How to Remove Stalkerware from an iPhone

Sophia Taylor

By Sophia Taylor

Updated:

Illegal spying and iPhone stalkerware are on the rise. From large scale hacks from seasoned cybercriminals to the people closest to us using ‘spouseware’ to monitor our phones, attacks on our privacy are becoming a huge problem. As a result, it is imperative that you are able to recognize the tell-tale signs that your iPhone has been hacked. We also recently outlined the ways in which you can tell if your Apple ID has been hacked, which you can read here.

Realizing that you have been hacked, however, is only the first step. The next question is, how can you remove stalkerware apps that have been attached to your iPhone, and once you have removed it, how can you keep your iPhone secure in the future?

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Steps for removing iPhone stalkerware

It is important to note that if you suspect someone has installed stalkerware on your phone, you should be careful when confronting them or deleting the app permanently.

Domestic abuse charity Refuge state that: ‘Many abusers use spyware as a way to monitor and control survivors. Some abusers may escalate their control and monitoring if they suspect that the survivor is cutting off their access. Think through your safety as you consider ways to protect yourself.’

We have listed several methods below that will allow you to disrupt the function of any stalkerware apps without deleting them permanently and alerting the culprit that you are aware of its presence.

1. Update your iOS version

In most cases, performing an iOS update will stop any installed stalkerware from functioning on your iPhone. This is because most iPhone stalkerware relies on a compromised operating system and by updating, the integrity of the operating system is restored.

To carry out an update, simply go to Settings > General > Software Update and ask your phone to begin updating. Once the iOS update is completed it should render the stalkerware useless to whoever installed it.

2. Reboot your iPhone

As simple as it may seem, most iOS stalkerware needs to be continuously running to function. This means that it relies on the phone being left switched on for long periods of time.

By restarting your phone, you are able to break the continuous cycle of the app which means that it will no longer be able track you.

3. Enable two-factor authentication with your Apple ID

Some stalkerware solutions for iPhones work by accessing their victim’s iCloud account and stealing data synced from their phone.

By enabling two-factor authentication, your account will be protected from this type of attack and any existing stalkerware will be blocked. Using two-factor authentication will also help to protect your phone in the future. You can find out how to enable it here.

4. Turn off permissions for unknown apps using your location, camera or microphone

Check your iPhone to see which apps have permission to access certain features on your device. You can check this manually yourself by tapping Settings > Privacy or run a scan with Certo AntiSpy.

Certo AntiSpy will show you exactly which apps can access your location, camera or microphone as well as find any hidden stalkerware on your iPhone. If you identify any suspicious apps then you have two options. You can either revoke permission to block access to the feature or uninstall the app entirely.

5. Use an anti-stalkerware app

A good anti-stalkerware app, such as Certo AntiSpy, can help find and remove any stalkerware apps that have been installed on your iPhone, even if they have been hidden. It’s quick and easy to scan your phone, so this can be a great way to rid your device of any privacy-invading apps that were not identified using the above methods.

Here’s how to remove stalkerware for good with Certo AntiSpy:

  1. Download Certo AntiSpy to your computer.
  2. Plugin your phone using the USB cable.
  3. Click Scan.
  4. Click Remove on any identified threats.

6. Perform a factory reset

This is a last resort that should only be used if nothing else works. This method will completely erase all data from your phone, including any stalkerware. This will also wipe your personal data too, so make sure you back up any contacts, photos, videos etc. that you want to keep.

To perform a factory reset on your iOS device, plug your phone into a computer, then reset it from iTunes or Finder using the ‘Restore iPhone’ option. By completely removing stalkerware from your device it may alert whoever installed it, so if you use this method make sure that it is safe to do so.

How to protect your iPhone from Stalkerware

Once you have identified and removed stalkerware from your iPhone, it is important that you maintain good security practices in the future to avoid further incidents. Here are some top tips to keep you safe:

1. Keep your iPhone up to date

Apple regularly releases new software updates that improve the security of your device and help you to protect it from hackers. A lot of iPhone stalkerware apps also rely on out-of-date operating systems. As a result, keeping your phone up to date can be a quick and easy way to guard against these types of apps.

2. Use a strong passcode

Make sure that you choose a complex passcode with at least 6 characters. Given that many stalkerware apps are installed by people that know their victim, it is also important not to use something that would be memorable to someone else.

Examples of bad passwords would be your date of birth, names of children/pets, or something that anyone could guess such as 123456, etc. If they are available on your device, use biometric features such as fingerprints or Face ID.

3. Regularly scan your device for threats

Tools such as Certo AntiSpy can check your device for stalkerware and other threats that could compromise your privacy. If you are concerned about stalkerware or think someone has tampered with your iPhone, then run a scan to help you ascertain whether you have been compromised.

4. Don’t share accounts with someone else

It’s not unusual for couples and family members to share accounts. However, this trust can be abused by the people closest. If you are worried that this is the case, then we recommend using separate accounts. This means that your important data isn’t shared and easily accessed without your consent.

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Wrapping up

iPhone stalkerware and illegal spying is a growing concern that threatens our privacy. It is important to identify if your phone has been hacked and remove any stalkerware apps as soon as possible.

Certo AntiSpy, the world’s leading anti-stalkerware tool for iPhones, can help you do so by scanning your phone for any hidden stalkerware.

In addition to using anti-stalkerware apps, some other effective tactics to combat stalkerware on iPhones include: updating your iOS, rebooting your iPhone, turning off permissions for unknown apps and performing a factory reset.

Once you have removed the stalkerware, it is important to maintain good security practices to protect your iPhone from future attacks and keep your privacy intact.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Does factory reset get rid of stalkerware?

Factory resetting your phone will erase all data on the device and restore it to how it was when you first bought it. As all data is erased, this will also remove any stalkerware, even if it’s hidden. If you decide to factory reset your phone, be sure to backup any important data first so you don’t lose it.

How do I know if I have stalkerware on my iPhone?

The quickest way to determine the presence of stalkerware is to run a scan with a tool such as Certo AntiSpy.

Some other things you can check that may indicate stalkerware include:

  • You have increased data usage, specifically from apps you do not recognize.
  • There is an app called Cydia or Sileo installed on your device.
  • Unknown apps have access to your camera, microphone or location.
  • Your battery performance has suddenly decreased or your device gets hot when not in use.

How is stalkerware installed?

The vast majority of stalkerware requires the hacker to physically get hold of your phone and either install an app or make configuration changes to your device. Therefore, it is important to protect your device with a strong passcode that only you know.

Some stalkerware can also steal data from your iCloud account without needing to install an app onto your phone. Enabling two-factor authentication for your account will protect you from this type of stalkerware.