How to stop someone from mirroring your phone

Cybercriminals can mirror your cell phone without your consent through malware or spyware obtained from malicious links, man-in-the-middle attacks, or physical access. Such intrusion into your device may cause privacy violations and compromised passwords. Hackers may also target your phone as part of cyber espionage efforts — for example, if you work at a key government agency.

Hackers carry out phone mirroring by displaying or duplicating the phone’s screen. Here are some of the most common ways malicious actors can get into your mobile phone and mirror it:

• Spyware or malware. Hackers sometimes trick users into downloading malicious software that appears legitimate at first glance. However, once it’s in your mobile device, malware or spyware apps can help hackers capture your screen activity.
• Phishing attacks. A hacker can send you deceptive spam emails with malicious links. If you click on it, it downloads malware on your device, allowing malicious actors to monitor your screen activity once installed.
• Man-in-the-middle attacks. This one is especially common when connected to a public hotspot. Cybercriminals intercept the communication between two devices, which allows them to monitor data exchange between the devices.
• Operating system vulnerabilities. While all operating systems have vulnerabilities, hackers find ways to exploit them and gain access to a device.
• Physical access. If attackers obtain physical access to your phone or computer, they can install malicious software and monitor the device’s screen activity.

Awareness of these cell phone mirroring methods can help you stay safe and protected against hackers gaining access to your phone and mirroring your everyday activity.

Signs that someone is spying on your phone may resemble phone hacking signs. If you notice any of these signs in your phone’s functionality, it’s better to take action:

• Short battery life. If your phone battery discharges faster than usual, this could be a sign of someone mirroring your device.
• Increased phone data usage. Mirroring malware and spyware communicate with a hacker’s device, leading to a spike in cellular data usage.
• Call noises. If you hear static noise, an echo, rattling, or other unexpected noises while on phone calls, someone could be spying on you.
• The phone screen lights up. If you notice random mobile phone screen light ups, this might be a sign of a hacker operating in the background.
• Slower performance. Mirroring software may use your phone’s resources, slowing down the speed and performance of your device.
• Strange pop-ups. Another red flag is random pop-ups suggesting that you install apps or software.
• Unknown apps. Have you noticed unfamiliar apps on your phone? This could be spyware that hackers installed to spy on you.

If you notice any signs of phone mirroring, immediately run an antivirus scan for malicious apps, enable two-factor authentication (2FA), and change passwords on your critical online accounts. This may help prevent someone from gaining your sensitive data. However, if a hacker has malware or spyware installed on your phone, you might need additional steps to protect your privacy. Here are some ways to stop someone from mirroring your Android or iOS device:

Follow these instructions to stop iPhone mirroring:

Turn off screen mirroring

1. Open the “Settings” app on your iPhone, and tap “Control center.”
2. Find “Screen mirroring.”
3. Tap “Stop mirroring.”

Disconnect from the internet

1. Go to “Settings.”
2. Tap “Wi-Fi.”
3. Switch the toggle button to disconnect from the internet.

Turn off Bluetooth

1. Head to “Settings.”
2. Click on “Bluetooth.”
3. Tap the toggle button to turn off Bluetooth.

Delete suspicious apps

1. Unlock your iOS device and swipe right until you reach the “App library.”
2. Tap and hold your finger on an app icon you want to delete.
3. Tap “Delete app.”
4. Hit “Delete” to confirm.

Factory reset your iPhone

In the worst-case scenario, you may need to factory reset your iPhone to get rid of cybercriminals:

1. Head to “Settings.”
2. Find “General.”
3. Scroll to the bottom and hit “Transfer or reset iPhone.”
4. Choose “Erase all content and settings.”
5. Enter your Apple ID password and wait for the phone to reset.

Change your passcode

Changing your iPhone passcode may shut the door for physical access to your private data.

1. Open “Settings.”
2. Find “Face ID and passcode.”
3. Enter your current passcode.
4. Scroll down until you see “Change passcode.”
5. Enter your current passcode, then enter a new one and confirm.

Follow these instructions to stop mirroring on an Android device:

Turn off screencasting

1. Head to “Settings.”
2. Type “cast” into the search bar.
3. Hit “Screencasting.”
4. Disconnect from devices you’re connected to.

Disconnect from Wi-Fi

1. Go to “Settings.”
2. Find “Connections.”
3. Switch the toggle button to turn off Wi-Fi.

Disable Bluetooth

1. Open “Settings.”
2. Find “Connections.”
3. Switch the toggle button to turn Bluetooth off.

Delete unfamiliar apps

1. Open “Google Play Store.”
2. Tap your profile icon at the top right.
3. Find “Manage apps and devices.”
4. Hit “Manage.”
5. Select the app you want to delete.
6. Click “Uninstall.”

Factory reset your Android phone

Factory resetting your Android device may help eliminate all the malware and spy apps mirroring your screen activity.

1. Head to “Settings.”
2. Type “reset” into the search bar.
3. Tap “Factory data reset.”
4. Choose “Reset device.”
5. Enter your password.
6. Hit “Reset all.”

Change your PIN

1. Open “Settings.”
2. Find “Lock screen.”
3. Tap “Screen lock type.”
4. Enter your current PIN.
5. In the next window, tap “PIN.”
6. A “Set PIN” window will open. Type in your new PIN and tap “Continue.”
7. Enter your new PIN and tap “OK.”

Mirroring of your Android or iOS devices may lead to the loss of privacy, data theft, financial or reputational damage, exposure to malware, hackers accessing your GPS location, and ongoing emotional distress. So knowing how to prevent phone mirroring may help you save time, money, and nerves.

• Set up two-factor authentication (2FA). Ensure to enable 2FA for your critical online accounts, which will require an additional verification step when logging in to an account. This will enhance your phone’s security.
• Purchase a trusty antivirus. Use trustworthy antivirus software and run regular system scans to detect viruses that may help hackers monitor your screen activity.
• Use a virtual private network (VPN). Choose a reliable VPN provider to establish a secure connection between your computer and the remote VPN server, encrypting your data and masking your IP address.
• Keep your software up to date. Regularly update your software and apps. The newest software updates usually contain the latest security patches against known vulnerabilities.
• Create strong passwords. Create unique and complex passwords, never reuse them, and never share them with third parties. Also, get a secure password manager to store your strong passwords.
• Beware of unsecured Wi-Fi. Avoid connecting to public hotspots, which can sometimes be targeted by hackers. If you must use public Wi-Fi, ensure it is safe and refrain from accessing sensitive information while connected.
• Learn to recognize phishing emails. Remember — knowledge is power. Educating yourself about how to stop phishing emails may protect you from landing on malicious websites or downloading malware.

No countermeasures are foolproof. However, implementing these prevention practices may help protect your iPhone and secure your Android device from third party intruders and data breaches.