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The Apps You Should Delete Right Now To Keep Your iPhone Virus-Free

June 5, 2025 by Lisa Cupido

 
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Keeping your iPhone safe and free from viruses is priority number one for many iPhone users. Luckily, Apple makes this easy for us by including all kinds of protections on our devices, such as not allowing users to jailbreak their phones and download apps that aren’t from the App Store. Reviewing permissions for the apps that you have and making sure they aren’t all accessing your microphone, camera, location, and more is another way to keep your phone safer.

But what about the apps themselves — are there any that may be on your phone right this minute that can increase your chances of getting a virus? Unfortunately, the answer is yes. Some apps are a lot more liberal than others when it comes to third parties that they allow to access your data and content. Consider reviewing the apps on your phone and deleting a few of these apps to keep your iPhone virus-free.

1. Unknown Apps


This is a big red flag: if you are scrolling through your phone and seeing apps that you don’t recognize or remember downloading, it’s important that you delete them immediately. Oftentimes, one of the first signs that your phone has been hacked is the sudden presence of unfamiliar apps. These apps can contain malware or spyware that the hacker uses to get access to more of your data. Delete then and then change your Apple ID password and other passwords as soon as possible.

2. Shady VPNs


A quality VPN is a good thing to have because it protects your data and identity by hiding your IP address. This is especially important when you’re using your phone on a public Wi-Fi server. But there are many shady VPNs, particularly those that are free, that will harvest your data and sell it. Always read reviews and ratings and only download VPNs that have solid reputations.

3. Free Games


A free game feels like a gift — and is a fun way to pass the time when you’re waiting around for an appointment. But anything that is free needs to make money in some other way, so don’t be surprised when your free game shows you constant pop-ups and makes requests for suspicious permissions. Some free games can also track you and find ways to get you to click onto their ads. It’s usually better to pay for a game — but read reviews and make sure it’s legit.

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