Here is a detailed overview of 11 potential warning signs that indicate your phone might be hacked:

1. The lights come on: Most phones have indicator lights that show whether the camera or microphone is in use. If these lights come on when you’re not using these features, it could be a sign that a hacker is accessing them to spy on you . But be aware that some advanced spyware can access your camera or microphone without triggering the lights.
2. Battery drains quickly: If your phone usage hasn’t changed but your battery is draining faster than usual , hidden malware may be running in the background and consuming system resources. Confirm that the rapid battery drain is due to malware or a hardware issue by checking your battery health in the settings.
3. Unusual calls and texts: A wrong number can happen, but if your outgoing call history is full of calls you don’t remember making, it could be a red flag for hacking. Similarly, if you suddenly stop receiving calls or texts, or if your contacts report receiving strange messages , your phone or number may have been compromised.
4. Unwanted verification codes: If you start receiving verification codes via SMS or email for accounts you haven’t tried to access, it may mean someone is trying to break into your online accounts using your phone number or email address through a technique called spoofing (identity theft).
5. Suspicious activity or account lockout: You may be dealing with a hacker if your accounts are suddenly locked or if you notice strange activity, such as password reset requests you did not make or new social media posts.
6. Phone overheating: If a phone can overheat due to intensive use or external factors, a device that overheats while in standby mode may be a sign of hacking, as background processes may be using device resources.
7. Storage space is running out: Malware can take up a lot of space on your phone by installing new files or duplicating existing ones, causing you to run out of storage space faster than expected. Regularly check your storage usage to identify any unexplained increases.
8. Unexpected pop-ups: Aggressive and persistent pop-up ads , especially those appearing outside your browser, can be a sign of adware installed on your phone without your consent. These pop-ups can be annoying and sometimes lead to further downloads or malicious websites , so be cautious if you start seeing them frequently.
9. High data usage: If you discover that an unknown app is consuming a large amount of your mobile data, it could be a type of malware . Malware often communicates secretly with remote servers, downloads other malware, or adds your phone to a botnet —all activities that use a lot of data.
10. The phone is slow: Hacked phones run slowly because malware consumes processing power and memory in the background. On Android devices, you can usually check CPU usage in the settings to identify resource-intensive apps. On iPhones, while CPU usage isn’t visible, you can check battery usage to spot apps that are draining resources unusually quickly.
11. Unknown apps: If some unknown apps are pre-installed on your device, others could be a sign of potential hacking. To avoid detection, malware often disguises itself as legitimate software. To identify suspicious apps, review the complete list of installed apps in your device’s settings and look for any you don’t recognize or don’t remember downloading.

How can I tell if my phone has been hacked?

If there are signs that someone has hacked your phone, you should check for malware before starting the recovery process. The easiest way to confirm this is to run a reliable malware scan with a trusted anti-malware tool. For a more thorough investigation, you can consult a cybersecurity specialist who can analyze system logs, monitor network traffic, and pinpoint the source of the threat.

You can also take matters into your own hands with Norton 360 Deluxe , a solution that includes a powerful malware scanner designed to discover malicious software hiding in installed applications, files, and system processes.

What should I do if my phone is hacked?

If you suspect someone has hacked your phone, take immediate steps to limit the perpetrator’s access. To protect your information, your accounts, and yourself, you must:

• Avoid entering personal data such as bank passwords or verification codes on the hacked phone until it is secured.
• Cover your camera , especially if the light is on, to ensure the hacker cannot see you.
• Put your phone in airplane mode to disconnect it from the internet and prevent malware from transferring data or communicating with external servers.
• Use a separate device to change passwords and set up two-factor authentication on important accounts.
• Back up essential data to a cloud backup service or other trusted source, but only after scanning for malware to avoid transferring infected content to other devices.

How do I remove a hacker from my phone?

If you’ve confirmed that your phone has been hacked, you’re probably wondering what to do next. Here are some steps you can take to remove malware from your phone  :

• Use antivirus software: Run an antivirus scan to detect and remove any viruses , other malware, or dangerous files.
• Uninstall suspicious apps: Remove any apps you don’t recognize, especially those that drain battery, hog data, or request excessive permissions.
• Clear browsing history: Clear your browser history and cache to remove malicious scripts and tracking cookies that could compromise your privacy.
• Remove unknown devices: Review the devices connected to your Google, Apple, and social media accounts. Immediately remove any unknown devices to prevent unauthorized access.
• Reset your phone: If all else fails, perform a factory reset to erase your device. Back up important files first , but do not restore your last backup, as it may contain malware and reinfect your phone.

How to protect your phone from hackers

With zero-click attacks becoming increasingly common, it’s more important than ever to keep your phone apps and operating systems up to date . This helps prevent hackers from exploiting device vulnerabilities and compromising your phone.

You can also take other security measures to protect your phone against hackers who still rely on older attacks:

• Do not click on suspicious links: Avoid clicking on unknown links in text messages, emails, or pop-up ads. They can trigger the download of malware or redirect you to phishing sites .
• Use a password manager: A password manager helps you create strong, unique passwords for each account, so that even if one of them is compromised, the others remain secure.
• Update your passwords: To ensure the security of your accounts, change your passwords immediately after detecting a data breach or suspicious activity.
• Protect your data with a VPN: A VPN encrypts your internet traffic and protects you from hackers, especially on public Wi-Fi networks .
• Add security measures: Enable two-factor authentication (2FA)  and use biometric features such as fingerprint or facial recognition to strengthen your account protection whenever possible.
• Turn off Bluetooth: When not in use, turn off Bluetooth to prevent hackers from exploiting open connections to your phone.
• Don’t jailbreak your phone: While jailbreaking allows you to have more control over your device, it also removes built-in protections, making it easier for hackers to access your phone.

Optimize your mobile protection

Although the idea of ​​a hacked phone can be frightening, you can take steps to avoid it by being careful about what you click on, what you download and store on your phone.

For stronger protection, use Norton 360 Deluxe . Its award-winning threat detection engine blocks malware and hackers, while the built-in VPN encrypts your internet connection against unwanted intrusions, even on public Wi-Fi networks. Take control of your mobile security today.

FAQ

Is there a number I can call to find out if my mobile phone has been hacked?

There is no single number to dial to confirm a hack. However, several Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) codes can reveal suspicious activity, such as call forwarding, SMS redirection, or unexpected network settings. These short codes cannot detect malware, but they can help uncover signs of tampering with your phone.

Can someone hack my phone and see everything?

Yes, if your phone is compromised, a hacker can access everything: photos, text messages, GPS location, microphone, camera, and even saved passwords. This usually requires powerful spyware such as Pegasus or a highly targeted phishing or social engineering attack.

Does turning off your phone stop hackers?

Temporarily, yes. Turning off your phone disables active connections and running processes, which stops most hacking attempts. But once the device is turned back on, hidden malware or backdoors can start working again, so it’s not a permanent solution.