How to Know if Your Phone Is Being Tapped?

In today’s highly advanced technological era, this is an especially important question. Below are the key signs and precautions you should know to protect your personal information.

How to Detect If Your Phone Is Being Monitored?

If lately your phone heats up unusually or the battery drains much faster—even though you haven’t installed new apps or increased your usage—this could be a warning sign. You should check whether the quick battery drain is due to natural battery aging or because a hidden spying app is running in the background and consuming excessive power. It’s possible that some monitoring software has been installed on your phone without your knowledge.

Abnormal Data Usage

Spyware and malware often use a large amount of data because they constantly send information back to whoever is controlling your device. If your data or location icons at the top of the screen are frequently flashing or active, it may be a sign that someone is transmitting data from your phone or remotely accessing it. An unusually high data bill (if you're not on an unlimited plan) can also be a clear indicator.

Both iPhone and Android allow you to check your data usage to determine whether your phone may be tapped.

• On iPhone: Go to Settings > Cellular.

• On Android: Go to Settings > Network & Internet or Connections > Data Usage.

Strange Noises During Calls

If recently, during phone calls, you start hearing unusual buzzing, echoes, or background noises, you should be cautious. This is often a classic sign that your phone may be tapped or monitored.

Receiving Strange Messages

Do you receive odd text messages with random letters and numbers that look like codes? Hackers sometimes use these to send commands to spying apps installed on your device—such as requesting your location without your knowledge.

Unusual Phone Behavior

If your phone has trouble shutting down or turns off by itself, it could be another sign of illegal tracking. When powering off, check if the screen remains backlit or if the phone fails to completely turn off.

Other suspicious signs include:

• Sudden pop-up ads

• Screen lighting up randomly

• Unfamiliar notifications leading to strange links

• Noticeable performance slowdown

Also, beware if your camera or microphone activates on its own. If you see the camera light on even when no app is open, your phone may have been compromised. Some malware can even activate the camera without turning on the light — so always investigate further if something feels off.

What to Do If You Suspect Your Phone Is Being Tapped?

Stop using the phone immediately. Turn it off or remove the battery (if possible) to prevent further data transmission.

Check your installed apps. Delete or disable any app you don’t recognize or don’t remember installing. Spy apps are often disguised as harmless-looking tools.

Change all your important passwords, such as Wi-Fi, email, social media, and banking passwords. Consider performing a full factory reset to restore your phone to its original state.

If you suspect illegal monitoring, contact your mobile service provider or a cybersecurity professional for assistance.

Most Importantly…

Learn to protect your personal device. Set strong passwords and avoid letting others use or access your phone without permission.