Complete, practical guide from a digital forensics expert
Every year, more people contact me suspecting their iPhone is being monitored, tracked, or wiretapped.
Most often, it’s:
- private individuals suspecting a partner/ex-partner,
- entrepreneurs concerned about company data,
- parents checking if someone interfered with their child’s phone,
- companies finding an MDM profile not from their organisation.
This guide shows real detection methods, not myths from online forums.
If you suspect someone has access to your phone — don’t wait. After detecting irregularities, you can contact me immediately (details at the bottom of the article).
1. How to Check If Your iPhone Has Spying Software?
In iOS, classic spyware barely works — but tracking is still possible, especially if someone: Most often, tracking results from:
- knows your passcode and Apple ID,
- has physical access to the device,
- installed a tracking app or MDM profile,
- shares your location via Find My or family sharing.
✔️ Check Settings → Privacy & Security
Look for unknown apps with access to microphone, camera, or location.
✔️ Check Settings → General → VPN & Device Management
If there’s an unknown profile — it’s a form of remote supervision.
✔️ Check iPhone Storage
Settings → General → iPhone Storage
If there’s an app without an icon or with a strange name → suspicious.
✔️ Check Installed Apps
Settings → General → iPhone Storage → App List
Look for apps like “Cydia” or “Sileo” — signs of jailbreak (rare on modern iOS).
✔️ Check Battery Usage
Settings → Battery
High usage by unknown apps? Potential spyware.
2. How to Check If Your iPhone Is Being Wiretapped?
iOS doesn’t allow direct wiretapping, but indirect methods exist:
✔️ Check Call Forwarding
Settings → Phone → Call Forwarding
If enabled and not set by you — someone redirects calls.
✔️ Check Microphone/Camera Access
Settings → Privacy & Security → Microphone / Camera
Unknown apps with access? Suspicious.
✔️ Check for Unknown Bluetooth Devices
Settings → Bluetooth
If something unfamiliar is connected — could be a tracker or bug.
✔️ Advanced: Forensic Analysis
As a forensic expert, I analyse system logs for signs of remote access or audio interception.
3. How to Check If Your iPhone Is Being Tracked?
✔️ Check Location Sharing
Settings → Privacy & Security → Location Services → Share My Location
If enabled for unknown contacts — disable.
✔️ Check Find My
App: Find My → People / Devices
Unknown people/devices sharing your location? Remove.
✔️ Check Family Sharing
Settings → [Your Name] → Family Sharing
Someone added without your knowledge? Remove.
✔️ Check AirTag Alerts
iOS automatically detects unknown AirTags. If you get a notification — act.
4. How to Check If Someone Has Access to Your Apple ID?
✔️ Check Logged-In Devices
Settings → [Your Name] → Devices
Unknown devices? Remove and change password.
✔️ Check Apple ID Sign-Ins
Settings → [Your Name] → Password & Security → Account Details → Sign-In History
Suspicious logins? Change password immediately.
✔️ Check iCloud Backups
Settings → [Your Name] → iCloud → iCloud Backup
If backups are enabled — someone with Apple ID access can see your data.
✔️ Advanced: Apple ID Analysis
I check for account takeovers, linked devices, and recovery keys.
5. How to Check If Your iPhone Has a Hidden MDM Profile?
MDM (Mobile Device Management) allows remote control.
✔️ Check Profiles
Settings → General → VPN & Device Management
If you see a profile — it’s a form of remote supervision.
6. How to Check If Your iPhone Has Hidden Apps or Spyware?
✔️ Check App Library
Swipe left on home screen → App Library → Search
Look for hidden or unknown apps.
✔️ Check Screen Time
Settings → Screen Time → Content & Privacy Restrictions
If enabled without your knowledge — someone limits your access.
✔️ Advanced Forensic Check
I use tools like Magnet AXIOM or Cellebrite to detect spyware signatures.
Note: App Store scanners are ineffective against real spyware.
7. Signs That Someone Is Tracking Your iPhone
Typical symptoms:
- rapid battery drain
- overheating in pocket
- unwanted Apple ID logins
- unknown devices in Apple ID
- random login prompts
- active VPN you didn’t install
8. How to Detect Trackers on iPhone?
A) Apple Trackers (AirTag, AirPods, “Find My”)
Detected automatically — you’ll get a notification.
You can also check manually in the Find My app.
B) GPS GSM Trackers
iPhone won’t detect them.
Check:
- car
- bag
- backpack
- interior items (OBD, powerbank, charger)
Summary
iPhone provides good protection, but:
- it won’t protect you from someone who knows your passwords,
- it doesn’t block MDM tracking,
- it won’t detect classic GPS trackers,
- spyware appears mainly when someone had physical access to the device.
If suspicions are serious — perform a factory reset and set up iPhone as new, or consult a digital forensics expert.
Contact me:
Email: biuro@wichran.pl
Phone: +48 515 601 621
No one has the right to track, control, or manipulate you.
If something feels wrong — you have the right to check it out.
A cyber detective will help you regain peace, privacy, and control over your own life.
Author: Piotr Wichrań – Digital forensic examiner, licensed private investigator, IT/OT cybersecurity expert