While iPhones allow friends and family to track users if given permission, there are also a number of spy apps available for download from the App Store.
Some of these apps can secretly track your location, view your conversations, access your banking details, and send copies of your messages or photos to another device.
To ease suspicions, MailOnline brings a 10-point guide to identify signs that someone might be tracking your movements.
Are you seeing unfamiliar apps on your phone?
If apps appear on your device that you’ve never seen before, be suspicious.
Search your phone’s storage to see if there’s any app you don’t remember downloading — it could be disguised as something else.
Do you need to charge your phone more often than usual?
If there are apps constantly running, your phone’s battery will drain very quickly.
If you notice your battery running out faster than usual, check if any recently used app is responsible.
Is your phone getting hot?
Just like rapid battery drain, your phone heating up is a sign that apps are running continuously in the background.
If you’re not using your phone and it’s still warm, someone might be tracking you.
Is your phone second-hand or was it gifted to you?
‘Jailbreaking’ or ‘rooting’ a phone allows users to download apps not available in the official app store.
If your phone appears to be jailbroken without your consent, someone could be behind it. If you’re suspicious, there are apps to check: use Root Checker for Android and Cydia for iOS devices.
If you’re buying a used phone, it’s recommended to reset it to factory settings.
How much data is your phone using?
If spyware is running in the background, your phone’s data might also be in use. This happens because the person monitoring your info is using your phone’s connection to send it.
On an iPhone, you can check data usage in Settings under “Cellular Data.”
For Android users, go to Settings > Network & Internet > Data Usage.
From there, you can identify if any app is using an unusually high amount of mobile data.
Have you tried turning your phone off?
Spyware apps can prevent your phone from shutting down so the hacker always has access.
These apps may also cause your phone to take an unusually long time to power off.
In 2014, tech expert Edward Snowden claimed the NSA could listen to an iPhone’s microphone even when it was turned off.
Is your phone turning on by itself?
If your phone is acting oddly in standby mode — turning on or making sounds without notifications — it could be suspicious activity.
Have you checked your sent messages?
If your phone is sending texts you never wrote or sent, someone might have access to your device. This also applies to receiving strange or unexpected messages.
Hackers can use apps to send commands to your phone, such as taking screenshots, sending emails, or capturing photos.
Is your autocorrect working properly?
There are things called keyloggers — spyware that lets someone see what you’re typing.
If your autocorrect is acting strangely, someone might be watching your messages.
Do your screen visuals look different compared to trusted friends’ phones?
This one is simple. If your screen visuals seem poor in quality — for example, pixelated — someone could be tracking your device.