Sometimes, our phones can really turn against us, especially if they get infected with a virus or spy app. The number of malware attacks is pretty terrifying — over six billion in 2024!
I think this spike can be linked to the increased use of legitimate phone trackers meant for family safety. Anyone can buy and download them, put them on your phone, and, you know, track your every move without you even knowing.
If it seems like your privacy is being invaded, you’re not being paranoid. Let me share some tips on how to find hidden spy apps on my phone and remove them.
What Are Spy Apps Disguised as on Android?
You wouldn’t go shopping without knowing what you’re after. Most people wouldn’t do this. So, you can’t spot a spy app without knowing what to look for. Most Android spy apps pretend to be legit apps, so you probably won’t see one with a big SPY icon.
So, what are spy apps disguised as on Android? Here are some common ones:
- Phone boosters or battery savers
- Antivirus or security apps
- Media players or photo editors
- System tools or cleaners
- Invisible spy apps that don’t show an icon
- Apps with vague or misleading names
The trick is to watch out for the permissions these apps ask for and how they behave. If a simple flashlight app wants access to your contacts, location, or text messages, it’s probably not just a flashlight app.
7 Signs Your Device May Be Infected with Android Spy App
Many people I’ve helped with phone issues thought they had an Android spy app installed, but it turned out to be just a broken battery. Basically, one glitch on your phone doesn’t mean you’ve got a spy app. But if you notice several weird things happening, it might be worth checking for one or removing it manually.
Here’s my go-to checklist of top signs to watch for on your Android device:
Random, Random, Random
You know how most of us have a daily routine? You wake up at a certain time, check your messages from a set of people (or maybe even one person), and use some common apps. Your phone also has regular routines — like automatically syncing or backing up data.
If you spot weird things happening at random times, it might be hidden spyware. Maybe your screen turns on in the middle of the night for no reason. Or you see unknown numbers in your call log. Or texts from strangers, weird ads, notifications…you get the idea.
Battery Draining Faster Than Usual
Spy apps are always busy tracking and transferring data. They grab your info, send it to the “hacker,” and even execute commands (yep, some can control your phone). So, if your battery is draining faster than usual, it could be a sign that something’s running in the background — like a spy app.
Increased Data Usage
Hackers aren’t sneaking around with USB sticks to grab your files anymore. They don’t have to. Spy apps can quietly send loads of stuff from your phone — texts, contacts, photos, videos — to outside servers without you having a clue. If you see a sudden jump in your data usage, it might mean something’s busy transferring a bunch of data behind the scenes.
Suspicious Messages or Pop-ups
I’ve got a simple trick on how to find hidden tracking apps on Android. Spy apps can be pretty sneaky, but they’re not flawless. Sometimes, they glitch and give themselves away with a pop-up or a random text. Another reason you might see messages you don’t remember is that hackers could be texting someone pretending to be you — yep, that’s totally possible!
Background Noise During Calls
Another thing to keep an ear out for is any background noise during your phone calls. You know, that annoying white noise or static? It could be a sign that someone’s tapping into your phone conversations. Detect spy apps on Android by making a few test calls,
Sounds When Not in Use
This one is scary. If you catch strange sounds coming from your phone when it’s just sitting there and not in use, that could also point to a spy app lurking around. These noises can range from clicks and beeps to even voices.
Files You Didn’t Download
If you spot files on your phone that you don’t remember downloading, you’re not dealing with memory loss — someone else could have remotely downloaded them onto your device. There’s a simple explanation for this: most spy apps need to be installed from a file, so someone had to download it onto your phone first.
How to find hidden tracking apps on android?
Got more checks than empty boxes on your checklist? It’s probably time to hunt down and get rid of any sneaky tracking apps on your phone. Here’s how to check for spy apps on Android:
Check the App List on Your Device
I know I mentioned that spy apps are invisible, but the truth is, not all of them are. If you look closely at your phone’s settings and app list, you might spot one. It could be an unfamiliar icon, duplicate apps, or weird system stuff. Overall, you should check out this list.
The first time I ran into spyware was after downloading a game from some random website. I noticed a weird icon in my settings, and this “game” was using way more data than it should have. Was it a spy app? Yes. So, checking your settings is always a smart move. Here’s how to find spy apps on Android:
- Open your device’s Settings app.
- Scroll down and tap on “Apps” or “Application Manager.”
- Look for any unfamiliar apps or ones with vague names.
- Click on the suspicious app and check its permissions, data usage, and battery usage.
- If it looks shady, just hit the “Uninstall” button.
Find Hidden Apps Using mSpy
Hidden apps can be tricky since they don’t have icons. They run in the background. They can trick an antivirus scanner. That’s where mSpy’s hidden app detector comes in handy.
Even though mSpy is mainly for parental control, it’s awesome at finding anything installed or stored on your device. It actually does a better job at spotting hidden apps than some antivirus programs. Here’s how to find hidden spy apps on Android using this app:
- Download mSpy from the official site after purchasing a subscription plan.
- Install the app on your device and launch it.
- Log into your mSpy account.
- Tap on “Apps” to check out the list of installed apps.
- If you spot any suspicious ones, delete them right away.
Check Permissions
Think of this as the opposite of what we discussed earlier. Instead of checking an app to see its permissions, you can find out which apps have access to specific data or features on your device. Here’s how to detect spy app on Android:
- Open your device’s Settings app.
- Scroll down and tap on “Apps” or “Application Manager.”
- Hit the three dots in the top right corner and select “Permission manager.”
- Browse through each category to see which apps have access to what.
- If you spot any app with permissions that seem off, just tap on it and turn them off.
Look for a Location Symbol in the Notification Tray
What do spyware apps look like on Android? This mostly applies to spy apps that track where your device is. You usually can’t see them, but you might spot what they do. If you notice a little icon that looks like a map pin, it might mean someone is tracking your location without you knowing.
How to Remove Spyware from Your Device?
Here are some ways you can do that:
- Delete it manually. The easiest but not always the safest method. Just uninstall the app like you would any other, and you’re done. The downside? You might miss some hidden ones.
- Use spy app finder software. Some top picks are Avast Mobile Security, Dr. Web Security Space, Kaspersky Internet Security, and Malwarebytes Anti-Malware.
- Perform a factory reset. This wipes everything off your device and brings it back to its original settings. Copy your important files and data to an external drive. You don’t want to lose anything you need.
Conclusion
That’s it! I hope this guide on how to find a spy app on my phone helps you spot and get rid of any sneaky tracking apps on your Android device. The best way to keep spyware off your phone is to be careful about what you download, keep your security settings up to date, and regularly check for anything suspicious.
