Is my phone hacked? 8 signs to check

No quiz can tell you for certain whether a phone is hacked. This free risk check counts eight common signs of stalkerware, such as someone knowing things they should not or an app you do not recognise, to help you decide whether to look further. Each sign can have an ordinary cause, and your answers stay in your browser.

We check your phone against thousands of known spyware signs, updated daily.

Quick exit: the button at the bottom right of the screen, or the Esc key, takes you straight to the BBC weather page.

Is my phone hacked? Answer the 8 questions

1. Does someone know things they should not, such as where you have been or what you said in messages? Yes No

2. Has someone else had your phone unlocked, or do they know your passcode? Yes No

3. Was your phone a gift, or set up for you by someone else? Yes No

4. Are there apps, or settings profiles, on your phone that you do not recognise? Yes No

5. Has your battery drained faster, or has your phone got hot or used more data than usual, for no reason you can find? Yes No

6. Do you share an iCloud or Google account, or location sharing, with someone you do not fully trust? Yes No

7. Does a partner or ex insist on access to your phone or accounts? Yes No

8. Have you had unexpected texts or codes, such as verification codes you did not ask for? Yes No

Common questions about phone hacking and stalkerware

Can a risk check tell me if my phone is hacked?

No. This risk check only counts common signs of stalkerware, and each sign can have an ordinary cause. It can help you decide whether to look further. It cannot tell you that your phone is safe or that it is not being watched.

What should I do if I answered yes to several questions?

Think about your safety first. Do not remove anything from your phone straight away, because the person watching it may notice. Talk to a trained adviser using the helplines on the spyware check page, and use a device they have never touched where you can.

Is my answer saved or sent anywhere?

No. The risk check runs in your browser and your answers are not sent or stored.

What is the next step after the risk check?

You can run the spyware check (from £2.50), which looks for known spyware and stalkerware in a diagnostic file from your phone. The file is checked in your browser and never uploaded. The risk check and guides stay free.

This check looks for publicly known spyware only. It is not a professional forensic examination, and it cannot tell you a phone is safe.

Is my phone hacked? 8 signs to check

Is my phone hacked? Answer the 8 questions

Common questions about phone hacking and stalkerware

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