It’s a sinking feeling. You’re looking at your screen and notice a green dot at the top that shouldn't be there, or maybe your battery is draining so fast it feels warm to the touch through your pocket. You start wondering: what to do if your iphone has been hacked? Most people think iPhones are unhackable because of Apple’s "walled garden," but that’s just not true anymore. Sophisticated spyware like Pegasus or even simple phishing scams can get in.
If you think someone is watching your texts or tracking your GPS, don't panic. You need to act fast, but you need to act smart.
Honestly, the "hacker" isn't always some hooded figure in a dark room. Often, it’s an abusive ex using a "spouseware" app or a scammer who tricked you into installing a malicious configuration profile while you were trying to stream a movie for free. It happens.
First, Look for the Red Flags
Your phone talks to you. Not literally—though Siri might—but through performance cues. If your data usage has suddenly spiked to 10GB when you’re usually at 2GB, something is transmitting in the background. Check your Settings > Cellular and see what’s eating the data. If you see an app you don't recognize, or "System Services" is abnormally high, that's a red flag.
Is your phone rebooting randomly?
That’s often a sign of unstable malware. Malicious code isn't always written well. It crashes. It fights with iOS.
Check your Battery Health in Settings. If an app called "Find My" or some random utility is using 40% of your battery while you aren't using it, someone might be pinging your location constantly. According to researchers at Kaspersky and Citizen Lab, high battery drain and overheating are the two most common physical symptoms of deep-level surveillance software.
The Nuclear Option: Resetting Your Identity
If you’re wondering what to do if your iphone has been hacked, the very first technical step isn't deleting apps. It’s changing your Apple ID password. If they have your iCloud, they have your life. They have your photos, your backups, and your keychain.
- Go to Settings > [Your Name] > Password & Security.
- Change the password immediately.
- Use a long passphrase, not just a word with a "1" at the end.
Once that’s done, look at the list of "Trusted Devices." If you see an "iPhone 12" and you own an "iPhone 15," remove that stranger immediately. That device has a key to your front door. Kick them out.
The Mystery of Configuration Profiles
This is how most modern "hacks" happen on iOS without a jailbreak. Scammers trick you into downloading a "Profile." Go to Settings > General > VPN & Device Management.
If you see anything there that isn't from your employer or a legitimate VPN you pay for, delete it. These profiles can reroute your internet traffic through a hacker’s server. It’s basically a digital leash.
What to Do If Your iPhone Has Been Hacked and You Need a Clean Slate
Sometimes, changing passwords isn't enough. If you suspect high-level malware, you have to wipe the slate. But wait. Don't just hit "Erase All Content and Settings" yet.
If you restore from an iCloud backup that was made after the hack, you might just be re-installing the virus. It’s a loop. You’re essentially inviting the vampire back into the house.
The safest route is a DFU (Device Firmware Update) Restore. This is different from a regular reset. It reloads the software AND the firmware. You’ll need a Mac or PC. It’s tedious, but it’s the only way to be 100% sure the core operating system hasn't been tampered with.
Safety Check: A Hidden Gem
Apple actually added a brilliant tool called Safety Check in iOS 16. If you’re worried about a specific person having access to your info, go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Safety Check.
It allows you to perform an "Emergency Reset." This immediately stops sharing your location with everyone, resets privacy permissions for all apps, and signs you out of iCloud on all other devices. It’s the "panic button" we all needed years ago.
Dealing with the Financial Fallout
Hacks aren't just about creepy people looking at your photos. They want your money. If your iPhone is compromised, your Apple Wallet is at risk.
Call your bank. Seriously. Tell them your device was compromised. Have them issued new digital card numbers.
Check your "Subscribed" list in the App Store. Some malware works by signing you up for $99/week "Pro Weather" apps that bleed your account dry. It’s a quiet theft. You might not notice it for months if you don't check your statements.
Real-World Examples of Modern Attacks
Look at the Pegasus spyware developed by NSO Group. It used "zero-click" exploits. You didn't even have to click a link; a rogue iMessage could infect the phone. While most of us aren't high-stakes journalists or politicians, these vulnerabilities trickled down into the "gray market" of hacking tools.
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Then there’s the "Smishing" (SMS Phishing) boom. You get a text saying your USPS package is stuck. You click, you enter your Apple ID to "verify," and boom. You’ve just handed over the keys. In this case, your phone isn't technically "hacked" by a virus—you've been socially engineered. The result is the same.
Actionable Steps for Permanent Security
- Enable Lockdown Mode: If you are in a high-risk profession, go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Lockdown Mode. It turns your iPhone into a digital fortress. It blocks most message attachments and disables certain web technologies that hackers use to get in. It makes the phone a bit "boring," but it’s safe.
- Update iOS Immediately: Apple releases security patches constantly. If you're on iOS 17.2 and 18.2 is out, you're living in a house with unlocked windows.
- Audit Your Apps: Delete anything you don't use. Every app is a potential doorway.
- Use a Security Key: Move away from SMS two-factor authentication. Buy a physical YubiKey. If a hacker doesn't have the physical USB-C key, they can't get into your iCloud, even if they have your password.
- Check Your Mic and Camera Permissions: Go to Settings > Privacy & Security and see which apps have access. If a calculator app has access to your microphone, delete it and report it to the App Store.
Stop using public Wi-Fi without a reputable VPN. Hackers love "Man-in-the-Middle" attacks at coffee shops. They set up a network called "Starbucks_Guest_HighSpeed" and wait for you to log in. Once you do, they can see exactly what you're doing.
If you followed these steps—changed your Apple ID, cleared rogue profiles, ran Safety Check, and updated your firmware—you are likely safe. The most important thing is to stay vigilant. Your iPhone is a vault, but a vault is only useful if you don't give out the combination.