Yes, you can tell if someone might be spying on your iPhone by watching for signs like rapid battery drain, high data usage, unexplained reboots, unusual sounds during calls, apps opening/closing on their own, and checking Privacy settings for unauthorized app access to your camera, microphone, or location, but there's no foolproof built-in spyware checker; instead, look for these behaviors and strange settings to investigate further.
Number to dial to see if your iPhone is tapped
If you think someone may be tapping your phone or intercepting your calls, there's a code to use to see if your calls are being diverted. Dial *#21# to check if a third party intercepts your calls, messages, or other data.
Three-finger gestures on iPhone primarily activate accessibility features like VoiceOver (for screen reading and navigation) and Zoom (magnification), allowing scrolling, zooming, and text manipulation (copy/paste/undo) with specific taps and drags, though some text actions work without VoiceOver enabled for quick editing. Common gestures include three-finger double-tap to toggle VoiceOver speech, triple-tap for the screen curtain, and pinching/spreading with three fingers for copy/paste actions, notes this YouTube video.
Can someone mirror your phone without you knowing? Yes, resourceful cybercriminals have ways to mirror a victim's phone without their knowledge. Once the device is mirrored, the attacker can spy on the victim's screen, tracking their every action.
7 signs your phone is tapped
Run a malware scan
iPhones don't warn users about malware with pop-ups. If you notice signs of malware on your smartphone, run a scan with a trusted tool like Norton Mobile Security. This is the most reliable way to detect malicious software that may have bypassed Apple's defenses and remove it from your device.
Keep an eye out for significant changes in device temperature and battery life, as these might indicate remote access. During calls, pay attention to any strange noises or voices, as they could indicate unauthorized call monitoring or recording. Be cautious of increased service messages and pop-up ads.
7 signs your iPhone has been hacked & how to verify it
On an iPhone, dialing *#21# is a USSD code used to check the status of your unconditional call forwarding, revealing if your calls, SMS, or data are being redirected and to which number, without actually changing settings; it's a simple privacy check to see if someone has secretly set your phone to forward everything, though it doesn't detect advanced spyware. Dialing this code brings up a message from your carrier about your call forwarding status, often showing "Disabled" or a specific number if it's active.
Here are some ways you can tell your phone is being tracked: Unusual location activity: You see unexpected location alerts, unknown devices linked to your account, or unfamiliar apps with location access. Checking your location history or app permissions can help confirm this.
*3001#12345#* on an iPhone activates the hidden Field Test Mode, a diagnostic tool for network engineers and power users to see detailed cellular data like signal strength (dBm), cell tower info, and network quality, accessible by dialing the code in the Phone app and pressing call, often after turning off Wi-Fi for accurate cellular readings.
You can double-tap or triple-tap the back of iPhone to perform actions such as taking a screenshot, turning on an accessibility feature, running a shortcut, and more. Go to Settings > Accessibility > Touch > Back Tap. Choose Double Tap or Triple Tap, then choose an action.
Messages automatically uses the following screen effects for specific text strings:
Check Installed Apps
Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage. This will list all installed applications on your device along with the storage they use, which can help you spot any unusual or unrecognised apps that could be spyware. You can also check hidden app from here.
There is a way someone can monitor your mobile phone without ever touching the actual device. Spyware (a portmanteau of 'spying software) and stalkerware can be installed on a phone without the owner's knowledge, allowing an attacker to steal information, track activity, and more.
Call barring allows you to block certain types of incoming or outgoing calls. Dialing *#33# displays your device's current call barring status. If you're receiving excessive spam calls, enabling call barring can help prevent unwanted calls, including those from potential hackers.
##002# cancels all forwarding on many GSM networks worldwide. Dial ##002# and press call. You'll usually hear a confirmation message.
Pressing the *3370# keys on your iPhone or Android device does not improve your cell phone signal. As mentioned, the code *3370# activates Enhanced Full Rate Codec on specific devices. Since users would experience better voice quality after entering the code, many assumed it was due to better signal.
To check if your phone is hacked, look for signs like rapid battery drain, unexpected data spikes, new apps you didn't install, strange pop-ups, slow performance, or weird noises on calls, then use reputable antivirus software, check your account activity, and dial codes like *#21# to see if calls are being forwarded, taking steps like changing passwords and resetting to factory settings if needed.
But like all mobile devices, it may be at risk of remote access by malicious users without appropriate security measures. If a hacker does successfully remotely access your device, they may be able to install spyware that enables them to discover passwords and credentials.
Signs your phone has been hacked
Unknown apps: If you see any unfamiliar apps on your phone that you don't remember installing, this could mean a possible compromise. However, don't confuse these apps with bloatware, which are the unnecessary pre-installed apps that come with your phone.
Cybercriminals don't make it obvious that they've gained access to your phone, so look out for such signs that might indicate your phone has been hacked and mirrored: Account activity — unusual logins and suspicious activity on your accounts (Google, Facebook, iCloud, etc.);
- Go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Find My iPhone to check for any unknown devices. - Tap on Apple ID in Settings and then Devices to view all devices connected to your iCloud. If there's a device you don't recognize, select it and click Remove from Account.