Spyware can be hard to find because of how well it disguises itself. However, you can use the methods below to find and remove it from your device. Also, I’ve picked out multiple great antiviruses that effectively eliminate spyware from Android devices. Each antivirus I’ve picked out provides excellent protection against spyware on Android. However, I found that Norton is the best Android antivirus to secure your devices against any risk. It delivers unbreakable security via its industry-leading malware detection and feature variety. Plus, you can try Norton risk-free as it’s backed by a 60-day money-back guarantee. Try Norton risk-free for 60 days
Quick Guide: How to Detect and Get Rid of Android Spyware
Step-By-Step Guide: How to Find and Remove Spyware From Your Android
The Best Antivirus Programs to Find and Remove Android Spyware — Tested in 2023
1. Norton — Best Antivirus to Remove Spyware From Your Android
Key Features:
Step 1: Check Your Device for Signs of Infection
First, you need to check your device for any symptoms of infection. Common indications can be found in your apps, files, battery, and data usage for any suspicious activity. To start, you should navigate to your Android’s battery settings. In this menu, you’ll see a list of apps and how much battery they’re consuming. You should analyze this list thoroughly to see if any suspicious applications are using more battery than they should.
After checking your battery consumption, check your device’s data usage to find any unrecognized apps that are consuming unnecessary amounts of data.
Afterward, check your device’s notifications and see if there are unusual pop-ups or notifications from apps you don’t recognize.
Finally, you should open your Android’s file manager and check if it has any suspicious folders or files. It’s especially important to check the Download folder as this is where most malicious files usually end up. Of course, you should also take a good look at other folders and files to ensure you don’t miss anything.
Step 2: Remove Unusual Files and Apps
If you didn’t find any unusual applications or files on your device during the previous step then you can move directly to step 3. However, if you find files or apps that shouldn’t be on your device, you should remove them immediately. You can delete unrecognized files directly from your device’s file manager by tapping and holding them, and then pressing delete. Afterward, to remove suspicious apps, simply head to the Manage apps section of your Android device, find them in the app list, and uninstall them.
Step 3: Scan Your Android Using a Reliable Antivirus
The last step to ensuring you completely remove spyware from your Android is by scanning it with a top antivirus. I suggest you use Norton to scan your Android because of its flawless malware detection rate. Install Norton’s mobile app on your system and navigate to its Security menu to access the device scan. Click on Scan Now in the Security menu and Norton will scan your device and remove any spyware it finds. That’s it! Following the steps above will help you get rid of any spyware you have on your Android device. Norton provides the best security against spyware on Android devices. It leads the industry with its flawless 100% malware detection rate. Plus, Norton Mobile Security offers many useful features that provide additional security for Android devices, like its App Advisor, WiFi Scanner, and more. During tests, Norton Mobile Security found and removed 100% of the malware I hid in my Android device. Its scans are quick, and I especially like that it doesn’t highlight false positives. Besides its effective scans, I also like that Norton Mobile provides reliable real-time security that blocks zero-day malware and other threats before they can infect your device. There are several security features in Norton’s mobile app, but I found Norton’s App Advisor to be one of its best tools. App Advisor scans all existing apps and new apps you’re about to install to inform you whether they’re safe or contain malware. You’ll also find several other features in Norton that further improve your device security. Some of these include the following:
Built-in VPN — Uses industry-standard AES 256-bit encryption to safeguard your online activity. WiFi Scanner — Scans your WiFi network to look for any vulnerabilities. SMS Security — Checks text messages to warn you about malicious links. Vulnerability Scanner — Finds vulnerabilities on your devices like KRACK vulnerabilities and untrusted certificates. Protection Report — Provides a report of your Android device’s security status over the past 30 days.
Besides its security, Norton’s responsive customer support is among its biggest highlights. It offers 24/7 live chat and phone support with knowledgeable agents who will help you out with any issues you face. Plus, Norton has an incredibly detailed knowledge base with information on installing its apps, properly using their features, and more. With plans starting at just $19.99/year, I found that Norton offers excellent value for money. Its plans include the following:
Antivirus Plus — Norton’s basic plan, which offers its antivirus features, 2GB of cloud storage (in the US), firewall, and password manager for 1 device. 360 Standard — This plan has all the above features, protects up to 3 devices, and includes Norton’s VPN and Dark Web Monitoring. 360 Deluxe — Has Norton’s Privacy Monitor, parental controls, 50GB of cloud storage (in the US), protection for up to 5 devices, and all of 360 Standard’s features. 360 Select — This plan protects up to 10 devices, offers 250GB of cloud storage (in the US), and includes Norton’s ID Theft Protection alongside all the above features.
While all of Norton’s price plans are worthwhile, I suggest you get Norton 360 Deluxe, which protects up to 5 devices and includes all the important security features. Whichever plan you get, you can try Norton completely risk-free as it’s backed by a generous 60-day money-back guarantee. I received my money back within 5 days after I tested its refund policy by asking for it via its live chat support. Remove spyware with Norton
2. McAfee — Provides Excellent Real-Time Security to Prevent Spyware Infections
Key Features: McAfee provides reliable protection against spyware and other threats that can infect Android devices. It has an intuitive Android app with scans that reliably detect malware, data breach checking, and other features that improve your overall security. After thorough testing, I found that McAfee’s Android app effectively removes spyware and all other malware. It has a built-in scanner that effectively finds all threats on your Android. While McAfee’s virus scanner isn’t as fast as Norton’s, I was still pleased with its performance as it detected 100% of malware without highlighting false positives. I especially like the built-in data breach scanner in McAfee’s Android app. This feature lets you enter your emails and lets you know if any of your credentials were leaked in past data breaches. The scanner informed me about multiple compromised accounts, and I instantly changed those passwords to secure them. Besides the above features, McAfee has other tools that improve security on your Android device. These include the following:
WiFi Scanner — Scans your WiFi network and informs you if it has vulnerabilities you should fix. Built-in VPN — Keeps you secure and anonymous while you surf the web. Protection Score — Provides helpful reports about your overall device security. Safe Browsing — Alerts you about risky websites that can infect your device with malware.
You’ll also find that McAfee is quite affordable as it starts at just $39.99/year. However, it’s worth noting that the price goes up significantly after the first year. Its plans include the following:
Total Protection Basic — Has McAfee’s antivirus, firewall, web protection, ID protection, built-in VPN, and protects 1 device. Total Protection Essential — Offers all of Total Protection Basic’s features while protecting up to 5 devices. McAfee+ Premium — Has all the above features and includes McAfee’s Personal Data Cleanup scans while offering protection for unlimited devices. McAfee+ Advanced — Provides McAfee’s full-service Personal Data Clean, credit monitoring, monthly credit reports, ID restoration, $1M ID theft coverage, and lost wallet protection besides the above features. McAfee+ Ultimate — Offers all the features in McAfee+ Advanced. Also, this plan includes $25k of ransomware coverage, daily credit reports instead of monthly, and McAfee’s credit lock.
All of McAfee’s plans are well-priced for the first year considering their features, but I found that McAfee Total Protection Plus delivers the best value. This plan provides McAfee’s VPN and all its core antivirus features for up to 5 devices. Also, you can try McAfee risk-free no matter which plan you choose, thanks to its 30-day money-back guarantee. I got my refund within 7 days of requesting it via phone call. Remove spyware with McAfee
3. TotalAV — Helps Optimize Your Android While Removing All Traces of Spyware
Key Features: TotalAV removes spyware on Android via its scans and prevents future infections with its excellent real-time security. Besides this, it offers other features like a VPN for added security and has tools to free up storage space and improve device performance. In all my tests, TotalAV’s virus scans delivered almost perfect results. It has fast scans that detect 100% of malicious apps and files on Android devices. There was 1 false positive, meaning the scans aren’t as reliable as Norton’s, but they’re far better than the industry average. Also, TotalAV’s real-time security secures your Android device against zero-day malware and any future infections. You’ll also get other useful security features in TotalAV, including the following:
WebShield — Informs you about malicious websites before you open them to protect your device against infection. Built-in VPN — Uses industry-standard AES 256-bit encryption to secure your online activity. Data Breach Check — Checks your emails and informs you if your credentials were leaked in any data breaches.
TotalAV also offers an effective WiFi Checker tool that quickly scans your WiFi network and informs you about vulnerabilities that need fixing. This tool informed me about several ways to improve my WiFi network’s security, and I immediately followed its suggestions to protect my network. You can subscribe to TotalAV for as low as $19.00/year, but you should note that the prices go up a lot after the first year. Its plans include the following:
Antivirus Pro — Protects up to 3 devices with TotalAV’s antivirus features and web protection. Internet Security — Offers TotalAV’s VPN and protection for up to 5 devices alongside the features of Antivirus Pro. Total Security — Provides TotalAV’s AdBlock and password manager, protection for up to 6 devices, and all the above features.
Although all of TotalAV’s plans provide great value, I suggest you get the Internet Security Plan. This plan protects up to 5 devices while including all of TotalAV’s important security features. No matter which plan you get, you can try TotalAV risk-free for 30 days as it’s backed by a money-back guarantee. I asked for a refund via email after testing TotalAV for a few weeks, and I had my money back a week after my refund was approved. Remove spyware with TotalAV
4. Bitdefender — Removes Spyware While Also Providing Useful Features for Added Security
Key Features: Bitdefender for Android reliably removes spyware and secures you against reinfection. Alongside protecting against spyware infection, I also like that Bitdefender Mobile Security doesn’t slow down device performance, even while running scans in the background. Throughout my tests, Bitdefender Mobile Security’s virus scanner delivered excellent results. The virus scan takes up to 5 minutes, meaning it isn’t as fast as Norton Mobile Security’s virus scanner, but it detected 100% of threats on my Android device. Also, I like that it’s a thorough scan that looks for spyware, ransomware, adware, and all possible threats that could infect your device. For added security online, Bitdefender has reliable web protection which informs you if you’re about to open malicious links. When I tested this feature, it automatically marked unsafe links before I could open them, thus letting me avoid websites that could infect my Android with malware. You’ll also find other helpful security features in Bitdefender for Android, including the following:
Built-in VPN — Secures your browsing activity using top-grade AES 256-bit encryption. App Lock — Lets you lock sensitive apps you don’t want anyone else to access. Identity Protection — Monitors your email and informs you if your credentials are leaked in data breaches. Scam Alert — Scans text messages and warns you if they contain malicious links.
It’s worth noting that while Bitdefender starts at just $18.99/month, the basic plan doesn’t support Android devices. You’ll have to get one of the following plans to secure your Android with it:
Total Security — Has Bitdefender’s antivirus features, web protection, 200MB/day VPN, and protects up to 5 devices. Premium Security — Provides Bitdefender’s password manager, unlimited VPN, and priority customer support alongside Total Security’s features. Ultimate Security — Includes Bitdefender’s full ID Theft Protection suite alongside the above features.
Of all the plans, I suggest getting Bitdefender Premium Security because its security features and unlimited VPN deliver excellent value together. Of course, you can try Bitdefender risk-free regardless of your plan thanks to its 30-day money-back guarantee. After testing the app and requesting a refund via email, I received my money back within 5 business days. Remove spyware with Bitdefender
5. Panda — Provides Excellent Anti-theft Features Alongside Its Spyware Protection
Key Features: Panda effectively removes spyware and other malware from Android while providing excellent anti-theft features that help recover lost or stolen devices. Plus, Panda’s Android app is intuitive and easy to use, meaning even beginners won’t have trouble utilizing all its features. I ran several tests, and Panda’s virus scanner delivered consistently impressive results in each test. While its 10-minute-long scans were slower than Norton’s, I was pleased to see that Panda detected all malware on my Android without highlighting false positives. Also, I never noticed any device slowdowns during scans, meaning you don’t have to worry about this app affecting performance. Panda’s Privacy Auditor is a useful tool that quickly helps you recognize whether an app is spyware. The Privacy Auditor shows which apps can access your Android’s camera, microphone, location, and more. I frequently used this tool to find suspicious apps on my device. Besides the above security features, Panda has other useful tools like the following:
Anti-theft — Helps locate your device if it’s ever stolen or lost. Call Blocker — Lets you block unwanted calls by adding numbers to a blacklist.
You can get a Panda subscription for as low as $23.99/year. It offers the following plans:
Essential — Provides Panda’s antivirus features and limited 150MB/day VPN. Advanced — Has Panda’s parental controls and ID protection alongside the features in Essential. Complete — Offers Panda’s personal data protection and password generator besides all the above features. Premium — Includes Panda’s priority customer support, all the above features, and its unlimited premium VPN.
The number of devices you can protect isn’t tied to your plan, meaning you can protect up to 10 devices with any of Panda’s plans. Of all the options, I consider Panda Dome Complete the best value as it includes all the necessary features to secure your Android. You can try Panda risk-free regardless of your plan because it’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee. It’s easy to request a refund via email, and I had my money back 8 days after requesting mine. Remove spyware with Panda
Tips to Prevent Spyware Infection on Your Android
Using a top antivirus with a built-in VPN is the best way to guarantee airtight security against spyware. However, you can also use the following steps to significantly reduce your chances of getting infected:
Only Install Apps From Trusted Sources
One of the best ways to prevent spyware infections is by only installing applications from trusted sources like the Google Play Store. If you often sideload apps via APKs, you put yourself at a higher risk of spyware infection.
Monitor Your Phone Regularly
Regularly checking your device’s battery and data usage can help you detect spyware quickly. If you see any suspicious apps using unnecessary amounts of your battery and mobile data, they’re likely spyware.
Have a Full Backup
Among the best preventative measures against spyware is having a full backup of your device. This gives you a safe restore point that you can revert to in case of a spyware infection.
Quick Comparison Table: 2023’s Best Antiviruses for Detecting and Getting Rid of Spyware on Android
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How I Tested and Ranked the Best Antiviruses for Detecting and Getting Rid of Spyware on Android
I used several criteria to figure out which antivirus apps are the best for detecting and removing spyware from Android devices, including the following:
Malware detection rate — I picked antiviruses with perfect malware detection rates so you can effectively find and remove spyware. Real-time security — I selected antiviruses that offer reliable real-time security to prevent infections. Feature variety — I looked for antiviruses with extra security features that provide additional layers of security. Customer support — I chose antiviruses with reliable customer support so you can get help at any time. Value for money — I prioritized antiviruses that offer affordable price plans that deliver excellent value for money. Money-back guarantee — I only recommended antiviruses with money-back guarantees so you can test them risk-free.
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Hoverwatch Spyzie Cocospy FlexiSpy Auto Forward
These are just a few of the known spyware apps that might infect your Android. Of course, hackers are developing new spyware every day, so the best way to secure yourself is with a high-end antivirus.
Avoid downloading apps from sources that aren’t trustworthy. Check app battery and data usage frequently to find anything suspicious. Ensure you have a complete backup of your phone to revert to in case of infection.
Even if you’re paying attention you may miss something, so it’s always advisable to have a good antivirus in addition to these healthy practices.
Detect and Remove Android Spyware With a Reliable Antivirus
In conclusion, spyware is a significant threat to Android devices. If you’re not careful, spyware can infect your device, and you may not even realize it for months unless you’re paying attention to the signs. By then, your data is already compromised. While there are ways to reduce your chances of getting infected, a high-end Android antivirus is the best way to secure yourself against a spyware infection. The antiviruses I’ve listed provide excellent security thanks to their industry-standard malware detection rates and various security features. However, of all my choices, Norton is the best antivirus to secure Android devices against spyware. It leads the industry with its flawless 100% malware detection, offers multiple features for added layers of security, and provides excellent 24/7 customer support. Best of all, you can try Norton completely risk-free because it’s backed by a 60-day money-back guarantee.
