How to tell if your iPhone has been hacked — and secure it fast

Even Apple’s famously secure ecosystem isn’t immune to spyware, phishing, or surveillance-grade tools. If your iPhone is acting strangely, it could be more than a bug: it might be a sign your phone’s been compromised.

This guide shows you how to detect signs of hacking so you can reclaim control over your device and protect your privacy with proactive steps. It is crucial you do this before any more data slips away.

How do I know if my iPhone has been hacked?

iPhones rarely show an obvious alert that they’ve been compromised. Instead, you need to watch for behavioral clues: subtle but serious changes in performance, connectivity, or settings that weren’t caused by you. Recognizing these indicators early can stop attackers from gaining deeper access to your personal information.

Common symptoms include faster battery drain, higher data usage, random app behavior, and pop-up ads that appear without interaction. These issues may point to malicious software operating behind the scenes which silently monitor, record, or transmit your data without your consent. The earlier you identify these symptoms, the easier it is to respond without resorting to a full device reset.

Step-by-step: What to do if you suspect a hack

Step 1: Restart your iPhone to interrupt malicious activity

Restarting your device clears temporary processes and can stop lightweight spyware or scripts from running in the background. It’s your first line of defense and a quick way to restore some normal function.

1. Press and hold the side button and either volume button

2. When the power slider appears, drag it to turn off your iPhone

3. Wait a few seconds, then press the side button again to power back on

Step 2: Review battery usage for suspicious apps

Unusual battery drain can be a sign that malware is running quietly in the background. Apple’s Battery settings let you see which apps are using the most power. This is an easy way to spot hidden processes.

1. Open the Settings app

2. Tap Battery

3. Review the list of apps and system processes consuming power. Look for any unknown apps or excessive background activity.

Step 3: Check app permissions and revoke Unnecessary Access

Even legitimate apps can overreach, accessing your camera, mic, or location when they don’t need to. If your phone was hacked, permissions may have been changed without your knowledge.

1. Go to Settings > Privacy & Security

2. Tap each permission category (e.g., Location Services, Microphone, Camera)

3. Review which apps have access. Toggle off access for any apps you don’t trust or recognize.

Step 4: Remove suspicious or unfamiliar apps

Spyware is often disguised as a harmless utility or productivity app. If you notice apps you don’t remember installing — or that seem to be acting strangely — delete them immediately.

1. On your Home Screen, touch and hold the app icon

2. Tap Remove App > Delete App to confirm

Step 5: Check for configuration profiles and mobile device management (MDM)

Hackers and spyware tools can install device profiles to control settings remotely. These profiles may reroute your web traffic or grant system-level access.

1. Go to Settings > General > VPN & Device Management

2. Under Configuration Profiles, check for anything unfamiliar. If you see an unknown profile, tap it and select Remove Profile

3. Enter your passcode to confirm.

Step 6: Reset network settings to remove malicious DNS or VPN configurations

Resetting your network settings is a fast, non-destructive fix that restores default DNS values and clears potential malware-related changes. It’s especially important if you’ve ever connected to public Wi-Fi networks or clicked on suspicious links that may have modified your device’s internet routing.

Browser hijacking can happen without installing anything, so even phones that look “clean” on the surface might still be redirecting traffic or leaking metadata. That’s why checking your network stack is just as important as removing apps.

1. Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone

2. Tap Reset, then choose Reset Network Settings

3. Enter your passcode and confirm

Step 7: Update iOS to patch known security vulnerabilities

Security updates are your strongest defense against exploits used in spyware or zero-click attacks. Apple patches known vulnerabilities regularly, so keeping your iOS version current is essential.

1. Open Settings > General > Software Update

2. If an update is available, tap Download and Install

3. Follow the prompts to install the latest iOS version

Step 8: Change Apple ID and iCloud passwords

If your device was hacked, your Apple account credentials may also be at risk. Changing your password locks out any attackers with unauthorized access.

1. Visit Settings > [your name] > Sign-In & Security > Change Password

2. Follow the steps to create a strong new password

3. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) if it's not already on

Step 9: Factory reset your iPhone (if the issue persists)

If your iPhone remains compromised even after removing suspicious apps and profiles, it may be time for a full device reset. Factory resetting your iPhone is the most comprehensive way to eliminate persistent malware, unauthorized settings, and tracking software.

This step erases everything — including hidden system changes — and reinstalls a clean version of iOS. It's especially recommended if you’ve jailbroken your phone in the past or synced with potentially compromised computers.

1. Open Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone

2. Tap Erase All Content and Settings

3. Follow the prompts to wipe your iPhone and set it up as new.

Keep in mind that restoring from an old iCloud backup could reintroduce the same malware or misconfigurations. If you're serious about privacy, consider setting up your phone as new, then selectively reinstalling trusted apps and content.

Taking action immediately helps reduce the risk of data theft or deeper system compromise. Even simple steps like restarting your phone or reviewing app permissions can disrupt background surveillance tools. If you notice something suspicious, don’t delay — hackers rely on users overlooking small anomalies for extended periods.

These steps work regardless of whether your phone is jailbroken, synced to iCloud, or managed by a workplace profile. Every iPhone user has access to the Settings needed to uncover unusual activity and reset potentially compromised configurations.

Reset network settings if you see browser hijacking

One of the most common signs of a compromised iPhone is unusual web behavior. If you’re being redirected to strange websites or encountering unexpected pop-ups, the issue may stem from tampered DNS settings or rogue VPN configurations.

Check for spyware or hidden profiles

iPhones can be targeted using mobile device management (MDM) profiles or enterprise configuration profiles — tools originally designed for IT departments that are sometimes misused by hackers. These profiles can change your DNS, route traffic through proxy servers, or give remote access to system functions.

Most users never intentionally install profiles, so if you see one in your device settings, it’s a red flag. Some spyware apps install them silently to avoid being detected in the app drawer.

Removing profiles is a critical part of regaining full control over your iPhone. Without removing them, other efforts like clearing browser history or deleting apps may not be enough to stop surveillance or restore normal behavior.

Prevent future hacks: Privacy tips for ongoing protection

Prevention is more effective than cleanup. The best way to avoid future breaches is to create a digital environment that’s harder to monitor, profile, or exploit.

• Keeping your iPhone updated ensures you benefit from Apple’s latest security patches, which often fix known vulnerabilities exploited in the wild. Enabling two-factor authentication on your Apple ID adds an extra layer of defense, preventing account takeovers even if your password is leaked.

• A VPN (Virtual Private Network) helps mask your online behavior, but most VPNs only protect your IP address. NymVPN goes further by using a decentralized network with metadata protection, meaning your traffic patterns are also hidden from surveillance tools, advertisers, and even the VPN provider itself.

• Public Wi-Fi networks, unsecured hotspots, and unknown chargers all increase your exposure. Avoid using these when possible, or ensure you're protected with a secure privacy tool like NymVPN.

How a decentralized VPN (dVPN) helps prevent tracking

While traditional VPNs encrypt your connection, many still rely on centralized servers and retain user metadata. This creates a single point of failure: if the VPN is compromised, so are you.

NymVPN is different. It runs on a decentralized Noise Generating Mixnet that routes traffic through multiple volunteer-operated nodes, making it extremely difficult to trace. It also generates cover traffic: randomized data that blends with your real traffic to prevent timing attacks and metadata leaks.

This protects against surveillance at a structural level, not just at the surface. Whether you’re browsing, messaging, or using apps, NymVPN ensures your activity remains private — even in hostile network environments.