How to Know if Your Phone is Hacked: A Guide for iPhone and Android Users

Hacking can sometimes be subtle and difficult to detect. If you suspect that your phone might be hacked, there are several warning signs to watch for, whether you’re using an iPhone or Android. In this article, we'll explain how to identify if your phone is compromised and how to verify each sign.

1. Unusual Battery Drain

How to Check:

• iPhone: Go to Settings > Battery > Battery Usage. Review which apps are consuming more power than usual. If an app you rarely use is draining a lot of battery, it might be suspicious.
• Android: Go to Settings > Battery > Battery Usage. Look for apps that are using more power than they should.

What It Means:

Malware often runs in the background, consuming battery power.

2. Overheating for No Apparent Reason

How to Check:

• Use your phone normally and notice if it heats up excessively, even when you’re not running demanding apps (such as games or videos). If it does, there could be apps running in the background without your knowledge.

What It Means:

Malware might be consuming your phone's resources, causing it to overheat.

3. Strange Messages or Calls

How to Check:

• iPhone and Android: Open your messages app and review sent messages. If you find any that you didn’t send, your phone may be compromised. Also, check your call logs for any strange or unknown calls.

What It Means:

Someone may have remote access to your phone, sending messages or making calls without your permission.

4. Increased Data Usage

How to Check:

• iPhone: Go to Settings > Cellular > Check app data usage. If any app is using an unusual amount of data, it could be malicious.
• Android: Go to Settings > Data Usage. Monitor which apps are consuming large amounts of data. Malicious apps often transmit your information to external servers.

What It Means:

Malware may be sending your data to third-party servers.

5. Unwanted Pop-Ups and Ads

How to Check:

• If you notice excessive pop-ups or ads even when not using your browser or related apps, your phone might be infected with adware.

What It Means:

Malware or adware may have been installed without your knowledge.

6. Slow Device Performance

How to Check:

• If your phone becomes sluggish or slow suddenly, without any obvious reason (like running too many apps), run a security scan using an antivirus app (like Lookout or Bitdefender) to detect any malware.

What It Means:

Malware running in the background can significantly slow down your phone’s performance by using up resources.

7. Unexpected Apps Installed

How to Check:

• iPhone: Check all your home screen pages for apps you don’t recognize. Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage to review all installed apps.
• Android: Go to Settings > Apps and review the installed apps. If you find anything unfamiliar, it could be malicious.

What It Means:

Hackers might have installed malware or spyware without your consent.

What to Do If You Suspect Your Phone is Hacked:

1. Change Your Passwords Immediately: Update the passwords for all of your critical accounts like email, social media, and banking apps.
2. Perform a Factory Reset: If the issue persists, consider performing a factory reset to remove all malicious software. Make sure to back up important data before doing so.
3. Install Security Apps: Use antivirus and security apps to scan your phone for malware and secure your device.
4. Avoid Installing Apps from Untrusted Sources: Always download apps from official app stores like the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.