There isn't one single "most hacked" phone, but Android phones are generally targeted more due to their vast market share, fragmented updates, and open nature, making them easier for "regular" hackers, while iPhones are targets for sophisticated spyware (like Pegasus) and large-scale surveillance, with both platforms vulnerable through user actions (phishing, bad apps) rather than just the OS itself. iPhones benefit from Apple's strict ecosystem, but Android's diversity means slower security patching across many devices.
Based on interest, it's likely Android phones get hacked more than iPhones. The two-factor authentication platform Rublon reported that there was 13 times more interest in hacking Android phones than iPhones in 2021.
Pick a safe phone like the Google Pixel 9 Pro or Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max. These phones help protect you from hackers and malware. Find important security features like encryption and two-factor authentication. Make sure your phone gets regular software updates to keep your data safe.
The most secure cell phones prioritize hardware-level privacy with features like physical kill switches (camera, mic, Wi-Fi) and open-source software, with the Purism Librem 5 often cited as #1 for its robust physical controls and privacy-focused PureOS. Other top contenders include the Murena 2 (de-Googled Android with kill switches), Bittium Tough Mobile 2C (enterprise focus with dual-boot), and specialized options like the Sirin Labs Finney U1 for crypto. For mainstream users, Apple iPhones (iOS) and Google Pixels (with GrapheneOS/de-Googled Android) offer strong built-in security and regular updates.
Here are the most secure cell phones you can pick:
Yes, you can remove a hacker from your phone, usually by disconnecting from the internet, removing suspicious apps, running a security scan with trusted antivirus software, changing all passwords (especially email/banking) from a different device, and as a last resort, performing a factory reset to wipe the device clean. Always back up essential data before a factory reset and monitor your accounts afterward for any lingering issues.
No, dialing *#21# does not tell you if your phone is genuinely "tapped" by surveillance software or the government, but it does check if unconditional call forwarding is enabled, which redirects calls and texts to another number, a common, but different, form of interception. While codes like *#21# (check forwarding) and ##002# (disable forwarding) can manage call routing, modern spyware is sophisticated and leaves no simple dial code to detect it, requiring checks for suspicious battery drain, overheating, or performance issues instead.
If you're looking for well-known brands, the Apple iPhone and Google Pixel are two of the most secure smartphones available. Otherwise, look for the Blackphone PRIVY or Sirin Labs Finney U1 for advanced cybersecurity and privacy features like a cold-storage cryptocurrency wallet.
Our top recommendations for Android protection are Bitdefender Total Security and Norton 360 Deluxe, both of which hold our Editors' Choice honor as cross-platform security suites. However, all the suites we've collected here are complete suites with robust Android apps, and most receive excellent lab scores.
SquareTrade noted 80 percent of the stolen devices are iPhones, with the iPhone 15 Pro Max most frequently stolen, followed by the iPhone 16 Pro Max and Galaxy S24 Ultra.
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You can tell if your phone might be monitored by watching for signs like rapid battery drain, unusual data usage, the phone getting hot when idle, strange noises during calls, unexpected reboots, unfamiliar apps, or the green/orange dots indicating camera/mic usage (on newer OS), alongside weird texts or account activity. While no single sign guarantees monitoring, a combination suggests spyware, which can often be removed by updating software, running security scans, or performing a factory reset.
Yes, turning your phone off temporarily stops most active hacking by cutting connections, but it's not a permanent fix; sophisticated spyware might survive a restart, and features like Apple's "Find My" can still allow tracking via low-power Bluetooth signals even when "off," though it requires compromised account access for hackers to exploit it, so regular restarts (weekly) and other security steps are crucial.
While iPhones are known for their security, they're not impregnable. If you've ever wondered if your iPhone can get hacked, the answer is yes, it can. Find out how it happens and how to recover. And use the Norton Mobile Security app to help keep hackers off your phone.
Yes, someone can hack your phone and see almost everything (photos, messages, location, camera, microphone) using spyware, phishing, or exploiting account access, but sophisticated remote hacks are rare for average users; more commonly it's through malicious apps or compromised cloud accounts, so checking for unknown devices on your Apple/Google account and securing Wi-Fi is crucial.
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