Consumer-grade spyware apps that secretly and constantly monitor your private messages, photos, phone calls and live locations are an ongoing problem for Android users.
This guide can help you identify and remove common monitoring applications from your Android phone, including Thetruthspy,,,,, Communicating circles and spies,other.
Consumer-grade spyware applications are often sold under the guise of child monitoring or home tracking software, but are called “Stalkerware” and “Spouseware” because they can also track and monitor partners or spouses without consent. These spyware applications are Download from outside Google Play’s App Store, planted on your phone without permission, and often disappears from your home screen to avoid discovery.
The Stalkerware app relies on abuse of internal Android features that companies typically use to remotely manage employee work phones or use Android’s accessibility mode to snoop someone’s device.
You may notice that your phone performs unusually, runs slower than usual, or uses a lot of network data, even if you are not actively using it.
Check if your Android device is damaged quickly and easily done.
Before you begin
If needed, it is important to have a security plan and trustworthy support. Remember that removing spyware from your phone may remind the person who planted it, which can create unsafe situations. this Alliance against tracking Provide advice and guidance to victims and survivors of Stalkerware.
Please note that this guide only helps you identify and delete spyware applications, it does not delete data that has been collected and uploaded to its servers. Additionally, some versions of Android may have slightly different menu options. Follow any suggestions and you can follow these steps yourself.
Make sure to enable Google Play Protect
Google Play Protection is One of the best safeguards to prevent malicious applications Get a look at signs of possible malicious activity by filtering apps downloaded from Google’s App Store and downloading from external sources. These protections stop working when the game protection is turned off. It is important to make sure Play Protect is turned on to make sure it works properly and scan for malicious applications.
You can enable Play Protect through the Play Store app settings. If you haven’t scanned yet, you can also scan for unwanted applications.
Check if the accessibility service has been changed
Stalkerware relies on in-depth access to your device to access data, and is known to abuse Android’s accessibility mode, which requires wider access to the operating system and data for work by screen readers and other accessibility features.
Android users who do not use accessibility apps or features should not see any apps in this part of Android settings.
If you do not recognize the downloaded service in the accessibility options, you may need to close it in the settings and delete the application. Some Stalkerware applications are masquerading as regular applications, commonly known as “accessibility”, “device health”, “system services”, or other names that sound like other harmless.
Check any application access notifications
Like accessibility features, Android also allows third-party apps to access and read your incoming notifications, such as allowing smart speakers to read alerts loudly or your car displays notifications on its dashboard. Granting notification access to the Stalkerware application allows continuous monitoring of your notifications, including the content of the message and other alerts.
You can check which apps can access your notifications by checking your Android notification access settings under Special App Access. Some of these applications you may recognize, such as Android Auto. You can turn off notification access to any app you are not aware of.
Check if the Device Management Application is installed
Other features that are often abused by Stalkerware are Android’s device management options, which have similar but wider access to Android devices and user data.
Companies often use device management options to remotely manage employee phones, such as erasing phones when device theft is done to prevent data loss. But these features also allow the Stalkerware app to snoop on Android displays and devices’ data.
You can find the Device Management Application Settings in Settings under Security.
Most people don’t have device management apps on their personal phones, so be aware that if you see an app you don’t recognize, you’re named something like obscure and vague, like “System Services”, “Equipment Health” or “Equipment Administrator”. ”
Check the application to uninstall
You may not see any of the home screen icons in any of these Stalkerware apps, but they will still appear in the app list for your Android device.
You can view all installed applications in Android’s settings. Look for apps and icons you don’t know. These applications may also show extensive access to calendars, call logs, cameras, contacts, and location data.
Stop and uninstall the stalkerware application may remind people who plant stalker software that the application no longer works.
Protect your device
If you plant Stalkerware on your phone, there is a good chance that your phone will be unlocked, unprotected, or your screen lock will be guessed or learned. A stronger lock screen password can help protect your phone from intruders. You should also use Two-factor authentication As much as possible.
If you or someone you know of in need, the National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-7233) provides free, confidential support for victims of domestic abuse and violence. If you are in an emergency, call 911. Alliance against tracking If you think your phone has been compromised by spyware, please have resources.
