How to Detect Spyware on Android

What is spyware on Android devices

Spyware is a type of malicious software that secretly collects data from your Android devices without consent. Spyware can track locations, record calls, intercept messages, and access your camera and microphone.

Unfortunately, spyware and surveillance software are becoming more common. According to TechCrunch, a hack of mSpy (one of the most popular spyware apps) exposed millions of unique customers.

Criminals use spyware for malicious purposes like cyberstalking, identity theft, and financial fraud. Unlike typical malware or viruses, it remains hidden, making it difficult to identify spyware on Android devices.

How does spyware infect Android

Spyware infects Android devices through malicious apps, phishing links, and direct installation.

Here’s how spyware infects Android devices:

1. Malicious apps: Some spyware disguises itself as legitimate apps. Once you install them, they request excessive permissions to access your private data.
2. Phishing links: Clicking malicious links in email and text messages can trigger spyware installation.
3. Physical access: If someone gains access to your phone, they can install spyware manually within minutes.
4. Exploiting system vulnerabilities: Advanced spyware like Pegasus can exploit security flaws in Android, letting attackers infect devices remotely.

Once someone installs spyware on your Android phone, it operates in the background, collecting data and transmitting it to the attacker. Knowing how to find hidden apps on Android is crucial, as it isn’t always easy to locate.

How to find spyware on Android

To check for spyware on Android, look for unusual behavior like rapid battery drain, overheating, slow performance, unknown apps, strange noises during calls, and suspicious texts with links or commands.

Here are nine warning signs that spy software has infected your Android:

1. Detect spyware through slow performance

Spyware runs in the background, constantly collecting and transmitting your data, which puts a heavy strain on your Android device’s system resources. This often leads to noticeable lag and occasional freezes.

If your phone suddenly feels sluggish, apps take longer to open, or your touchscreen becomes unresponsive, it could be a sign of hidden spyware.

To identify spyware on Android, compare your device’s current speed with its previous performance. If there’s a significant slowdown with no clear reason—like outdated software or too many installed apps—spyware might be the cause.

2. Check how quickly battery drains

Spyware apps run continuously, causing your phone to work harder and drain the battery faster.

If your Android device’s battery life has suddenly worsened despite normal usage, spyware could be the culprit. Compare your current battery performance to what it used to be like—if your phone used to last all day but now drains within hours, it’s worth investigating.

To check for hidden spyware, go to Settings > Battery > Battery Usage and look for unfamiliar apps or high energy consumption from system processes.

If you notice excessive battery usage without explanation, use Clario Anti Spy’s Spyware scan to detect and stop hidden threats:

1. Open Clario Anti Spy and create an account.
2. Underneath Spyware scan, press Fix and wait for Clario Anti Spy to check your Android for spyware.
3. If Clario Anti Spy detects any spyware, press Review & fix to remove it.

3. Check your device for suspicious apps

Spyware often disguises itself, using generic names like “System Update,” “Wi-Fi Service,” or “Device Management” to avoid detection. It also requests excessive permissions—like access to your calls, SMS, location, and camera.

Here’s a stalkerware apps list for Android. If you notice any of these dangerous apps, act quickly to delete them.

To check for spyware on Android:

1. Go to Settings > Apps and review your installed apps. Look for anything unfamiliar.

4. Observe if your Android device is heating up unusually

Spyware constantly uses your phone’s CPU and network to collect data. The continuous activity forces your device to use more resources, causing it to heat up even when you’re not actively using it.

If your Android device feels unusually warm while idle or during light tasks like texting or browsing, spyware could be the cause. While some heating is normal during gaming or video streaming, unexpected overheating can signal hidden processes.

5. Monitoring unusual phone behavior

Spyware can manipulate your Android device, leading to strange behavior. If your phone randomly restarts, crashes frequently, or changes settings without your input, it could be because of spyware.

Some spyware programs also cause excessive data usage by constantly transmitting information to whoever installed it.

To check if your phone is using more data than usual:

1. Go to Settings > Connections.
2. Open Data usage > Mobile data usage, and look for any spikes in data consumption.
3. If you notice anything suspicious, remove the app that’s using more data than usual.

6. Check for noise during phone calls

Some spyware records calls and listens in to conversations. This can interfere with your phone’s audio, causing unusual echoes, static, and background noise during calls.

If you keep hearing strange sounds—especially on calls with different people—it could indicate that spyware is listening. To test this, try making calls on speaker mode or using another phone to compare audio quality. If the issue only occurs on your phone, it’s likely spyware.

Don’t forget—stalkers can also access your phone camera. Learn how to know if someone is watching you through your phone camera to protect yourself.

To check for unauthorized microphone usage:

1. Go to Settings > Security and Privacy.
2. Select Permission manager > Microphone.
3. Look for suspicious apps with microphone access and remove permissions for apps that shouldn’t require it.

7. Reviewing suspicious messages and emails

Spyware can secretly send unauthorized SMS messages or emails containing phishing links or unknown commands. These messages may be sent to remote servers (to steal data) or your contacts (to spread malware to others).

Review the messages you sent, email outbox, and call logs for activities you don’t recognize. If you see texts sent to unknown numbers or emails forwarded without your knowledge, spyware could be at work.

Some spyware apps also receive hidden SMS commands from attackers to manipulate the infected device. If you notice incoming messages with random characters or codes, it may be a sign of remote control.

8. Check if your security software is active

Spyware often tries to disable antivirus apps and security settings to avoid detection.

To check, go to Settings > Security and privacy and verify that features like Google Play Protect are still active. Then, check if your antivirus software still works. If it’s unresponsive, spyware may be preventing them from running.

How to remove spyware from Android

If you suspect spyware on your Android, reboot into Safe Mode to prevent it from running, then scan your device with Clario Anti Spy. Next, uninstall suspicious apps, check app permissions, update the Android system, and restart to apply changes. If the issue persists, a factory reset can permanently get rid of spyware.

1. Boot your phone into safe mode

Safe Mode temporarily disables third-party apps, making it easier to identify and remove spyware.

Here’s how to reboot your Android into Safe Mode:

1. Press and hold the power button until the power menu appears.
2. Tap Safe Mode, then confirm your choice. Your phone will restart with only system apps running.

2. Use Clario Anti Spy to detect spyware

Clario Anti Spy scans your device for hidden spyware and cybersecurity threats.

In case you missed it above, here’s how to use Clario Anti Spy to detect spyware:

1. Open Clario Anti Spy on your phone.
2. Run a Spyware Scan to detect any suspicious software.
3. Follow the prompts to remove any identified threats.

3. Uninstall suspicious apps

Check your app list for suspicious apps and remove anything you don’t recognize. Spyware hides under generic app names, so don’t forget to look for anything that doesn't seem right. Here’s a list of apps that spy on you so you know what to look for.

How to remove suspicious apps:

1. Go to Settings > Apps and review all installed apps.
2. Look for unfamiliar or recently installed apps with excessive permissions.
3. Tap the suspicious app and select Uninstall.

4. Remove unnecessary app permissions

Spyware often requests access to your microphone, messages, and location to spy on you. Make sure only legitimate apps have access to the permissions they need, and remove any that seem out of place.

How to block unnecessary app permissions:

1. Go to Settings > Privacy > Permission Manager.
2. Check permissions for apps with access to sensitive data (e.g., microphone, camera, messages, location).
3. Revoke permissions for any app that shouldn’t have them.

5. Update your phone

It’s crucial to keep your Android up-to-date as system updates patch security vulnerabilities that spyware might exploit.

How to download updates for your Android:

1. Go to Settings > Software Update.
2. Check for and install any available updates.

6. (Optional) Factory reset your device

If spyware remains, a factory reset will erase all data, including hidden spyware. It’ll also remove your personal files, contacts, photos, and anything else you have stored on your device—so make sure to back these up before performing a factory reset!

How to perform a factory reset:

1. Back up important data to Google Drive or another storage option.
2. Go to Settings > General management > Reset.
3. Press Factory data reset, then Reset again, and allow the device to reset.

Conclusion

Spyware invades your privacy, steals data, and puts you at risk. Detect spyware on Android phones using these steps—rebooting into Safe Mode, scanning with Clario Anti Spy, removing suspicious apps, and updating your device to remove spyware and stay secure. Run Clario Anti Spy’s Spyware scan now to detect and remove spyware.