How to check if your iPhone is being bugged.

Are you worried that someone is eavesdropping on your iPhone calls – perhaps a stalker, hacker, boss, relative, or even law enforcement? This article is for you.

Whether you're using a smartphone or a landline at home or work, there are many ways for others to secretly monitor your calls without your knowledge.

In this article, with the help of technology experts Brandon Phipps and Aydin Yildiz , we will guide you on how to detect if your phone is being tapped , what to do if you discover you are being monitored, and simple steps to protect your device from spyware and other forms of eavesdropping.

How to check if your phone is being tapped

Technology expert Brandon Phipps shared that if your phone shows the following unusual signs, it's very likely that the device has been infected with tracking or eavesdropping software:

1. Unusual applications start automatically.
If there are apps that you didn't install but are still running on your phone, this is a suspicious sign.

2. The screen is unusually bright.
The phone's screen lights up automatically even when there are no notifications or touch input, especially at night.

3. Strange pop-up windows appear.
Strange ads or notifications pop up even when you're not using a browser or app.

4. Sudden battery and data drain.
The device's battery drains quickly, it gets hot, or it uses more mobile data than usual even when you're not using it much.

5. Camera or microphone turns on by itself.
If your camera or microphone turns on automatically for no apparent reason, someone might be trying to record or film you secretly.

6. Installation has an unfamiliar administrator profile.
Check your settings to see if there are any admin profiles that you haven't created.

Part 1: 7 Signs Your Phone Has Spyware Installed

Symptom 1: The battery heats up or drains unusually quickly.

If your phone has spyware installed that tracks your calls or activity, your battery may drain unusually quickly or your phone may overheat even when you're not using it much.

How to check:
Go to Settings > Battery (on both Android and iPhone) to see which apps are draining the most battery.

Note:
A battery draining quickly isn't always due to being eavesdropped on. Normal background apps or an old battery can also cause this.

Symptom 2: Unusual mobile data usage

Spyware can automatically record and save your activity and send that data to the stalker via your mobile network. If you notice your 3G/4G/5G data is draining quickly even when you're not using it much, it's very likely someone is secretly using your data.

How to check:

• On iPhone: Go to Settings > Cellular or Mobile to see how much data each app is using.

• On Android: Go to Settings > Network & Internet (or Connections > Data usage > Mobile data usage) to check.

Note:
Modern spyware can send large amounts of data without leaving a clear trace, so it's important to check carefully if you notice anything unusual.

Symptom 3: The phone screen lights up by itself or behaves abnormally.

According to expert Phipps, if your phone's screen lights up on its own, turns the signal on/off by itself, displays strange icons, or has apps installed that you didn't interact with, this could be a sign that your phone has been compromised.

Additionally, if the device restarts, shuts down, or operates erratically, it's possible someone is remotely controlling the device – and they could very well be eavesdropping on your calls as well.

Warning: These signs should not be ignored, especially if they occur frequently without a clear cause.

Sign 4: Frequent appearance of strange advertisements or pop-ups.

If you see ads popping up constantly, even when you're not browsing the web, it's very likely your phone has been infected with malware – especially adware . Be wary of fake notifications asking you to click on suspicious links or requesting you to pay to "remove viruses".

Expert tip:
Tech expert Brandon Phipps recommends using a spyware detection app like Malwarebytes . On Samsung phones and other Android devices, you can manually run the app to check for malware. Alternatively, you can leave the app running continuously to monitor the system and detect suspicious files.

Sign 5: Unknown apps appear that you didn't install.

While many tracking apps can be completely hidden from the home screen and app list, some may still appear under seemingly harmless names. Expert Aydin Yildiz advises regularly checking for any unfamiliar apps running or tracking your location.

How to check:

• On iPhone and Android, go to Settings > Apps to see a complete list of installed apps.

Warning:

• If you see an application with a name like SyncManager , it's very likely that your device has been infected with spyware such as FlexiSpy .

• Some sophisticated tracking software, like Pegasus, can be installed remotely without any user intervention – and leaves absolutely no trace. This tool has been used to monitor journalists and politicians and is very difficult to detect.

Note:
If you suspect you're being tracked by a high-tech organization or agency, there's a good chance there won't be any obvious signs on your phone.

Symptom 6: Camera or microphone turns on by itself for no apparent reason.

If your phone's camera or microphone turns on by itself even when you don't have any apps open, it's very likely someone is watching or listening to you remotely.

Identifying signs:

• On iPhone:

  • A green dot appears in the upper corner of the screen when the camera is active.

  • The orange dot appears when the microphone is recording.

• On Android 12 and above:

  • A blue camera or microphone icon will appear in the upper right corner of the screen when a device is active.

• Older versions of Android:

  • You can install the free Access Dots app from the Play Store to monitor camera and microphone activity.

Important note:
The absence of any dots or symbols doesn't mean absolute security . Sophisticated spyware like Pegasus or Graphite can operate without leaving any trace — especially if installed by highly specialized organizations like government agencies.

Sign 7: Discovering an unfamiliar administrator (admin) profile on your phone.

Even if you don't see any suspicious apps, your phone can still be tracked in a more sophisticated way—through administrator profiles . These profiles can grant deep control to tracking apps, allowing them to view your activity undetected.

How to check and delete unfamiliar profiles:

• On Android:
  Go to Settings > Security & Privacy > Device Administrators .
  If you see an unfamiliar application, tap on it and select Disable to remove its administrative privileges.

• On iPhone:
  Go to Settings > General > Profiles & Device Management .
  Tap on the unfamiliar profile and select Delete Profile to revoke access.

Note:
Some administrator profiles cannot be deleted through normal methods and may require a full reinstallation of the Android or iOS operating system to completely remove them.

Part 2: How to detect a landline phone with a hidden listening device.

Step 1: Listen for clicking, buzzing, or other strange noises when calling.

If you're using a landline phone and hear a lot of noise, clicking, or crackling during a call, it's very likely there's a physical listening device (wiretap) attached to the telephone line.

However, if your phone is being tapped through software directly provided by your network provider, you usually won't hear any unusual sounds.

Tips for identification:
Some eavesdropping devices use frequencies close to FM radio waves, so if you set your radio to mono mode and tune to a range, you might hear static or hissing sounds coming from the eavesdropping device.

Step 2: Detect any unusual devices or wires near the phone or phone socket.

Carefully inspect your phone and phone socket at home. If you see signs of it being removed and reattached, or if there are any strange wires or devices attached nearby, it's very likely that a listening device has been installed.

Pay close attention to detect any abnormalities around this area.

Step 3: Check the outdoor telephone box for signs of tampering.

You may not know what's inside your home phone box, but open it up and check if you can. If you find the box has been pried open or the inside looks tampered with, there's a good chance a listening device has been installed.

The "locked" part of the box can usually only be opened with a special Allen wrench. If this part shows signs of being pried open, that's a serious sign.

Typically, there's only one phone box and two cables connecting to it for your home phone number. If you see additional cables or other boxes, it's highly likely you're being bugged (wiretaped).

Step 4: The RF eavesdropping device detector detects unusual frequencies near the phone.

If your phone has a radio frequency (RF) bug attached to it—one of the most common eavesdropping tools—you can easily detect it using a multi-band RF detector.

Most RF eavesdropping devices operate in the frequency range of 10 MHz to 8 GHz, but you should use a detector capable of detecting up to 24 GHz to ensure you don't miss any unusual frequencies.

Step 5: A stranger comes to your house posing as a phone repair technician.

If someone comes to your house claiming to be a phone repair technician or a mobile network employee without you calling beforehand, it's very likely a trap to plant a listening device.

You should immediately call your phone provider (using the number you saved) to verify the person's identity. Do not call the number a stranger provides at the door to avoid being scammed.

Part 3: Both mobile and landline phones can be bugged.

Although law enforcement agencies or stalkers still use listening devices attached directly to telephone wires, most modern eavesdropping now does not require physical access.

If hackers want to eavesdrop on your mobile phone calls, they can install spyware on your iPhone or Android without your knowledge. And if authorities want to monitor calls on any type of phone, they can simply contact your mobile carrier.

Part 4: How to handle a situation where you suspect your phone is being tapped.

Step 1: Disconnect from the internet and turn on airplane mode.

Before doing anything, turn on airplane mode to disconnect from cellular service and turn off Wi-Fi. If your phone has spyware installed, this will prevent it from sending data to the eavesdropper.

Step 2: Restore your phone to factory settings.

If your iPhone or Android phone has spyware installed, you can remove it by performing a factory reset.

However, this method is ineffective if authorities are eavesdropping on calls through the mobile network provider.

Important note: Recovering your phone may reveal that you are being tracked. If you feel in danger, leave your phone with the police and seek direct assistance from law enforcement or legal authorities.

Step 3: Contact your network provider for support.

If you suspect your landline phone is being tapped, contact your service provider to have it checked with specialized equipment. Typically, service providers can detect illegal listening devices, recording devices, or interference with telephone lines.

Note:
If your carrier refuses to help, it's likely they're complying with a request from authorities. This could mean your phone is being monitored as part of an investigation.

Step 4: Go to the police to ask for an inspection.

If you have evidence that your phone is being tapped, ask the police to check it for you. Most police units have equipment to detect eavesdropping devices or embedded chips.

However, if you don't have compelling evidence, they may refuse to provide assistance.

Special note for those in the United States:
If you are a victim of domestic violence, please contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline via their website or call 1-800-799-SAFE (from a number that is not being tapped).

Step 5: Use a prepaid phone (burner SIM card)

If you suspect your phone is being tapped, buying a cheap prepaid phone that doesn't require personal registration is a good way to protect your privacy.

You can use this phone to contact authorities, hotlines, or other necessary people, helping to enhance security.

Note:
Prepaid phones do not protect you from being tracked by law enforcement agencies.

Part 5: 6 Most Effective Ways to Protect Your Phone from Eavesdropping

Method 1: Keep your phone out of sight.

If you leave your phone out of sight, someone could secretly install spyware or eavesdropping apps without your knowledge.

Avoid leaving your phone unattended or giving it to others unless absolutely necessary. Protecting your device also means protecting your personal information.

Method 2: Install apps only from the official app store.

Expert Yildiz advises: "You should only download apps from the App Store (iPhone) or Google Play (Android)."

Installing apps from unknown or unofficial sources carries a high risk of inadvertently installing spyware on your phone. Always check the source before installing any app.

Method 3: Enable two-factor authentication (2FA)

Expert Phillips emphasized: "Enable two-factor authentication for all your accounts."

This feature adds an extra layer of security when logging in, helping to better protect your account — even if someone knows your password.

Option 4: Turn off biometric authentication when crossing the border.

When crossing borders or checkpoints, many experts recommend turning off biometric features like Face ID or fingerprint recognition, and switching to a PIN or alphanumeric password for increased security.

This method doesn't guarantee absolute security, but it will help prevent others from easily unlocking your phone if you are asked to hand over the device.

In addition, you can:

• Bring a prepaid phone (burner phone) instead of using your main phone.

• Alternatively, perform a factory reset before your trip to erase all personal data.

Method 5: Do not click on links in suspicious messages or emails.

Many spyware programs, such as Pegasus , can be installed through a trick called “spear-phishing” —impersonating messages from acquaintances, service companies, banks, etc.

You might receive messages or emails that look perfectly legitimate, containing seemingly harmless links , but clicking on them could allow hackers to install spyware or steal your passwords.

Advice from expert Brandon Phipps:
Scams aren't limited to text messages — fraudsters can call you, posing as acquaintances or support staff , to trick you into giving them your passwords or clicking on dangerous links.

Ways to prevent it:

• Only click on links if you are sure the message is from a trusted person .

• If in doubt, absolutely do not enter your password or personal information .

Method 6: Use strong and different passwords for each account.

Expert Phipps stated, "The most common mistake is choosing a password that's easy to remember and using it for all accounts." This is extremely vulnerable to attacks.

A safer solution:

• Use an automatic password generator (like the one in Firefox) to create and save strong, highly secure passwords.

• There's no need to change your password as often as before — instead, choose a long passphrase that combines uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters .

Security tip:
The U.S. Cybersecurity Agency (CISA) recommends that passphrases should be at least 16 characters long for increased security.

Translated by Ashley Wright Nguyen .