Suspected spyware infection on iPhone XS running iOS 18.6.1

gokhan181 wrote:

Contrary to what others have said, the symptoms you describe are most likely resolved with the patch released in 18.6.2, which is now available for all Apple products. You can find the details here: …

Patches for what are reportedly targeted security issues are unlikely to resolve what appears to be a common, mundane hardware problem; a failed battery.

A failed battery can potentially also be swelling, with effects which can start with display and digitizer problems, and can then progress and can irreparably damage the phone.

Yes, this could be an immensely expensive exploit from a well-funded adversary. Or it can be problems secondary to a failed battery — and we know the battery here has failed, that’s not even a question — quite possibly including swelling.

iCedrick: get a backup of your data if you can, and then contact Apple Support and discuss your options and alternatives.

No, your iPhone is not infected and spyware cannot be installed without your cooperation.

Understand that today’s hackers and scammers are not in the business of making your iPhone act erratically or goofy. They are in the business of trying to trick you into giving up your personal so they can rob you, not play games with you.

So start by simply force restarting your iPhone and see if it helps.

Restart your iPhone - Apple Support

Could be infected, but an iOS or app or network or hardware issue is far more likely.

Sure, the very usual and rare cause is possibly, but buggy software and buggy hardware is far more common.

If you are still using the original battery for instance, the battery is quite possibly failing.

The display and digitizer can also degrade and fail too, producing missed touches and ghost touches.

There are also adverts and spam and phishing campaigns which just lie, including the “pervert” spam.

What are the issues you are encountering, and what is the battery health?

Edit: Ah, and another reply got posted while entering this reply. That battery is waaaaaaaaaay past replacement. That’s very likely the case of whatever unexpected behaviors are arising here, too.

Contrary to what others have said, the symptoms you describe are most likely resolved with the patch released in 18.6.2, which is now available for all Apple products. You can find the details here: https://www.forbes.com/sites/kateoflahertyuk/2025/08/22/ios-1862-update-now-warning-issued-to-all-iphone-users/

gokhan181 wrote:

Contrary to what others have said, the symptoms you describe are most likely resolved with the patch released in 18.6.2, which is now available for all Apple products. You can find the details here: https://www.forbes.com/sites/kateoflahertyuk/2025/08/22/ios-1862-update-now-warning-issued-to-all-iphone-users/

Although there is a tiny chance of an attack on 18.6.1, this erratic behaviour is not a symptom, and you may have missed the chronically depleted battery health

Well, it's not spyware. When was the last time that you replaced the battery?

What is the current setting for Maximum Capacity? Settings > Battery > Battery Health & Charging

Nope, there is no spyware that would cause anything that you have described. As Bob Timmons suggested, the Battery Health on your device would be the first place to look.

iCedrick wrote:

Max Capacity: 50%

..and there’s this message:

Your battery's health is significantly degraded. An Apple Authorized Service Provider can replace the battery to restore full performance and capacity.

That is your answer. Make sure you get that battery replaced by Apple or Authorized Apple Service Provider only. It should have been replaced when it dropped below 80%, but you really got your monies worth out of it.

Re: “Max Capacity: 50%”

Yiu should have had the battery replaced when battery health first fell below 80 percent. My phone sent me a notification, and put up a message on Settings, the moment that Battery Health dropped to 79%.

The battery should have been replaced a few years ago. It's remarkable that the phone is doing anything at this point.

I think you know what to do next.