How to Know If Your Phone Is Hacked

Can someone hack my phone?

Yes, phones can be hacked, and it happens more often than many people realize. Cybercriminals target them for valuable data like bank details, passwords, and authentication codes to steal money or hijack accounts. Some go further, exploiting your camera or microphone for blackmail or sextortion.

With so much personal data stored on smartphones, they’ve become prime targets for cybercriminals, making protection essential. Learning the warning signs of a hack is the first step toward keeping your device and your information secure.

10 signs that your phone is hacked

Signs your phone has been hacked include slower performance, overheating, strange pop-ups or apps appearing, and poor data connections. On their own, these issues don’t necessarily mean your phone has been hacked. But if you experience multiple issues at once, your device may well be compromised.

Here are the main signs of a hacked phone:

1. It has sudden performance issues

Performance issues — like slower speeds, frequently needing charging, or regularly overheating — can signal malware using your phone’s processing power and draining the battery. But while shorter battery life may be one of the signs of a hacked phone, it can also be caused by legitimate apps running intensive background processes.

To check your iPhone or Android’s battery usage, go to Settings > Battery (or Settings > Battery and device care on some Samsung models). Check which apps are using the most battery and close them or restrict background app data. If your performance issues persist, your phone may have been hacked.

2. You notice service disruptions

The occasional dropped call or bad internet connection is normal, but if these disruptions happen frequently and without explanation, it could be a sign of phone hacking. But first, rule out less sinister causes by checking with your mobile carrier or internet provider for any reported outages before assuming something more serious:

• Check the service status for your area on the relevant websites or apps.

• Contact customer support directly to verify outage information or troubleshoot connectivity issues.

• Monitor social media platforms like X or Facebook for updates from your provider or other users who may be experiencing similar issues.

• Review local news sources or community forums for reports about service problems.

3. Strange pop-ups appear

If you’re seeing more pop-up ads on your Android or iPhone than usual, your cell phone may be infected with adware — a type of malware that inundates you with ads. Never tap suspicious ads or links, as they may be a form of malvertising that could trigger a further infection or allow a hacker to gain access to your phone. Instead, use a free adware cleaner to find and remove the offending software.

4. Websites look different

Websites sometimes change their homepage design for holidays or marketing campaigns. But if many look unusual at once, it could point to a hacked phone. Malware on your phone may be intercepting your connection and redirecting traffic through malicious proxy servers to unsafe websites.

5. Unusual app activity

Hacked iPhone and Android apps may behave erratically, crashing often, requesting unusual permissions, or sending unexpected messages — putting your security and privacy at risk. The gaming app Scary Granny, for example, was able to launch and display full-screen ads without appearing in the device’s running apps list.

Check app safety before downloading by reading reviews to see if others report strange behavior. Another red flag is unfamiliar apps appearing on your device. These could be installed automatically from a malicious website or be Trojan malware disguised as legitimate software.

And if you spot an unfamiliar app on your device, don’t open it — first look it up online to verify what it is, and whether it can be trusted.

6. Unusual communications sent and received from your phone

As well as receiving unknown calls and texts, a hacked phone can also have trouble sending and receiving messages. In some cases, malware can take control and send communications on its own, often including dangerous links that spread the infection to your contacts. When these links are opened, the malware installs on the recipient’s device, continuing the cycle.

If someone says you called or texted them when you didn’t, your phone may be compromised. Likewise, let friends and family know if you get suspicious messages or calls from them, as their devices may also be infected.

7. You're running out of data

Unexplained spikes in data usage can indicate that someone is using your connection for malicious purposes. A hacked iPhone or Android device may transmit stolen information such as messages, account credentials, or other personal data without your knowledge, consuming large amounts of mobile data in the process.

Here’s how to check your data usage for unexpected spikes:

• On an iPhone, go to Settings > Cellular Data or Mobile Data.

  

• On an Android, go to Settings > Network & Internet or Connections > Data Usage.

  

8. You get unexpected charges

If you see unexpected charges on your phone bill, a hacker could be remotely using your device to make calls or access premium services. Suspicious charges tied to your phone, Apple ID, or Samsung or Google account should be investigated to rule out cell hacking.

To check for unexpected charges:

• Log in to your mobile service provider account and review your bill.

• Review your credit card bill and check bank statements carefully.

• Monitor Apple Pay or Google Pay notifications for unauthorized transactions.

Don’t just look for large transactions. Hackers sometimes start with small unauthorized “test” charges before attempting bigger transactions.

9. You’re locked out of accounts

Being locked out of your Apple ID, Google account, or Samsung account may indicate a hack. It could mean someone has gained unauthorized access and changed your password or security settings to prevent you from regaining control.

Follow these steps to investigate:

• Check for unauthorized access: Look for emails indicating suspicious account activity such as unrecognized log-ins, account changes, or modifications to your account settings.

• Attempt account recovery: Use the official “Forgot password” or “Account recovery” process. If your recovery phone number or email has been changed, that’s a strong sign of unauthorized access.

• Verify your account status: Contact your service provider’s support team through official channels. Ask if there have been recent log-ins from unknown locations or devices, and request details on the lockout reason.

• Review recent activity: Once you regain access, check the account’s activity logs for unfamiliar log-ins, device additions, or security setting changes. Many services list this under Security or Privacy settings.

• Inspect linked accounts: If the locked account is tied to others — such as using Google, Apple, or Facebook sign-in — check those accounts for suspicious activity as well. A compromise there could cascade to other services.

10. Your camera or microphone keeps turning on

Unexpected camera or microphone activity can signal that a hacker is remotely accessing your phone. They may use these features to steal sensitive information, monitor your conversations, or capture images for blackmail.

Most smartphones display a colored dot at the top of the screen when the microphone or camera is active:

• iPhones show a green dot for camera use and an orange dot for an active microphone.

• Androids show a green dot for both camera and microphone use.

If you notice a dot without having opened an app that uses these features, take immediate steps to safeguard your privacy.

What to do if your phone is hacked

If your phone is hacked, turn off Wi-Fi, uninstall suspicious apps, and run an anti-malware scan. You can also reset your phone to factory settings. It’s crucial to act quickly to mitigate potential damage and stop the threat — to you and your contacts.

If your phone is compromised, uninstall apps, disconnect Wi-Fi, run a scan, and consider a factory reset.

1. Disconnect your phone from the internet

Turning off Wi-Fi and mobile data connections cuts the link between your phone and the hacker, preventing further device access and data theft.

To disconnect your Android phone from the internet:

• Go to Settings > Network and internet or Connections > Internet > Toggle the Wi-Fi button to off.

• Go back to Network and internet > Tap SIMs > Toggle the Mobile data button to off.

To disconnect your iPhone from the internet:

• Go to Settings > Wi-Fi.

• Go back to Settings > Tap Cellular Data (or Mobile Data) > Toggle the Cellular Data button to off.

Keep your phone’s internet connection off until you’ve completed the steps below.

2. Remove suspicious apps

Uninstall any unrecognized apps or apps that you downloaded shortly before you realized you were hacked — they might contain malware. Some Android spyware even works when your phone is off.

• iPhone: Tap and hold the app icon, then tap Remove App > Delete App.

  

• Android: Go to Settings > Apps > Manage apps (depending on your Android model). Then, select the app you don’t recognize or trust and tap Uninstall.

  

3. Run an anti-malware scan

Use a reputable free antivirus app to detect and remove malware from your phone. Because malware can conceal itself deep within your device, running a full scan is essential.

To find and remove malware on your phone:

• Install and open AVG AntiVirus for Android or AVG Mobile Security for iPhone.

• Tap Run Scan and follow the on-screen prompts to review any issues and remove any malware.

  

4. Review app permissions

Reviewing app permissions on your Android or iPhone is important because some malware can alter settings to give hackers deeper access to your data. Regularly check which permissions each app has — especially access to your camera, microphone, location, contacts, and files — and revoke any that seem unnecessary or suspicious.

• iPhone: Go to Settings > Apps and tap an app to view its settings. Then, toggle off any permissions you want to remove.

  

• Android: Go to Settings > Apps > Manage apps (depending on your Android model). Then, select an app > tap App permissions > toggle off the permissions you want to remove.

  

5. Factory reset your phone

If all else fails, perform a factory reset to restore the system to its out-of-the-box configuration. This will clear all other data on the device — meaning your photos, apps, and settings will also get wiped along with any malware.

• iPhone: Tap Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings > Continue.

  

• Android: Tap Settings > General Management > Reset. Then tap Factory data reset and follow the on-screen prompts.

  

Once you’ve reset your device, reconnect to a secure Wi-Fi network and restore a backup created before the hack. Using a more recent backup risks reinstalling the same malware, letting the hacker slip straight back into your phone.

How do hackers hack your phone?

The most dangerous hackers use a mix of technical exploits and social engineering tricks to access mobile devices. Most methods, including Trojan malware, phishing links, and exploiting public Wi-Fi connections, are a form of remote hacking. This means the hacker never needs to come into physical contact with your phone to gain access.

One of the most notorious examples of this is Pegasus spyware, a sophisticated tool used to remotely infiltrate iPhones, enabling attackers to access data, messages, and even the microphone or camera without the user’s knowledge.

Phone hackers can use a variety of techniques to infiltrate your mobile device.

According to a recent Gen Threat Report, mobile malware threats increased significantly in the first three months of 2025, with a 25% increase in users protected from an adware or spyware attack.

Common phone-hacking techniques

Cybercriminals use a variety of tactics to hack smartphones, ranging from low-tech trickery to advanced exploits. Understanding the most common techniques can help you recognize potential threats and take steps to protect your device.

• Phishing: Attacks vary from simple email phishing scams to highly targeted spear phishing schemes. The aim is to get information that helps hackers gain access to your device.

• Vishing: In phone-based phishing, attackers can pose as legitimate entities or IT support to trick you into revealing personal data that can be used for hacks. Vishing attacks grew by 442% in the second half of 2024.

• Text hacking: Attackers can send you malicious links or attachments in a text that, once clicked or downloaded, can install malware on your phone. In some cases, texts don’t even have to be interacted with.

• Trojan malware: You download a malicious app that is disguised as legitimate software. While it may appear like a normal app, it contains harmful software, such as phone tracking tools or a cryptojacking virus.

• SIM swapping: By convincing your service provider to transfer your phone number to their SIM card, hackers can receive your messages. Similarly, SIM cards often have a default PIN that can easily be hacked.

• Bluetooth connections: Hackers can exploit unsecured Bluetooth connections to install malware that helps intercept calls or steal personal data like messages and passwords.

• Unsecured Wi-Fi: Hackers can exploit unsecured public networks to intercept your data and gain access to your phone.

• Juice jacking: Attackers tamper with public charging points so that malware can be installed or data extracted from any connected phones.

• Security exploitation: Some hackers take advantage of weak mobile security by tapping into any weaknesses. This can be the case when the user hasn’t installed their mobile's latest security update.

• Cache tampering: Hackers can steal sensitive data stored in your cache or inject it with malicious code.

How to stop hackers on your phone

The best way to protect yourself against phone hacking is to prevent it from happening to begin with — keeping your phone and personal data secure and private is essential.

Here’s how to stop yourself from becoming a victim of phone hacking:

• Install software updates: Operating system and app updates often include security patches for newly discovered vulnerabilities.

• Use strong passwords: Create strong, unique passwords and enable two-factor authentication on all your online accounts.

• Avoid using public Wi-Fi: Hackers can use unsecured Wi-Fi to connect to other devices on the network.

• Use a VPN: If you have to use public Wi-Fi, set up and use a mobile VPN to create a private connection and encrypt your internet traffic.

• Clear your cache: Regularly clearing your cache on Android or iPhone can reduce your attack surface.

• Minimize your data footprint: The more personal data stored on your phone, the bigger the prize for hackers.

• Turn off Bluetooth: Disable Bluetooth when you aren’t using it and never trust unknown Bluetooth devices.

• Change your SIM’s PIN: Changing your SIM’s PIN can prevent hackers from gaining unauthorized access to your SIM and your mobile network.

• Avoid suspicious websites: A website safety check can help you verify the site’s domain reputation and SSL certificates. You can also check online reviews.

• Use encrypted messaging apps: You can help protect against security exploits by using a secure messaging app with end-to-end encryption.

• Stay alert to phishing scams: With 83% of phishing sites specifically targeting mobile devices, it's important to make sure not to click suspicious links and to block/report unknown emails and text messages.

• Use a mobile security app: Use a mobile security app with built-in antivirus software to automatically block suspicious activity on your phone.

Help prevent hacks with AVG

No matter how careful you are, there’s no guarantee that your phone will be safe — hackers continue to discover new exploits or design new hacking tools to get into your devices. That’s why it’s essential to protect your phone with a trustworthy antivirus app that can boost your protection and quickly find and remove threats.

If you’re an iPhone or iPad user, AVG Mobile Security for iOS can help protect you by automatically checking the security of your Wi-Fi network and scanning online databases for stolen passwords.

For Android users, AVG AntiVirus for Android offers comprehensive protection against malware, unwanted calls, and other malicious activity. It also adds anti-hacking safeguards by allowing you to lock apps that store sensitive information.