To know if your iPhone is being tracked, watch for physical signs like fast battery drain, overheating, high data use, or random camera/mic dots; check Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services and the Find My > People tab for unknown sharers; review Settings > [Your Name] > Devices for unknown devices signed into your Apple ID; and use Safety Check (Settings > Privacy & Security) to reset permissions and manage sharing, changing passwords immediately if you find suspicious activity.
Yes, it is possible for someone to track your phone. This can be done through various methods, including malicious spyware, apps to which you have granted location permissions, your mobile carrier's network data, or by connecting to compromised Wi-Fi networks.
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.
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.
Field Mode: *3001#12345#*
Type this code into your phone's dialer and then press the green call button to access "Field Mode," which gives you access to information about local networks and cell towers, as well as info about your phone's signal strength.
5 signs your phone is possibly being tracked
This Vertical Service Code, *82, enables calling line identification regardless of subscriber preference, dialed to unblock withheld numbers (private callers) in the U.S. on a per-call basis.
13 Ways to Make Make Your Smartphone Impossible to Track
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.
This makes us wonder—"How can someone read your text messages without your phone?" Believe it or not, it's possible. Hackers, stalkers, and even people close to you may find ways to bypass modern security measures. Here are three major signs that someone might be monitoring your messages—and what you can do about it.
Google Maps or Apple Find My
Your spouse gets hold of your device and turns on the location sharing option within either of these apps. Once activated, they can then track your location remotely, using their own device. To check if you're affected, simply open the app and check if location sharing is turned on.
If you previously received an unwanted tracking notification and want to review the information again, do one of the following:
Dialing *77 activates Anonymous Call Rejection, blocking incoming calls from private or blocked numbers on landlines and some mobile services, making anonymous callers hear a message that you don't accept their calls. To turn it off, dial *87, and remember that this feature only blocks intentionally hidden numbers, not calls marked as "Unavailable" or "Out of Area," and can sometimes route to emergency services in certain areas or for specific carriers, so check with your provider.
*74 | All Other Callers: Allow
All other calls (not otherwise specified in Call Handling settings) will be allowed.
Spyware and tracking apps can quietly run in the background — recording calls, tracking your location, logging keystrokes, or sending data to whoever's spying on you. All of this keeps your phone working (and heating up) even when you're not using it.
Sometimes hackers disguise malware as harmless background apps, so verifying and deleting any apps that raise concerns is important. Run anti-malware software: Use a reliable malware scanner and removal tool to thoroughly scan your phone for malicious software.
What Does ##002# Really Do? 🔐📞 ##002# instantly cancels all call forwarding on your phone — busy, unreachable, or no-answer. It's a simple way to reset settings and protect your privacy.
Hidden Battery Power / Boost Signal Strength
By pressing *3370# or #3370#, you'll activate your phone's “reserve battery power”. Battery life will increase by 50%. The reserve will automatically charge up the next time you change your device. Other claims state dialing the same sequence will boost cellular reception.
Slow performance: Spyware clogs up your system resources, slowing down your iPhone or causing it to crash. Random pop-ups: Unexpected ads or prompts can signal adware or spyware. Unfamiliar apps: Some spyware hides inside fake, duplicate, or unfamiliar apps that pose as legitimate tools.