How to Tell If Your Phone Is Hacked and What to Do

To tell if your phone is hacked, look for a cluster of signs, not just one. Apps you never installed, pop ups outside of apps, sign in alerts you did not cause, texts sent that you did not write, or your phone suddenly losing service are the ones that matter. A warm phone or a battery that drains fast is usually just a phone being a phone.

The good news is that true phone hacks are rare for regular people. Most problems come from a shady app or a stolen account password, and both are fixable.

The Short Answer

Signs that matter. Unknown apps, pop ups outside of apps, account alerts you did not trigger, messages you did not send, and a sudden loss of service.
Signs that usually do not. A warm phone, a slow phone or a battery that is getting old.
First fixes. Update everything, delete apps you do not know, and review app permissions.
Protect your accounts. Change your Apple or Google password from a safe device and turn on two-factor authentication.
Last resort. Back up your photos, then do a factory reset.

Warning Signs Worth Taking Seriously

Apps You Do Not Remember Installing

Scroll through your full list of apps, not just your home screen. On iPhone, swipe left past your last home screen to the App Library. On Android, open Settings, then Apps. An app you did not install, or one with a generic name like "System Service" or "Update," deserves a closer look.

Pop Ups Outside of Apps

An ad now and then inside a free game is normal. Full screen ads that pop up on your home screen or lock screen are not. They often come from an adware app.

Sign In Alerts You Did Not Cause

If Google, Apple, your bank or a social app emails you about a new sign in that was not you, someone may have your password. This is an account problem more than a phone problem. Still, treat it as urgent.

Messages or Posts You Did Not Send

Friends asking why you sent them a strange link is a strong sign that one of your accounts was taken over.

Your Phone Suddenly Has No Service

If your phone shows no bars or "SOS only" in a place where it usually works, and a restart does not help, call your carrier from another phone. This can be a SIM swap. That is when a criminal moves your number to their own SIM so they get your calls and texts, including sign in codes.

New Settings You Did Not Change

A new profile, a new keyboard, an unknown device management setting, or a new email account on your phone can all be warning signs.

Signs That Usually Are Not a Hack

People worry about these a lot, but they usually have normal causes.

Fast battery drain. Batteries wear out with age. Bright screens, video, games and weak signal also drain them fast. Check the battery screen in Settings to see which apps use the most.
A warm phone. Charging, gaming, video calls and updates all make a phone warm.
A slow phone. A full storage drive or an old phone is the usual reason. Our guide on whether to replace your phone or keep it covers how to tell.
Odd noises on calls. Static and echo almost always come from the network.

If one of these comes with a sign from the list above, look closer. On its own it is rarely a hack.

What to Do Right Now

Work through these steps in order. Most problems are fixed by the third one.

Update Everything

Install the latest system update, then update your apps. Updates close the security holes that attackers use. The FTC lists keeping your software up to date as one of the main ways to protect your phone.

iPhone. Settings, then General, then Software Update.
Android. Settings, then System or Software update. The exact name varies by brand.

Delete Apps You Do Not Know or Need

Remove any app you do not recognize or no longer use. If an Android app will not let you remove it, check Settings for a device admin setting that may be locking it in place.

Check App Permissions

See which apps can use your camera, microphone, location and contacts.

iPhone. Open Settings, then Privacy and Security. Apple's Safety Check in that menu can show and reset what you share with people and apps in one place.
Android. Open Settings, then Security and privacy or Privacy, then Permission manager.

Turn off any access that does not make sense. A flashlight app has no need for your contacts.

Run Play Protect on Android

Open the Play Store, tap your profile picture, then Play Protect, and run a scan. Leave it turned on so it keeps checking.

Secure Your Accounts

A hacked account often looks like a hacked phone. From a different device you trust, change the password for your Apple Account or Google Account and your main email. Use a long, unique password. Our guide on how to make a strong password shows how.

Then turn on two-factor authentication, and check the list of devices signed in to your account. Sign out any you do not recognize.

Call Your Carrier About SIM Protection

Ask your carrier to add a PIN or a port out lock to your account. This makes it much harder for someone to move your number without you. If your service already dropped for no reason, tell them you suspect a SIM swap.

When to Do a Factory Reset

If problems keep coming back after all of the steps above, a factory reset is the cleanest fix. It wipes the phone back to how it came from the store, which removes nearly all malware.

Back up first. Make sure your photos and contacts are saved. Our simple backup plan covers it.
Do not restore everything blindly. Reinstall apps from the official store one at a time instead of restoring a full backup that might carry the problem back.
Change passwords after. A reset cleans the phone, not your accounts.

When It Might Be Something More Serious

Some people face a bigger risk, like journalists, activists, public figures, or people leaving an abusive relationship. Spyware aimed at them is real and harder to spot. If that is you, Apple offers Lockdown Mode on iPhone, which turns off many features that attackers target. Reach out to a group that helps people in your situation before you make big changes, so the person watching you is not tipped off.

How to Keep Your Phone Safe Going Forward

Keep automatic updates on.
Only install apps from the App Store or Google Play.
Lock your phone with at least a six digit passcode, as the FTC advises.
Never share a sign in code with anyone who contacts you.
Be careful with links in texts and emails. Our guide on how to spot a phishing email shows what to look for.
Use your phone's built in spam filters. Our guide on how to stop spam calls walks through them.

The Bottom Line

One odd sign is rarely a hack. Several together deserve action. Update your phone, remove apps you do not know, check permissions, and lock down your Apple or Google account. If your service drops for no reason, call your carrier right away. If nothing else works, back up and reset.

Keep Reading

Phone makers keep adding new scam and theft protection. Follow the latest in our devices news and security news, or browse more plain tech advice.

Questions Readers Ask

How can I tell if my phone has been hacked?

Watch for apps you did not install, pop up ads outside of apps, sign in alerts you did not cause, messages sent that you did not write, or your phone suddenly losing service. One odd sign alone is usually not a hack. Several at once deserve a closer look.

Can someone hack my phone just by calling me?

For almost everyone, no. Answering a normal call does not hand over your phone. The real risk from a call is the person on the line tricking you into sharing a code, a password or money.

Does a hot phone or fast battery drain mean I am hacked?

Usually not. Old batteries, a weak signal, games, video and updates all heat a phone and drain it. It is worth a look if the drain is new and you also see other signs, like apps you do not know.

What is a SIM swap?

It is when a criminal talks your carrier into moving your phone number to their SIM card. Your phone loses service and your texts and calls, including sign in codes, go to them. Call your carrier right away from another phone if your service drops for no reason.

Will a factory reset remove a hacker?

A reset removes apps and settings from the phone, which clears most malware. It does not fix a stolen Apple or Google account password, so change that password and turn on two-factor authentication too.

Should I buy antivirus for my phone?

Most people do not need to. Keep the system updated, install apps only from the official app store, and leave Google Play Protect on if you use Android. Be wary of ads that say your phone is infected, which are often scams themselves.

Can my iPhone get a virus?

It is rare, because iPhone apps run in a tight sandbox and come from the App Store. The more common iPhone problems are stolen Apple Account passwords, fake profiles, and scam links that trick you into giving away details.