What to Do If Your Phone Has Been Hacked ? – A Complete Guide
how to know if my phone is hacked or how to know whether your phone is hacked
Getting your phone hacked isn’t all about the data compromised; it is actually an invasion of peace of mind. Suddenly, strange messages are getting auto-sent, unknown applications appear, bank alerts pop out, or your phone starts acting slow and weird. Whatever be the sign associated with your phone, never panic. Just breathe deep and follow this step-by-step guide to fix the issue and take preventive measures for the future.
1. Remain calm but disconnect your phone immediately
The usual reaction is panic, but one should not give in to it because a calm state can help you think clearly.
Turn on Airplane Mode to turn all mobile data, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth off.
If able, remove the SIM card.
Avoid using the phone while it’s still connected to the internet-this prevents the hacker from further controlling it.
If anything looks suspicious, take screenshots or write it down before you reset anything.
2. Confirm if your phone is really hacked
Some common signs of a hacked phone include:
Battery is draining faster than normal.
Mobile data usage is increasing without any reason.
Unknown applications installed on your phone
The phone gets hot even when not in use.
Messages or emails sent automatically
Strange popup ads or frequent advertisements
Bank or email login alerts you didn’t initiate
If you see any of these, move to the next step.
3. First, Secure Your Important Accounts
Change all critical passwords using a different device from the compromised one, such as a friend’s phone or laptop.
Change passwords for email, bank accounts, social media, UPI apps, and cloud storage.
Set strong passwords using a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols.
Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) wherever possible, using an authenticator app instead of just SMS.
Log out from all other devices from account settings if any unknown login locations show up.
4. Check for Unknown Apps and Permissions
Go to Settings > Apps in your phone and check all the apps installed.
Remove any app that you don’t recognize or that you didn’t install.
Go to App Permissions and see which apps have permissions for your camera, microphone, SMS, or device admin. Remove unnecessary accesses right away.
In Android devices, go to Settings > Security > Device Admin Apps and disable any suspicious app with admin privileges.
5. Scan Your Phone for Malware ( Phone Has Been Hacked )
Install a trusted antivirus or malware scanner from Google Play Store or Apple App Store.
Run a full system scan. This will detect malicious apps, spyware, and harmful files.
Some of the trusted options are Avast, Bitdefender, Malwarebytes, Norton, etc. However, avoid installing random antivirus APKs from sites since they may do more harm than good.
6. Backup Your Important Data Safely
Before you reset, make sure to back up the following important data:
Photos and videos
Contacts
Notes and documents
Cloud passwords, if required
Do not back up unfamiliar APK files, suspicious applications, or folders you are not sure of, as they may reintroduce malware into your phone later.
7. Factory Reset – The Ultimate Solution
If your phone is still behaving strangely after uninstalling apps and scanning, a full factory reset is the best option.
Here’s how:
Go to Settings > System > Reset > Factory Data Reset
Confirm and wait for completion of the process.
After reset:
Set up your phone as new. Do not restore all apps automatically from backup.
Reinstall only the apps you trust.
Log in to your accounts only after passwords are changed.
8. Notify Your Bank and Authorities (If Necessary)
If any money was stolen or someone accessed your banking apps:
Call your bank’s customer care and freeze your account or card with immediate effect.
Email the bank or visit the branch, with proof of unauthorized transactions.
Lodge a complaint on the official portal for cybercrime in your country, such as cybercrime.gov.in in India.
Keep screenshots, transaction IDs, emails, and chat history safe as proof.
9. SIM Card & OTP Protection ( Phone Has Been Hacked )
Sometimes, hackers use SIM swapping to receive OTPs and log in to your accounts.
If your SIM suddenly stops working or you’ve stopped receiving OTPs, call your mobile service provider right away.
Request that they temporarily block your SIM and issue a replacement only after verifying your identity.
Add a SIM lock PIN to prevent unauthorized use of the SIM.
10. How to Make Your Phone Hack-Proof in Future
✔ Keep your phone updated: Make sure to install the latest Android/iOS updates.
✔ Download your apps only from the Play Store or App Store; avoid third-party APKs altogether.
✔ Check app permissions – Avoid giving unnecessary access to the camera, SMS, microphone, or location.
✔ Use strong, unique passwords–And store them in a password manager if needed.
✔ Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) – Prefer Google Authenticator, Microsoft Authenticator, or Authy.
✔ Do not use public Wi-Fi for banking; if necessary, use a VPN.
✔ Think before you click – Don’t open unknown links from emails, WhatsApp, Instagram, or SMS.
Take regular backups – so you don’t lose data in case of emergencies.
11. Inform Family and Friends If your phone sent spam links or messages to your contacts, let them know not to click on any links. This way, it will protect them from falling into the same trap. Conclusion A hacked phone is not the end of the world. With the right steps-like disconnecting your device, securing online accounts, removing malicious apps, and resetting your phone-you are able to have full control back. Most importantly, learn from the incident. Stay alert and use strong security practices; never ignore small signs of danger on your device. Digital safety is not a one-time task; it’s a habit.
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