Many of us run our entire lives on our iPhone, from messaging to maps, shopping to personal banking — for some, it’s their only online device. As a result, losing access can be a disaster. And while Apple’s security is famously tight, it’s still possible to fall victim to a hacker, particularly if you’re less careful than you should be about falling for phishing attempts. Luckily, if the worst does happen, it’s usually possible to regain access and kick the hackers out. We look at how you can tell if your iPhone has been hacked, and the steps you should take if it has.
Is Your iPhone Hacked?
If your iPhone starts acting oddly, this may be a sign that it’s been hacked. Some of the more common signs are a spate of pop-up ads, or the appearance of apps that you didn’t install.
You may notice that your phone is overheating or running out of battery more quickly than usual; it may also be running slowly, or using much more data than usual; it may feel hot to the touch. Apps may open or close on their own, or you may start receiving unexpected notifications. You could be alerted that something’s wrong by your friends and contacts, when they start receiving odd messages apparently sent by you. You may even find unauthorized purchases being made from your account.
What To Do If Your iPhone Is Hacked
It’s important to waste no time if you think your iPhone has been compromised — the longer the hackers have access, the more damage they can do.
Your first move should be to run a scan for malware, and change all your passwords to new, strong ones. Check for any unauthorized apps, and remove them, and go to Settings, General and then Software Update to make sure that all your software is the latest version. And you should do the same with your apps via the App Store icon, tapping your Apple ID picture in the top right corner, followed by Update All. It’s also a good idea to let your friends and other contacts know what’s happened, warning them to ignore and delete any messages that appear to be coming from your phone — and in particular not to click on any links.
Step 1: Scan For Malware
In theory, iPhones contain inbuilt security features that should detect any malware automatically and allow you to remove it.
However, it’s always best to be on the safe side — which is why your first move should be to run a full malware scan. There are plenty of packages available on the App Store, all of which should be safe to use and do the trick.
Step 2: Change Passwords
It’s possible that hackers gained access to your iPhone through physical access, which means it’s a good idea to change your passcode. You can do this via Settings, Face ID & Passcode.
You should also change your Apple ID password by going to Settings, then selecting your name at the top of the screen. Tap Sign-In & Security, then Change Password. It’s also a good idea to change your passwords on other apps and services.
Step 3: Remove Unknown Devices And Apps
If you go to Settings then Apple ID, you can check whether any unfamiliar devices have been accessing your account — a pretty sure sign that you’ve been hacked.
If you see any you don’t recognize, you should tap on the icon, scroll to the bottom and select Remove from Account to remove them from your phone. Similarly, check all the apps you’ve got on your phone to make sure that they’re ones you installed yourself, and remove any that aren’t.
Step 4: Update Software
You should receive regular software updates that patch any vulnerabilities on your phone, and it’s really important to keep up to date.
To update your operating system, tap Settings, then General, then Software Update. To update apps, select the Apple App Store icon, tap your Apple ID picture in the top right and then choose Update All.
Step 5: Inform Contacts
If your iPhone has been compromised, there’s a fair chance that the hackers have been using your account to try and draw your friends and contacts into the trap, sending out messages with dodgy links.
This means that for their sake and yours, it’s a good idea to tell them what’s happened, warning them to ignore and delete any messages that appear to be coming from your phone.
Step 6: Take More Care In Future
If your iPhone has been compromised, you’ll want to make sure it doesn’t happen again — and there are a number of steps you can take to help keep it safe.
Make sure you keep up to date with all software updates, that your passwords are strong, turn on two-factor authentication and enable Find my iPhone. You may want to use a virtual private network for extra security. Be wary of using third-party app stores, and don’t open links in texts or emails unless you’re sure that they’re safe.
How Do You Remove A Hacker From Your iPhone?
If all else fails, you may have to perform a factory reset as a last resort — but it almost certainly won’t come to that.
If you can’t reset your Apple Account password or sign in to account.apple.com, go to iforgot.apple.com to start account recovery and regain access. You’ll need an email address or phone number associated with your Apple Account. And if you don’t have a trusted device, you can reset your password using the Apple Support app on a family member’s iPhone or iPad, or visit an Apple Store and ask to use a device there. Once you’ve requested account recovery, you’ll receive an email confirming your request within 72 hours. However, it might take several days before you can reset your password. You’ll get a text or automated phone call with instructions about how to regain access to your account.
Bottom Line
While it’s rare for an iPhone to be hacked, thanks to Apple’s strong security features, it can still happen, particularly if you’ve been careless. Luckily, though, if it does happen to you, it’s possible to recover — and there are ways to make it much less likely to happen again.