Consumer-grade spyware apps, often disguised as child monitoring or family-tracking software, are a growing concern for Android users. These "stalkerware" apps, which can be downloaded from outside of Google Play's app store, can covertly and continually monitor private messages, photos, phone calls, and real-time location without a person's consent. In this guide, we will walk you through the steps to identify and remove common surveillance apps from your Android phone, including TheTruthSpy, Cocospy, and Spyic, among others.

Stalkerware apps rely on abusing in-built Android features, such as accessibility mode, to snoop on someone's device. They can be planted on a phone without a person's permission and often disappear from the home screen to avoid detection. If you suspect that your phone is compromised, you may notice unusual behavior, such as your phone running warmer or slower than usual, or using large amounts of network data, even when you are not actively using it.

Before attempting to remove the spyware, it's essential to have a safety plan in place and trusted support if you need it. Keep in mind that removing the spyware from your phone may alert the person who planted it, which could create an unsafe situation. The Coalition Against Stalkerware offers advice and guidance for victims and survivors of stalkerware.

To start, make sure Google Play Protect is switched on. This security feature in Android phones screens apps downloaded from Google's app store and outside sources for signs of potentially malicious activity. You can check that Play Protect is enabled through the Play Store app settings and scan for harmful apps if a scan hasn't been done already.

Next, check if accessibility services have been changed. Stalkerware relies on deep access to your device to access data, and often abuses Android's accessibility mode. If you do not recognize a downloaded service in the Accessibility options, you may want to switch it off in the settings and remove the app. Some stalkerware apps are disguised as ordinary-looking apps with innocuous-sounding names like "Accessibility," "Device Health," or "System Service."

Another critical step is to check any app access to notifications. Granting notification access to a stalkerware app allows for persistent surveillance of your notifications, including the contents of messages and other alerts. You can check which apps have access to your notifications by checking your Android notification access settings under Special app access.

Additionally, check if a device admin app is installed. Device admin options are usually used by companies to remotely manage their employees' phones, but they also allow stalkerware apps to snoop on the Android display and the device's data. If you see an app that you don't recognize, named something similarly obscure and vague, it may be a sign of phone compromise.

Finally, check the apps to uninstall. You may not see a home screen icon for any of these stalkerware apps, but they will still appear in your Android device's app list. Look for apps and icons that you don't recognize, and be aware that these apps may show as having broad access to your calendar, call logs, camera, contacts, and location data.

Force stopping and uninstalling a stalkerware app will likely alert the person who planted the stalkerware that the app no longer works. To secure your device, consider implementing a stronger lock screen password and protecting email and other online accounts using two-factor authentication wherever possible.

If you or someone you know needs help, the National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-7233) provides 24/7 free, confidential support to victims of domestic abuse and violence. If you are in an emergency situation, call 911. The Coalition Against Stalkerware has resources if you think your phone has been compromised by spyware.

In conclusion, identifying and removing stalkerware apps from your Android device requires a combination of technical knowledge and caution. By following these steps, you can protect your privacy and security from malicious surveillance. Remember to stay vigilant and seek support if you need it.