3 Signs Your iPhone May Have Been Hacked

Fortunately, iPhones are difficult to hack. Apple continues to prioritize security. Its closed ecosystem gives it a leg up from Android when it comes to overall digital privacy and safety.

However, despite Apple’s robust security features, the iPhone isn’t entirely immune to successful hacking attempts. Being aware of the signs your iPhone has been hacked or is being attacked can help you take immediate action to protect your information and regain control.

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Unusual Battery Drain

One of the first signs your iPhone might be hacked is a rapid and unexplained decrease in battery life. Malware or malicious apps running in the background can consume a significant amount of battery power. If you notice your battery draining faster than usual, you need to investigate further.

Go to Settings > Battery to view your overall battery use. You can see the battery consumed over the last 24 hours and the last 10 days. You’ll also be able to view battery use by each app. If you tap on an app, it will show both how much time it was in use on the screen and in the background. If you notice anything out of the ordinary, like an unrecognized app hogging battery life, delete it right away. This brings us to the next sign your iPhone could be compromised.

Unrecognized Apps

Another major warning sign that your iPhone has been compromised is spotting unrecognized apps. It doesn’t matter if you spot an app you know you didn’t install, regardless of where it came from.

This could mean that a hacker has managed to remotely install an app, although this is difficult to do and, therefore, pretty rare. It’s far more likely that the unknown app came from someone closer to home.

A family member or someone else with physical access to your iPhone could have installed a spying app to keep track of your location or worse. If you see an unrecognized app, delete it. Be sure to check the app’s battery usage and permissions via Settings. This will give you an idea of how the app might have been used.

Compromised Apple ID

Another tell-tale sign you’ve been hacked is unusual activity regarding your Apple ID. Did you receive a notification email that your Apple ID was used to sign in to a device you’re not familiar with or used for some other activity you don’t recognize?

Are you seeing anything else suspicious on your iPhone, like deleted items you didn’t delete, sent messages you didn’t send, or purchases you didn’t make? Does your Apple ID password no longer work? These are all indications that your iPhone or iCloud account has been hacked, and it’s time to take action. Follow these instructions to change or reset your password, update your security information, and enable two-factor authentication.

Staying informed and vigilant about recognizing the signs of a hacked iPhone will help you protect your personal information. Remember, the key to maintaining the security of your iPhone is taking preventative measures and prompt action in the event of suspicious activity. Hopefully, this information helps you stay ahead of potential threats.