How to Detect Spyware on iPhone: Signs & What to Do

Signs Your iPhone May Be Monitored

You don't need to be a tech expert to notice that something may be off. Often, your phone starts acting weird when something is wrong. Here are some common warning signs.

Unusual Battery Drain or Overheating

Batteries get old, and apps use power, which is normal. However, unusually quick battery drain, like your phone getting hot while it’s sitting on the table, is suspicious.

While sophisticated spyware tries to stay hidden, poorly coded tracking apps or active data uploading can run in the background, causing the phone to feel warm even when idle.

Unexpected Data Usage Spikes

Spyware needs to send your stolen data somewhere, which requires the internet. Check your settings for sudden jumps in data usage.

If you haven't been watching movies or downloading big files, but your data usage is huge, something might be uploading your info behind your back.

Apps Crashing or Phone Restarting

A healthy iPhone shouldn't restart on its own. While usually a sign of full storage or an aging battery, frequent freezing or restarts on a newer device can sometimes indicate software conflicts caused by unauthorized apps.

Strange Messages

Pay attention if friends say they received texts you never sent. Also, look out for incoming texts with verification codes for accounts you didn't access, or messages with random characters, which can sometimes be failed remote command attempts used by hackers to control spyware on an iPhone.

Behavior After Physical Access

Spyware on an iPhone is often installed manually, so if someone had your phone for an hour, they may have done it. If your phone shows suspicious behavior right after someone borrowed it or took it into another room, it’s possible that they accessed your settings or installed unwanted software.

How to Detect Spyware on iPhone

If you noticed the warning signs above, you should check your iPhone for spyware as soon as possible. Follow these steps to find spyware or unauthorized access.

Step 1: Use Apple’s Safety Check

Apple added a feature called “Safety Check” in iOS 16 and later. It’s the quickest way to see who has access to your info.

Go to “Settings” > “Privacy & Security” > “Safety Check”. You can use “Manage Sharing & Access” to stop sharing your location or data with other people and apps. Removing access that was previously granted to a partner or family member is one of the best ways to either stop someone from spying on you or prevent it in the future.

Advanced spyware is likely not to appear under safety settings; however, unless you are a politically exposed person, it’s extremely unlikely that such software would be installed on your phone.

Step 2: Check Your Apple ID for Unknown Devices

If someone knows your iCloud password, they can sign in on their own iPad or Mac to watch you. Do the following:

1. Open “Settings” and tap your name at the top.
2. Scroll down to the list of devices.
3. If you see a device you don't own, remove it immediately. It stops them from syncing your data.

Step 3: Check for Unknown Profiles & VPNs

Enterprise tools allow companies to manage employee phones, but stalkers may use them to gain remote control or monitor your activity. To prevent that:

1. Go to “Settings” > “General” > “VPN & Device Management”.
2. If you see a profile you didn't install, tap it and delete it. It’s a common hiding spot for iPhone spyware.

Legit VPNs, like CometVPN, help protect your privacy. However, if you see a VPN configuration you didn't set up, it might be filtering your traffic. It’s a sneaky way to monitor data. If you didn't install it, delete it.

Step 4: Review Apps You Didn’t Install

Scroll through your entire App Library. Hackers sometimes install parental control apps to use as tracking apps. Look for suspicious apps that look like utilities or games you don't remember downloading.

Also, check for hidden apps by going to “Settings” > “General” > “iPhone Storage”, as apps cannot be hidden from this system list.

Step 5: Audit App Permissions (Camera, Mic, Location)

Even normal apps can be a bit too nosy. You need to review app permissions to ensure nothing is watching you:

1. Go to “Settings” > “Privacy & Security”.
2. Check “Microphone”, “Camera”, and “Location Services”.
3. Look for apps that shouldn't be there. A calculator app, for example, doesn't need microphone access. These are unnecessary permissions.
4. Revoking app permissions may help cut off the spy's eyes and ears.

What to Do If You Find Something Suspicious

If you detect spyware or find an intruder in your account, act fast:

• Delete suspicious apps. Immediately remove any suspicious apps you found.
• Change your password. Update your Apple ID password to something strong; it should also kick out anyone monitoring your account remotely.
• Check your 2FA settings. Ensure Two-Factor Authentication is active and that the trusted phone number listed belongs to you, not the intruder.
• Secure recovery info. Check your trusted phone numbers in settings. Make sure the hacker hasn't added their number to regain access later.

If you believe your device is heavily compromised, stop using it for sensitive conversations. Switch to a different, safe device until you clean the infected one.

How to Remove Spyware From an iPhone

Sometimes, simply deleting an app isn't enough to remove sophisticated spyware on an iPhone. If you still see warning signs, you need a fresh start.

A factory reset wipes everything and restores the software to its original state. It’s the most effective way to kill iPhone spyware. Go to “Settings” > “General” > “Transfer or Reset iPhone” > “Erase All Content and Settings”.

After you’ve completed the reset, be careful with backups. Do not restore from a full iCloud backup created after you started noticing suspicious behavior. If you do, you might reinstall the spyware on your iPhone, and your efforts will have gone to waste.

Instead, set the iPhone up as a new device. Sign in to iCloud to sync specific items like contacts and photos, but avoid “Restoring from Backup” during the setup process. You’ll have to download your apps again manually, but it ensures you don't bring back hidden apps or malicious settings.

How to Prevent Spyware on iPhone in the Future

Once your phone is clean, keep it that way:

• Update iOS. Always update your software as Apple patches security holes quickly to prevent spyware exploits from working.
• Lock your phone. Use a strong 6-digit passcode and Face ID. Physical access is the easiest way for someone to install hidden apps.
• Watch what you click. Don't tap links in weird texts. They can be traps to install malware, like the infamous Pegasus.
• Limit app access. Regularly review app permissions. Don't give an app access to your contacts or location unless it really needs it to minimize unnecessary permissions.
• Use a trusted VPN. When you use public Wi-Fi, your traffic is open. Using a trusted service like CometVPN encrypts your data, which stops network-level spies from seeing what you do, even if they can't hack your phone directly.