In today’s digital age, smartphones have become indispensable in our daily lives, storing a wealth of personal information, from emails to banking details. Unfortunately, this also makes them attractive targets for hackers. If you suspect that your phone has been compromised, you’re likely wondering, what to dial to see if your phone is hacked. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore codes and techniques to help you determine if your phone has been hacked and offer advice on how to secure your device.
Why You Should Worry About Phone Hacking
Before we dive into what to dial to see if your phone is hacked, it’s crucial to understand the significance of phone hacking and why you should be concerned. Hackers can access sensitive data, track your location, listen to your conversations, or even monitor your activities through compromised apps. If your phone is hacked, the consequences can range from minor inconveniences, like spam messages, to severe security breaches, such as identity theft or financial loss.
Signs that your phone might be hacked include:
- Unusual behavior: Your phone might suddenly run slower, overheat, or display strange pop-ups.
- Unexpected apps: You may notice unfamiliar apps installed on your phone.
- Data usage spikes: If your data usage suddenly skyrockets without reason, it could be a sign that your phone is being used to send or receive data in the background.
- Battery drains quickly: Malware or spying software running in the background can drain your battery faster than usual.
- Strange texts or calls: Unexplained outgoing calls or texts could be a sign that your phone has been hacked.
Now that we’ve identified potential symptoms of a hacked phone, let’s dive into what to dial to see if your phone is hacked.
USSD Codes: What to Dial to See If Your Phone Is Hacked
Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) codes are a set of codes that you can dial on your phone to access hidden settings or network features. Some of these codes can provide insights into whether your phone has been compromised. Let’s take a look at what to dial to see if your phone is hacked using these USSD codes.
1. *Dial #21# – Call Forwarding Check
One of the most common tactics hackers use is call forwarding. This allows them to redirect your calls to another number, potentially allowing them to eavesdrop or collect sensitive information.
Dialing *#21# on your phone will display whether any of your calls, messages, or data are being forwarded without your knowledge.
How to use it:
- Open your phone’s dialer app.
- Dial
*#21#and press the call button. - Wait for the results to appear on your screen.
The results will show whether call forwarding is enabled for voice calls, data, fax, or SMS messages. If you see that call forwarding is active and you didn’t set it up, this could indicate that your phone has been hacked.
2. *Dial #62# – Redirection Check
If you’re still wondering what to dial to see if your phone is hacked, another useful code is *#62#. This code checks where your calls are being redirected if your phone is unreachable or turned off.
Hackers sometimes use redirection to intercept your calls when you’re not available, allowing them to access your voicemails or record conversations.
How to use it:
- Open the phone’s dialer app.
- Dial
*#62#and press the call button. - The results will display the number your calls are being redirected to.
If the number displayed is unfamiliar or suspicious, this could be a sign that someone has tampered with your phone settings to redirect your calls to their device.
3. *Dial #002# – Disable All Call Forwarding
If you suspect that your calls are being forwarded without your knowledge, one of the most effective codes in what to dial to see if your phone is hacked is *#002#. This code disables all call forwarding and redirection settings on your phone.
How to use it:
- Open your phone’s dialer app.
- Dial
*#002#and press the call button. - The system will disable all call forwarding settings.
This is a quick and effective way to ensure that no one is intercepting your calls. It’s a good idea to use this code if you’re concerned about phone hacking.
4. *Dial #06# – IMEI Check
Another code to consider when figuring out what to dial to see if your phone is hacked is *#06#. This code displays your phone’s unique IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) number, which is used to identify your device on a network.
Checking your IMEI number is useful because hackers can clone your phone’s identity and use it for fraudulent activities. If your phone’s IMEI has been tampered with or cloned, it could indicate that your device has been compromised.
How to use it:
- Open the phone’s dialer app.
- Dial
*#06#and press the call button. - Your phone’s IMEI number will appear on the screen.
Write down your IMEI number and check it against your phone’s original packaging or warranty documentation. If the number doesn’t match, there’s a possibility that your phone’s identity has been altered.
5. Dial ##197328640## – Service Mode
For advanced users who want a deeper dive into their phone’s settings, *#*#197328640#*#* can access your phone’s service mode. This code provides detailed information about your device’s network and security settings.
How to use it:
- Open the phone’s dialer app.
- Dial
*#*#197328640#*#*and press the call button. - This will open the service mode menu on your phone.
In service mode, you can check various diagnostic settings to ensure that your phone is functioning correctly and has not been tampered with. This is a more technical approach to what to dial to see if your phone is hacked, but it can reveal critical information about the status of your phone’s network connections.
Additional Tips to Check If Your Phone Is Hacked
Now that you know what to dial to see if your phone is hacked, it’s essential to complement these codes with other signs of hacking. Here are some additional steps you can take to ensure your phone’s safety:
1. Monitor Data Usage
If a hacker has installed spyware or malware on your phone, it may use your data to send information back to the attacker. Keep an eye on your data usage, and look for any unusual spikes in activity.
How to check:
- Go to your phone’s settings and check the data usage section. Compare your current usage to your typical data consumption to see if there are any abnormalities.
2. Review Installed Apps
Hackers often install malicious apps on your phone to access personal information. Regularly review the apps installed on your phone and look for any that you don’t recognize.
How to check:
- On iPhone: Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage to see all installed apps.
- On Android: Go to Settings > Apps or Apps & Notifications to view installed apps.
If you find an app you didn’t install, delete it immediately.
3. Check for Suspicious Messages
One of the easiest ways hackers access your phone is through phishing messages. These messages may contain links or attachments designed to install malware on your phone.
If you receive an unexpected message from an unknown number with a link, avoid clicking it. Additionally, check your sent messages for any texts you didn’t send, as this could indicate that your phone has been hacked.
4. Scan Your Phone for Malware
There are numerous apps available that can scan your phone for malware or spyware. Regularly running a scan can help you detect any malicious software that may have been installed on your device without your knowledge.
Popular malware scanning apps:
- For Android: Look for antivirus apps like Avast, McAfee, or Bitdefender in the Google Play Store.
- For iPhone: While iOS is less prone to malware, you can still use apps like Lookout for security monitoring.
How to Protect Your Phone from Hackers
While understanding what to dial to see if your phone is hacked is important, prevention is always better than cure. Here are some tips to protect your phone from hackers:
- Use Strong Passwords: Ensure your phone is protected with a strong passcode, fingerprint, or facial recognition.
- Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Use 2FA for apps that store sensitive information, like your email or banking apps.
- Update Software Regularly: Keep your phone’s operating system and apps up to date, as updates often contain security patches.
- Avoid Public Wi-Fi: Public Wi-Fi networks are vulnerable to hackers. If you must use public Wi-Fi, consider using a VPN for added security.
- Be Cautious of Phishing Scams: Avoid clicking on links or downloading attachments from unknown sources.
Conclusion
Knowing what to dial to see if your phone is hacked can give you peace of mind and help you safeguard your personal information. By using USSD codes like *#21# and *#62#, you can check if your calls are being forwarded or redirected. Additionally, disabling call forwarding with *#002# ensures that no one is intercepting your communications.
However, these codes should be complemented with good digital hygiene, such as regularly checking data usage, reviewing installed apps, and scanning for malware. By staying vigilant and following the steps outlined in this article, you can protect your phone from hackers and keep your data secure.