Is your iPhone acting up lately, like overheating, draining the battery fast, or getting random pop-ups? But you’re not sure if this means your iPhone has been hacked—we totally get it!

So, how to tell if your iPhone is hacked? In this article, we’ll show you 10 common signs that your iPhone might have been hacked and what you can do about it. Let’s get started!

Can an iPhone Be Hacked?

The short answer is YES.

I know a lot of people buy iPhones not just because they’re simple, stylish, and easy to use, but most importantly, for their security. And it’s true—iOS does have several powerful built-in protections that make it more secure than many other operating systems:

• Strict App Review: iOS only allows apps from the App Store that Apple has reviewed. This reduces the risk of malware right from the start.
• Sandboxing: Apps are isolated from each other and from core system functions, which maximizes privacy and security.
• Regular Security Updates: Apple frequently releases iOS updates to patch vulnerabilities quickly.

However, no device is 100% safe. Determined hackers can still find ways to get into your iPhone, especially if you accidentally leave the door open for them.

How Can Someone Hack My iPhone?

These days, hackers are pretty good at using clever tricks to get you to open up security holes yourself. Here are the most common ways:

1. Phishing: Hackers send fake messages pretending to be from your bank or Apple, trying to trick you into clicking a link and entering sensitive info like your username and password.

2. Malware: You click a malicious link or attachment, and spyware or viruses secretly get installed on your device.

3. Public Wi-Fi Attacks: When you use an unsecured free Wi-Fi network (like at a coffee shop or airport), a hacker on the same network can intercept your data. This is called a “man-in-the-middle” attack.

4. Physical Access: If a hacker gets their hands on your unlocked iPhone, they can quickly install tracking software or steal your info.

5. Jailbreaking Risks: A jailbroken iPhone is much more vulnerable to malware and viruses because it can run unvetted, unauthorized software.

6. Malicious Apps: Even though Apple carefully reviews apps, some malicious ones have slipped through in the past. These apps might abuse permissions (like access to your camera, microphone, or location) without you knowing. Jailbroken iPhones are especially at risk.

7. Outdated iOS: If you don’t update your iOS regularly, hackers can use known security holes to break in.

8. Zero-Click Attacks: Some advanced hacking tools can silently infect your iPhone without you even clicking anything.

So… should you be worried? For most people, iPhones getting hacked is pretty rare, but it does happen, especially if:

🕷️ You install apps from outside the App Store.

🕷️ You click on unknown links in texts or emails.

🕷️ You don’t update your iOS regularly.

🕷️ You use unsecured public Wi-Fi.

🕷️ Your iPhone is jailbroken.

10 Signs That Your Phone Is Hacked

How to know if your phone is hacked? If your iPhone is hacked, it often leaves some clues. A single sign may not mean you’ve been hacked, but if you notice several of these, it’s time to take action.

1. Your Battery Drains Super Fast

• What you see: Your battery suddenly dies much faster than usual, even with normal use.
• Why it happens: Malware or spyware could be running constantly in the background, recording your activity and sending it to a hacker. This uses a lot of power.

💡 Tip: An aging battery, iOS updates, or power-hungry apps like GPS can also cause this.

2. Your iPhone Is Slow or Keeps Crashing

• What you see: Apps take forever to load, the screen freezes, or the phone just feels sluggish.
• Why it happens: Hacker software can drain your iPhone’s resources (like processor and memory), leaving less for everyday tasks, causing your phone to lag.

3. Your iPhone is Overheating for No Reason

• What you see: Your phone gets warm or even hot, but you’re not doing anything intensive like gaming or charging it.
• Why it happens: Just like a computer, if your phone’s doing a lot behind the scenes, like running malware, it can heat up.

4. Sudden Spike in Data Usage

• What you see: You get a notification from your carrier telling you you’ve used way more data than usual, even though your habits haven’t changed.
• Why it happens: Spyware might be sending your info (like texts, photos, and location) to hackers over the internet using your mobile data or Wi-Fi.

5. Weird Pop-ups or Ads

• What you see: Lots of strange pop-up ads, even when you’re just browsing legit websites.
• Why it happens: That’s usually a sign of “adware,” a type of malware that bombards you with ads. To help prevent this, it’s a good idea to use a pop-up blocker on your iPhone.

6. Apple ID Alerts or Unusual Login Activity

• What you see: You get official emails or pop-ups from Apple saying your Apple ID was used to sign in on a new device or from a location you don’t recognize.
• Why it happens: Someone else may have your password and is getting into your account.

7. You Sent a Message That You Didn’t Write

• What you see: You notice phone calls or text messages you didn’t make, or friends say they got weird messages from you. Maybe you even see password reset emails you never asked for.
• Why it happens: Hackers who get into your phone often try to access your connected accounts, like iCloud, email, or social media, to steal info or scam your contacts.

8. Unknown Apps Appearing

• What you see: A new app you don’t remember downloading suddenly shows up on your home screen, and you can’t delete it.
• Why it happens: This is a major red flag. Advanced hacking tools can install apps on your phone without your permission—especially if your phone is jailbroken.

9. Camera or Microphone Indicator Lights Up

• What you see: A small green or orange dot appears at the top of your screen, but you’re not using the camera or microphone.
• Why it happens: This is one of the scariest signs. Some spyware can secretly record you or watch you through your camera.

10. Your Phone Randomly Restarts or Shuts Down

• What you see: Your iPhone reboots on its own without you doing anything.
• Why it happens: Random restarts can be a sign that someone has remote control of your phone and is rebooting it after installing something.

Do these signs sound familiar? If so, it’s time to do something! Next, we’ll walk you through exactly what to do.

What to Do if Your iPhone Has Been Hacked?

If you think your iPhone has been hacked, or you notice some clear warning signs, don’t panic. Just follow this checklist:

1. Disconnect from the Internet Immediately

What to do if iPhone is hacked? Turn off cellular data and Wi-Fi in “Settings” to cut off remote access to hackers. This way, they can’t control your phone or steal more data.

2. Delete Any Suspicious Apps and Profiles

Carefully check your home screen and go to “Settings > General > iPhone Storage”. Uninstall any apps or profiles you don’t recognize or remember installing.

3. Change Important Passwords (from Another Device)

Don’t do this on your potentially hacked iPhone. Use a trusted device to change passwords for key accounts like your Apple ID, primary email, bank accounts, and social media.

4. Update iOS to the Latest Version

Once you feel it’s safe, briefly connect your phone to the internet and go to “Settings > General > Software Update” to install the latest version of iOS to patch any security holes. Updates can sometimes even remove malware.

5. Back Up Your Data and Do a Factory Reset (If Needed)

If issues persist, the most effective solution is to completely wipe your iPhone and restore it. This will erase all content and return it to its original state, removing any malware.

• Back up important data to iCloud or your computer.
• Go to “Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings”

6. Contact Apple Support

If you’re not sure what to do or if the problem persists, contact Apple Official Support for professional help.

What to Dial to See if Your Phone is Hacked?

You might have seen posts or videos online saying you can dial certain codes to check if your iPhone has been hacked. But honestly, that’s a common myth—these codes can’t tell you if your iPhone’s been hacked.

These so-called “detection codes” are actually called USSD codes. They are simply commands used by your cell phone carrier to check settings like call forwarding, not hacking diagnostics:

• *#21# (Call Forwarding Status): Checks if your calls, texts, or data are being forwarded to another number.
• *#62# (Forwarding When Unreachable): Shows what number your calls or texts get forwarded to if your phone can’t be reached.
• ##002# (“Reset” Code): Turns off all call forwarding and restores default settings.
• *#06# (IMEI Number): This code displays your phone’s unique IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) number. If your phone is lost, the IMEI number can help you locate or lock it.

These codes have nothing to do with hacking. To determine if your phone has been hacked, it’s more reliable to look for unusual behavior on your device (refer to the specific signs we discussed in the previous section).

7 Tips to Protect Your iPhone from Being Hacked

Good habits are your best defense. Follow these tips, and your iPhone will be much harder for hackers to target.

✅ Use Strong Passwords and 2FA: Set up complex passwords and enable two-factor authentication (2FA) for the best protection.

✅ Keep Your iOS Updated: Updates include important security patches that fix vulnerabilities hackers might exploit.

✅ Only Use the Official App Store: The App Store has Apple’s security checks. Downloading apps from other sources brings huge, unnecessary risks.

✅ Never Jailbreak Your iPhone: Jailbreaking removes core Apple security features, making your iPhone highly vulnerable to malware.

✅ Be Wary of Links: Don’t click on links from unknown texts, emails, or messages. If an email looks like it’s from your bank, contact them through their official app or website.

✅ Use a VPN on Public Wi-Fi: A VPN like NordVPN can encrypt your data on public networks, so hackers in places like coffee shops or airports can’t snoop on what you’re doing.

✅ Check App Permissions: Regularly review which apps can access your camera, mic, location, or contacts. Turn off any permissions you don’t need.

Conclusion

Any device can be hacked, and your iPhone is no exception. How to tell if your iPhone is hacked? Watch out for warning signs like unusual battery drain or a sudden spike in data usage. If you notice anything suspicious, quickly take the security steps we mentioned above. By adopting good habits and staying alert, you can significantly reduce the risk and keep your iPhone safe.

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