Hey everyone,
I downloaded an APK a while ago on my Samsung S25 Ultra; it was supposed to be Spotify Premium, but now I'm worried that it might have contained malware. I've run about 5-7 different antivirus programs and found nothing, and I've deleted all the APKs and apps related to this issue. However, I've noticed some strange and suspicious activity with my emails.
My question is: If I've removed all the suspicious APKs and scanned my phone multiple times without finding any threats, am I in the clear? Or should I still consider doing a factory reset? Is there a chance that any malware might still be lurking on my phone even after all this? What do you all recommend?
2 Answers
Honestly, if you really think there's a chance of malware, doing a factory reset is your best bet. Most antivirus apps aren't super effective on phones. A reset wipes everything and gives you a fresh start, but I get it—it's a pain to set everything up again afterwards. But it might be worth it for peace of mind!
I'd recommend downloading Malwarebytes for a thorough scan. It’s free and pretty effective for detecting hidden malware that other scanners might miss.
I already did a bunch of scans with different antivirus apps, and they didn’t pick up anything. Should I really expect something different from Malwarebytes?
I hear you on the hassle of resetting! If things start acting up more, that could be your sign to reset. You can always back up your files first to make it easier to restore everything.