Most “phone tapped” signs are actually caused by normal glitches or a bad app, so focus on objective checks instead of small quirks. If you’re truly worried about law‑enforcement surveillance, speak with a lawyer, because serious taps are rarely visible to you.
Common warning signs
- Rapid, unexplained battery drain or the phone running very hot even when not in use can indicate spyware running in the background, though a failing battery or heavy apps can do the same.
- Sudden spikes in mobile data usage, especially when you are not actively using the phone, may mean an app is secretly sending data.
- Frequent crashes, random reboots, or the phone staying on or waking by itself can suggest a misbehaving or malicious app.
Call and audio clues
- Persistent clicks, beeps, or echoes on many different calls and locations can sometimes indicate interception, but most call noise is just network quality.
- If people say they receive calls or texts from you that you never sent, or you see messages in your history you did not write, that strongly suggests account or device compromise.
Quick checks you can do
- On both iPhone and Android, review installed apps and remove anything you do not recognize or no longer use, then check which apps have microphone, camera, location, SMS, and accessibility permissions and revoke anything unnecessary.
- Check battery and data-usage screens for apps using a lot in the background; scan the phone with a well-known mobile security app from a reputable vendor (Avast, Norton, Bitdefender, Malwarebytes, etc.).
Network and forwarding codes
- Dialing service codes like *#21#, *#61#, *#62#, or *#67# can show whether your calls or texts are being forwarded to another number; unknown forwarding targets are a red flag and you can usually turn all forwarding off with a code like \##002# (varies by carrier and country).
- Be cautious with “secret codes” found online; many only show diagnostic info, and none can definitively prove a sophisticated tap, so treat them as one small check, not a final answer.
What to do if you’re worried
- First, back up your important data, then remove suspicious apps, update your operating system, change passwords on important accounts (email, banking, social media) from a different, trusted device, and enable two‑factor authentication.
- For a high level of concern, consider a full factory reset, then set the phone up as new (not from an old backup), reinstall only essential apps, and if you believe you are targeted by law enforcement or a stalker, contact a lawyer or local police/nonprofit support organization for help.
If you tell what kind of phone you have (Android or iPhone) and what exactly you’re noticing, more specific step‑by‑step checks can be suggested.