Has My Phone Been Hacked? Warning Signs and What to Do
Real signs your phone may have been compromised, the innocent explanations to rule out first, and steps to secure an iPhone or Android phone.
Phones being "hacked" in the movie sense is rare. Much more often, someone has got into an account, or a dodgy app is misbehaving. Here's how to tell what's really going on and how to fix it.
Possible warning signs
- Apps you don't remember installing
- Messages or emails sent from your accounts that you didn't write
- Login alerts or password reset emails you didn't request
- Pop-up adverts appearing even when you're not in a browser
- Unexplained charges on your phone bill or app store account
- Sudden, unexplained battery drain or data use
Rule out the innocent explanations
Battery drain and slowness are usually caused by an ageing battery, a buggy update or an app running in the background (see our battery guide). Pop-up "virus warnings" in your web browser are almost always just adverts trying to scare you into installing something. Close the tab and don't tap anything in it.
Steps to secure your phone
- Update your phone. Install the latest system update from Settings. Updates fix security holes.
- Remove unfamiliar apps. Go through your app list and delete anything you don't recognise or no longer use.
- Check app permissions. In privacy settings, review which apps can use your location, camera, microphone and contacts.
- On Android, run Google Play Protect from the Play Store (tap your profile picture > Play Protect). Also check for apps with "device admin" or "accessibility" access you didn't give on purpose.
- On iPhone, check for unknown profiles in Settings > General > VPN & Device Management. Unless your employer or school installed one, there shouldn't be anything there.
- Secure your main accounts. Change the passwords for your Apple ID or Google account and email, and turn on two-step verification (see our password guide).
- Check signed-in devices. Your Apple or Google account settings list every device that's logged in. Remove any you don't recognise.
Worried about someone close to you?
If you think a partner or family member may be monitoring your phone, be careful: suddenly removing apps can alert them. Charities that support people experiencing domestic abuse can give confidential advice on staying safe with technology. On iPhone, Apple's Safety Check feature (in Privacy & Security) helps you review who has access to your location and information.
Last resort: a factory reset
If problems continue, back up your photos and contacts (see our backup guide), then reset the phone to factory settings. Reinstall apps one by one from the official app store instead of restoring everything at once.