How to get rid of a virus on an Android tablet

This article explains how to get rid of a virus on an Android tablet.

How to Get Rid of a Virus on an Android Tablet Using Safe Mode

Safe mode is the best way to remove an app that you suspect is a virus or otherwise malicious. It makes all installed apps visible and allows you to remove apps with minimal restrictions.

1. Press and hold physical Power on your Android tablet, then long press the button Switch off button that appears on the Android tablet screen.

   
   

2. A prompt will appear asking if you want to boot into safe mode. Faucet Ok.

   
   

3. After the tablet restarts, open Settings > Apps > See all apps.

   
   

4. Scroll through the list of visible apps. Tap the ones you want to remove, then select Uninstall.

   
   

5. Restart the Android tablet normally once all unwanted apps are removed.

   
   

Using a Factory Reset to Remove a Virus

Removing unwanted apps in safe mode is effective against a simple virus, but a complex virus may evade your efforts by reinstalling itself after a restart, or it may not appear as an app. A virus like this can only be removed with a factory reset of your Android tablet.

Can Android tablets catch a virus?

Android is generally secure but can be attacked by a virus. Antivirus monitoring and certification body AV-Test has detected more than three million Android viruses in each of the past six years (2016-2021). That’s a lot less than what’s detected on Windows, but more than what’s detected on Apple iOS or macOS.

Remember: any device can be infected with a virus. It’s always good to be careful.

How do you know if your tablet is infected with a virus?

A reputable Android antivirus app is the best way to monitor your tablet for a virus. The app can automatically block or uninstall the virus for you, which means you won’t have to remove it manually by following the steps above.

Whether you have an antivirus or not, you may have a virus if your Android tablet suffers from one of the following problems:

• A sudden drop in performance
• Unexplained network usage
• Installing apps you haven’t downloaded
• Ads in apps that shouldn’t normally show them
• Your contacts receive messages that you did not send

These warning signs, although common, are not the only sign of a virus. A virus can be designed to hide until a specific condition is met, so you won’t notice it until it’s too late. It is wise to scan your Android tablet with anti-virus software every few months, even if the tablet is running smoothly.