How to Know If Your iPhone Is Hacked

Introduction

Ever wondered how to know if your iPhone is hacked or being tracked without your permission? iPhones are safe however, there is no guarantee that your device is 100% safe. Hackers may use spyware, phishing or malicious websites to gain access. I had an iPhone that was being unresponsive, overheating and popping-ups randomly and that's when I realized how subtle hacking signs can be.

In this article I'll explain exactly how to detect if your iPhone is hacked, what to do, and how to secure the device in the future.

Why It's Important to Check If Your iPhone Is Hacked

Your iPhone stores personal data--photos, bank apps, passwords, even your location . If someone is able to gain access to your iPhone, it's not only about privacy, it's also about data leaks, identity theft and even financial loss.

The most alarming aspect lies in the fact that iPhone hacks are often unnoticed. Hackers create malware that hides silently in your system, taking your personal data. Thus, recognizing early warning signs makes all the difference.

10 Clear Signs That Your iPhone Is Hacked

Let's begin with warning signs. If you're unsure whether your iPhone is hacked, look for these signs:

Fast Battery Drains - Sudden battery drains often indicate the background activity of spyware.
Overheating - Your iPhone can get hot even when idle or not charging.
Data Usage Spike - Check settings - Cellular; If your data usage is excessive even when you're not using it, there's something wrong.
Redirects or Pop-Ups - Continuous advertisements or redirects within Safari may indicate adware infection.
Unknown Apps - Apps that which you don't remember of installing can be dangerous.
Slow performance - If your iPhone does not work as it should, despite enough storage space, it could be because malware is using up your system's resources.
Strange Background Noises During Calls - This could mean the call interception or mirroring.
iPhone Restarts or Crashes randomly - a common sign of malware or compromised firmware.
Unauthorized Apple ID Activity - You are notified of login requests or emails to reset your password that you did not request.
New Profiles in Settings - Go to Settings - General - VPN & Device Management; unidentified profiles may indicate remote access.

If you experience any of these symptoms, it's the right time to investigate further.

How to Check If Your iPhone Is Hacked in Settings

Apple makes it simple to check the system's most important data. Here's how I verify mine when I suspect anything unusual:

Go to Settings > Battery > Battery Usage - Find unknown apps that are using more power in the background.
Settings - General - iPhone Storage - Scan for suspicious or hidden apps.
Settings - Privacy - Analytics & Improvements - Analytics Data - Look for weird file names or logs (long, random names usually indicate spyware).
Settings - Passwords - Security Recommendations - Check whether iOS warns you about compromised credentials.
Settings - General - VPN and Device Management - VPNs or device profiles that are not known could be a sign of remote access.

What to Dial to Check If Your iPhone Is Hacked

Certain secret dial codes can help you identify if someone is tracking or diverting your calls:

*#21# - Verifies whether call forwarding or tracking is active.
*#62# - Tells where your calls, texts, or data are being forwarded.
*#06# - Displays your IMEI number, It is useful to track and report if your device is cloned.

After you dial, you'll receive an on-screen notification displaying the current status of your phone. If forwarding is set to unidentified numbers, you must disable it right away from your carrier's settings.

How to Know If Your iPhone Is Being Tracked

If you believe that someone is tracking your location:

Open Settings - Privacy & Security - Location Services.
Find out if an unknown app is running with "Always" access.
Look for an arrow icon at the top of your screen--it means your location is being used.
Go to Find My Devices and ensure that only your devices are listed.

If you discover an unidentified device, you should remove it and reset the password of your Apple ID right away.

How to Know If Your iPhone Is Being Mirrored

Screen mirroring or AirPlay misuse can allow hackers to access the screen from afar. Check the following steps:

Swipe down from the upper-right corner. Tap Screen Mirroring.
Make sure that there isn't connected a device which you don't know.
Go to Settings - General - AirPlay & Handoff. Turn off Automatic AirPlay to TVs.

If you find your screen mirroring, but without your action, turn off Wi-Fi and then restart it immediately.

Apps to Check If iPhone Is Hacked

It is possible to use reliable security tools to scan and protect your iPhone:

Apple's built-in security features: Regular iOS updates fix vulnerabilities automatically.
Mobile security apps: Software such as Avast, Norton Mobile Security or McAfee can detect risky profiles as well as malware-related traces.
Application Privacy Reports (iOS 15+): Go to Settings > Privacy > App Privacy Report to determine which apps access your data most often.

These tools help you detect potential threats without jailbreaking your device.

How do I run a Security check on My iPhone?

You can do a quick manual audit anytime:

Update iOS: Go To Settings - General - Software Update. Updates fix security flaws.
Review Installed Apps: Delete suspicious ones you didn't install.
Make sure to check Safari settings: Clear your history, website data and block pop-ups.
Reset All Settings: If you feel that something is odd, this resets the setting of the system (not your personal data).
Run Apple Diagnostics: Restart your iPhone - Press and hold both the Volume up and Power buttons until the Apple logo appears. After that, release the buttons to let the system self-check.

I've done it several times. It's the perfect first step to clean performance and security issues.

What to Do If iPhone Is Hacked

If you confirm suspicious activity, act fast:

Remove Wi-Fi and Cellular to prevent continuous remote access.
Change your Apple ID Password: Go to appleid.apple.com and reset your password.
Enable Two-Factor Authentication to provide an additional layer of security.
Remove Unknown Profiles: Check VPN & Device Management for hidden configurations.
Reset All Settings or Factory Reset: Settings - General - Transfer or Reset iPhone - Erase All Content and Settings. This completely eliminates malware.
For assistance, contact Apple Support: If your Apple ID and iCloud is compromised.

After reset, only reinstall trusted apps. Don't restore from old backups unless you're sure they're clean and safe.

Does Apple Notify You When Your iPhone Has Been Hacked?

Apple doesn't inform you if your device is hacked. You may however get an alert if your Apple ID was accessed or used in a different location. They appear as pop-ups or mails from Apple.

Beware of hackers who send out fake "Apple Security" alerts to steal passwords. Always check Settings - Apple ID - Password & Security - Sign-in Notifications.

10 Quick Tips to Keep Your iPhone Safe

Beware of clicking on unknown links in messages or emails.
Avoid installing apps outside the App Store.
Always keep update iOS and your applications.
Make use of Touch ID and Face ID as a substitute for PINs.
Avoid Wi-Fi in public areas for sensitive browsing.
Disable auto AirDrop from "Everyone" to "Contacts Only."
Use a strong passcode.
Enable Find My iPhone.
Review app permissions every month.
Make sure you regularly backup your data to iCloud and iTunes.

FAQs

1. How can I check whether my iPhone is hacked or being tracked?
Look for unusual behavior, high data use, or unknown profiles in settings.

2. Is it possible to spy on my iPhone without even touching it?
Yes, it can be through spyware or phishing, if you've clicked on malicious links or downloaded fake software.

3. What should I do first if my iPhone has been hacked?
Change Your Apple ID password and enable two-factor authentication.

4. Are there apps that will tell me whether my iPhone is hacked?
Make use of trusted security tools such as Avast as well as Norton to detect suspicious activities.

5. What phone number should I dial to check if my iPhone has been hacked?
You can dial *#21#, or *#62# to check if your calls are being forwarded.

Conclusion

Now you know exactly how to know if your iPhone is hacked, from spotting the early warning signs, to analyzing your settings, running dial codes and protecting your data. If you detect something odd, take action immediately and update your iPhone, change your passwords, and delete suspicious profiles.

Stay alert, keep your iOS updated, and your iPhone will remain one of the most secure smartphones around.

How to Know If Your iPhone Is Hacked?