Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Tracking. The list shows the apps that requested permission to track you. You can turn permission on or off for any app on the list. To stop all apps from asking permission to track you, turn off Allow Apps to Request to Track (at the top of the screen).
Strange Messages in the Inbox
To check a spy app's status and connection, sometimes the monitoring side needs to send messages to the device. As a result, strange messages appear in your inbox, and you have no idea who sent them. Such messages can be an indicator that your iPhone is being tracked.
The best way to block phone tracking is to use a VPN. But you can also change a few settings on your phone or switch to a different browser to stop tracking. You can hide your location via settings, block ad tracking with a dedicated private browser, and encrypt all of your internet traffic with a VPN.
Code to check if phone is tapped: *#21# Code to show unknown connections and tracking (for Android): *#*#4636#*#* or *#*#197328640#*#* Code to show unknown connections and if someone is tracing you (for iPhone): *3001#12345#*
Go to Settings – Applications – Manage Applications or Running Services, and you may be able to spot suspicious looking files. Good spy programs usually disguise the file names so that they don't stand out but sometimes they may contain terms like spy, monitor, stealth, and so on.
When you dial *#21#, you are, in fact, activating a feature access code that quickly tells you the status of call forwarding for your phone. It's a quick way of seeing what, in the case of this particular 'setting interrogation code,' your call forwarding settings. That's it, nothing more or less.
Antivirus apps can help stop malicious apps, code, and spyware from wreaking havoc on your phone and stealing your data. Just like on a computer, installing a robust piece of antivirus software can keep your Android device safe from intruders and hackers.
However, that does not mean your iPhone, or Android phone camera is not spying on you. No device is completely immune to security risks, and it is still important for users to be cautious and alert. There's a chance someone could be spying on you through your smartphone camera.
You can use Setting>Location Services>Find My iPhone to have the phone display a menu icon if it's being tracked from another device.
Yes, a partner, parent, or even employer can gain remote, real-time access to your iPhone using spying software. Spyware can track your GPS location, record your keypad inputs such as credit card numbers and passwords, and monitor your calls, texts, app usage, emails, voice, and other personal data.
Scan your phone with anti-spyware apps
The easiest way to discover if someone has tried to install spyware on your iPhone or Android smartphone is to scan your phone with security software like Certo AntiSpy (for iOS devices) or Certo Mobile Security (for Android devices).
Yes, it's definitely possible for someone to spy on your text messages and it's certainly something you should be aware of – this is a potential way for a hacker to gain a lot of private information about you – including accessing PIN codes sent by websites used to verify your identity (such as online banking).
For iPhone users, it turns out there's a little-known code that may help boost your cell reception: *3370#, followed by tapping the "call" button. "If you ever find yourself somewhere getting poor cellphone reception, type in this code to turn on 'enhanced full rate' mode," writes Jayna Taylor-Smith on Reader's Digest.
Activate Call Trace
Pick up the phone and press *57 (touch tone) or 1157 (rotary). You'll hear a confirmation tone and message will be heard If the trace is successful. You must keep a written log of the date and time of harassing calls to retrieve Call Trace information.
Dial *77. You should hear three beeps, which means that calls that come through as Private, Blocked or Anonymous will not come through. Suddenly, you'll be receiving far fewer unwanted phone calls than you are now. You can turn off this feature by dialing *87.
Regardless of whether you use an iPhone or an Android smartphone, it is possible for someone to install spyware onto your phone that secretly tracks and reports on your activity. It's even possible for someone to monitor your cell phone's activity without ever even touching it.
The orange dot means an app on your iPhone was using just the microphone. You'll also be prompted to give an app permission to use your iPhone's camera or microphone the first time you use the app, Apple notes.
If someone is spying on your phone, you may see your device's data usage increase, your phone may unexpectedly reboot or show signs of slowing down. You may also notice activity, such as your device's screen lighting up when it is in standby mode. You may also notice your device's battery life suddenly decreasing.