Your smartphone is your digital vault — it holds your emails, bank apps, passwords, photos, and sensitive conversations. If it gets compromised, the consequences can be serious. Whether you’re using an iPhone or an Android device, acting quickly is key. This detailed guide walks you through the steps to take if you suspect your phone has been hacked.
🚨 Common Signs Your Phone Might Be Hacked:
- It’s suddenly slower or overheating for no reason
- Apps you didn’t install are appearing
- You notice strange texts, calls, or activity from your phone
- You’re logged out of key accounts, or receive 2FA requests you didn’t initiate
- Pop-ups and unwanted ads are appearing frequently
📱 Steps for iOS (iPhone) Users
1. Turn on Airplane Mode Immediately
Swipe down to open Control Center and tap the airplane icon. This disconnects your device from the internet and blocks further remote access.
2. Check for Unknown Configuration Profiles
Go to Settings > General > VPN & Device Management. If you see an unfamiliar profile, delete it.
3. Remove Suspicious Apps
Press and hold any app icon > Tap “Remove App”. Delete anything unfamiliar or unused.
4. Change Your Apple ID Password
Visit appleid.apple.com and reset your password. Then update credentials on other important apps (banking, email, etc.).
5. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
If you haven’t already, go to Settings > Your Name > Password & Security to set it up.
6. Install Any Available iOS Updates
Go to Settings > General > Software Update and install the latest iOS version, which may contain critical security patches.
7. Restore from a Clean Backup
If problems persist, use iCloud or iTunes to restore from a backup created before the issues began.
🤖 Steps for Android Users
1. Turn On Airplane Mode
Swipe down and tap the airplane icon to disconnect from Wi-Fi and cellular networks.
2. Run Google Play Protect
Open Google Play Store > Tap your profile > Play Protect > Scan to check for harmful apps.
3. Uninstall Suspicious Apps
Go to Settings > Apps and remove anything you didn’t install yourself or that looks suspicious.
4. Review App Permissions
Go to Settings > Privacy > Permission Manager and check what apps have access to your camera, mic, messages, location, etc. Remove anything excessive or suspicious.
5. Change Your Google Account Password
Then update your credentials for other essential accounts (banking, email, social media).
6. Install Android Security Updates
Go to Settings > Security > System Update and install the latest updates.
7. Perform a Factory Reset (Last Resort)
Back up your important data first. Then go to Settings > System > Reset > Factory Data Reset to erase everything and start fresh.
🔐 How to Prevent Future Hacks:
- Use a secure passcode or biometric login (face ID or fingerprint)
- Only install apps from official app stores
- Be cautious about clicking links in texts, emails, or random websites
- Use app permissions wisely — deny access to things apps don’t need
- Set up alerts for logins and suspicious activity on your accounts
- Enable remote wipe features via Find My iPhone or Find My Device
Need help?
If you think your device has been deeply compromised, or you’ve already experienced identity theft, contact us directly at info@fast-recover.com.
Our team is here to help you recover control, secure your accounts, and stay protected in the future.
