Originally I wrote a blog post about Armor For Android in the context
that it would be easy to remove. But it has come to my attention that
some newer versions of this rogue require a bit more complicated removal
then just uninstalling the app.
Now, I say that it's a bit more complicated, but most users will be able to do this.
But first, a bit of a summation: Armor For Android is an example of
more types of malware moving to the android platform. While rogue
antivirus software often affects only Windows, this rogue is on Android.
The revised removal steps follow:
Step #1: Go to Settings.
Step #2: Now go to Location and Security. This might also just be
called Security depending on the version of Android you are running.
Step #3: Tap on Select Device Administrators, which might just be called Device Administrators.
Step #4: Uncheck or Deactivate Armor For Android.
Step #5: Go back to the settings menu.
Step #6: Go to Applications.
Step #7: Press Manage Applications.
Step #8: Find the app.
Step #9: Press the app and choose to uninstall it.
This removal guide works for both variants of the app. Although it should be noted that the one that costs $1.99 for the weekly subscription is the rogue. It has recently come to my attention that the rogue is based off a legitimate app going by the same name. The real app costs $29.95 for a lifetime subscription.
So, the difference between the two is price and the fact that the you can find the real app on the Google Play Store.
Thank you for reading. I invite readers to comment with any questions or comments.
Thank you so much! That was a nightmare.
ReplyDeleteThe nightmare is over.
DeleteIt means a lot to me that people are commenting to let me know that it worked. Thank You.
YOU ARE AWESOME! Thanks soooo much for your help.I thought i was helping my phone getting a Free scan....oh no! All the very best for you in your life.
DeleteThank you. You viewed my blog, so that makes you awesome in my book as well.
DeleteAll the best in your life as well.
thank you for the help
DeleteThanks so much. I have been trying to get that off of my phone for a little bit.
ReplyDeleteYou are very welcome.
DeleteI have this Armor for anroid on my phone yet there is NO installation anywhere in the applications or admin device listings of the software itself... how the hell can I remove it?
ReplyDeleteFrom what you describe, it sounds like you might not even be infected. Do you see Armor for Android on the home screen of your android device, or are you getting ads for it when you go to a website?
DeleteThank you so much!
ReplyDeletegreat blog thank you. it off my phone now
ReplyDeleteYou are very welcome, and I am glad to hear that it has helped you.
DeleteTo be honest i feel stupid for downloading Armor for Android app/virus. It does plainly say that it is not from the Android App Market and that i had to mess with certain settings that were put in place to protect the phone from things like this in the first place. So thank you all very much for helping me get that piece of crud off my phone.
ReplyDeleteIt's designed to scare users into downloading it by claiming that there are thousands of viruses for Android. If the fear is great enough, it looks like a sane choice, which is what they are counting on.
DeleteAnd you realized that it was a scam and came to this blog post. That makes you a smart person in my book.
Omygod.. Thanks! You saved my life. My phone is already slow, and with this stupid app it got slower. But now I'm free. Thanks thanks thanks
ReplyDeleteI'm very happy that I could help. :)
DeleteDude, you're awesome. Mad gratitude
ReplyDeleteYou read it, and you called me awesome. Mad gratitude right back at you.
DeleteI just got a call about this app for the HTC vivid and under security, she doesnt have the option for device admins, but I have the exact same phone and software as her and it shows up in mine just fine..... Is it possible the app removed the ability to use device admin?
ReplyDeleteNot unless it is an extremely new variant that I don't know about yet. Perhaps she does not have admin privileges in the first place.
DeleteBut failing that, Avast Mobile Security seems to detect and remove it. So if your friend can't remove it using device admins, advise her to download Avast Mobile Security from the Play Store and run a scan.
Thank you sooooooo much! Armor for Android is a horrible program that you just can't rid yourself of ... so happy that you exist in the world. Thank you again for the awesome instructions on how to get rid of it.
ReplyDeleteYou are very welcome. I'm happy that I can help.
DeleteHow do i get rid of the advertisement? Ive not downloaded it and don't want to, but the opo up advertisement is annoying
ReplyDeleteWell, I will be honest and tell you that I am not aware of any apps you can download that block ads from webpages that you browse.
DeleteSo, until something like that comes about, you really are left with little option then to try to avoid the websites that trigger the ad.
Although something that may or may not work as a temporary fix is to clear the cache and the history of the browser you use.
Thank you so much
ReplyDeleteNo problem.
DeleteThank u once thank you twice thank u three times! Ur awesome that app was driving me crazy and now thanks to you its gone!
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome all of those three times. Glad to hear it helped.
DeleteI have armor for android and tried uninstall and deactivate then vice versa but still wont come off I'm guessing my problem is worse and no one seems to have my issue also you don't say what to do if it doesn't deactivate so am I doomed?
ReplyDeleteTry removing it with Avast Mobile Security. Installing an app to uninstall this one may come off as annoying, but you can uninstall Avast later if you would like.
DeleteIf this does not work, I suggest that you try to remove this manually via a file manager.
Thank you, thank you, thank you! The help people in India were having me transfer everything to my computer, then back up and reset tablet info. AAAAAH! Stupid, unaware me in the first place!
ReplyDeleteaj
You are very welcome aj, I am glad that I could help. The URL domain is malwareaware, so consider yourself aware. ;)
DeleteHi I am trying to uninstall but can not find adminisrators in this app. I have gone into security but can not find it. I downloaded it for free and would like to get rid of it. Please need help.
ReplyDeleteWhat version of Android do you have?
DeleteThank you so much for this post! My boyfriend had this Armor crap on his phone and your instructions worked like a charm to get rid of it!! Thanks again!!
ReplyDeleteYou are very welcome. Glad to hear I could help.
DeleteThank you so much, I got SO scared ha. Im so happy I finally got rid of that stupid thing
ReplyDeleteWhat a pain this was! I removed via device admin then was able to uninstall app. Big mega thanks!!
ReplyDeleteBig mega you're welcome.
DeleteIt means a lot to me to know that even months after I wrote this removal guide, it is still helping people.
Thank You.
Installed avast antivirus app, after removing "armour for android" bug. Please suggest a safe free task killer for android. (not a tech guru-still learning basics) Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI've looked at quite a few task killer apps for Android. The one I like best in terms of what it really offers is the ES Task Manager(Task Killer) app.
DeleteIf you decide to install it, I recommend spending a few minutes familiarizing yourself with the app. That way you will be a bit better prepared in the event that something like this should ever happen again.
when i go to device administrators i cant uncheck armor for android. device remains on my lg optimus V can you help with this?
ReplyDeleteI've found that the above removal guide works in 90% of cases. It looks like you have a somewhat newer (and rarer) variant of Armor for Android. Try the following removal guide:
DeleteStep 1: Download ES Task Manager from the play store
Step 2: Use ES Task Manager to kill the process of the rogue. If it is running, it might interfere with our attempt at removal.
Step 3: Try the above removal guide again.
If it does not work, move on step 4.
Step 4: Download ASTRO File Manager With Clouds.
Step 5: In ASTRO, do a search for the following: "Scan-For-Viruses-Now.apk" and "Armor for Android"
Step 6: If you find either or both, delete with extreme prejudice.
If this does not work, I suggest you reset the device to factory settings.
Thank you Hunter. God bless
ReplyDeleteYou are very welcome. Thank you for that kind comment.
DeleteThank you, very much.
ReplyDeleteI can't thank you enough for helping me uninstall Armor for android. I spent hours and hours trying.
ReplyDeleteThank you very very very much
You are very welcome.; Glad I could help. =D
DeleteI fallowed your steps but I won't uncheck. HELP!!!!
ReplyDeleteHi, Sorry I missed you for so long.
DeleteTry the following steps out and see if that helps. If not, I would suggest that you reset the device.
Step 1: Download ES Task Manager from the play store
Step 2: Use ES Task Manager to kill the process of the rogue. If it is running, it might interfere with our attempt at removal.
Step 3: Try the above removal guide again.
If it does not work, move on step 4.
Step 4: Download ASTRO File Manager With Clouds.
Step 5: In ASTRO, do a search for the following: "Scan-For-Viruses-Now.apk" and "Armor for Android"
Step 6: If you find either or both, delete with extreme prejudice.
If this does not work, I suggest you reset the device to factory settings.
Thanks man..!!! what a pain in the app that was...!!! hahaha
DeleteThank you, thank you, thank you!! Armor for Android was driving me crazy...and you saved the day!! I so appreciate you sharing your knowledge and know-how!! Keep up the great work!!
ReplyDeleteYou are very welcome.
DeleteI am glad that I could help.
Ohh my God I can't believe it! It's gone! Thanks a lot
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for this information. I downloaded it but didn't install it, yet it doesn't show up in my downloaded apps list. I do however see it in my notifications. I'm afraid to touch it for fear it will install. Any suggestions on what I should do to get rid of it?
ReplyDeleteFollow these steps to delete the downloaded files.
DeleteStep 1: Download ASTRO File Manager With Clouds from the Play Store.
Step 2: In ASTRO File Manager With Clouds, do a search for the following: "Scan-For-Viruses-Now.apk" and "Armor for Android"
Step 3: If you find either or both, delete with extreme prejudice.
If you do find either of them and delete them, you are now in the clear.
Step 4: If you cannot find any of the downloaded files, download Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Mobile from the Play Store and run a scan. Delete anything it finds.
Thank you! I found the first one and deleted it. Your help and quick response is greatly appreciated.
DeleteThanks so much for this quick and easy fix! My bf's cell had this parasite attached and he kept saying it wouldn't allow him to delete. A quick Google search led me here (yours was the first option btw) and I fixed the problem in seconds. Thanks again!
ReplyDeleteI'm surprised that I'm still number one on Google even though it has been so long since I wrote about this. Either way, thanks for dropping a line and I'm glad I could help.
Delete