Is Your Phone Hacked or Tapped? Complete Detection & Protection Guide

How Phones Get Hacked in 2026

Understanding how phones get hacked is the first step toward protecting yourself. Attack vectors have evolved significantly, and cybercriminals now use a combination of social engineering, software exploits, and network-level attacks to compromise mobile devices. According to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), mobile devices are increasingly targeted because they contain more personal and financial data than any other single device most people own.

Phishing and Social Engineering

Phishing remains the most common way phones get hacked. Attackers send carefully crafted text messages, emails, or social media messages containing malicious links. When tapped, these links can install spyware, redirect you to credential-harvesting websites, or exploit browser vulnerabilities to gain device access. In 2026, AI-generated phishing messages are more convincing than ever, mimicking the writing style and tone of people you know or organizations you trust. Smishing, which is SMS-based phishing, has surged as attackers exploit the inherent trust people place in text messages compared to email.

Malicious Apps and Sideloading

Despite app store security measures, malicious apps still slip through review processes on both the Google Play Store and Apple App Store. These apps may appear to be legitimate utilities, games, or productivity tools but contain hidden spyware or data-harvesting code. On Android devices, sideloading apps from sources outside the Play Store dramatically increases the risk of installing malware. Even seemingly benign apps can request excessive permissions that give them access to your microphone, camera, contacts, messages, and location data.

Public Wi-Fi and Man-in-the-Middle Attacks

Connecting to unsecured public Wi-Fi networks exposes your phone to man-in-the-middle attacks where an attacker intercepts the data flowing between your device and the network. Attackers can set up rogue hotspots with names that mimic legitimate networks, such as a coffee shop or airport Wi-Fi. Once connected, the attacker can capture login credentials, read unencrypted messages, inject malicious content into web pages, and even redirect app traffic to harvesting servers.

SIM Swapping and SS7 Exploits

SIM swapping occurs when an attacker convinces your mobile carrier to transfer your phone number to a SIM card they control. This gives them access to your calls, texts, and any two-factor authentication codes sent via SMS. SS7 protocol vulnerabilities are a more sophisticated threat affecting the cellular network infrastructure itself. These vulnerabilities allow attackers to intercept calls and messages, track your location, and redirect communications without needing any access to your physical device. In more extreme cases, attackers may attempt to clone a phone entirely, creating an exact duplicate that receives all the same calls and messages as the original device.

Zero-Click Exploits

The most dangerous and hardest-to-detect attacks are zero-click exploits, which compromise your phone without requiring you to click anything. These exploits target vulnerabilities in messaging apps, media processing libraries, or system services that automatically handle incoming data. While zero-click exploits have historically been associated with nation-state surveillance tools, the techniques are becoming more widely available in underground markets. Keeping your operating system updated is the single most effective defense against these attacks.

Warning Signs Your Phone Is Hacked

When a phone is hacked, the malware or spyware running on it typically consumes system resources and behaves in ways that create detectable anomalies. Knowing what to look for can help you catch a compromise early. Not every symptom listed here guarantees your phone is hacked, as normal software bugs and aging hardware can cause similar issues, but multiple symptoms occurring together should raise serious concern. If you want to understand what legitimate monitoring tools look like compared to malicious spyware, our guide to free phone spy apps explains the key differences.

Rapid Battery Drain

One of the most common signs your phone is hacked is sudden, unexplained battery drain. Spyware and monitoring apps run continuously in the background, recording calls, capturing keystrokes, logging GPS coordinates, and transmitting data to remote servers. All of this activity consumes significant battery power. If your phone used to last a full day on a charge and now dies by mid-afternoon without any change in your usage habits, it warrants investigation. Check your battery usage statistics in Settings to see which apps are consuming the most power and look for any unfamiliar entries.

Overheating When Idle

A phone that feels warm or hot to the touch when you are not actively using it is a red flag. While phones naturally warm up during intensive tasks like gaming or video streaming, a phone that overheats while sitting on your desk or charging overnight suggests background processes are consuming significant processing power. Spyware that is actively recording audio, capturing the screen, or uploading large amounts of data can cause persistent overheating.

Strange and Unexplained Behavior

Hacked phones often exhibit erratic behavior that cannot be explained by normal software glitches. Watch for the screen lighting up on its own when no notifications are present, apps opening or closing without your input, the camera or microphone indicator light activating when you are not using them, settings changing without your intervention, and the phone restarting or shutting down unexpectedly. These behaviors may indicate that someone is remotely controlling your device or that malware is interfering with normal system operations.

Unfamiliar Apps and Processes

Regularly review the apps installed on your phone. Spyware often disguises itself with generic or system-sounding names like "System Service," "Battery Monitor," or "Phone Optimizer." If you find an app you do not remember installing, do not open it. Instead, research the app name online to determine whether it is legitimate system software or known spyware. On Android, check your running processes through Developer Options to identify suspicious background services.

Unusual Data Usage Spikes

Spyware must transmit the data it collects to a remote server, which consumes mobile data. A significant increase in data usage that does not correlate with your browsing, streaming, or app usage habits could indicate that your phone is hacked and sending your information to an attacker. Review your data usage by app in your phone settings and look for unfamiliar apps consuming large amounts of data, especially those using data in the background. For more on how your phone passwords and credentials can be compromised, see our phone password security guide.

Signs Your Phone Is Being Tapped

Phone tapping specifically refers to the interception of your calls, messages, or data transmissions. Tapping can occur at the device level through spyware, at the network level through SS7 exploits, or through carrier-level wiretaps authorized by law enforcement. While some overlap exists with general hacking symptoms, tapping has its own distinct warning signs.

Clicking Sounds and Static During Calls

While modern digital networks have largely eliminated the clicking and static associated with old wiretapping techniques, some forms of call interception still produce audible artifacts. If you consistently hear clicking sounds, faint buzzing, static, or distant voices during phone calls, it could indicate that your calls are being intercepted. This is especially suspicious if the sounds occur only during specific calls or at specific times. Note that poor cellular signal and network congestion can also cause audio artifacts, so consider the consistency and pattern of these anomalies.

Background Noise and Echo

Unusual background noise that sounds like distant humming, pulsating static, or a faint echo of your own voice during calls can be indicators of call interception. Some call-recording software introduces slight audio artifacts because it creates a secondary audio stream to capture the conversation. If the other party on the call does not hear the same noises you do, the issue is likely on your end and could be caused by interception software on your device.

Unusual SMS Activity

Tapped phones sometimes exhibit unusual text message behavior. Watch for text messages containing random strings of numbers, symbols, or characters that appear to come from unknown senders. These can be command-and-control messages sent to spyware installed on your device. Also monitor for text messages you did not send appearing in your sent folder, delays in receiving messages that others confirm they sent, or notification sounds for messages that do not appear in your inbox. Some spyware intercepts and hides messages to prevent the user from seeing them.

Increased Call Connection Times

If your calls suddenly take noticeably longer to connect than they used to, it could indicate that your calls are being routed through an intermediary before reaching the intended recipient. Call interception systems introduce a brief delay as they set up the monitoring connection. While network issues can also cause connection delays, a consistent increase in the time between pressing call and hearing the first ring is worth investigating, especially when combined with other symptoms.

Phone Activity When Not in Use

A tapped phone may show signs of activity when it should be completely idle. The screen might briefly illuminate, you might hear notification sounds with no visible notification, or the phone might vibrate without any apparent trigger. Spyware that is actively monitoring may periodically wake the device to collect data, activate the microphone for ambient recording, or establish connections to command servers. If your phone consistently shows activity when it is sitting untouched, someone may be remotely accessing it.

USSD Codes to Check If Your Phone Is Hacked or Tapped

Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) codes are shortcodes you can dial on your phone to access hidden diagnostic information and carrier settings. Several of these codes can help you determine if your calls or messages are being forwarded to an unknown number, which is a common indicator of phone tapping. To learn more about how monitoring software can be configured on devices, see our guide on phone spy apps and how they work.

*#21# - Check Call Forwarding Status

Dialing *#21# displays the current call forwarding status for your voice calls, data, SMS, and fax services. If any of these are forwarded to a number you do not recognize, your communications may be being intercepted. A clean result will show that all forwarding is disabled or that forwarding is set to a voicemail number provided by your carrier. Any unfamiliar number in the forwarding settings should be investigated immediately.

*#62# - Check Where Calls Go When Unreachable

This code reveals where your calls are redirected when your phone is turned off, out of coverage, or does not answer. Legitimate entries will typically show your carrier's voicemail service number. If calls are being redirected to an unknown number when your phone is unreachable, an attacker may have configured forwarding to capture your calls. Cross-reference any displayed number with your carrier's known voicemail service numbers.

*#06# - Display Your IMEI Number

Dialing *#06# displays your phone's International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number. While this does not directly detect hacking, knowing your IMEI is important for several reasons. Your IMEI can be used to check if your device has been cloned. If someone has cloned your phone, they receive copies of your calls and messages. Write down your IMEI and keep it in a secure location. You can also verify this number against the one printed on your phone's box or in Settings to confirm your device has not been swapped or tampered with.

##002# - Cancel All Call Forwarding

This is a universal reset code that cancels all call forwarding settings on your phone. If you discover that your calls are being forwarded to unknown numbers using the codes above, dialing ##002# will immediately disable all forwarding rules. This is an important first remediation step if you suspect your phone is being tapped through call forwarding. After running this code, dial *#21# again to confirm that all forwarding has been successfully disabled.

*#*#4636#*#* - Phone Information (Android Only)

This code opens a hidden diagnostic menu on most Android devices that provides detailed information about your phone, battery usage, usage statistics, and Wi-Fi information. The battery information section can reveal if an unusually high number of processes are running. The usage statistics section shows which apps are being used and how frequently, which can help identify suspicious background activity. Note that this code does not work on all Android devices, as some manufacturers disable it.

*#*#197328640#*#* - Service Mode (Android Only)

On supported Android devices, this code opens the service mode or field test menu, which displays technical details about your cellular connection. Advanced users can use this information to check the signal strength and network parameters of their connection for anomalies that might indicate interception. Changes in the Location Area Code (LAC) or Cell ID that do not correspond to your physical location could indicate a rogue base station or IMSI catcher in your vicinity.

How to Check for Spy Apps on iPhone

iPhones are generally more resistant to spyware than Android devices due to Apple's closed ecosystem, strict app review process, and sandboxed architecture. However, iPhones are not immune to compromise. Jailbroken iPhones are especially vulnerable, and some spyware can be installed through iCloud credentials or MDM profiles without jailbreaking. Here is how to check your iPhone for unauthorized monitoring.

Check Screen Time and App Activity

Navigate to Settings, then Screen Time, then See All Activity. This section shows detailed app usage data including which apps were used and for how long. Look for apps you do not recognize appearing in the usage list, especially any that are consuming battery or data in the background. Spyware on iPhones often runs as a background process and will appear in Screen Time data even if the app icon is hidden from the home screen.

Review VPN and Device Management Profiles

Go to Settings, then General, then VPN & Device Management. This section shows any configuration profiles installed on your device. Legitimate profiles include those from your employer's MDM system, your school, or a trusted VPN service. Any profile you do not recognize should be considered suspicious, as spyware often installs a configuration profile to gain elevated permissions. If you find an unknown profile, do not remove it immediately but instead document it with screenshots for evidence before deletion.

Check for Jailbreak Indicators

A jailbroken iPhone is significantly more vulnerable to spyware. Check for jailbreak indicators including the presence of apps like Cydia, Sileo, Zebra, or Installer on your home screen or in your app library. You can also check by navigating to a URL like cydia:// in Safari, and if it opens an app, your device is jailbroken. Additionally, if the Settings app contains options that are not standard for your iOS version, the device may have been jailbroken and modified. If you discover your iPhone has been jailbroken without your knowledge, treat it as a confirmed compromise.

Inspect Storage Usage

Go to Settings, then General, then iPhone Storage. Review the list of installed apps sorted by size. Spyware apps may appear under generic names and typically use between 50 and 200 megabytes of storage. Pay attention to apps you do not recognize, especially those that have no visible icon on your home screen. Tap on any suspicious app to see when it was last used, its total storage consumption, and whether it can be offloaded or deleted.

Review Apple ID and iCloud Access

Go to Settings and tap your name at the top to review your Apple ID settings. Check the list of devices logged into your Apple ID, and remove any device you do not recognize. Review Sign-In and Security to check for unfamiliar recovery email addresses or phone numbers. If an attacker has access to your Apple ID credentials, they can monitor your iCloud data including messages, photos, location, and backups without needing any software on your physical device.

How to Check for Spy Apps on Android

Android's open architecture provides more flexibility but also creates more opportunities for spyware installation. Android devices can install apps from sources outside the Play Store, grant extensive permissions to third-party apps, and provide deeper system access that spyware exploits. Here is a systematic approach to checking your Android phone for unauthorized monitoring software.

Review Device Administrator Apps

Navigate to Settings, then Security, then Device Admin Apps or Device Administrators. This section shows apps that have been granted administrative privileges on your device. Device administrator access gives an app significant control including the ability to prevent its own uninstallation. Legitimate device admin apps include Google Find My Device and your employer's MDM solution. Any unfamiliar app with device admin access should be considered highly suspicious. Disable its admin access first, then uninstall it.

Check for Unknown Source Installations

Go to Settings, then Apps, then Special Access, then Install Unknown Apps. This screen shows which apps have permission to install other apps from outside the Play Store. If any app besides your browser or file manager has this permission enabled, it may have been used to sideload spyware. Disable this permission for all apps unless you have a specific, legitimate reason for keeping it enabled. Spyware is most commonly installed via sideloading, making this a critical security setting.

Audit App Permissions

Navigate to Settings, then Privacy, then Permission Manager. Review each permission category including Camera, Microphone, Location, Contacts, Phone, SMS, and Storage. Examine which apps have access to each permission and whether the access is set to "Allow all the time" or "Allow only while using the app." Spyware typically requires access to multiple sensitive permissions. Any app with access to microphone, camera, location, contacts, and SMS simultaneously that is not a well-known communication app deserves scrutiny.

Examine Running Services

Enable Developer Options by going to Settings, then About Phone, and tapping Build Number seven times. Then navigate to Settings, then Developer Options, then Running Services. This screen displays all services currently running on your device along with the RAM they consume. Look for services with unfamiliar names or services consuming disproportionate amounts of memory. Spyware services often use names that blend in with system services, but their memory and CPU usage may be higher than expected for a background service.

Use Google Play Protect

Open the Google Play Store app, tap your profile icon, and select Play Protect. Ensure that scanning is enabled and run a manual scan. Google Play Protect continuously scans your device for potentially harmful applications and will flag known spyware. While Play Protect does not catch every threat, it provides a solid baseline of protection and is already built into every Android device with Google services. If Play Protect detects a threat, follow its recommended removal steps immediately.

What to Do If Your Phone Is Hacked: Step-by-Step Remediation

If you have confirmed or strongly suspect that your phone is hacked or tapped, take immediate action following these steps in order. Speed is important because every minute the compromise continues, more of your data is being exfiltrated. If you need professional guidance, consider reaching out to our team for professional phone monitoring help.

Step 1: Enable Airplane Mode Immediately

The first action is to cut off the attacker's communication channel. Enable airplane mode to disconnect your phone from cellular networks, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth. This prevents spyware from transmitting your data, receiving new commands, or being remotely updated. Keep the phone in airplane mode throughout the investigation and remediation process until you are confident the threat has been removed.

Step 2: Secure Your Accounts From a Separate Device

Using a trusted computer or another phone that you know is clean, immediately change passwords for your most critical accounts. Start with your email account because email is typically used for password resets on other services. Then change passwords for banking and financial accounts, social media accounts, cloud storage services like iCloud and Google Drive, and any other accounts that contain sensitive information. Enable two-factor authentication using an authenticator app rather than SMS on every account that supports it.

Step 3: Contact Your Mobile Carrier

Call your mobile carrier from a different phone and request a security review of your account. Ask specifically whether any call forwarding has been set up, whether a SIM swap has been requested or completed, whether any authorized changes have been made to your account, and ask them to add a PIN or security passphrase to your account to prevent unauthorized changes. If a SIM swap has occurred, request an immediate reversal and file a fraud report with the carrier.

Step 4: Document Everything

Before removing any malware, document the evidence. Take screenshots of suspicious apps, unusual settings, forwarding numbers, and any other indicators of compromise. Note the dates and times you first observed suspicious behavior. This documentation is important if you need to file a police report, report to the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), or pursue legal action. Photograph your phone's screen with another device if you cannot take screenshots on the compromised phone.

Step 5: Remove the Threat

If you have identified specific spyware apps, uninstall them. On Android, first revoke device administrator privileges, then uninstall the app. On iPhone, remove any suspicious configuration profiles first, then delete the associated app. Run a security scan with a reputable antivirus application after removal. If you cannot identify or fully remove the spyware, perform a factory reset and set up the device as new. Do not restore from a backup made after the suspected compromise began, as it may reintroduce the malware.

Step 6: Monitor for Continued Compromise

After remediation, monitor your phone closely for several weeks. Watch for the return of any symptoms that initially alerted you to the compromise. Monitor your bank and credit card statements for unauthorized transactions. Set up credit monitoring or a credit freeze through the major credit bureaus. Check your accounts for unauthorized access attempts. Report any identity theft to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) through their identity theft reporting portal at IdentityTheft.gov.

How to Protect Your Phone From Being Hacked

Prevention is always better than remediation. Implementing strong security practices significantly reduces your risk of having your phone hacked or tapped. These measures create multiple layers of defense that make it difficult for attackers to compromise your device. For a deep dive into how hackers approach phone security, check out our ethical hacking career guide to understand the techniques professionals use to find and fix vulnerabilities.

Keep Your Operating System Updated

Operating system updates contain critical security patches that fix vulnerabilities exploited by hackers and spyware. Enable automatic updates and install them as soon as they become available. Both Apple and Google regularly release security patches that address actively exploited vulnerabilities. Delaying updates leaves your device exposed to known attack vectors. Each monthly or quarterly security update typically addresses dozens of vulnerabilities, many of which are rated as critical.

Use Strong Authentication

Set a strong lock screen passcode of at least six digits, or preferably an alphanumeric password. Enable biometric authentication such as fingerprint or face recognition as a convenience layer, but always have a strong passcode as the backup. For your online accounts, use a password manager to generate and store unique, complex passwords for every service. Enable two-factor authentication using an authenticator app like Google Authenticator, Microsoft Authenticator, or Authy rather than SMS, which can be intercepted through SIM swapping.

Be Cautious With Links and Downloads

Never tap links in unsolicited text messages, emails, or social media messages without verifying the sender and destination. Hover over or long-press links to preview the URL before opening them. Only download apps from official app stores and check the developer name, review count, and permissions before installing. Be wary of apps that request excessive permissions relative to their stated function. A flashlight app should not need access to your contacts, messages, or microphone.

Secure Your Network Connections

Avoid connecting to public Wi-Fi networks without using a VPN. A reputable VPN encrypts all traffic between your phone and the VPN server, preventing man-in-the-middle attacks on unsecured networks. Disable automatic Wi-Fi connection to prevent your phone from connecting to rogue hotspots. Turn off Bluetooth when not actively using it to prevent Bluetooth-based attacks. Consider using your phone's cellular connection instead of public Wi-Fi for any sensitive activities like banking or email access.

Review App Permissions Regularly

Make it a monthly habit to review the permissions granted to apps on your phone. Revoke any permissions that are not necessary for an app's core function. On Android, set permissions to "Allow only while using the app" instead of "Allow all the time" whenever possible. On iPhone, review location sharing settings and disable precise location for apps that do not need it. Uninstall apps you no longer use, as they can still collect data in the background even when you are not actively using them.

Enable Remote Wipe and Find My Device

Ensure that Find My iPhone or Find My Device for Android is enabled on your phone. These features allow you to remotely locate, lock, or erase your device if it is lost or stolen. A remote wipe capability ensures that even if your physical device falls into the wrong hands, your data can be destroyed before an attacker gains access. Make sure you have a current backup of your important data so that a remote wipe does not result in permanent data loss. For a comprehensive comparison of tracking and recovery tools, see our guide to the best phone tracker apps available in 2026.

When to Get a Professional Phone Security Audit

While the self-assessment techniques in this guide are effective for detecting common threats, there are situations where a professional phone security audit is warranted. Professional forensic examiners have access to specialized tools and expertise that go far beyond what consumer-grade security apps can provide. For a comprehensive look at available professional services, visit our guide on top phone security solutions.

When Self-Assessment Is Not Enough

Consider a professional audit when you have confirmed symptoms of compromise but cannot identify the source. When spyware persists after a factory reset, it may be embedded in the firmware and requires professional extraction and analysis. If you are involved in a legal dispute such as a custody battle, divorce, or business conflict where phone evidence may be relevant, professional forensic analysis produces documentation and chain-of-custody evidence that is admissible in court. Victims of stalking or domestic abuse should also seek professional help, as their attacker may use sophisticated monitoring tools that are difficult to detect and remove without specialized knowledge.

What a Professional Audit Includes

A comprehensive phone security audit typically includes a full forensic image of your device for analysis, malware and spyware scanning with professional-grade tools such as Cellebrite and Oxygen Forensics, analysis of network traffic for unauthorized data transmissions, review of app installations and permissions with timeline analysis, examination of deleted data and hidden files, assessment of account security and authentication settings, a detailed written report with findings and recommendations, and guidance on remediation and future prevention. The audit is performed by certified professionals who maintain the integrity of evidence throughout the process.

How to Choose a Reputable Security Professional

When selecting a phone security professional, verify their credentials and certifications. Look for certifications such as Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Certified Computer Examiner (CCE), EnCase Certified Examiner (EnCE), or GIAC certifications. Check that they have proper business licensing and insurance. Ask for references from previous clients and check online reviews. A reputable professional will provide a clear scope of work and pricing before beginning any analysis. They should be willing to explain their methodology and the tools they use.