How to tell if your iPhone is being tracked?

Asked by: Mr. Gregorio Schneider  |  Last update: March 16, 2026
Score: 4.3/5 (68 votes)

To tell if your iPhone is tracked, check for unexpected battery drain, high data use, or strange behavior; review settings for unknown apps in Privacy & Security > Location Services or Tracking, look for unauthorized forwarding in Phone > Call Forwarding & Messages > Text Message Forwarding, and check for unknown devices in Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud. Use Safety Check (Settings > Privacy & Security) for an emergency reset of sharing permissions.

How do I check if my iPhone is being tracked?

To see if someone's tracking your iPhone, check for unfamiliar devices in your Apple ID settings, review Location Services/Share My Location for unknown people/apps, look for unknown profiles in VPN & Device Management, and watch for signs like fast battery drain or high data use. Safety Check (Settings > Privacy & Security) offers a quick way to manage sharing, while changing your Apple ID password and enabling Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) is crucial for security. 

Can someone track my phone without me knowing my iPhone?

Yes, someone can track your iPhone without you knowing through spyware, compromised location sharing, or if they have your Apple ID, but it's harder with Apple's strong security unless you've granted access or fallen for a scam; key signs include poor battery life, unusual data usage, or unfamiliar devices signed into your account, and you should check your "Find My" devices and app permissions immediately. 

What does *#21 do to your iPhone?

Dialing *#21# on your iPhone is a secret code to check the status of your unconditional call forwarding, revealing if your calls (voice, data, SMS) are being redirected to another number, but it doesn't detect wiretaps or hacking, serving only as a carrier-based status check. It's a quick way to see if the feature is active and to what number, providing information from your cellular provider, not your device's internal security.
 

How can I make sure my iPhone is not being tracked?

To block tracking on your iPhone, turn off Location Services entirely or manage app permissions in Settings > Privacy & Security, disable app tracking requests in Settings > Privacy > Tracking, use Airplane Mode for immediate disconnection, regularly clear browser data, and consider using a VPN and ad blocker, all while managing Find My settings and ensuring your Apple ID is secure with strong passwords and two-factor authentication. 

Is My iPhone Listening To Me? YES - Turn These OFF

22 related questions found

How to check if someone is tracking your phone?

To know if someone is tracking your phone, watch for signs like rapid battery drain, high data usage, unusual sounds during calls (clicks, echoes), unexpected pop-ups, slow performance, unfamiliar apps, or the camera/mic indicator lighting up when not in use; check for hidden device management profiles and suspicious location access in settings, and consider performing a factory reset if signs persist. 

What is the 3 finger trick on iPhone?

iPhone 3-finger gestures are powerful accessibility and productivity tools, primarily for Zoom (double-tap to zoom, drag to move) and VoiceOver (swiping to navigate, triple-tap to toggle features) but also for quick actions like Copy/Paste (pinch in to copy, spread out to paste text/photos) and Undo/Redo (swipe left/right with three fingers). You can enable them in Settings > Accessibility > Zoom or explore more options in AssistiveTouch for custom gestures.
 

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, and data are blocked or allowed by your carrier; it reveals configurations for calls, SMS, and data, helping you see if certain services are restricted by default or due to network settings. Other related codes include *33*PIN# to enable call barring and #33*PIN# to disable it, requiring your SIM PIN for activation. 

What is *# 62 on iPhone?

*Code #62#: This code tells you where your calls are going when you're unreachable 📴 (like if your phone is off or has no signal).

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.

How do I block someone from tracking my phone?

To block phone tracking, disable Location Services, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth; manage app permissions to restrict access; use a VPN; keep your OS updated; and consider using Airplane Mode or a Faraday bag for complete disconnection, while also removing suspicious apps and protecting your Google/Apple accounts with strong passwords and 2FA. 

How can I tell if someone has linked my phone to theirs?

To tell if someone linked your phone, check your Google/Apple account's device list at myaccount.google.com or iCloud settings for unfamiliar devices, look for unexpected apps, increased data/battery usage, strange calls/texts, or sudden slowness, and review your cloud storage for unknown active sessions. The most definitive way is auditing connected devices within your account settings and apps like "Link to Windows" or AirDroid. 

How to tell if your iPhone is being mirrored?

To know if someone is mirroring your iPhone, check the Control Center for the blue mirroring icon or active AirPlay connection, look for a blue status bar/icon indicating active mirroring, and review Settings > General > AirPlay & Continuity for unknown devices; other signs include fast battery drain, unusual data usage, or strange pop-ups, which could signal malware or account compromise, requiring a password change and security review, says wikiHow and NordVPN. 

How do I find hidden trackers on my iPhone?

If you previously received an unwanted tracking notification and want to review the information again, do one of the following:

  1. On your iPhone or iPad: Open the Find My app , then tap Items, then tap Items Detected With You.
  2. On your Mac: Open the Find My app , click Items, then click Items Detected With You.

What is the code to see if someone is spying on your phone?

Press *#*#4636#*#* or *#*#197328640#*#* to see if anyone is watching your movements. These are Utility Net Monitor Codes. Dialing these codes can tell you if you're being tracked or monitored through your mobile phone.

What is the code * 3001 on iPhone?

To check signal level at your iPhone, you need to enter Field Test Mode with code *3001#12345#* . This allows you to check all the details about your iPhone's signal such as RSRP, network details, and other technical data.

What is *#21* on iPhone?

Dialing *#21# on your iPhone is a secret code to check the status of your unconditional call forwarding, revealing if your calls (voice, data, SMS) are being redirected to another number, but it doesn't detect wiretaps or hacking, serving only as a carrier-based status check. It's a quick way to see if the feature is active and to what number, providing information from your cellular provider, not your device's internal security.
 

How do I check if my iPhone is monitored?

To check if your iPhone is monitored, look for signs like rapid battery drain, high data usage, strange behavior (overheating, reboots), and check for unknown apps, profiles, or devices logged into your iCloud via Settings > Privacy & Security and Settings > [Your Name], using the built-in Safety Check for a quick overview of permissions and shared access. Also, review Location Services, call/message forwarding, and "Calls on Other Devices" settings for suspicious entries. 

What is *#002 used for?

🔐📞 ##002# instantly cancels all call forwarding on your phone — busy, unreachable, or no-answer. It's a simple way to reset settings and protect your privacy. ✅ Just dial ##002# and hit send.

What is * 3370 code on iPhone?

Hidden Battery Power / Boost Signal Strength

By pressing *3370# or #3370#, you'll activate your phone's “reserve battery power”. Battery life will increase by 50%.

How can I remove spyware from my iPhone?

If you suspect spyware, immediately disconnect from the internet, run a spyware scan with trusted software, delete suspicious apps, and update your iOS. Then, review app permissions and reset privacy settings. If issues persist, perform a full device reset after backing up essential data.

What does *#43 do on iPhone?

Check Call Waiting Status

Availability: *#43# Works on many iPhones regionally, depending on the carrier, to check the call waiting status. *43# / #43#… Enable or disable Call Waiting. Note that this feature may not be supported by all carriers or in all countries.

Will iPhone notify you if hacked?

Yes, but usually for account-level compromises, not general hacking; Apple notifies you via email/iMessage for unusual Apple ID activity (unknown sign-ins, password changes) or sends specific "Threat Notifications" for advanced spyware, while fake pop-ups saying "iPhone hacked" are scams, but signs like unknown apps, rapid battery drain, or high data usage can indicate a real issue.
 

How to type ♡ on iPhone?

You can put a heart on your iPhone by reacting to messages (tap and hold a message, then select the heart) or by creating a custom Focus Mode with a heart icon to show it in the status bar. For texting, use the built-in emoji keyboard or type <3 for a text heart. 

Is there a way to control someone else's iPhone?

Use Switch Control on your device to control another Apple device

  1. Connect your devices to the same Wi-Fi network.
  2. Sign in to iCloud with the same Apple ID on both devices. ...
  3. If you haven't already, turn on Switch Control on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch.
  4. Use your switch to navigate the Switch Control menu.