You lock your phone. You use Face ID. You even delete your call history sometimes. And we all understand why: you want to keep your business private. But what if none of that matters?
Because someone might already be listening in.
It sounds a little bit like Agent 007 style. But on average, harmful software apps can be installed in under two minutes. They don’t make a sound and leave a trace. And if you’re not paying attention, they can record every single conversation you have.
If the idea of someone secretly listening in gives you the creeps (as it should), read here how to know if someone is listening to your calls. You deserve privacy. Let’s get it back.
Table Of Contents
Can Someone Listen to My Conversations Through My Cell Phone?
The idea of being recorded without consent is unsettling. So, what does the evidence actually say?
An article in The Washington Post on January 7, 2025, answers on: Can someone hear my conversations? A lot of people feel like that, especially when they see ads for something they just mentioned in conversation. But experts say it’s pretty unlikely that microphones will be used.
But actually, smartphones already collect a lot of data about you, like your browsing history, location, and even demographic profiles. Put all this together, and you’ve got a dataset that can deliver personalised ads without listening to phone calls.
Back in 2019, two researchers from Berlin Tech University, Jacob Kröger and Philip Raschke, published a research called “Is My Phone Listening In?“. In it, they looked into whether people’s phones could be spying on them and whether that could be spotted. The good and bad news.
Good news:
- Malicious apps could access the mic if granted permissions, though OS controls require user approval. Surprisingly, motion sensors like accelerometers or gyroscopes can pick up sound vibrations—revealing spoken words or keystrokes—without triggering standard permission alerts. These methods are stealthy and hard to detect.
Bad news:
- Covert recording, data processing, and storage all need a lot of battery life, data, and resources, which companies would want to avoid.
What does it all mean? There’s no solid evidence that your average phone is constantly listening to your private conversations. Still, advanced attackers could exploit vulnerabilities.
5 Signs How to Tell if Someone Is Listening to Your Phone Calls
If you’re worried your phone could be tapped or monitored, be alert for these red flags:
- Unexplained battery drain or overheating
- High data usage spikes (software uploading info)
- Unfamiliar apps or odd permissions
- Weird noises or echoes during calls
- Unexpected screen activity or lag
These clues are often the first indicators that something might be wrong. Spot one or more? Maybe it’s your sign to stop the phone from listening with our proven ways.
Secure My Phone: Your First Line of Defense
Secure My Phone is your go-to app for tracking down hidden spyware and monitoring tools. You’re dealing with suspicious call behavior, sudden battery drains, or just a nagging feeling that something’s off? Secure My Phone can help you find out for sure and fix it fast with just 5 easy steps.
Step 1: Registration
You need to enter your email where they should send your setup link.
Step 2: Take a Quick Security Survey
Tell the app what type of phone you use, any red flags you’ve noticed, and what you want to find the most. This allows Secure My Phone to tailor its security checks to your needs.
Step 3: Pick a Plan That Fits Your Needs
Choose 1,3, or 6-month plan. All features are available for an affordable price.
Step 4: Installation
Install the app to scan your device. After scanning, you might find hidden treats and get a chance to know who listens to your phone calls.
Step 5: Use Extra Tools for Deeper Protection
Turn on features like the Data Breach Checker, Wi-Fi Scanner, and OS Update Monitor. These tools help keep your personal info safe and alert you if you’re using outdated, vulnerable software.
Secure My Phone makes advanced mobile protection accessible to everyone, even if you’re not tech-savvy.
How to Stop Someone From Listening to Your Phone Calls on Android: 5 Quick Fixes
First, turn off call forwarding. Dial the following codes to disable call forwarding:
- ##002# – disables all forwarding
- *#21# – checks if forwarding is active
The next way is to reboot your phone in safe mode. Some malicious apps hide deep in your phone, but Safe Mode can temporarily disable them. What to do? Press and hold the power button. Tap and hold “Power Off” until “Safe Mode” appears. Tap OK to reboot.
Once in Safe Mode, check for and delete apps you don’t recognize.
Also, it’s a good idea to audit app permissions: Go to Settings > Privacy > Permission Manager > Microphone.
If you spot any unfamiliar apps (especially ones that look like system tools or have generic names), they could be spyware. Apps with no icon, no name, or fake update icons are major red flags that someone’s listening to my phone calls.
Change passwords for email, Google account, cloud storage, and banking apps. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) wherever possible.
Final Thoughts
The plan is to know what to look for and act fast. With built-in tools, app permission audits, and trusted cybersecurity apps like Secure My Phone, you can stop phone spying in its tracks and relax again.
