Phone Tracking Self-Check
Is my phone being tracked? Find out safely
Is my phone being tracked?
Answer a few plain-language questions about your iPhone or Android. We'll weigh the answers and give you a calm read on whether monitoring is likely, plus safe next steps. This is a guide, not a definitive scan.
Private by design. This runs entirely in your browser. We store nothing, send nothing, and log nothing — your answers never leave this page.
Mark each one Yes, No, or Not sure. Skip what you already know. Open "How do I check this?" for the exact steps.
Signals noted: 0
- Strong signal
Is there a configuration or device-management profile you don't recognize?
How do I check this?
Settings → General → VPN & Device Management. An unknown MDM/config profile here can grant another party access to your data and location. If you find one and it isn't from your employer or school, tap the profile → Delete Profile → restart.
- Strong signal
Is your Apple ID signed in on a device you don't recognize?
How do I check this?
Settings → [your name] → scroll to the device list at the bottom, or go to appleid.apple.com → Devices. An unknown device can see your iCloud data, photos, and Find My location.
Source: Apple — Personal Safety: limit device and account access
- Strong signal
Could someone with your passcode have set up sharing or installed something while holding your phone?
How do I check this?
Stalkerware on iOS almost always needs physical access plus your passcode. Use Safety Check: Settings → Privacy & Security → Safety Check → Manage Sharing & Access to review and stop what's shared, or Emergency Reset to stop all sharing at once. Requires iOS 16 or later and an Apple ID with two-factor.
Source: Apple — Safety Check
- Moderate signal
Is Location Sharing turned on to a person you didn't intend, or does Find My show you're sharing?
How do I check this?
Settings → Privacy & Security → Location Services → Share My Location, and Find My → People. You can also review this inside Safety Check (Manage Sharing & Access).
Source: Apple — Safety Check
- Moderate signal
Are Screen Time restrictions turned on that you didn't set?
How do I check this?
Settings → Screen Time. A Screen Time passcode set by a parent or partner can be used to control and observe how the device is used.
Source: Apple — Personal Safety: limit device and account access
- Strong signal
Has your iPhone shown an "item detected near you" or unknown-tracker alert, or do you suspect a tag is on you?
How do I check this?
iPhone automatically alerts you when an unknown AirTag or Find My-network tag travels with you. Open the alert → Find Nearby or Play Sound. See our full AirTag-finding walkthrough below for step-by-step help.
- Moderate signal
Do you see signs of a jailbreak, such as an app called Cydia or Sileo you didn't install?
How do I check this?
Look on your Home Screen and in the App Library for Cydia or Sileo. Jailbreaking removes iOS protections and is a common precondition for deep spyware.
Source: Coalition Against Stalkerware — Information for survivors
- Strong signal
Does the other person know things they shouldn't — your exact location, who you texted, what you searched?
How do I check this?
This is behavioral, not technical, but every cited source agrees it is the single strongest indicator of monitoring. Trust it more than battery or heat symptoms.
Source: FTC — Stalkerware: what to know
- Weak signal
Unexplained fast battery drain, the phone running hot when idle, or data-usage spikes?
How do I check this?
Settings → Battery shows usage by app, and Settings → Cellular shows data by app. These are weak signals on their own — they are common with old batteries and heavy apps — and only matter alongside the stronger signals above.
Source: FTC — Stalkerware: what to know
Every warning sign we check, with sources
Tap a platform to expand — the same questions as the self-check above, each with how to check it and the source that backs it. None of these is proof on its own; the strongest sign is when someone knows things they shouldn't.
Signs your iPhone / iPad is being tracked
- Is there a configuration or device-management profile you don't recognize? Settings → General → VPN & Device Management. An unknown MDM/config profile here can grant another party access to your data and location. If you find one and it isn't from your employer or school, tap the profile → Delete Profile → restart. Apple — Review and delete configuration profiles
- Is your Apple ID signed in on a device you don't recognize? Settings → [your name] → scroll to the device list at the bottom, or go to appleid.apple.com → Devices. An unknown device can see your iCloud data, photos, and Find My location. Apple — Personal Safety: limit device and account access
- Could someone with your passcode have set up sharing or installed something while holding your phone? Stalkerware on iOS almost always needs physical access plus your passcode. Use Safety Check: Settings → Privacy & Security → Safety Check → Manage Sharing & Access to review and stop what's shared, or Emergency Reset to stop all sharing at once. Requires iOS 16 or later and an Apple ID with two-factor. Apple — Safety Check
- Is Location Sharing turned on to a person you didn't intend, or does Find My show you're sharing? Settings → Privacy & Security → Location Services → Share My Location, and Find My → People. You can also review this inside Safety Check (Manage Sharing & Access). Apple — Safety Check
- Are Screen Time restrictions turned on that you didn't set? Settings → Screen Time. A Screen Time passcode set by a parent or partner can be used to control and observe how the device is used. Apple — Personal Safety: limit device and account access
- Has your iPhone shown an "item detected near you" or unknown-tracker alert, or do you suspect a tag is on you? iPhone automatically alerts you when an unknown AirTag or Find My-network tag travels with you. Open the alert → Find Nearby or Play Sound. See our full AirTag-finding walkthrough below for step-by-step help. Apple — What to do if you get a tracking alert · full walkthrough
- Do you see signs of a jailbreak, such as an app called Cydia or Sileo you didn't install? Look on your Home Screen and in the App Library for Cydia or Sileo. Jailbreaking removes iOS protections and is a common precondition for deep spyware. Coalition Against Stalkerware — Information for survivors
- Does the other person know things they shouldn't — your exact location, who you texted, what you searched? This is behavioral, not technical, but every cited source agrees it is the single strongest indicator of monitoring. Trust it more than battery or heat symptoms. FTC — Stalkerware: what to know
- Unexplained fast battery drain, the phone running hot when idle, or data-usage spikes? Settings → Battery shows usage by app, and Settings → Cellular shows data by app. These are weak signals on their own — they are common with old batteries and heavy apps — and only matter alongside the stronger signals above. FTC — Stalkerware: what to know
Signs your Android is being tracked
Android Settings paths vary by phone maker (Samsung One UI, Pixel, and others). The locations below are confirmed, but the exact menu names may differ on your phone.
- Is Play Protect turned off, or warning you about an app? Open the Play Store app → profile icon → Play Protect → Settings. Stalkerware installed outside the Play Store usually needs Play Protect disabled. Re-enable it and run a scan. TechCrunch — remove Android spyware
- Is there a device-admin app you don't recognize? Settings → Security (then More security settings or Device admin apps on some skins). You normally have none — an unrecognized "Device Admin", "Device Health", "System Service", or "Security Settings" entry is a classic stalkerware tell. TechCrunch — remove Android spyware
- Is an Accessibility service enabled that you didn't turn on? Settings → Accessibility → installed or downloaded services. Stalkerware abuses Accessibility to read your screen, messages, and keystrokes. Disable anything you don't recognize. TechCrunch — remove Android spyware
- Has an app been granted Notification access that you don't recognize? Settings → Apps → Special app access → Notification access (the path varies by skin). Notification access lets an app read every notification, including texts and two-factor codes. TechCrunch — remove Android spyware
- Is "Install unknown apps" enabled for an app that shouldn't have it? Settings → Apps → Special app access → Install unknown apps. Stalkerware is side-loaded, so this is often switched on without your knowledge. CyberNews — signs of stalkerware
- Is there an app you don't recognize, possibly with a vague or hidden name? Settings → Apps → See all apps. Look for vague names like "System Service", "Device Health", or "KidsGuard". Some stalkerware hides its icon, but the full app list still shows it. TechCrunch — remove Android spyware
- Is your Google account signed in on a device you don't recognize? Go to myaccount.google.com → Security → Your devices → Manage all devices. Tap an unknown device → Sign out, then change your Google password. Google — See devices with account access
- Did you get an "unknown tracker" or "item detected near you" alert, or do you suspect a tag is on you? Modern Android automatically alerts you about unknown trackers. You can also run a manual scan (Settings → Safety & emergency, or the Find My Device area on supported phones) and install Apple's Tracker Detect from the Play Store to scan for AirTags. See our AirTag-finding guide below. Apple — Tracker Detect / tracking alert · full walkthrough
- Does the other person know things they shouldn't — your exact location, your messages, your searches? This is behavioral. Per every cited source, it is the strongest single indicator that the device is monitored. Trust it more than physical symptoms. FTC — Stalkerware: what to know
- Unexplained fast battery drain, overheating when idle, or data-usage spikes? Settings → Battery, and Settings → Network & internet → Data usage. This is a weak signal that is often benign and only matters alongside the stronger signals above. CyberNews — signs of stalkerware
If you may be in an abusive situation, read this first
If you may be in an abusive or dangerous relationship, stop before removing anything. Removing spyware or a tracker can alert the person monitoring you the moment it stops reporting, and that can escalate the danger. Before you change anything, use a different device that isn't being monitored — a friend's phone, or a library or work computer — and talk to someone who does safety planning:
- National Domestic Violence Hotline — Call 1-800-799-7233 (1-800-799-SAFE), text START to 88788, or chat online. Available 24/7, free, and confidential.
- NNEDV Safety Net — Survivor tech-safety resources.
- Coalition Against Stalkerware — Detection and survivor guidance.
Frequently asked questions
Can someone track my phone without me knowing?
Yes, but it usually leaves traces. On iPhone it almost always requires your passcode and physical access, plus an unknown configuration profile or a device signed into your Apple ID. On Android it usually means a side-loaded app with device-admin or accessibility permissions and Play Protect turned off. The strongest sign is when someone knows things they shouldn't, like your exact location or who you messaged.
Does a factory reset remove spyware?
A factory reset is the most thorough way to clear a compromised phone, according to the FTC. It also alerts whoever is watching the moment monitoring stops, and it wipes any evidence. If abuse may be involved, document everything and get safety planning help first, then re-secure your accounts from a clean device afterward.
Will the person know if I remove the tracker or spyware?
Often, yes. The Coalition Against Stalkerware and NNEDV Safety Net both warn that removing stalkerware or a tracker can be detected and may escalate the danger. Only remove it if you believe it is safe to do so. If you're unsure, talk to an advocate from a device that isn't being monitored before you change anything.
Is unexpected battery drain proof of spyware?
No. Fast battery drain, overheating, and data spikes are weak signals that are usually caused by an aging battery or busy background apps. Every cited source treats them as ambiguous on their own. They only matter alongside stronger signs like an unknown profile, an unrecognized device-admin app, or someone knowing your private details.
How do I check for a hidden tracker like an AirTag?
An iPhone automatically alerts you when an unknown AirTag or Find My-network tag travels with you. On Android you get unknown-tracker alerts and can install Apple's Tracker Detect from the Play Store to scan manually. Our AirTag-finding guide walks through locating and disabling a planted tag step by step.
Does this tool collect any of my answers?
No. The entire self-check runs in your browser. Your answers and your result are never sent anywhere, stored, or logged. We have no backend that could receive them.
Is this the same as a malware scan?
No. This is a guided checklist that helps you spot the signs and gives you safe next steps. A Low result doesn't guarantee your phone is clean, and a High result doesn't prove it's compromised. For definitive confirmation you need a reputable anti-stalkerware scan or a forensic examination.