Your smartphone knows more about you than almost any other object you own. It knows where you go, who you talk to, what you search for, and sometimes even what you say out loud. For anyone with a controlling partner, a suspicious employer, or a determined stalker, that makes your phone an extremely attractive surveillance target.
Spyware and stalkerware — apps designed to secretly monitor your device — are unfortunately not difficult to obtain. They are sold openly online, often marketed as "parental control" software but frequently used for much more sinister purposes. The good news is that these apps leave traces, and once you know what to look for, you can detect and remove them.
Warning Signs That Your Phone May Be Compromised
Spyware is designed to be invisible, but it cannot completely hide its impact on your device's performance and behavior. Watch for these red flags:
Battery draining much faster than it used to, even when you're not actively using the phone.
Phone gets noticeably warm even when it's sitting idle.
Unexpectedly high data usage — spyware constantly uploads data to a remote server.
Phone takes longer to shut down than usual (it may be transmitting data before powering off).
You hear strange clicking sounds, static, or echoes during phone calls.
Apps you did not install appear in your app list.
The person monitoring you seems to know things they should not know — details from private conversations or your location.
Your screen lights up when the phone is idle with no notifications.
None of these signs is definitive on its own, but two or more together — especially combined with a specific person in your life who seems unusually informed — is cause for concern.
How to Check for Spyware on Android
Check App Permissions
Go to Settings > Apps (or Application Manager on some devices). Look for any app you do not recognize. Also go to Settings > Privacy > Permission Manager and check which apps have access to your location, microphone, camera, and contacts. Any app with access to these that you did not intentionally install is suspicious.
Check for "Unknown Sources" in Settings
Spyware is rarely available on the Google Play Store — it is typically installed through APK files (side-loaded). Go to Settings > Security (or Biometrics and Security on Samsung) and check if "Install unknown apps" is enabled for any apps. If it is, especially for something like a browser or file manager, that was likely the delivery method for spyware.
Use Anti-Spyware Tools
Malwarebytes for Android is one of the most effective tools for detecting stalkerware. Install it from the Google Play Store, run a full scan, and review all flagged items carefully. Other good options include Bitdefender Mobile Security and Kaspersky for Android.
Monitor Your Data Usage
Go to Settings > Network > Data usage and review which apps are consuming the most data. Spyware running in the background may show up as an unusual app consuming several hundred megabytes per month.
How to Check for Spyware on iPhone
Check for Jailbreak
Most advanced iPhone spyware requires the device to be jailbroken. Look for an app called "Cydia" on your phone — its presence confirms a jailbreak. Also check if your iPhone behaves unusually (apps crashing, slow performance), which may indicate jailbreak instability.
Review App List Carefully
Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage and review every app installed. If you see something you do not recognize, research it. iCloud sync-based monitoring tools like mSpy or FlexiSPY sometimes install configuration profiles. Go to Settings > General > VPN & Device Management to check for any profiles you did not authorize.
Check Apple ID Account Activity
If someone has your Apple ID credentials, they may be monitoring your iCloud backup. Go to appleid.apple.com, review all signed-in devices, and remove any you do not recognize. Immediately change your Apple ID password and enable two-factor authentication.
How to Remove Spyware From Your Phone
The Most Reliable Method: Factory Reset
A complete factory reset wipes everything from your phone, including any hidden spyware. On Android: Settings > General Management > Reset > Factory Data Reset. On iPhone: Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings. Make sure to back up photos and important data to a cloud service (not to a local backup on a potentially compromised computer) before resetting.
After Removal: Steps to Stay Safe
Change all account passwords from a device you trust completely.
Enable a strong PIN or biometric lock on your phone.
Never leave your phone unattended around people you do not fully trust.
Keep your phone's operating system updated to the latest version.
Do not connect your phone to unknown or untrusted computers.
If you believe someone in your household is monitoring you and you are in danger, contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline (1-800-799-7233) before making changes, as this can sometimes escalate dangerous situations.
Final Thoughts
Being spied on through your phone is a serious invasion of privacy, and in many jurisdictions, installing spyware on someone's device without consent is a criminal offense. If you discover spyware on your device, document it before removing it, as this evidence may be valuable legally. Then take decisive action to secure your device and your accounts. You have both the right and the ability to take back control.
