Privacy · 7 min read · Both

How to tell if someone has access to your phone

Real signs of stalkerware and shared access — and the ones that mean nothing.

A hot phone or a fast-draining battery is not proof of spying. Old batteries do that. Here is what actually tells you something.

Check who is signed in

iPhone: Settings → your name. Scroll down: every device signed into your Apple Account is listed. Remove anything you don't recognise.
Android: Settings → Google → Manage your Google Account → Security → Your devices.

Why it matters: if someone is signed into your account, they may see your messages, photos and location without touching your phone.

Check location sharing

iPhone: Find My app → People. Anyone listed can see where you are.
Android: Google Maps → your picture → Location sharing.

Look for apps you didn't install

Monitoring apps often hide under boring names like "System Service" or "Device Health".

iPhone: Settings → General → VPN & Device Management. Anything listed there was installed by a person, not Apple.
Android: Settings → Apps → see all apps, and Settings → Security → Device admin apps.

Check call forwarding

Dial *#21# on your phone. If it shows calls or texts being forwarded to a number you don't know, that is a real finding.

What to do if you find something

Do not delete it straight away if you may need evidence, and do not confront the person while you still live with them. Change your account passwords from a different device first, then remove the access.