How to check if someone is tracking your number?
Asked by: Vanessa Schowalter II | Last update: May 28, 2026Score: 4.6/5 (54 votes)
To check if your number is tracked, look for signs like rapid battery drain, overheating, high data usage, strange call noises (echoes, clicks), unfamiliar apps, or unexpected device activity (screen lighting up); use codes like \*#21# (for call forwarding) or \*#002# (to disable) on GSM phones, and \*#62# or \*#67# for conditional forwarding, while also checking your phone's app permissions and running antivirus scans for spyware.
How do I know if someone is tracking my number?
Here are some ways you can tell your phone is being tracked: Unusual location activity: You see unexpected location alerts, unknown devices linked to your account, or unfamiliar apps with location access. Checking your location history or app permissions can help confirm this.
Will *#21 tell me if my phone is tapped?
No, dialing *#21# doesn't tell you if your phone is "tapped" by hackers or law enforcement; it only checks for call forwarding status, showing if calls/messages are being sent to another number, not if spyware is active. While call forwarding could be used for tapping, this code only reveals the forwarding setting, not the presence of malicious software, which requires deeper checks like looking for suspicious apps or unusual battery drain.
What is the code to check if your phone is monitored?
There's no single code to confirm phone monitoring, but codes like \*#21# (check unconditional call forwarding) and \*#62# (check forwarding when unreachable) can reveal call redirection, a symptom of tapping, while ##002# disables all call forwarding to stop it. Running an antivirus scan and checking for unexplained apps or high data usage are other key steps, as these codes mainly detect carrier-level forwarding, not advanced spyware, say Norton and wikiHow.
Can someone track my phone without me knowing?
Yes, someone can track your phone without you knowing through spyware, malicious apps, phishing, exploiting public Wi-Fi, or even your carrier, using methods like GPS spoofing or by analyzing cell tower data, posing significant privacy risks. Common signs of unauthorized tracking include rapid battery drain, high data usage, and unexpected phone performance issues, but protecting your device involves checking app permissions, being wary of suspicious links, and using security software.
10 Clear Signs Someone's Controlling Your Phone Secretly
How do I block my phone from being tracked?
To block phone tracking, disable Location Services, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth; manage app permissions to restrict access; use Airplane Mode or a Faraday bag for complete signal cut-off; and employ a VPN for encrypted internet use, alongside regularly updating your system and clearing browser data.
What does *82 do to your phone?
Dialing *82 before a phone number on a cell phone temporarily overrides your caller ID block, allowing your number and name to appear on the recipient's screen for that single call, even if you usually hide it, and it helps get through to lines with Anonymous Call Rejection (*77). It's the opposite of *67 (which hides your number) and is used to reveal your identity when needed, by dialing *82, waiting for a tone, then dialing the number.
Can I run a test to see if my phone is hacked?
Yes, you can check if your phone is hacked by looking for signs like unexplained battery drain, high data usage, unfamiliar apps, strange pop-ups, or odd calls/texts in your logs; running a reputable anti-malware scan is the most direct way to confirm, but checking linked devices and account activity also helps identify unauthorized access.
Does *#62 tell you if your phone is tapped?
No, *#62# doesn't directly tell you if your phone is tapped, but it reveals call forwarding status for when your phone is unreachable (off or no signal). If it shows an unknown number, it might be your voicemail or a legitimate carrier service, but it's worth checking by calling that number to see if it's your voicemail or an unrecognized number; if it's not your voicemail, you can try deactivating it with ##002#.
What does *#33 do on iPhone?
The iPhone code *#33# is a USSD code used in the Phone app to check the status of your call barring settings, showing if calls, SMS, or data are blocked; other related codes include *33*PIN# to enable barring and #33*PIN# to disable it, often requiring your SIM PIN, to control outgoing calls.
How do I know if my phone is linked to another device?
To check if your phone is linked to another device, review Bluetooth/Connected Devices for unknown pairings, check your Google or Apple ID account settings for unfamiliar devices signed in, and look for unexpected activity like screen mirroring or unusual apps, while also auditing cloud services and checking for performance issues (fast battery drain, hot phone) that might signal spyware.
What does *97 do on a phone?
*97 Pick up a call for another user in the same group.
Can I tell if my phone is being remotely accessed?
Monitor the applications running in the background of your device and check whether there are any unknown applications. Notice significant increases in device temperature and decreases in battery life. These often indicate your Android device is being accessed remotely.
What is the code for phone tracking?
Code to check if phone is tapped: *#21# Code to show unknown connections and tracking (for Android): *#*#4636#*#* or *#*#197328640#*#* Code to show unknown connections and if someone is tracing you (for iPhone): *3001#12345#*
What does ##21 do to your phone?
Dialing *#21# on your phone checks the status of your unconditional call forwarding, showing if your calls, data, and texts are being automatically redirected to another number, which is useful for seeing if someone (or you) enabled it, but it does not detect if your phone is hacked or tapped. This code is a standard GSM network code (USSD) that requests a status report from your carrier, revealing settings from your phone's perspective, not external spyware.
What is the code to see if someone is spying on your phone?
If you're asking, “what to dial to see if your phone is hacked?”, try these: *#61# – Reveals missed call forwarding information. *#002# – Disables all redirections. ##4636## – Opens detailed device information (works on Android)
What does ##002 do to your iPhone?
##002# cancels all forwarding on many GSM networks worldwide. Dial ##002# and press call. You'll usually hear a confirmation message.
Does *#21 really tell you if your phone is hacked?
No, *#21# doesn't tell you if your phone is hacked; it's a myth, debunked by experts, that only checks if call forwarding is active through your carrier, not if spyware or malware is present, which requires different detection methods like malware scans or observing battery drain. This code reveals carrier-level call forwarding settings, not security breaches, so seeing an "error" doesn't mean you're hacked, just a network glitch.
Can you tell if someone has access to your phone?
To know if someone has access to your phone, look for signs like rapid battery drain, high data usage, strange apps, pop-up ads, unknown calls/texts, slow performance, or unusual activity on your online accounts, as these suggest malware or unauthorized access is running in the background. You can also check for unexpected 2FA codes, strange phone noises during calls, or your camera/mic indicator light turning on unexpectedly.
Can I remove a hacker from my phone?
Yes, you can remove a hacker from your phone, typically by deleting suspicious apps, changing passwords, updating software, and clearing data, with a factory reset being the most thorough solution if the malware persists, though it erases everything. Start by disconnecting from the internet, then run an antivirus scan, remove unknown apps, clear your cache and history, change all important passwords (with 2FA enabled), and update your OS; if issues continue, perform a factory reset, backing up only essential data (not apps) first.
What are the two possible signs that you have been hacked?
Here are a few indications you've been hacked: Your email has been sending messages you didn't create. Your passwords have changed without you knowing. Your device is installing the software you didn't authorize.
What is *77 on your phone?
Dialing *77 activates Anonymous Call Rejection, a feature that blocks incoming calls from numbers that hide their Caller ID (private, blocked, or unknown), sending them a message to hang up and try again with their number showing. To turn it off, dial *87. Be cautious on mobile phones, as *77 might connect to emergency services in some areas (like Massachusetts) and isn't a universal spam blocker for cell phones.
What does *66 do to your phone?
Auto Redial is a service that dials a number that is busy for up to 30 minutes and alerts you with a distinctive ring when the line is no longer busy. To activate Auto Redial, press *66 (1166 from a rotary phone).
What does *73 do to your phone?
Call forwarding is disabled by dialing *73. This feature requires a subscription from the telephone company. Also available in some areas is Remote Access to call forwarding, which permit the control over call forwarding from telephones other than the subscriber's telephone.