Is someone spying on your text messages? Find out now (2024)

News ⯈ Devices

By Kim Komando

January 28, 2023

iPhone owners should look to their families

Apple iMessage texts can get intercepted by someone close to you using a connected device. There are a couple of ways they can do this.

First, there’s message forwarding. You can use this feature to forward messages to another device automatically. The thing is, someone else can do the same. Here’s how to check if it’s enabled:

Go to Settings > Messages > Text Message Forwarding.
If you don’t see Text Message Forwarding, go to Settings > Messages. Turn off iMessage, then turn it back on. Tap Send & Receive > Use Your Apple ID for iMessage.
See any unfamiliar devices? Turn them off.

You can also use a code to see if your calls and texts are being forwarded:

Open the Phone app and tap on the Keypad.
Dial *#21# and hit the green call button.
You should get a screen like this:

Is someone spying on your text messages? Find out now (6)

Here you’ll see details on the activity of your calls, SMS messages and even faxes. If they are listed as Disabled, you’re OK. Tap Dismiss when you’re finished looking at the data to go back to the regular screen.

Spyware can be used by anyone, not just hackers

Developers advertise their spyware as a way to protect your children from predators and make sure bad actors aren’t scamming your loved ones. Sure, it makes sense, but there’s no preventing someone with bad intentions from using this software to keep tabs on you.

One popular app, mSpy, boasts the ability to monitor text messages, calls and social media interactions. The app can be installed remotely on an iPhone if you have the proper iCloud credentials. For Android phones, someone will need to install it on the phone directly.

Once that’s done, your messages and more can be intercepted. Someone can access your past messages via iCloud and Android backup apps such as Dr. Fone, which can be installed on a PC. Once they’re in there, they can see all your past messages.

mSpy certainly isn’t the only app of its type out there. The people behind these apps aren’t shy about naming their apps. Other apps to watch out for include SpyBubble, XNSPY, Cocospy, Spyera, EyeZy, uMobix and Hoverwatch. This is not an exhaustive list, but for the most part, the clues are in the names themselves.

Change your PINs and passwords if you suspect someone is spying on you. Tap or click here for 10 tips to secure your devices with strong passwords.

Check your phone now

Start by checking your apps. Are there any unfamiliar ones that you don’t remember installing? Get rid of them! This is a good practice to perform regularly.

Delete apps on your iPhone

Touch and hold the app icon on your iPhone.
Tap Remove App > Delete App and then tap Delete.

Delete apps on your Android phone

Open the Google Play Store app.
At the top right, tap the Profile icon.
Tap Manage apps & devices > Manage.
Tap the name of the app you want to delete.
Tap Uninstall.

There are signs to know if your phone is infected with spyware, malware or viruses:

Spyware can eat up a lot of resources, causing your phone to heat up.
Is your phone battery draining faster than usual? It may be infected with spyware.
Spyware constantly sends data from your phone to another device, causing significant spikes in data usage.
Spyware can slow down your connection speed by redirecting or forwarding your messages elsewhere.
Look out for strange incidents like your phone shutting down on its own or constantly losing connection during calls.

Besides deleting those nasty spy apps, you’ll want to keep your phone safe from future infection, domestic or otherwise. A good antivirus solution is vital to secure your devices. We recommend our sponsor,TotalAV.

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Keep reading: New iPhone and Android security features to turn on

Tags: Android, antivirus, apps, battery, data usage, hackers, iCloud, iMessage, iPhone, malware, Passwords, security, smart speakers, spy, spyware, text messages, texting, tracking, viruses, webcams

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Is someone spying on your text messages? Find out now (2024)

FAQs

How do you know if someone is monitoring your texts? ›

Text messages can be used by spyware and malware to send and receive data. If you see outgoing messages that you didn't send, it's likely an indication that something's not right. Look out for unusual incoming messages, too. Primitive spyware apps will sometimes use SMS messaging to communicate with their base.

Get More Info Here ›

How can I know if someone is reading my text messages? ›

Fortunately, there is a way to find out if someone has read your text message, and it is called, “read receipts”. Read receipts are notifications that tell you when the recipient of your message has opened and read it.

Can someone spy on you through text messages? ›

Spyware can be used by anyone, not just hackers

One popular app, mSpy, boasts the ability to monitor text messages, calls and social media interactions. The app can be installed remotely on an iPhone if you have the proper iCloud credentials. For Android phones, someone will need to install it on the phone directly.

Read On ›

Can someone read your text messages from another phone? ›

How to stop someone from reading your text messages on your Android from another phone. Unfortunately, it's also possible for Android users to fall victim to someone spying on their messages. To protect yourself, you need to update your text message privacy settings so that you're the only one with access.

Can someone read my texts without me knowing? ›

Spyware or Malicious Apps: Malicious software or spyware installed on your phone can grant unauthorized access to your text messages. Cloud Backups: If you have enabled cloud backups for your text messages, they may be accessible to others if they gain access to your cloud storage account.

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What is the code to check if your phone is being monitored? ›

##4636## or ##197328640## ➡️ To Check Unknown Connections (Android) If you're concerned someone has installed malware or spyware on your Android phone, these codes open up a screen that lists all running processes and services.

Show Me More ›

Can someone intercept your text messages? ›

SMS interception can pose a serious threat to your personal and professional life, as it can expose your sensitive information, such as passwords, PINs, verification codes, private conversations, photos, videos, financial transactions, bank details, credit card numbers, location, movements, or activities.

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Can I track text messages from another phone? ›

Using a text spy app (such as Flexispy)

To read someone's text messages without them knowing, using a text spy app like Flexispy can be effective. The first step is to install the app on the target phone.

What is someone has access to your screen? ›

If you believe that someone has access to your Android phone screen, look for strange activities, such as apps running in the background, and evaluate the permissions granted to each app on your phone. You can also monitor your network for any unfamiliar connections.

Can someone access your phone through text? ›

You receive unknown calls and texts

Your phone can't be hacked just with a regular call — but phone hackers can use fake text messages to infect your phone, and suspicious no caller ID calls may be part of a wider ploy to access your device.

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Can my husband read my text messages from his phone? ›

Generally, texts and emails are private. Thus, you don't have a right to look at them without your spouse's consent. Doing so is viewed as an invasion of privacy. It doesn't matter whether you are married, separated or divorced.

Read On ›

Can someone send text messages from my phone without me knowing? ›

This can be done using various online services that allow users to send text messages with a fake sender ID. Cybercriminals will change the sender ID to impersonate friends, family, or a legitimate company.

Can I tell if someone is reading my text messages? ›

When you text someone with Read Receipts turned on, you'll notice the word “Read” beneath your message, and the time it was opened. To turn on your Read Receipts in the iMessage app, click Settings, scroll down, and tap Messages. Enable Send Read Receipts. These steps work with Macs and iPads as well.

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Is it illegal for someone to read my text messages without my permission? ›

The Electronic Communications Privacy Act (ECPA) is a federal law that makes it a crime to access someone else's private communications without permission. It covers cell phones, computer use, email, social media accounts, and other types of electronic communications.

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Does *#21 tell you if your phone is tapped? ›

No, dialing *#21# on your phone does not indicate that your phone is being tapped. This code is often misunderstood due to misinformation circulating online. In reality, *#21# is a service code for checking the status of call forwarding on your phone.

Do texts get monitored? ›

Telecommunications regulations often mandate the use of text message monitoring in the industry in order to maintain a high quality of service. Monitoring helps identify network issues, performance bottlenecks, and potential security threats to ensure seamless communication services.