Hakan Sevimoğlu Hakan SevimoğluFreelance Developer · 18 yrs
Android · Tracking app · Checks

Spyware on Android: How to Detect It and How to Remove It

On Android, tracking apps are usually installed with a few minutes of physical access to the phone and take broad permissions to hide themselves. By checking these permissions you can find most tracking apps yourself.

Quick answerTo detect spyware on an Android phone, check device admin apps, apps given Accessibility and Notification access, Install unknown apps permissions and a Google Play Protect scan; also review the device list on your Google Account. Menu names may vary by phone brand.

Written by Hakan Sevimoğlu · Last updated:

6 places to check on Android

  1. Device admin apps: in Settings > Security, revoke admin rights from any admin app you don't recognise
  2. Accessibility: if you gave this screen-reading permission to an app you don't recognise, turn it off
  3. Notification access: check which apps can read your message notifications
  4. Install unknown apps: turn off permission for apps allowed to install from outside the Play Store
  5. Play Protect: run a scan via Play Store > Profile > Play Protect
  6. Google Account: remove devices you don't recognise from the device list and change your password

Hidden apps

Tracking apps are often installed with harmless-sounding names such as “System Service”, “Wi-Fi” or “Sync” and without an icon. In Settings > Apps, view all apps (including system apps) and look into any you don't recognise, recently installed ones and those with broad permissions.

Business and technical support

The security scan app I developed for iPhone automatically scans for known threat signatures. For Android devices and company phone fleets, a security check and scanning solution is developed on request. If you suspect you are being tracked and are in danger, removing the app right away may alert the person tracking you; first get support from a safe phone. Contact local emergency services or a domestic-violence support line; in Turkey: ALO 183 Social Support Line, 155 Police or 112, and the KADES app.

What I offer

  • Admin apps

    Revoke rights that block removal.

  • Accessibility

    Find apps that read your screen.

  • Notification access

    Turn off apps reading message notifications.

  • Unknown sources

    Block installs from outside the Play Store.

  • Play Protect

    Google's harmful app scan.

  • Account security

    Google device list and password.

Technologies I use

iOS Güvenlik DenetimiApple KimliğiWhatsApp Bağlı CihazlarGoogle Play ProtectKonum paylaşımı

Example projects

A selection of live projects serving real users.

How we work

  1. Free intro call

    We clarify needs, existing systems and goals together.

  2. Quote & roadmap

    Scope, technology, timeline and budget within 24 hours.

  3. Staged development

    Weekly demos and a live test environment.

  4. Launch & support

    Go-live, training and ongoing maintenance.

Free pre-analysisThe first meeting and roadmap are completely free, with no obligation.

Staged delivery and approvalYou review each module on a test environment before we move on.

Written scope and rightsScope, delivery and source code rights are defined in the contract.

Frequently asked questions

How do I know if there is spyware on my Android phone?

Check apps with device admin, Accessibility and Notification access permissions, Install unknown apps permissions and the Play Protect result; unrecognised apps with broad permissions are suspicious.

The spy app won't uninstall. What should I do?

First revoke the app's admin rights in Settings > Security > Device admin apps, then uninstall it. If needed, back up and factory reset the phone.

Do you have a scan app for Android?

The current scan app is for iPhone. For Android devices and business fleets, a security scanning solution is developed on request.

Can I scan my phone myself?

The iPhone security scan app checks for 24 known threat signatures: spyware such as Pegasus and Predator, commercial tracking apps such as mSpy, FlexiSpy and Cocospy, and jailbreak traces. For Android, the checks you can make in Settings are explained on this page.

What should I do if I find out I am being tracked?

If you suspect you are being tracked and are in danger, removing the app right away may alert the person tracking you; first get support from a safe phone. Contact local emergency services or a domestic-violence support line; in Turkey: ALO 183 Social Support Line, 155 Police or 112, and the KADES app.

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