Published: July 10, 2026 | Last updated: July 10, 2026
TL;DR
- Check for call forwarding regularly using USSD codes: #21# (unconditional), #62# (when unreachable), and #67# (when busy) to spot unauthorized forwarding (Avast, 2024).
- Disable all forwarding instantly by dialing ##002# — this erases all call forwarding settings (FlashGet, 2026).
- Key signs of tapping include unusual battery drain, strange noises during calls, unexpected data spikes, and unfamiliar apps (McAfee, 2026).
- To protect your phone, keep your OS updated, review app permissions regularly, use strong passwords, avoid suspicious links, and restart your phone weekly (ExpressVPN, 2025).
- Modern phone tapping usually involves spyware or account hijacking, not traditional wiretaps — so digital security matters as much as physical security (McAfee, 2026).
- The NSA recommends restarting your phone weekly to disrupt certain types of malware and surveillance software (ExpressVPN, 2025).
How Can Someone Tap Your Phone?
Modern phone tapping has moved far beyond the old image of someone clipping a wire to a telephone line. Today, tapping usually happens through one of three methods (McAfee, 2026):
1. Spyware or Stalkerware. This is the most common method. Someone installs malicious software on your phone — often disguised as a legitimate app — that can record your calls, track your location, read your messages, and even access your camera or microphone without your knowledge (McAfee, 2026). According to a 2024 survey by Safehome, 80% of all stalking victims in the U.S. are tracked using technology such as spyware, cameras, and GPS (McAfee, 2026).
2. Call Forwarding. Attackers can set up unconditional or conditional call forwarding on your phone — often through physical access or by exploiting carrier settings — so that your incoming calls are redirected to a number they control (ExpressVPN, 2025).
3. SIM Swapping or Account Takeover. In more sophisticated attacks, someone may hijack your phone number by convincing your carrier to transfer it to a SIM card they control. This gives them access to your calls, texts, and even two-factor authentication codes (McAfee, 2026).
Signs Your Phone Might Be Tapped
Recognizing the warning signs is the first step toward protecting yourself. While no single sign confirms surveillance, a combination of these indicators should raise your suspicion (Norton, 2026).
1. Strange Sounds During Calls. If you hear clicking, pulsating static, high-pitched humming, or echoes during calls, it could be a sign that someone is recording or listening in (PCMag, 2025). These sounds are often more noticeable when you’re not moving and can indicate call-interception tools interfering with your phone’s connection (Norton, 2026).
2. Rapid Battery Drain. If your phone’s battery is draining much faster than usual, a hidden app may be running in the background, consuming power (McAfee, 2026). Spyware constantly sends data to remote servers, which consumes significant power (Malwarebytes, 2025).
3. Overheating When Idle. If your phone gets hot even when you’re not using it, a background process — like spyware — could be the cause (ExpressVPN, 2025).
4. High Data Usage. Spyware often sends recorded data over the internet, which can cause a spike in your mobile data usage (McAfee, 2026). Check your data usage settings to see which apps have consumed the most data over the past month (Malwarebytes, 2025).
5. Unknown Apps or Permissions. Look for apps you don’t recognize or apps that have unnecessary permissions, such as microphone or camera access (Malwarebytes, 2025). Stalkerware apps often disguise themselves with boring, system-sounding names like “System Service” or “Device Health” (McAfee, 2026).
6. Phone Acting Sluggish. If your phone is running slower than usual, crashing, or restarting unexpectedly, it could be compromised (PCMag, 2025).
7. Strange Text Messages. Receiving random texts with links, strange characters, or symbols can sometimes indicate that spyware is communicating with a remote server (Malwarebytes, 2025).
8. Camera or Microphone Activating on Its Own. If your camera light turns on or microphone indicators appear without reason, unauthorized software could be accessing these features (ExpressVPN, 2025).
Number to Dial to See If Your Phone Is Tapped
USSD (Unstructured Supplementary Service Data) codes allow you to check your phone’s network settings directly from the dialer. These codes cannot definitively confirm phone tapping, but they can reveal if your calls are being forwarded without your knowledge (Avast, 2024). To use them, open your phone’s dialer, enter the code, and press the call button.
| Code | What It Does | What to Look For |
|---|---|---|
| #21# | Checks unconditional call forwarding — all calls are redirected (Avast, 2024) | If a number is displayed, your calls are being forwarded. |
| #62# | Checks forwarding when your phone is unreachable (off or out of coverage) (FlashGet, 2026) | A number listed here means calls are diverted when you can’t answer. |
| #67# | Checks forwarding when your line is busy (Avast, 2024) | If a number shows, your calls are forwarded when you’re on another call. |
| #61# | Shows whether unanswered calls are being forwarded to a third party (Avast, 2024) | A conditional form of forwarding that could indicate tapping. |
| ##002# | Disables all call forwarding (both conditional and unconditional) (FlashGet, 2026) | Use this to instantly stop all forwarding. |
If any of these codes return a number that isn’t yours or your voicemail, it means your calls are being forwarded without your knowledge. This is often the easiest way to “tap” a phone without installing any software (FlashGet, 2026).
Code to Stop Phone Tapping
If you discover that call forwarding has been enabled on your phone, the quickest way to stop it is to dial ##002# and press the call button (FlashGet, 2026). This single code erases all forwarding settings on your phone, including conditional forwarding (when busy, unreachable, or no reply) (Avast, 2024).
Alternatively, you can use these individual codes to disable specific types of forwarding:
- ##21# – Disable unconditional call forwarding (Avast, 2024).
- ##62# – Disable forwarding when unreachable (FlashGet, 2026).
- ##67# – Disable forwarding when busy (Avast, 2024).
- ##004# – Disable all conditional forwarding (FlashGet, 2026).
How to Check If Your Phone Is Tapped by Police or Government
Detecting government-level surveillance is significantly more difficult than detecting consumer spyware. However, there are some signs and tools that can help.
Use the Mobile Verification Toolkit (MVT). The Mobile Verification Toolkit, developed by Amnesty International, is a free tool that lets you look for forensic traces of an attack on your own device. It requires some technical knowledge but can help identify sophisticated spyware (TechCrunch, 2025).
Look for SOS Mode Issues. Some users report that a phone frequently going into SOS mode — meaning it’s not connected to your cellular network — could be a sign of surveillance (Daily Dot, 2024).
Watch for Unusual Behavior. If your phone behaves strangely, such as turning on by itself, showing unexpected activity, or having difficulty shutting down, it could be a sign of monitoring (U.N.N., 2026).
Be Aware of Apple’s Threat Notifications. Apple sends threat notifications to users who may have been targeted by state-sponsored attackers. If you receive one, take it seriously (TechCrunch, 2025).
In most countries, law enforcement requires a warrant to tap a phone. If you believe you are being targeted, consider consulting with a legal professional.
How to Check If Your Phone Is Tapped on Samsung
Samsung users can follow the same USSD code checks as any other Android device (ExpressVPN, 2025). Additionally:
- Check Data Usage. Go to Settings > Connections > Data Usage. If your data usage is higher than usual, it could be a sign your phone is tapped (Laurie Excel, 2025).
- Review Call Logs. Check your call logs for any unknown numbers or activity that does not correlate with your usage (NerdyTechBlog, 2025).
- Use Samsung’s Built-in Security. Go to Settings > Biometrics and Security > Security Update to ensure your device is running the latest security patch (NerdyTechBlog, 2025).
- Check Device Administration. Go to Settings > Biometrics and Security > Other Security Settings > Device Administration. If you see any unknown apps listed as device administrators, remove them immediately.
How Can I Protect My Phone from Being Tapped in the Future?
Protection is about building consistent security habits. Here are the essential practices:
1. Keep Your Operating System Updated. Always install the latest OS updates and security patches as soon as they’re available (Norton, 2026). These updates patch vulnerabilities that spyware exploits.
2. Review App Permissions Regularly. Periodically review which apps have access to your microphone, camera, and location (McAfee, 2026). On Android, go to Settings > Privacy > Permission Manager. On iPhone, go to Settings > Privacy. Disable access for any app that doesn’t genuinely need it.
3. Only Download Apps from Official Stores. Avoid downloading apps from third-party sources. Stick to the Google Play Store and Apple App Store, which have security screening processes (Norton, 2026).
4. Use Strong Passwords and Biometrics. Secure your phone with a strong passcode, fingerprint, or facial recognition. Avoid using easily guessable passwords (McAfee, 2026).
5. Avoid Clicking Suspicious Links. Be cautious with links in texts, emails, or social media messages — especially from unknown senders (Norton, 2026). Phishing links are a common way spyware is installed.
6. Restart Your Phone Weekly. The U.S. National Security Agency (NSA) recommends restarting your device weekly to disrupt certain types of malware and surveillance software (ExpressVPN, 2025).
7. Check Call Forwarding Settings Periodically. Regularly dial *#21#, *#62#, and *#67# to ensure no unauthorized forwarding is active (Avast, 2024). If you find any, dial ##002# to disable everything.
8. Set a Carrier Account PIN. Contact your carrier and set up a PIN or passcode on your account. This prevents someone from making unauthorized changes to your account, including SIM swaps (McAfee, 2026).
9. Use a VPN. A VPN encrypts your internet traffic, making it harder for someone to intercept your data (ExpressVPN, 2025).
10. Be Aware of Your Surroundings. Avoid discussing sensitive information in public places where someone could overhear you or watch you type passwords or PINs (PCMag, 2025).
Troubleshooting Table
| Problem | Possible Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| You hear static or clicking during calls. | Calls may be forwarded or recorded. | Check forwarding with *#21#, *#62#, and *#67#. Disable forwarding with ##002# (FlashGet, 2026). |
| Your battery drains quickly. | Spyware or background apps are active. | Check battery usage, uninstall unknown apps, and run a security scan (McAfee, 2026). |
| You see unknown apps on your phone. | Malware or spyware may be installed. | Uninstall suspicious apps and review app permissions (Malwarebytes, 2025). |
| You can’t stop call forwarding. | Your carrier may have set up forwarding. | Contact your carrier and set up a PIN to prevent unauthorized changes (McAfee, 2026). |
| Phone is overheating when idle. | A background process is overworking the CPU. | Check for unknown apps, restart your phone, or run a security scan (ExpressVPN, 2025). |
| USSD codes don’t work on your phone. | The codes are not supported by your carrier or device. | Use your phone’s call settings menu or contact your carrier (Avast, 2024). |
| Camera or microphone activates randomly. | Spyware may be accessing your hardware. | Review app permissions and uninstall suspicious apps (ExpressVPN, 2025). |
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I protect my phone from being tapped in the future?
Protect your phone by keeping your OS updated, reviewing app permissions regularly, using strong passwords, avoiding suspicious links, restarting your phone weekly, and setting a carrier account PIN (Norton, 2026; ExpressVPN, 2025).
What number do I dial to see if my phone is tapped?
Dial #21# to check unconditional call forwarding, #62# for forwarding when unreachable, and #67# for forwarding when busy (Avast, 2024). These codes reveal if your calls are being diverted without your knowledge.
What is the code to stop phone tapping?
Dial ##002# to disable all call forwarding on your phone instantly (FlashGet, 2026). For specific forwarding types, use ##21#, ##62#, or ##67#.
How can someone tap your phone?
Modern phone tapping typically happens through spyware or stalkerware installed on your device, unauthorized call forwarding, or SIM swapping/account takeover (McAfee, 2026).
How do I know if my phone is tapped by police?
Look for unusual behavior like frequent SOS mode issues, difficulty shutting down, or unexpected activity. The Mobile Verification Toolkit (MVT) can help detect sophisticated spyware. In most countries, law enforcement requires a warrant to tap a phone (TechCrunch, 2025).
Can a tapped phone see text messages?
Yes. If spyware is installed on your phone, it can read your text messages, view your call logs, access your photos, and even record your conversations (Malwarebytes, 2025).
How do I check if my phone is tapped on Samsung?
Dial USSD codes like *#21#, *#62#, and *#67# to check for forwarding. Also review your data usage, call logs, and app permissions. Go to Settings > Biometrics and Security > Security Update to ensure your device is updated (ExpressVPN, 2025).
How do I know if someone is tapping my phone calls?
Signs include unusual sounds during calls (clicking, static, humming), rapid battery drain, unexpected data usage spikes, and unfamiliar apps on your device (PCMag, 2025; McAfee, 2026).
Key Takeaways
- Check for call forwarding regularly using USSD codes: #21# (unconditional), #62# (when unreachable), and #67# (when busy) to spot unauthorized forwarding (Avast, 2024).
- Disable all forwarding instantly by dialing ##002# — this erases all call forwarding settings (FlashGet, 2026).
- Key signs of tapping include unusual battery drain, strange noises during calls, unexpected data spikes, and unfamiliar apps (McAfee, 2026).
- To protect your phone, keep your OS updated, review app permissions regularly, use strong passwords, avoid suspicious links, and restart your phone weekly (ExpressVPN, 2025).
- Modern phone tapping usually involves spyware or account hijacking, not traditional wiretaps — so digital security matters as much as physical security (McAfee, 2026).
- The NSA recommends restarting your phone weekly to disrupt certain types of malware and surveillance software (ExpressVPN, 2025).