Are you talking about something with a friend and right after you see an ad on the same topic? Maybe it’s a coincidence. And maybe not. Learn a simple trick to find out if your phone is really eavesdropping on you without your knowledge.
Phones are our closest digital companion today. They store our memories, messages, notes and personal calls. But this very closeness makes them an ideal target for espionage. Whether it’s a jealous partner, a boss, or even , tracking options are getting better every year. But how do you know that someone has gotten into your phone and is secretly listening to you? You don’t have to be an IT specialist to figure this out. There are a few easily recognizable signs that will tell you how it really is.
Unusual phone behavior can alert you
Start by noticing seemingly ordinary things. Is your phone overheating even when you’re not using it? This may mean that there are some background processes running, and these can often be related to tracking software. Likewise, unexpectedly fast battery drain or high data consumption for no apparent reason should worry you. The good news is that on both Android and iPhone, you can easily find out which apps are using the most power in the settings.
Another suspicious sign is strange sounds during calls. Popping, whistling or echoes may not just be a signal problem. If they appear regularly, it can be about indication that the call is being recorded or diverted. Check the call forwarding settings using the so-called MMI codes: by entering them on the phone’s keyboard, you can easily find out whether the calls are still going somewhere else.
However, strange messages full of symbols or incomprehensible text can also surprise. These sometimes arise as a by-product incorrectly: the program mistakenly tries to send “commands” as regular SMS.
What the screen and privacy settings will tell you
Notice the orange or green dot in the corner of the screen? It appears on iPhones and newer Android phones when the microphone or camera is active. If it turns on without turning on recording or video calling yourself, something is wrong. Open Control Center and find out which app has access to the microphone or camera. It is this feature that has helped detect many unwanted trackers.
Next, take a look at the permission settings. On Android, go to the privacy settings, on iOS to the “Privacy and security” section. Remove access to the camera and microphone from apps that don’t need it at all. And if you find apps that have added the permissions themselves, just get rid of them.
The last control point is the so-called device profile. This is usually used in school or company phones for device management, but it can also be a gateway for remote access. If you come across such a profile and don’t know where it came from, caution is in order. In some cases, just doing a factory reset will help.
A phone that listens to you isn’t just the brainchild of conspiracy theories. Tracking via mobile devices is technologically possible today and often goes unnoticed for a long time. So don’t ignore the warning signs if you don’t want your calls or location to be tracked by someone who shouldn’t.
