How to Keep Your Phone Safe From Hackers

Your phone is more than a device—it’s a master key. It holds your email, banking apps, photos, saved passwords, and the two-factor codes that protect your accounts. That’s why hackers and scammers don’t always try to “break into” a phone with advanced tech. Many attacks are simpler: trick you into handing over a code, getting you to tap a fake link, or hijacking your phone number through a SIM-swap.

The best defense is a layered setup: strong lock screen security, updated software, safer app habits, and tighter protection around your email and phone number. This guide is written for U.S. users and works for both iPhone and Android.

Quick Answer (Do These 10 Things First)

Turn on automatic updates (OS + apps).
Use a strong passcode (6+ digits or alphanumeric) and enable Face ID/Touch ID.
Enable Find My (iPhone) / Find My Device (Android) and test it.
Enable two-factor authentication (MFA) for email and banking.
Avoid SMS-based MFA when possible; use an authenticator app.
Audit app permissions (camera, mic, location) and remove shady apps.
Use secure Wi‑Fi habits (avoid unknown public Wi‑Fi for banking).
Lock down your phone number against SIM swaps (carrier PIN).
Back up your phone regularly.
If you suspect hacking: change email password first, revoke device sessions, and scan/remove suspicious apps.

How Phones Get Hacked (In Real Life)

Most mobile compromises fall into a few categories. Understanding them helps you prevent the common ones.

The most common attack paths

Phishing texts/emails: you tap a link and sign into a fake page.
Malicious apps: an app looks harmless but steals data or tracks you.
Account takeover: hackers get your email password and reset everything else.
SIM swap: attackers move your phone number to their SIM to intercept codes.
Public Wi‑Fi risks: insecure networks can enable snooping or fake login portals.
Stolen phone + weak lock: a thief accesses accounts if your lock is weak.

To protect the ‘account’ side of phone hacking, also read How to Keep Your Identity Safe Online.

Step 1: Lock Screen Security (Your First Line of Defense)

If someone gets physical access to your phone—or even watches you type—your lock settings determine whether they get in.

Best lock screen practices

Use a 6-digit (or longer) passcode or an alphanumeric password.
Enable biometrics (Face ID/Touch ID or Android fingerprint).
Set auto-lock to 30 seconds–1 minute.
Reduce lock-screen previews for sensitive notifications (bank codes, emails).
Avoid simple PINs (123456, birthdays, repeated digits).

Step 2: Update Everything (OS + Apps)

Updates are not just new features—they’re security patches. Hackers actively exploit known vulnerabilities, especially on devices that delay updates.

Update checklist

Turn on automatic OS updates.
Turn on automatic app updates.
Restart your phone occasionally (some updates finalize on reboot).
If your phone no longer receives security updates, consider upgrading—especially if you use banking apps.

Step 3: Protect Your Email Account (It’s the Master Key)

If a hacker gets your email, they can reset passwords for banking, social, shopping, and more. For most people, ‘phone hacking’ is actually ‘email takeover’.

Email protection essentials

Use a unique, strong email password (never reuse it).
Enable MFA (prefer authenticator app or security key).
Review account recovery options (remove old numbers/emails).
Check ‘devices signed in’ and sign out unknown sessions.

Step 4: Use MFA the Smart Way (Avoid SMS When Possible)

Two-factor authentication is powerful, but not all methods are equal. SMS codes can be intercepted in SIM-swap attacks. Authenticator apps or security keys are generally stronger.

Best MFA options (strongest to weaker)

Security key (hardware key)
Authenticator app codes (TOTP)
Push prompts in trusted apps
SMS text codes (better than nothing, but higher risk)

Step 5: Defend Against SIM Swap Attacks

SIM swapping is one of the fastest ways criminals drain accounts. They convince a carrier to move your number to their SIM, then they receive your texts and password reset codes.

How to reduce SIM swap risk

Set a carrier account PIN/passcode (different from your phone PIN).
Use a strong, unique password on your carrier account login.
Move critical accounts away from SMS codes to authenticator apps.
Watch for warning signs: sudden ‘No Service’, calls/texts stop working, strange carrier emails.

Step 6: App Safety (What You Install Matters)

Malicious apps often look normal—flashlights, wallpapers, QR scanners, ‘cleaners,’ or unofficial streaming apps. Your goal is to install fewer apps and trust only what you really need.

App safety rules

Install apps only from official stores (App Store / Google Play).
Avoid ‘sideloading’ apps unless you truly understand the risk.
Be skeptical of apps with very few reviews or weird permission requests.
Delete apps you don’t use—fewer apps means fewer attack surfaces.

Step 7: Permission Audit (Camera, Mic, Location)

Even legitimate apps can overreach. Review permissions and tighten them.

Permission checklist

Location: set to ‘While Using’ for most apps; turn off for apps that don’t need it.
Microphone/Camera: allow only for apps that truly need it (video calls, camera apps).
Photos/Files: limit access to selected photos when possible.
Bluetooth/Nearby devices: turn off for apps that don’t need it.

Step 8: Public Wi‑Fi and Travel Safety

Public Wi‑Fi isn’t automatically evil, but it increases risk. Fake ‘free Wi‑Fi’ hotspots and login portals are common scams. Use these rules to stay safer.

Safer Wi‑Fi habits

Avoid banking on unknown public Wi‑Fi; use cellular data if possible.
Turn off auto-join for public Wi‑Fi networks.
Forget networks you no longer use (airports, hotels).
Use a trusted VPN if you must use public Wi‑Fi for sensitive tasks.

If you’re traveling, also read How to Keep Your Phone Safe From Pickpockets.

Step 9: Backups and Recovery (So You Don’t Panic)

Backups protect you from device loss, accidental lockouts, and recovery after compromise. They make it easier to wipe a hacked phone without losing everything.

Backup best practices

Turn on automatic backups (cloud or encrypted computer backup).
Make sure photos and contacts are syncing correctly.
Store critical recovery codes securely (not on the same device in plain text).

How to Tell If Your Phone Might Be Hacked

One weird thing doesn’t always mean hacking. But multiple signs together are a red flag:

Sudden battery drain and overheating with no explanation.
New apps you don’t recognize or settings changed.
Pop-ups or redirect behavior in your browser.
Friends receiving strange messages from you.
Unexpected password reset emails or login alerts.
Your phone suddenly loses service (possible SIM swap).

What to Do If You Think Your Phone Was Hacked (Fast Plan)

Use this step-by-step response plan:

1) Secure your email first

Change your email password from a trusted device.
Enable/confirm MFA and remove unknown devices/sessions.
Check forwarding rules and recovery settings.

2) Lock down financial accounts

Change banking and payment app passwords.
Review recent transactions and contact your bank if anything is suspicious.
Turn on stronger MFA methods.

3) Clean the phone

Delete suspicious apps.
Update the OS and all apps.
If compromise seems serious: back up essentials and factory reset the phone.

4) If you suspect SIM swap

Contact your mobile carrier immediately.
Ask them to lock the account and re-secure the number.
Change passwords again after your number is restored (email first).

For broader online safety habits, see How to Keep Data Safe and Secure and Keep Personal Information Safe Online.

FAQs

Can hackers access my phone just by calling me?

A normal call usually can’t hack a modern phone by itself. The bigger risk is social engineering—getting you to tap a link, install an app, or give a code.

Is public Wi‑Fi safe for my phone?

It can be risky, especially for banking or logins. Use cellular data for sensitive tasks, disable auto-join, and consider a trusted VPN.

What’s the best way to stop SIM swap attacks?

Set a carrier account PIN, secure your carrier login, and move key accounts away from SMS codes to authenticator-based MFA.

Do iPhones get hacked? What about Android?

Both can be targeted. Most real-world attacks rely on phishing, weak passwords, and malicious apps—not breaking the phone’s core security.

What should I change first if I think I’m hacked?

Change your email password first and secure email MFA, because email controls password resets for everything else.

Conclusion

Keeping your phone safe from hackers is about layers: strong lock screen security, updated software, careful app installs, and strong protection for your email and phone number. Most ‘hacks’ are really phishing or account takeovers—so focus on passwords and MFA as much as the phone itself. If you ever suspect compromise, move fast: secure email first, lock down financial accounts, and clean or reset the phone if needed.

Nicai de Guzman

As a digital marketer, she has received multiple international awards, including Campaign of the Year at the 2023 European Content Awards and Best Use of Content Marketing at the 2022 Global Search Awards. Nicai holds an MSc in Marketing (First Class Honours) from the UCD Smurfit Graduate Business School and she has also completed the Artificial Intelligence Programme at Oxford University’s Saïd Business School. She is also a contributing writer for publications such as Entrepreneur and Esquire.