Question:

How can an app like Tiktok install itself on my phone without my consent or notification? >
> I have an LG-H870 phone running Android 9. I noticed that Tiktok appeared in my app drawer as a recently installed app, even though I did not download it or authorize its installation. I checked my Google accounts and they are secure with password manager and 2FA. I also did not grant any app installation permissions to any app. I use a few trusted apps with minimal permissions, such as niagara launcher and rif is fun. The installation of Tiktok did not show up in my notifications, which is unusual. I want to know what caused this installation and how to prevent it from happening again.

Answer:

How can an app like Tiktok install itself on my phone without my consent or notification?

If you have ever found an app like Tiktok on your phone that you did not install or approve, you might be wondering how this could happen and what you can do to stop it. This article will explain some of the possible causes and solutions for this issue.

There are several possible scenarios that could lead to an app installing itself on your phone without your consent or notification. Some of them are:

• Someone else installed it on your phone. This could happen if you share your phone with someone else, such as a family member or a friend, who has access to your Google account and can install apps from the Play Store. Alternatively, someone could have physically accessed your phone and installed the app manually or through a USB connection.
• Your phone has malware or adware. Malware is malicious software that can harm your phone or steal your data. Adware is a type of malware that displays unwanted ads or installs unwanted apps on your phone. Malware and adware can come from various sources, such as downloading apps from untrusted sources, clicking on suspicious links or attachments, or connecting to insecure Wi-Fi networks.
• Your phone has bloatware or sponsored apps. Bloatware is software that comes pre-installed on your phone by the manufacturer or the carrier. Sponsored apps are apps that are installed by a third-party service or app that you have agreed to use. Bloatware and sponsored apps can sometimes install other apps on your phone without your consent or notification, either as part of an update or as a way to generate revenue.
• Your phone has an instant app or a web app. Instant apps are apps that you can use without installing them on your phone. They are launched from a link or a QR code and run in a temporary space on your phone. Web apps are apps that run on your web browser and can be added to your home screen. Instant apps and web apps can sometimes appear as regular apps on your phone, even though you did not install them.

Possible solutions

Depending on the cause of the issue, there are different ways to prevent apps from installing themselves on your phone without your consent or notification. Some of them are:

• Check your Google account and your phone settings. Make sure that your Google account is secure and that no one else can access it. Change your password and enable two-factor authentication if you have not done so. Also, check your phone settings and disable any options that allow apps to install from unknown sources, auto-update, or sync across devices. You can find these options in the Security, Apps, and Accounts sections of your phone settings.
• Scan your phone for malware and adware. Use a reputable antivirus app to scan your phone for any malware or adware that might be causing the issue. Delete any suspicious apps or files that you find and avoid downloading apps from untrusted sources, clicking on suspicious links or attachments, or connecting to insecure Wi-Fi networks. You can also perform a factory reset on your phone to erase all the data and restore it to its original state, but make sure to back up your important files first.
• Uninstall or disable bloatware or sponsored apps. If you suspect that the issue is caused by bloatware or sponsored apps, you can try to uninstall or disable them from your phone. To uninstall an app, go to the Apps section of your phone settings and tap on the app that you want to remove. Then, tap on Uninstall or Disable. To disable an app, you can also use the Developer Options section of your phone settings, but this requires enabling the Developer Mode first. You can find instructions on how to do this online .
• Remove or ignore instant apps or web apps. If you suspect that the issue is caused by instant apps or web apps, you can either remove them from your phone or ignore them. To remove an instant app, go to the Google section of your phone settings and tap on Instant Apps. Then, tap on the app that you want to remove and tap on Clear App. To remove a web app, go to the Apps section of your phone settings and tap on the app that you want to remove. Then, tap on Uninstall. To ignore an instant app or a web app, you can simply avoid launching it from the link or the QR code, or remove it from your home screen.

Conclusion

Finding

an app like Tiktok on your phone that you did not install or approve can be annoying and alarming, but there are ways to prevent it from happening again. By checking your Google account and your phone settings, scanning your phone for malware and adware, uninstalling or disabling bloatware or sponsored apps, and removing or ignoring instant apps or web apps, you can keep your phone safe and clean from unwanted apps..