Your phone holds your bank apps, messages, photos, email and passwords. That makes it one of the most valuable targets for criminals. The good news is that you can protect your phone from hackers with a handful of simple habits and settings — most take less than five minutes. This guide covers 12 essential steps for both Android and iPhone.

Why You Need to Protect Your Phone From Hackers

Criminals rarely "hack" phones the way films suggest. Most attacks rely on tricking people or exploiting outdated software:

  • Phishing messages by SMS, WhatsApp or email that lead to fake login pages.
  • Malicious apps that steal data or show fraudulent ads.
  • Unpatched software with known security holes.
  • Stolen or lost phones without a strong lock screen.
  • SIM-swap fraud, where criminals take over your number to intercept login codes.

Each step below closes one of these doors.

Lock Down the Basics

1. Use a strong screen lock

A six-digit PIN or longer passcode is far safer than a four-digit PIN or a pattern, which can be guessed or seen over your shoulder. Add fingerprint or face unlock for convenience. Set your screen to lock automatically after 30 seconds to one minute.

2. Keep your phone updated

Updates fix security holes that hackers actively exploit. Turn on automatic updates:

  • iPhone: Settings → General → Software Update → Automatic Updates.
  • Android: Settings → System → Software update (names vary by brand), and also check Google Play system update.

If your phone no longer receives security updates, it may be time to replace it — our Android vs iPhone guide can help you choose.

3. Install apps only from official stores

Download apps only from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store. On Android, keep Install unknown apps switched off for your browser and messaging apps. Before installing, check the developer name, reviews and the number of downloads.

4. Review app permissions

Many apps ask for more access than they need. Review permissions regularly:

  • iPhone: Settings → Privacy & Security.
  • Android: Settings → Security & privacy → Privacy → Permission manager.

A torch app does not need your contacts. A game doesn't need your microphone. Remove anything that doesn't make sense.

Protect Your Accounts

5. Turn on two-factor authentication

Two-factor authentication (2FA) means that even if someone steals your password, they still can't sign in without a second code. Use an authenticator app such as Google Authenticator or Microsoft Authenticator rather than SMS codes where possible, because SMS can be intercepted through SIM-swap fraud. Our step-by-step guide to setting up two-factor authentication walks you through it.

6. Use a password manager

Reusing the same password everywhere means one data breach can unlock all your accounts. A password manager creates and remembers a unique strong password for every site. iPhones have one built in (the Passwords app), and Google Password Manager works across Android and Chrome.

7. Add a SIM PIN and protect your number

A SIM PIN stops someone using your SIM card in another phone. Also ask your mobile network whether you can add an account PIN or "port-out" protection, which makes SIM-swap fraud much harder.

Stay Safe When Using Your Phone

8. Be suspicious of unexpected messages

Most successful attacks start with a message. Warning signs include urgency ("your account will be closed today"), prizes you didn't enter, requests for codes or PINs, and links that don't match the official website. Never share a one-time code with anyone — your bank will never ask for it. Learn more in our guide to spotting phishing scams.

9. Be careful on public Wi-Fi

Free Wi-Fi in cafés, hotels and airports can be monitored or faked. Avoid logging in to banking apps on public networks, or use your mobile data instead. A reputable VPN adds a layer of encryption when you must use public Wi-Fi.

10. Turn off Bluetooth and Wi-Fi when you don't need them

Leaving connections on all the time gives attackers more opportunities and drains your battery. Switch off automatic joining of open Wi-Fi networks.

Prepare for Loss or Theft

11. Enable Find My Device

  • iPhone: Settings → [your name] → Find My → Find My iPhone. Also turn on Stolen Device Protection if available.
  • Android: Settings → Security → Find My Device.

These let you locate, lock or erase your phone remotely if it is lost or stolen.

12. Back up your data

A backup means that if you have to erase your phone, you don't lose your photos and contacts. Turn on iCloud Backup or Google One backup.

Signs Your Phone May Be Hacked

  • The battery drains much faster than usual.
  • Data usage jumps without explanation.
  • Pop-up ads appear even when you're not using a browser.
  • Unfamiliar apps appear on your home screen.
  • Friends receive strange messages from your accounts.

If you notice these signs, update your phone, remove unfamiliar apps, change your important passwords from a different device, and consider a factory reset after backing up.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a phone be hacked just by answering a call?

This is extremely rare and usually targets high-profile people with advanced spyware. For most people, the real risks are phishing messages, bad apps and weak passwords.

Do I need antivirus on my phone?

On iPhone, no. On Android, Google Play Protect is built in and should stay switched on. Avoid "cleaner" or "booster" apps, which often do more harm than good.

Is it safe to charge my phone at public USB ports?

It's safest to use your own charger plugged into a wall socket, or a charge-only cable, because a compromised USB port could try to transfer data.

How do I know if an app is safe?

Check the developer, reviews and download count, and read which permissions it requests. If an app seems too good to be true — for example, promising free paid features — avoid it.

Final Thoughts

You don't need technical skills to protect your phone from hackers. A strong screen lock, automatic updates, careful app choices, two-factor authentication and a healthy suspicion of unexpected messages stop the vast majority of attacks. Explore more practical safety tips in our Tech section.