, Microphone, Location, SMS.
5. Tap each category to see which apps have access.
6. Revoke permissions from suspicious apps.

What to look for:

• Apps with permissions unrelated to their function
• Unknown apps accessing sensitive features
• Excessive background access

4. Check accessibility services

Accessibility services can be exploited by spyware to monitor screen activity, capture keystrokes, and control device behavior. Reviewing these settings can help uncover hidden surveillance tools that rely on elevated access to operate without detection.

To check accessibility services:

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap Accessibility.
3. Select Installed services or similar option.
4. Review all enabled services.
5. Disable any unfamiliar or suspicious entries.

What to look for:

• Unknown apps with accessibility access
• Services you don’t remember enabling
• Apps with excessive control capabilities

5. Check device admin apps

Apps with device administrator privileges can control key system functions, making them a potential tool for spyware persistence. Reviewing these apps helps ensure that no unauthorized software has elevated control over your device.

To check device admin apps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap Security and Privacy.
3. Click on More security settings.
4. Select Device admin apps.
5. Review apps with admin access.
6. Disable access for suspicious apps.

6. Review data usage

Checking your mobile data usage helps identify apps that may be secretly transmitting information in the background, which is a common behavior of spyware. Apps with unusually high data consumption—especially when not actively used—can indicate unauthorized activity.

To check data usage on Android:

1. Open your phone’s Settings app.
2. Tap Network & internet → Internet.
3. Tap your mobile carrier.
4. Tap Settings.
5. View total data usage at the top.
6. Tap App data usage for detailed breakdown.
7. Adjust time range if needed.

7. Use Google Play Protect

Google Play Protect is Android’s built-in security system that scans apps for harmful behavior and known threats. Running a scan helps identify malicious apps that may have bypassed manual checks or were installed from trusted sources but later became compromised.

To run a Play Protect scan:

1. Open the Google Play Store.
2. Tap your profile icon.
3. Select Play Protect.
4. Tap Scan.
5. Wait for results.
6. Follow recommended actions if threats are found.

8. Use Clario Anti Spy’s Spyware scan

Finally, if your manual searching hasn’t been successful, you can use a high-quality spyware detector like Clario Anti Spy’s Spyware scan for Android devices. This tool throughly scans your smartphone for hidden security threats that could be used to steal your sensitive information. It detects spy apps, parental control apps, and other suspicious software, enabling you to remove them and secure your phone for a safer, worry-free experience.

Follow the steps below to check for spyware on Android using Clario Anti Spy’s Spyware scan:

1. Download Clario Anti Spy on your smartphone, select your preferred subscription, and set up an account.
2. Open the app, find the Spyware scan tool, and tap the Scan or Fix button below it.
3. Wait for the scan to finish and review the report. If Clario Anti Spy found security threats, tap Let’s fix it at the bottom of the screen, and carefully follow its instructions to eliminate them.

How to avoid being infected with spyware

Preventing spyware infections requires a combination of safe browsing habits, careful app management, and proper device security settings. By controlling app permissions, avoiding suspicious downloads, and keeping your system updated, you significantly reduce the risk of unauthorized tracking or data theft.

Spyware is dangerously sneaky, but there are a few things you can do to preemptively protect yourself.

• Stay updated. Keeping your Android and apps updated ensures that you have the latest security features. This is especially important for your antivirus app.
• Stay secure. Use strong passwords and two-factor authorization for any sensitive information such as your banking credentials. Also, make sure you have a screen lock and don’t let people who you don’t trust access your phone.
• Beware of new apps and administrator privileges. Beware when installing new apps: Make sure you only grant them necessary permissions and that they’re from trustworthy sources. Further, make sure you block any unverified apps and ensure that you keep Google Play Protect enabled.
• Avoid rooting your phone. Rooting an Android phone opens it up to security threats that can be avoided if you simply avoid rooting your phone.
• Only use secured Wi-Fi. Hackers are able to use unsecured Wi-Fi connections to plant malware on your device. Make sure to only connect to trusted, secured Wi-Fi networks.
• Don’t click suspicious links. This includes any links in emails or on unsafe websites.

For a more detailed approach, check out our in-depth Android security guide.

Check your phone for spyware and protect your privacy

Finding out that your Android is infected with spyware is a terrifying possibility, but it can happen to anyone. Hopefully, the methods we’ve covered in this guide will help you check for spyware on your phone.

Luckily, it’s possible to detect and remove spyware. Use Clario Anti Spy’s Spyware scan to find and eradicate malicious threats, secure your Android device, and safeguard your sensitive information.