Can iPhone get a virus from a text message?
Eleanor Gray
Updated on February 17, 2026
Can iPhone get a virus from a text message?
Text messages are just one of the ways that criminals try to persuade people to download malware. Simply opening and reading an SMS text message is unlikely to infect your phone, but you can get a virus or malware if you download an infected attachment or click a link to a compromised website.
Can you get a virus from responding to a text message?
Responding to the text message can allow malware to be installed that will silently collect personal information from your phone. If they don’t use your information themselves, the spammers may sell it to marketers or other identity thieves. You might end up with unwanted charges on your cell phone bill.
Can your phone get hacked by opening a text message?
Android phones can get infected by merely receiving a picture via text message, according to research published Monday. This is likely the biggest smartphone flaw ever discovered.
Can an iPhone be hacked by responding to a text?
You don’t even have to click anything. When you think about how hackers could break into your smartphone, you probably imagine it would start with clicking a malicious link in a text, downloading a fraudulent app, or some other way you accidentally let them in.
How do I know if there’s a virus on my iPhone?
Here’s how to check if your iPhone or iPad has a virus
- Your iPhone is jailbroken.
- You’re seeing apps you don’t recognize.
- You’re being inundated with pop-ups.
- A spike in cellular data usage.
- Your iPhone is overheating.
- The battery is draining faster.
Can you get scammed by opening a text?
Scam artists know this and sometimes target consumers with “phishing” scams via text message or SMS (short message service). Text message or SMS phishing—also called “smishing”—occurs when scam artists use deceptive text messages to lure consumers into providing their personal or financial information.
Is there a way to tell if my phone has a virus?
Open the Play Store app, tap your icon or avatar on the top right, and activate Play Protect in the menu. Install anti-malware software. An antivirus app is the best way to automatically detect and remove malware from your Android phone while preventing future infections.
Can someone hack my phone by texting me?
So to answer the question, “Can someone hack my phone by texting me?” No, your phone cannot be hacked by anyone just by receiving or opening the message. If you further follow the instructions of the text and click on the malicious link, then hacking might happen.