Did you know that approximately 2.2 million mobile phones were prone to cyber attacks in 2022? These figures represent the significant number of cell phones, and mobile phone hacking is increasing alarmingly. However, knowing the codes to check if a phone is being tracked can help you promptly detect the malware before it’s too late.
You might have heard that spyware like Pegasus can hit your phone without your knowledge. If you’re an Android or iPhone user, you can simply use a few codes to know whether your phone is being tracked. To help you understand the usage of these codes, we’ll talk about:
- Important codes to check if a phone is being tracked or not.
- How do you tell if someone has installed malware/spyware on your mobile device?
- Or are your calls diverted to a different number or not?
If this interests you, scroll down to find codes you can use to secure your mobile phone.
Table of Contents
- How do you know If your phone is hacked?
- 11 USSD Codes to Check if Your Phone is Hacked
- 1. Code to Check Your IMEI
- 2. Check if Anyone is Receiving your Unanswered Calls
- 3. Checking Call Forwarding Status
- 4. Code to Check Call Forwarding Number
- 5. Erase All Call Forwarding Information
- 5. Turning OFF All Form of Redirection
- 6. Checking if your Phone is Tapped
- 7. Check GPS Location
- 8. View Camera Firmware Details
- 9. Display MAC Address Information
- 10. Factory Reset Your Phone
- 11. Perform a Hard Reset
- Final Thoughts
- Frequently Asked Questions
How do you know If your phone is hacked?
Before we start discussing code to check if a phone is being tracked, it is important to note the symptoms of a hacked cell phone. Here are a few warning signs that every cell phone user needs to remember to safeguard their phone from being hacked.
Battery drain
One of the most common symptoms of a hacked cell phone is battery drain. Spyware constantly monitors your phone and sends data back to the host. As a result, you’ll start losing battery percentage on a substantially high scale.
Unfamiliar Login
Are you receiving unfamiliar logins in your email? You are probably a victim of hacking. Social media companies like Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp are good at picking anomalous login activity. These companies immediately alert you if someone else logs in to your account at unusual times.
Do you see applications that you need to remember to download? Your phone is probably hacked. Hackers use these unauthorized applications as their database. Moreover, a few of these ads are also used to show explicit advertisements.
Storage Depleting very Fast
Some spywares is invisible, but it might take up a huge room on your phone’s storage. If you suspect that your files don’t occupy the space being shown, connect your phone to a computer and investigate the storage numbers.
If you’re experiencing two or three of these symptoms, you need to immediately dial the codes to see if your phone is hacked or not.
11 USSD Codes to Check if Your Phone is Hacked
Phone hacking is one of the growing problems of today’s world. Even though your phone has not shown any signs of hacking, it is still essential to put these USSD codes in your dictionary:
1. Code to Check Your IMEI
To verify the authenticity of your product, it is advisable to match the International Mobile Equipment Identifier (IMEI) number with the box. Although the IMEI code has nothing to do with your phone being hacked, having it is important if you want to file a police complaint in case your phone is lost or stolen. So, before checking if your phone is hacked, it is advisable to learn the IMEI code of your mobile by dialing *#06#.
2. Check if Anyone is Receiving your Unanswered Calls
Did you know that hackers can intercept incoming calls by injecting malware into your phone and redirecting them to a different line? This process of diverting calls from actual users to fake ones is called conditional call forwarding.
If your phone rings once and there are no traces of incoming calls, your calls will likely be diverted. This hacking also results in your text messages being forwarded to another number.
Whenever your calls go unanswered, you can use the *#06# code to determine whether anyone received them. If you see any usual signs, you can automatically reuse these settings by dialing ##61# from your phone.
3. Checking Call Forwarding Status
By dialing this code, you can know who will receive your text messages or calls in case your device is switched off or you’ve entirely lost connectivity. If you receive a number by dialing this code, panic is unnecessary. This could be your voicemail.
However, if you don’t receive such numbers, dial ##62# and remove hackers’ access from your phone.
4. Code to Check Call Forwarding Number
By dialing this code, you can get information about the number where your calls and messages are diverted in case you’re on another line, or you reject your call. By dialing ##67#, you can reveal if someone is after you or not.
5. Erase All Call Forwarding Information
Once you dial *#004#, you’ll receive a complete picture of conditional call forwarding. In other words, you will receive your call/SMS when you are out of reach, busy on another call, reject a call, or don’t answer one. So feel free to use this code to remove all the conditional call-forwarding information from your phone.
5. Turning OFF All Form of Redirection
If you want to turn off all form of redirection, simply dial the code ##02#. This code is necessary to dial only when you have established who your calls are being forwarded to.
After successfully dialling this code, you’ll see the screen saying, “Following forms of call forwarding have been successfully erased”:
- Data call forwarding
- Fax call forwarding
- SMS call forwarding
- Sync data circuit call forwarding
- Voice call forwarding
- Packet access call forwarding
- Pad access call forwarding
6. Checking if your Phone is Tapped
Certain hackers gain complete access to all your calls and messages and redirect them to their number regardless of whether you are available or out of reach. This type of attack is called unconditional data forwarding.
Such hacking is pretty hard to spot. It directs calls to another line without even allowing your phone to ring. As a result, it never shows up on your phone bill (unlike conditional forwarding, when your phone number technically receives the calls).
If you want to check if you’re hacked this way, you can dial ##21# to erase these settings from your phone.
7. Check GPS Location
Use this code to display your phone’s GPS location. It’s handy for testing if your GPS is working correctly or for locating your lost or stolen device, provided the GPS is enabled.
Code: ##1472365##
8. View Camera Firmware Details
Dial this code to access detailed information about your phone’s camera firmware. This can reveal the number of cameras and other valuable details. It’s also useful for checking if your camera has been tampered with, ensuring your privacy is intact.
Code: ##34971539##
9. Display MAC Address Information
Every phone has a unique Media Access Control (MAC) address used for network identification. Use this code to view your phone’s MAC address, which can be useful if you suspect hacking. Comparing this address with your network can help you detect unauthorized access.
Code: ##232338##
10. Factory Reset Your Phone
This code initiates a factory reset, erasing all data, settings, and accounts from your phone. It’s beneficial when giving away or selling your phone to ensure your personal information is completely removed.
Code: ##7780##
11. Perform a Hard Reset
If you suspect your phone has been compromised by malware or a hacker, use this code to perform a hard reset. This will wipe all data and reinstall the firmware, effectively removing most viruses. Remember to back up important files before performing this action, as it will erase everything on your device.
Code: 27673855#
Final Thoughts
Using these simple dial codes can help you determine if your phone is being tapped or monitored. They can aid in identifying potential spyware or remote bugs, allowing you to take action to secure your device. However, depending on your service provider, some codes might not work on your device, resulting in an “Invalid MMI code” or “failed” notification.
To prevent your phone from being tapped, be cautious about lending it to strangers, even for emergency calls. Instead, offer to dial the required number yourself and use the loudspeaker.
For more cybersecurity tips and the latest updates on hacker activities, check out the Talk Home blog. Stay informed and protect your personal information from potential threats.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I tell if my phone has been hacked?
Signs include unusual battery drain, unfamiliar apps, high data usage, or receiving suspicious login alerts from your accounts.
What should I do if my phone is hacked?
Immediately reset your phone to factory settings, change your account passwords, and run a security scan with trusted anti-virus software.
Can I check if my calls are being forwarded to another number?
Yes, by dialing codes like *#61# or ##21#, you can see if your calls are being redirected to another number.
Will a factory reset remove hackers from my phone?
Yes, a factory reset will erase all data, including malicious software, but make sure to back up important files before performing it.
Do USSD codes work on all phones and carriers?
Most USSD codes work universally, but some may depend on your phone model or service provider. You may receive an “Invalid MMI code” message if unsupported.
