How to remove Manic malware (Android)

What kind of malware is Manic?

Manic is an Android banking trojan that also incorporates spyware and remote access capabilities. It targets users of over 169 financial, government, payment, and cryptocurrency applications. The malware was first analyzed by ThreatFabric, a mobile threat intelligence firm, with findings reported by BleepingComputer.

Manic malware overview

Manic requests Accessibility service and notification access permissions shortly after installation. Once granted, these permissions allow the malware to silently monitor and record virtually everything the victim types or views on their device.

The malware places transparent overlays over numeric keypads inside banking and payment apps, capturing each tap the user makes. It also uses the Accessibility service as a keylogger, reproducing captured input through legitimate apps so the device appears to function normally throughout.

Manic automatically sorts the text it collects into seven categories: lock-screen inputs, seed and recovery phrases, 4-6 digit SMS codes, passwords, messages, email login credentials, and general text. This classification helps attackers quickly identify and act on the most valuable pieces of stolen data.

The malware also intercepts incoming notifications and SMS messages, capturing two-factor authentication codes sent to the phone. This effectively undermines an extra layer of account protection that many users depend on for securing their online accounts.

Manic targets more than 169 applications, covering banking and financial services, government and eID portals, payment platforms, cryptocurrency wallets, messaging apps, and authenticator apps. Its primary geographic focus is Ukrainian banking and government applications, with secondary targets across the United Kingdom, Russia, and Central and Western Europe.

In addition to data theft, Manic gives attackers live remote control over infected devices through WebRTC sessions. This technology, commonly used for video calling, is repurposed here to allow operators to observe and interact with the victim's screen in real time without raising any obvious alarm.

One of Manic's most distinctive capabilities is how it exfiltrates data when it cannot directly reach its command-and-control server. Instead of simply failing, it relays stolen information to nearby infected phones using Wi-Fi Direct or Bluetooth connections, forming a peer-to-peer relay chain.

This relay supports up to four hops by default, meaning stolen data can pass through a chain of infected devices before reaching the attacker. A victim's phone does not even need an active Internet connection for data to be exfiltrated, as long as another infected device is within range.

As of July 2026, Manic was updated with stronger anti-analysis checks and in-memory loading of its core components. This update makes the malware harder for security tools to catch, since the most dangerous parts of its code are never written to device storage in a form that conventional scans can easily detect.

It has to be mentioned that malware developers often improve upon their software and methodologies. Hence, potential future iterations of Manic could have additional or different functionalities and features. In summary, having Manic on a device can lead to severe financial losses, account takeovers, serious privacy violations, and identity theft.

Android malware examples

Manic is a particularly dangerous threat given its combination of credential theft, real-time remote access, and the ability to relay stolen data through nearby infected devices. Users of banking, government, and cryptocurrency apps are especially at risk from this malware.

Other examples of Android-specific malware include WindRelay, Rokarolla, and Night Dragon. Regardless of the specific family, Android malware can result in severe consequences ranging from financial losses to complete identity theft.

How did Manic malware infiltrate my device?

The exact infection vector used to spread Manic has not been publicly confirmed at the time of writing. Typically, Android banking trojans of this type reach victims through deceptive applications distributed outside the official Google Play Store, phishing links shared via messaging apps, or social engineering on social media.

Requests for Accessibility service permissions shortly after installing an unfamiliar app are a strong warning sign. Legitimate applications rarely require such broad device access, and granting it to a malicious app gives attackers nearly complete control over the device.

How to avoid installation of malware?

Only install applications from trusted sources such as the official Google Play Store or verified developer websites. Before installing any app, carefully review the permissions it requests - be especially cautious about any app demanding Accessibility service access, as legitimate apps almost never need it.

Keep your device's operating system and all installed apps updated, and run reputable mobile security software regularly. Avoid clicking on links in unexpected messages or emails, and never download apps promoted through unsolicited advertisements or unfamiliar social media posts.

Quick menu:

• Introduction
• How to delete browsing history from the Chrome web browser?
• How to disable browser notifications in the Chrome web browser?
• How to reset the Chrome web browser?
• How to delete browsing history from the Firefox web browser?
• How to disable browser notifications in the Firefox web browser?
• How to reset the Firefox web browser?
• How to uninstall potentially unwanted and/or malicious applications?
• How to boot the Android device in "Safe Mode"?
• How to check the battery usage of various applications?
• How to check the data usage of various applications?
• How to install the latest software updates?
• How to reset the system to its default state?
• How to disable applications that have administrator privileges?

Delete browsing history from the Chrome web browser:

Tap the "Menu" button (three dots on the right-upper corner of the screen) and select "History" in the opened dropdown menu.

Tap "Clear browsing data", select "ADVANCED" tab, choose the time range and data types you want to delete and tap "Clear data".

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Disable browser notifications in the Chrome web browser:

Tap the "Menu" button (three dots on the right-upper corner of the screen) and select "Settings" in the opened dropdown menu.

Scroll down until you see "Site settings" option and tap it. Scroll down until you see "Notifications" option and tap it.

Find the websites that deliver browser notifications, tap on them and click "Clear & reset". This will remove permissions granted for these websites to deliver notifications. However, once you visit the same site again, it may ask for a permission again. You can choose whether to give these permissions or not (if you choose to decline the website will go to "Blocked" section and will no longer ask you for the permission).

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Reset the Chrome web browser:

Go to "Settings", scroll down until you see "Apps" and tap it.

Scroll down until you find "Chrome" application, select it and tap "Storage" option.

Tap "MANAGE STORAGE", then "CLEAR ALL DATA" and confirm the action by taping "OK". Note that resetting the browser will eliminate all data stored within. This means that all saved logins/passwords, browsing history, non-default settings and other data will be deleted. You will also have to re-login into all websites as well.

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Delete browsing history from the Firefox web browser:

Tap the "Menu" button (three dots on the right-upper corner of the screen) and select "History" in the opened dropdown menu.

Scroll down until you see "Clear private data" and tap it. Select data types you want to remove and tap "CLEAR DATA".

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Disable browser notifications in the Firefox web browser:

Visit the website that is delivering browser notifications, tap the icon displayed on the left of URL bar (the icon will not necessarily be a "Lock") and select "Edit Site Settings".

In the opened pop-up opt-in the "Notifications" option and tap "CLEAR".

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Reset the Firefox web browser:

Go to "Settings", scroll down until you see "Apps" and tap it.

Scroll down until you find "Firefox" application, select it and tap "Storage" option.

Tap "CLEAR DATA" and confirm the action by taping "DELETE". Note that resetting the browser will eliminate all data stored within. This means that all saved logins/passwords, browsing history, non-default settings and other data will be deleted. You will also have to re-login into all websites as well.

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Uninstall potentially unwanted and/or malicious applications:

Go to "Settings", scroll down until you see "Apps" and tap it.

Scroll down until you see a potentially unwanted and/or malicious application, select it and tap "Uninstall". If, for some reason, you are unable to remove the selected app (e.g., you are prompted with an error message), you should try using the "Safe Mode".

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Boot the Android device in "Safe Mode":

The "Safe Mode" in Android operating system temporarily disables all third-party applications from running. Using this mode is a good way to diagnose and solve various issues (e.g., remove malicious applications that prevent users you from doing so when the device is running "normally").

Push the "Power" button and hold it until you see the "Power off" screen. Tap the "Power off" icon and hold it. After a few seconds the "Safe Mode" option will appear and you'll be able run it by restarting the device.

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Check the battery usage of various applications:

Go to "Settings", scroll down until you see "Device maintenance" and tap it.

Tap "Battery" and check the usage of each application. Legitimate/genuine applications are designed to use as low energy as possible in order to provide the best user experience and to save power. Therefore, high battery usage may indicate that the application is malicious.

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Check the data usage of various applications:

Go to "Settings", scroll down until you see "Connections" and tap it.

Scroll down until you see "Data usage" and select this option. As with battery, legitimate/genuine applications are designed to minimize data usage as much as possible. This means that huge data usage may indicate presence of malicious application. Note that some malicious applications might be designed to operate when the device is connected to wireless network only. For this reason, you should check both Mobile and Wi-Fi data usage.

If you find an application that uses a lot of data even though you never use it, then we strongly advise you to uninstall it as soon as possible.

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Install the latest software updates:

Keeping the software up-to-date is a good practice when it comes to device safety. The device manufacturers are continually releasing various security patches and Android updates in order to fix errors and bugs that can be abused by cybercriminals. An outdated system is way more vulnerable, which is why you should always be sure that your device's software is up-to-date.

Go to "Settings", scroll down until you see "Software update" and tap it.

Tap "Download updates manually" and check if there are any updates available. If so, install them immediately. We also recommend to enable the "Download updates automatically" option - it will enable the system to notify you once an update is released and/or install it automatically.

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Reset the system to its default state:

Performing a "Factory Reset" is a good way to remove all unwanted applications, restore system's settings to default and clean the device in general. However, you must keep in mind that all data within the device will be deleted, including photos, video/audio files, phone numbers (stored within the device, not the SIM card), SMS messages, and so forth. In other words, the device will be restored to its primal state.

You can also restore the basic system settings and/or simply network settings as well.

Go to "Settings", scroll down until you see "About phone" and tap it.

Scroll down until you see "Reset" and tap it. Now choose the action you want to perform:
"Reset settings" - restore all system settings to default;
"Reset network settings" - restore all network-related settings to default;
"Factory data reset" - reset the entire system and completely delete all stored data;

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Disable applications that have administrator privileges:

If a malicious application gets administrator-level privileges it can seriously damage the system. To keep the device as safe as possible you should always check what apps have such privileges and disable the ones that shouldn't.

Go to "Settings", scroll down until you see "Lock screen and security" and tap it.

Scroll down until you see "Other security settings", tap it and then tap "Device admin apps".

Identify applications that should not have administrator privileges, tap them and then tap "DEACTIVATE".

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

My Android device is infected with Manic malware, should I format my storage device to get rid of it?

Formatting is generally not necessary to remove Manic. Running a reputable mobile antivirus application like Combo Cleaner should be enough to detect and eliminate the infection from your device.

What are the biggest issues that Manic malware can cause?

Manic can steal banking credentials and one-time passwords, and give attackers live remote control of your device through WebRTC sessions.

It can also exfiltrate stolen data through a chain of nearby infected phones, even if your device has no Internet connection. These capabilities together can lead to financial losses, account takeovers, and serious privacy violations.

What is the purpose of Manic malware?

Manic is primarily designed for financial fraud - stealing banking credentials, intercepting authentication codes, and enabling unauthorized transactions. Surveillance and broad data collection appear to be secondary goals, given its extensive spyware capabilities.

How did Manic malware infiltrate my Android device?

The exact distribution method for Manic has not been publicly confirmed. Banking trojans of this type are typically spread through fake apps on third-party stores, phishing SMS messages, or malicious links shared through social media and messaging platforms.

Will Combo Cleaner protect me from malware?

Combo Cleaner can detect and eliminate the vast majority of known malware infections, including banking trojans. Running a full device scan is essential, as sophisticated threats may hide their core components deep within the system to avoid detection.