How Do I Know if My Husband or Wife Is Spying on My Phone?

Sophia Taylor

By Sophia Taylor

Updated:

When we think of a hacker, we might imagine someone in a foreign country. Someone living a very different life to ourselves. Someone who maybe doesn’t even speak the same language as us.

But surprisingly, you are far more likely to be hacked by someone you know, for example, your spouse or an ex-partner.

According to our recent Digital Breakup Survey, 42% of people had their accounts accessed by an ex following a breakup.

The increasing availability of the tools required to hack a person’s device has made it as simple as a few taps on a screen and as cheap as $30.

Using tools like spyware is not only cheaper, but often much more effective than traditional methods employed by distrustful spouses, such as hiring a private investigator or using physical tracking devices.

Furthermore, this ability to hack someone’s device for very little cost and with little technical know-how has unfortunately led to a sharp rise in technology being used in domestic abuse and stalking cases.

Knowing how to tell if your spouse is spying on your phone can be difficult, but this article will provide guidance on how to detect if you have been hacked and what steps you can take if you have been.

Find spyware fast!

The easiest way to find out if your spouse is snooping on your device is to run a quick spyware scan.

Scan iPhone Scan Android

Table of Contents

14 Signs That Your Phone Is Being Spied On

It’s important to know what to look for if you suspect your cell phone is being hacked. It’s also important to note that any one of these factors alone can be completely innocent. But if you’re experiencing numerous signs, it’s definitely worth looking further into it.


1. Your phone feels sluggish

Hacking software (commonly called ‘Spyware’) can be very resource-intensive on your device. One sign that someone has installed spyware on your cell phone is that it starts to run a little slower than usual.


2. The battery is draining too fast

Similar to the previous point — spyware will also run the battery down much quicker than before. However, it’s worth noting that as our devices age, battery life naturally decreases. Look for more sudden changes.


3. High data usage

Spyware can be responsible for huge amounts of mobile data usage. This is because it’s typically sending a lot of information to the hacker via the phone’s internet connection.


4. Suspicious messages

Receiving unusual text messages or emails—especially ones with random characters, symbols, or unfamiliar links—can be a sign that spyware is at work on your phone. Some hacking tools send coded messages to communicate with installed tracking software, while others might attempt phishing attacks to gain further access.


5. Your device overheats

If your phone frequently overheats — even when you’re not using it — it could be running spyware that your spouse installed to track your activity. These apps continuously monitor calls, messages, and locations, putting extra strain on your device.


6. Your device takes longer to shut down

A phone that takes too long to turn off may be struggling to close a hidden spyware app running in the background. If your spouse has installed tracking software, it may try to send one last batch of data before shutting down, causing delays.


7. Your device behaves erratically

Does your phone randomly reboot, freeze, or light up without reason? If so, your partner may have installed spyware that’s interfering with your device. Malicious apps designed to track you can cause system instability as they attempt to record and transmit information about your calls, texts, and whereabouts.


8. You hear interference during calls

If you frequently hear strange noises — such as clicking, static, or echoes — while talking to someone, your partner may have installed spyware that intercepts calls. Some apps designed for call monitoring can cause interference as they record and transmit conversations in real-time.


9. Strange account activity

If you notice login alerts or unusual activity on accounts linked to your phone—such as iCloud or Google—it could mean someone has gained unauthorized access. Spyware or stolen credentials can allow them to view your messages, photos, locations, and other synced data.


10. You find strange apps on your phone

Many spying apps disguise themselves as harmless utilities or try to hide in subfolders you rarely access. If you find unfamiliar apps that you don’t remember installing, your spouse may have secretly added them to track your activity. Checking your installed apps and removing anything suspicious can help protect your privacy.


11. You find unfamiliar Bluetooth connections

Some spyware relies on Bluetooth to access and transfer data. If you see unknown devices connected via Bluetooth — especially ones that seem linked to your spouse’s devices — they may have used this method as a way to extract information from your phone.


12. You get a lot more permission requests

If apps suddenly ask for access to your microphone, camera, or location — especially apps that never needed those permissions before or don’t have a good reason for needing them — it could be a sign that your spouse has installed monitoring software. Spyware often escalates permissions over time to increase control over your device.


13. You get more system notifications

Receiving unusual system alerts — such as security warnings, app crash reports, or settings changes — could mean that spyware is active. If your spouse is trying to track you, they may have installed an app that modifies security settings, triggering unexpected notifications.


14. Your spouse knows things you haven’t shared with them

If your partner repeatedly brings up details about your conversations, locations, or activities that you never told them about, they may be secretly monitoring your phone.

Spyware can provide them with access to your texts, call logs, and even GPS history, allowing them to track your every move.

When it comes to your privacy, trust your instincts—if something doesn’t feel right, don’t ignore it.

The Methods Your Spouse Could Be Using to Spy on Your Phone and How to Fix It

spouse-spying-methods

Image by wayhomestudio on Freepik

Spyware

As we’ve already mentioned, spyware is essentially an app that can be installed onto a device such as a computer, phone, or tablet. It’s designed to retrieve data from the device and send it to the hacker, usually going completely unseen.

Nowadays, spyware can cost as little as $30 for something that will be able to collect a huge amount of data such as text and chat messages, phone calls, internet browsing history and passwords.

Spyware is the hacking method that requires the most amount of technical knowledge compared to the other methods on this list. But nevertheless, it is still relatively easy to use — with one caveat — spyware usually requires the hacker to gain physical access to the device, meaning your spouse would need to know your device passcode.

💡 How to remove spyware

To remove this type of hack, you can use a spyware detection tool such as Certo AntiSpy for iPhone or Android. These anti-spyware tools will allow you to scan your device for evidence of hacking.

Once detected, removing most threats is as simple as tapping a button. For more stubborn spyware, just follow the easy step-by-step instructions for removal.

Fig 1. Detecting spyware with Certo for Android.

Tracking apps

Slightly different from spyware, tracking apps are legitimate apps installed via the official app stores. They are generally designed for parents to help monitor their children or other family member’s GPS location and activity.

The problem is that these apps are often abused by people trying to spy on their partners without their knowledge. Because these apps are so readily available, there is no special technical knowledge required to install them—it’s just the same as any other app.

They can also be hidden away in subfolders so there’s less chance the device owner will discover them.

💡 How to remove tracking apps

Luckily, it’s very easy to remove this type of hack. It’s as simple as uninstalling any other app on your cell phone:

For iPhone:

  1. Touch and hold the app icon.
  2. Tap Remove App.
  3. Tap Delete App.

Fig 2. Removing a tracking app on iPhone.

For Android:

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Tap Apps.
  3. Select the app you want to uninstall.
  4. Tap Uninstall and click OK on the confirmation message.

Fig 3. Removing a tracking app on Android.

Pre-existing apps and services

Instead of installing spyware, someone looking to track you might exploit apps already on your phone. A few small setting changes—often overlooked—can give them access to your data. Four example scenarios using such apps are:

1. Google Maps or Apple Find My

Your spouse gets hold of your device and turns on the location sharing option within either of these apps. Once activated, they can then track your location remotely, using their own device.

💡 How to check location sharing

To check if you’re affected, simply open the app and check if location sharing is turned on. This is different for each app but can be easily turned off.

For iPhone:

  1. Open the Find My app on your iPhone.
  2. Tap on the People tab at the bottom.
  3. Review the list of people you are currently sharing your location with.
  4. To stop sharing with someone, tap their name and select Stop Sharing My Location.

Fig 4. Checking location sharing on iPhone.

For Android:

  1. Open the Google Maps app on your device.
  2. Tap your profile picture or initial in the top right corner of the screen.
  3. Tap Location sharing.
  4. Tap the profile of the person you want to stop sharing with.
  5. Tap Stop.

Fig 5. Checking location sharing on Android.

Key Point: Our Digital Breakup Survey found that 45% of people didn’t check if they were still sharing their location after a breakup.

2. Google Chrome

Your spouse changes the logged-in account from yours to their own. This allows them to collect all the data from your browser such as websites visited, account passwords, card details and much more.

💡 How to check if someone has changed your Chrome account and fix it

To check if you’re affected, just follow these steps:

  1. Open the Chrome app.
  2. Tap the 3 dots.
  3. Tap Settings.
  4. The logged-in account is shown at the top of the settings page.

Make sure that the correct account is being used (check it’s not an account created to look similar, for example: “[email protected]” instead of “[email protected]”).

If you do see a fake account there, then you should sign out of Google Chrome and change your password as soon as possible.

Fig 6. Checking the logged-in account in Google Chrome.

3. iCloud/Google account data

If your spouse knows your login details, they can easily access the data that you’re backing up to the cloud. They may even be able to use this data to create a ‘clone’ of your device and gain access to a huge amount of your private information.

💡 How to protect your account

It’s harder to know if you’re affected by this method of hacking, however the best way to protect yourself is to enable the two-factor authentication (2FA) feature on your account.

This means that even if your spouse knows your login information, they can’t gain access to your account without a special access code sent to you in a text message.

Setting up 2FA for your iCloud Account:

  1. On an iPhone, tap Settings.
  2. Tap your name.
  3. Choose Sign-In & Security.
  4. Tap Two-Factor Authentication.
  5. Follow the on-screen instructions to turn it on.

Fig 7. Enabling 2FA for iCloud on iPhone.

Setting up 2FA for your Google Account:

  1. Go to your Google Account.
  2. Select the Security tab.
  3. Tap 2-Step Verification.
  4. Follow the on-screen instructions to turn it on.

Fig 8. Enabling 2FA for Google on Android.

4. WhatsApp Linked devices

If your spouse gains access to your phone, they can link your WhatsApp to their own device, allowing them to read your messages remotely. They can even send messages as you or delete ones you’ve received without your knowledge.

Our recent research highlights how this feature is being misused for secret surveillance. If you’re concerned, it’s important to check for unauthorized linked devices and remove any suspicious ones.

💡 How to check for and remove suspicious linked devices

Here’s how to check if your WhatsApp is linked with a suspicious device and then disconnect it:

  1. Open WhatsApp.
  2. Tap Settings.
  3. Select Linked Devices.
  4. Check the list for devices that you don’t recognize.
  5. Tap the unrecognized device and select Log Out.

Fig 9. Checking Linked Devices in WhatsApp.

How to Keep Your Phone Safe From Spying

Once you have taken steps to address any current threats to your privacy, it’s important to continue taking precautions to protect your private data and device security going forward. Here are a few best practices to ensure that you stay protected:

  • Always keep your phone updated. Phone manufacturers regularly release updates to ensure that users are protected against new hacking methods. It’s always recommended to update as soon as convenient so that your device is fully protected.
  • Don’t use the same accounts as your spouse. It’s not unusual for spouses to share accounts, but if you’re worried that this trust is being abused then we recommend using separate accounts so that your important data isn’t shared and easily accessed by the other.
  • Use a strong passcode for your device. The best way to protect your phone is to use a passcode that isn’t easily guessed and that only you know. This will reduce a lot of opportunities for spouse hacking, especially with those who are less technically minded. Don’t just use 4-digits either, use as many as possible for your device.
  • Use two-factor authentication (2FA). This means that anyone who wants to enter your accounts must have access to a verified device to do so.
  • Reboot your device regularly. As simple as this seems, lots of hacking software relies on the phone being left switched on for long periods of time. This is easily done if you regularly charge your phone or if it rarely runs down over the course of your day. Simply restarting your phone regularly can make a difference.
  • Delete any apps you don’t recognize. Any apps you don’t recognize might be spying on you. If you can, delete all of the apps that you didn’t install yourself. Be aware however that most phones will have apps that are pre-installed by the manufacturer and these, in most cases, cannot be removed. If you’re not sure, try Googling the app name.
  • Use a virtual private network (VPN). A VPN helps protect your online activity by encrypting your internet connection and masking your IP address. If your spouse is trying to monitor you using network-based spying techniques—such as tracking websites you visit or intercepting data on shared Wi-Fi—a VPN can help prevent this.

Get your privacy back

Download one of Certo's award-winning apps today and uncover spyware and other cyber threats on your phone.

Scan iPhone Scan Android

Wrapping Up

Discovering that your spouse may be spying on your phone can be unsettling, but recognizing the signs early and taking action can help you regain control of your privacy.

Whether it’s spyware, tracking apps, or unauthorized access to your accounts, there are effective ways to detect and remove these threats.

By following the steps outlined in this guide—such as scanning for spyware, strengthening security settings, and using two-factor authentication—you can protect your personal information and keep your device secure.

Stay vigilant, update your security practices regularly, and remember that your privacy is worth defending.

Sophia Taylor

By Sophia Taylor

Sophia is a Senior Content Manager at Certo Software, showcasing her deep-rooted expertise as an accomplished writer in the tech industry. With a genuine passion for cybersecurity, Sophia is a trusted source of insight and information.