Android · Recovery Guide

How to Tell If Your Google Account Has Been Compromised on Android

Spot the signs that someone might have gained unauthorised access to your Google account on an Android device.

Check Your Google Account Activity

The first place to look for suspicious activity is directly within your Google Account settings. This shows you recent logins and connected apps.

1. On your Android phone, open the Settings app.
2. Scroll down and tap Google.
3. Tap Manage your Google Account.
4. Tap Security at the top. On some Samsung phones, you might find this under Privacy & Security.
5. Under 'Recent security activity', review for any unfamiliar devices or locations. Under 'Your devices', check for any devices you don't recognise. Under 'Third-party apps with account access', look for any apps you haven't authorised.

Review Unusual Email or App Activity

A compromised account often shows signs in your email or how your apps behave. Look out for messages you didn't send or apps acting strangely.

• Open your Gmail app or other email client and check your 'Sent' and 'Spam' folders for emails you didn't write. Also, look for password reset emails for accounts you didn't try to access.
• Check your installed apps for any new apps you don't remember downloading. Go to Settings → Apps (or Apps & Notifications) → See all apps.
• Look for unusual activity in cloud storage apps (Google Drive, Google Photos) such as files you didn't upload or share.
• Review your Google Play Store activity for app purchases or downloads you didn't make. Open the Play Store, tap your profile icon, then Payments & subscriptions → Budget & history.

Examine Your Phone's Performance and Data Usage

A compromised account might lead to hidden background activity, which can affect your phone's performance and data consumption.

1. Go to Settings → Network & internet → Data saver (or Data usage on Samsung phones). Look for unusually high data usage by apps you don't frequently use, or background data spikes.
2. Check your battery usage: Settings → Battery. Look for apps consuming a lot of battery in the background that you don't recognise or use often.
3. Notice if your phone frequently feels warm when you're not actively using it, or if its performance has significantly slowed down without a clear reason.

Check for Unexpected Charges or Subscriptions

If someone has access to your Google account, they might use it for unauthorised purchases or to sign up for services.

• Review your bank statements and credit card bills for any unfamiliar charges connected to Google Play or other online services.
• Within the Google Play Store, tap your profile icon, then Payments & subscriptions → Subscriptions. Look for any subscriptions you didn't initiate.
• Check your Google Pay activity for transactions you didn't make. Open the Google Wallet app (or Google Pay), and review the 'Activity' tab.