iOS · Recovery Guide

How to Detect Spyware or Stalkerware on an iPhone

Spot the tell-tale signs of unwanted surveillance on your iPhone and learn how to investigate further without altering any settings.

Unusual Battery Drain and Performance Issues

Spyware often runs hidden in the background, consuming significant power and processing resources.

Navigate to Settings > Battery. Look for unexpected apps with high battery usage, especially if you don't use them often.
Check Settings > General > iPhone Storage. Are there large, unfamiliar files or apps taking up space?
Observe if your iPhone frequently overheats, even during light use, or if it reboots randomly.
Notice if your phone is unusually slow or lags when opening apps or navigating menus.
Are there apps appearing in Settings > Battery that you don't recognise having installed?

Note down any suspicious app names or unusual activity to reference later. Do not delete any apps at this stage.

Monitoring software silently sends data from your phone, which can manifest as unusual network behaviour.

Go to Settings > Mobile Data. Review the data usage for individual apps. Look for high usage by apps you don't normally use.
Check Settings > Wi-Fi. Be wary of unknown or unsecured Wi-Fi networks your phone connects to automatically.
Examine your monthly mobile data bill for unexplained spikes in data consumption.
Are there pop-up ads or redirects to suspicious websites appearing more frequently than usual?

Public Wi-Fi networks can be unsecure. Always use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) if connecting to public Wi-Fi.

Spyware may alter your phone's settings or gain excessive permissions to operate effectively.

Review Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services. Check which apps have 'Always' access to your location.
Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Microphone and Camera. See if any unknown apps have access.
In Settings > General > VPN & Device Management, look for any unfamiliar profiles or VPNs.
Check Settings > Screen Time > See All Activity. Are there apps you don't recognise being used during strange hours?
Examine Settings > Accessibility > Per-App Settings for any unexpected configurations.

Some legitimate apps require broad permissions. Focus on unfamiliar apps with suspicious access rights.

Direct interaction with the spyware or its remote controller can sometimes leave noticeable traces.

Look for strange text messages containing random characters, unusual links, or codes that you don't recognise.
Have you received calls from unknown numbers that immediately hang up, or do your calls get disconnected unusually often?
Are apps opening or closing on their own, or are there unusual sounds during phone calls?
Check your Photos or Files apps for any strange or unfamiliar content that you didn't create.
Are your social media accounts or emails showing activity that you haven't authorised?

These signs can also indicate other issues, but combined with other symptoms, they strengthen the case for potential spyware.