In our article on how to know if your phone is tapped or monitored, we gave surefire signs to help. The next obvious problem pops up once you’re sure your phone is tapped. What do you do? Here are hacks on what to do if your phone is tapped or being monitored by someone else?
There are people out there who are hungry for the details you have. They could be apps, friends, business partners, spouses, and also acquaintances. It would be best if you were sure your privacy is protected and you aren’t being monitored.
There are various ways to tell if your phone is being monitored. The methods vary from using simple codes and checking your phone’s settings. We have split these into steps for you, and here are the best ways to go about it.
How to know if Your Phone is Tapped or being monitored
If you own an Android phone, there are particular things to look out for if your phone is tapped or monitored. Spyware installed without your information is what you’ll be checking to find.
To check for Spyware;
- Go to Settings
- Find “Advanced Settings”
- Click on Application Management
In the folder for Application Management, run through the apps for anything suspicious. Look out for words like spying, malware, monitor, stealth, or generally anything weird.
In most cases, monitoring apps have fewer suspicious names. If you’ve seen all the signs that your phone is tapped and you can’t find a suspicious app, you might need to visit an electronics store.
You’ll also need to check that Unknown Sources isn’t allowed in your settings. This setting enables the installation of any and every app on your phone, safe or not. Apps that Google Play Store does not verify can gain access to your phone. If “Unknown Sources” is enabled without knowing how this is another way to tell if your phone is tapped.
Here’s how to check if you have “Unknown Sources” enabled;
- Go to Settings
- Open Additional Settings
- Go to Security and Privacy
- Uncheck the “Unknown Sources” option
Unchecking the “Unknown Sources” option stops apps that Google Play Store from being downloaded doesn’t verify.
Less good spy apps stand no chance against this technique. On the other hand, the best spy applications would bypass this form of security.
What to do if your iPhone is tapped or being monitored
There’s only one method to have your IOS device tapped. Whoever is attempting to monitor your phone will have to jailbreak the phone first.
It is the only possible method to install Spyware on IOS. Jailbreaking an iPhone automatically bypasses Apple’s setup security. It performs against all of Apple’s applications and software restrictions.
Check your iOS device for applications that aren’t familiar
If you come across unfamiliar apps, check your apple store for the application. All your apps should be available on the store, and if a particular one isn’t, your phone is jailbroken. There’s a legitimate method to install Spyware without jailbreaking the phone.
Although built for the sole purpose of parental control, people use the mSpy app for nefarious purposes. On a non-jailbroken phone and the Appstore, will the legitimate be found? If you didn’t install this application, it’s a red flag.
Someone could have installed the application on your phone to monitor your activities. A mate or a colleague, the list is endless. All the person requires is your iCloud password, and they are in on your actions. By changing your password, you cease your privacy back from snoops and stop all of the app’s monitoring actions.
A less probable possibility could arise from vulnerabilities in IOS security. Apple has set vulnerabilities now, even though they were common in the past. Snoops could increase access to your device by connecting to the same network as you using spy software.
As a result of continually arising vulnerabilities in security, one still requires to be careful. Looking into your IOS security settings isn’t as easy as it is on android, but there’s a simple way. All you have to do is update to the latest OS version via iTunes, eliminating the jailbreak and taking out unverified apps.
NOTE: Be sure to take a backup your data first!
Numbers to dial to detect if your phone is tapped or being monitored
You apparently now have good reasons to think that someone has gone through your phone. All the signals point out that Spyware is occupying your phone.
The other sure way to tell if your phone is being monitored is with specific codes. Some of these codes also put an end to any redirection set up on your gadget.
Check Your IMEI Number with *#06#
You’ll require to know your IMEI number to investigate a potential threat and suspicious activity.
Your IMEI is unique to your mobile and is the best bet at tracking your device, but if someone knows this number, they could use it against you.
Check Diversions with *#21#
Using this code will show if spy software on your phone has diverted your calls, texts, data, etc. As a result, diversions occur even before the calls or messages delivered.
Once you dial this code, it will display the status of each diversion alongside the numbers. Hopefully, the list is empty.
Check Redirections with *#62#
Redirections are a lot simpler than diversions. Diversions are a lot complex because they occur before the call or text sends. Dialing this code will tell you if your phone is tapped and a spy app is blocking your needs.
If redirected calls, texts, and data record up on the list on the screen, dial ##002#. It’ll remove all redirections automatically.
The Utility Netmonitor Code
It gets interesting from here. This code comes in helpful when you want to find out where whoever is tracking your phone.
If the spies utilize cell towers and base stations, then it is beneficial. For iPhone, the code is *3001#12345#* for android, dial *#*#4636#*#* or *#*#197328640#*#*
Once you dial this code, follow these steps;
- Select UMTS Cell Environment
- Click on UMTS RR Information
- Copy the number you see
Go back to the main menu and;
- Select MM InformationClick on Serving PLMN
- Jot down the Local Area Code (LAC) that it presents
The exact location of your phone’s connection will tell if you visit a net monitor website and input these two numbers.
The Final Think to Do
When the chips are down, factory resets are the last resort, and a factory reset will uninstall all third-party applications.
The third-party apps will cover monitoring applications and Spyware.
Factory reset on Android
To reset on android, follow these steps;
- Go to Settings
- Click on Backup and Reset
- Select Factory Data Reset
- Select Erase All Apps
Factory reset on iPhone
- Open Settings
- Go to General
- Select Reset
- Click on the Reset All Settings Option
NOTE: Back your mobile data up before you reset on both iPhone and Android phones.