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Clicked scam text link on iPhone

Hello, I accidentally opened the link in a scam text message the other day. I closed the site that opened. I did not have time to read the text on the webpage. This was in private browsing it opened. And then restarted my iPhone. Is there a way to check if malware has been installed on my iPhone?


[Re-Titled by Moderator]

iPhone 11, iOS 13

Posted on Sep 5, 2020 9:24 AM

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Question marked as Apple recommended

You are fine.

As long as you didn’t give out any personal information or enter any passwords on any website you were redirected to.

Report the text as spam, block the number.

Posted on Sep 5, 2020 9:29 AM

2 replies
Question marked as Helpful

Sep 5, 2020 9:29 AM in response to Mack_t

If all you did was open a link nothing bad happened. It is not possible to install malware on a phone from a website. If the site tries to download something iOS would intercept it and ask you if you really wanted to do that. And even if you did approve it the worst that would happen is it would install an annoying calendar or profile, which you could easily delete.


If you think you might have approved it and you want to check go to Settings/General and scroll to the bottom. Look just below VPN. If you seen an entry for “Profiles” open it, and if you see anything suspicious just tap it and delete it. Then go to Settings/Passwords & Accounts and scroll down to Subscribed Calendars. Again, if you see any that you don’t recognize tap on it and delete it.

6 replies

Sep 5, 2020 9:27 AM in response to Mack_t

Hello, due to the urgency of this situation please follow this guide immediately, If you think your Apple ID has been compromised - Apple Support. Then please read though this article to make sure this doesn’t happen again, Recognize and avoid phishing messages, phony support calls, and other scams - Apple Support. It may also be a good idea to reset your iPhone, follow this guide to reset your iPhone, Restore your iPhone, iPad, or iPod to factory settings - Apple Support.

Question marked as Helpful

Sep 5, 2020 9:29 AM in response to Mack_t

If all you did was open a link nothing bad happened. It is not possible to install malware on a phone from a website. If the site tries to download something iOS would intercept it and ask you if you really wanted to do that. And even if you did approve it the worst that would happen is it would install an annoying calendar or profile, which you could easily delete.


If you think you might have approved it and you want to check go to Settings/General and scroll to the bottom. Look just below VPN. If you seen an entry for “Profiles” open it, and if you see anything suspicious just tap it and delete it. Then go to Settings/Passwords & Accounts and scroll down to Subscribed Calendars. Again, if you see any that you don’t recognize tap on it and delete it.

Clicked scam text link on iPhone

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