# How to Fix a Hacked Android Phone Fast
Android smartphones are popular, but hackers often target them for cyberattacks. Did you know that 98% of mobile banking attacks occur on Android? Don’t worry if your Android phone gets hacked! We’re here to assist you with a comprehensive guide to ease your concerns. Stay with us, and we will provide all the answers you need.
# How Can I Check If my Android Phone is Hacked?
Let’s start by discussing identifying if someone has hacked your phone. Cybercriminals can be tricky, but there are some signs to watch out for:
• Strange texts or calls from unknown numbers
• Annoying and spam pop-ups
• Your battery is dying
• A sudden increase in data usage
• Your phone phone seems to be feeling hot
• Sluggish performance that’s consistent
• Mystery apps you don’t recall installing
• Unexpected changes in call forwarding settings
• Your Android turning on and off by itself
If you notice any of these, it might be a sign that your phone’s security is compromised.
# How Can I Check if my Android Phone is hacked through Phone Calls?
Confirm whether these dialer codes reveal whether someone hacked your phone:
1. Location Tracking Check: Dial *#*#4636#*#* or *#*#197328640#*#* to see if your location is being tracked.
2. Call Redirection Code: Dial *#62* to check if someone redirects your calls and messages to another number.
3. Hardware Address Check: Your Android phone has a unique hardware address known as a MAC address. To verify the MAC address and add an extra layer of protection, dial *#*#232338#*#*.
Here’s how:
• Connect to your Wi-Fi network, and try using a device other than an Android phone.
• Enter the router’s IP address in a web browser.
• Log in to your router.
• Try locating a section in your device’s settings menu labeled “Connected Devices” or “Device List.”
• Locate your Android device and note down its MAC address.
• Compare this MAC address with your phone’s (*#*#232338#*#*). They should match for a secure connection.
4. IMEI Check: If your phone is lost or stolen after a hack, retrieve your [IMEI](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Mobile_Equipment_Identity) (International Mobile Equipment Identify) number by dialing *#06#.
5. Find Your Lost Phone: In a worst-case scenario, use *#*#1472365#*#* to locate your phone via GPS. For this to function, your phone’s GPS must be turned on.
# How Can I Protect my Android Phone from Hackers?
If you suspect your Android phone experienced a hack, don’t worry. Take a moment, breathe, and follow these steps to recover your hacked phone:
**Use an Antivirus Scan to Fix a Hacked Android Device**
A dedicated app can make recovering a hacked Android phone easier. Antivirus locates sneaky malware used by hackers to compromise your phone.
Here are some steps that will guide you:
• Choose a reliable antivirus app.
• Install the app on your phone and either login or create an account if prompted.
• In the Antivirus tab, select Antivirus and tap “Protect this device.”
• Start a scan to check for threats; this may take some time.
• If you detect any threats, tap “View details” and delete the infected files.
• Protect your phone by enabling Real-time protection to scan files as you install them.
Follow these steps, and Antivirus will help you recover and secure your hacked Android phone.
**Eliminate Administrator Access**
Ensure your phone is secure by checking which apps have administrator access. Look out for any unfamiliar or malicious ones. Follow these steps:
• Open Settings.
• Look for [fingerprint](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fingerprint) and security ( or Lock Screen and security on some models).
• Navigate to Administrators and credentials.
• Select device administrators.
• Review the list of apps with access and ensure they are legitimate.
• To improve your device’s security, remove suspicious apps with administrator access.
**Remove any Dubious Apps and Files**
Keep your phone safe by avoiding apps you didn’t install or outdated, unsupported ones. These can be openings for malware or adware. Suspicious apps often have names like “spy” or “track.” To check your phone:
• Go to Settings.
• Tap on Apps.
• Look for any suspicious apps.
• If you need clarification, Google the app to see if it’s suspicious.
**Switched off Call Diversion and Redirections**
Call diversion is handy, but hackers can misuse it to redirect your calls, messages, or data to their devices. To stay safe:
• Open your phone’s dialer.
• Dial ##002# to turn off all call forwarding options.
Alternatively:
• Go to your dialer’s menu.
• Find Call settings > Call forwarding settings.
• Turn off all call forwarding options (Always forward when busy, unanswered, and unreachable).
**Change the Passwords**
It’s crucial to change passwords for any compromised accounts. You should reset the passwords for all your social media accounts, including online banking and cloud services. Ensure you take this step to secure your accounts and prevent unauthorized access. So, it’s better to be safe than sorry and take this necessary action as soon as possible. Ensure the new password is strong, and avoid using personal information. Let’s make it challenging for hackers, especially with birthday gifts!
**Reset your Android Phone to Factory Defaults**
Finally, there’s a powerful “undo” button: the factory reset. It wipes out all your data and settings, returning your device to its original state. If all else fails, consider this option. But before you hit that reset button, back up your important data.
To trigger a factory reset on your Android, type ##7780#*#* on your dial pad. Alternatively, go to Settings, Storage & Backup, and select Factory Data Reset. Depending on your phone’s brand, the process may vary.
Here’s a quick rundown:
• Change your phone.
• Go to Settings.
• Tap Storage & backup.
• Choose factory data reset.
• Select Reset phone to factory default and format internal storage.
• Continue with start resetting.
Wait for the process to finish, and your Android operating system will be as good as new! So, with these tips and a calm approach, you can reclaim your phone’s security.
## How is It Possible for a Phone to be Hacked?
Now, let’s understand why cybercriminals target our phones. They want our valuable stuff: back info, social security numbers, and online passwords – to make money.
So, how do they do it? Here are the common tactics:
• Unsecured Wi-Fi Networks: Hackers use unsecured networks to get in, so connect.
• Phishing: Scammers trick people into sharing personal info using fear or curiosity. In 2023, they often targeted online documents, internet portals, webmail, and financial sites.
• Tracking software: Stalkerware tracks you using GPS, call logs, messages, images, browser history, and more. This sneaky software can hide behind harmless apps.
## How Do I Stop Hackers on Android Devices?
Here’s how to observe your Android phone’s security:
• Avoid Suspicious Links: If something seems suspicious, avoid clicking on unknown links, emails, attachments, websites, or messages.
• Run Antivirus Scans: Scan your device with VeePN Antivirus. Set up listed reviews and enable real-time protection for top-notch security.
• Use a VPN on Public Wi-Fi: [Protect your data on public networks by using a VPN](https://extremevpn.com/). It encrypts your data and shields your online activities from prying eyes.
• Turn off Wi-Fi and Bluetooth when not using them: This stops hackers from sneaking in through these connections.
• Two-factor Authentication(2FA): Ensure two-factor authentication (2FA) to enhance your account’s security. This method combines your password with your fingers or facial ID to ensure that only you can access your accounts.
• Stick to Official App stores: Download apps only from the Google Play store to avoid unknown risks.
• Keep OS and Apps up-to-date: Remember updates, often including security enhancements.
• Avoid Jailbreaking your Phone: Avoid jailbreaking or rooting your device; it compromises built-in security and makes it vulnerable to threats.
• Enable Remote Wiping: If you lose your phone or it gets stolen, use Google’s Android Device Manager to wipe data, secure the device, or erase it.
• Log out of Sites: To avoid unauthorized access, take extra precautions on public computers, especially on financial and retail websites.