How to prevent someone from snooping on your Android

It takes seconds for someone to compromise privacy and security on your Android phone. Though compromise from strangers such as hackers and other cybercriminals are more commonly discussed, sometimes it is the snooping by those near you that can be the most shocking. Detecting that your phone has been tampered with is also hard for you to detect when a snoop has infiltrated your private life – and I’ve got help with finding out.

Places Your Android can get snooped on

In your own home
At your friend’s or neighbor’s homes
At work
Out and about

It doesn’t take very long for any nosy person from gaining access to your phone or change settings that grant them access in the future or remotely.

Most people wouldn’t even think to guard their Androids, especially around friends, family or familiar settings so chances are that you wouldn’t notice if your phone has been creeped on.

Not sure? You can check out this extensive article on red flags that signal a hacked phone: How to tell if your phone has been hacked. As a safeguard, simply follow the steps below to bolster your phone’s security so it isn’t susceptible to hackers or snoops.

Please note settings may vary depending on your Android phone’s manufacturer

How to check if a snoop is spying on your Android

human hand holding white samsung duos android smartphone

It takes no time at all to input your screen lock to access your Android. While you may think more sophisticated methods are needed to gain access to your Android, it can be as easy as peering over your shoulder while you least expect it to spy on what screen lock you’ve inputted.

Once this snoop gets a good glance or even several looks over time, they can get into your phone when you set it down to use the bathroom or run to get something from another room.

Follow the quick steps below to make sure it is more difficult for snoopers to gain access to your phone.

1. Restart your Android

For Most android phones:

Hold Power button then select Restart or Power off and restart from the Power Options menu.

For Newer Samsung devices:

Hold the Power/Side button and Volume Down
The Power Options menu appear
Select the desired option

For Google Pixel 6:

Hold the Power and Volume Up buttons

2. Change your Screen Lock

change lock screen

Go to ‘Settings’ on your phone
Tap ‘Security’
Select type of screen lock preferred by tapping ‘Screen Lock’
Already have a Screen Lock in place? You’ll need to input your pattern, pin or password to pick a different lock:
- Pattern: Use your finger to draw a simple pattern
- PIN: Enter a minimum of 4 numbers, but longer PINs (more than 4 numbers) tend to be more secure.
- Password: Enter 4 or more letters or numbers
Select Screen lock option by tapping the one you prefer then follow the on-screen instructions

3. Check for latest Android update

It’s important for your security to keep your phone’s operating system updated. Any time loopholes for hackers and snoopers are discovered, usually there is an update to stop them.

To check which Android OS you’re running

Go to ‘Settings’ on your phone
Tap ‘About Phone’ then ‘Android version’
You can find your ‘Android Version,” “Android security update,” and “Build number”

Get the latest Android Updates available for you

If you get a notification, open it and select ‘update’

If you cleared the notification or your device is offline:
Go to ‘Settings’ on your phone
Tap ‘System’ then ‘System Update’
After you see your status, you can follow any steps presented on the screen (if necessary)

Get Google Play system and security updates

Go to ‘Settings’ on your phone
Tap ‘Security’
To check if security updates are available, tap ‘Google Security checkup’
To check if there is a Google Play system update available, tap ‘Google Play system update’

Android phone with a lock icon on screen to indicate security

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How to prevent Android snoops from spying

Be mindful when you’re inputting in your screen lock. Even someone looking over your shoulders can be compromising your security so be aware of who is around you when you’re inputting your screen lock. For those of you who don’t pay attention or want to pay attention, you can get a privacy screen protector. It is usually a plastic or tempered glass piece that you can stick to your phone screen to not only protect your screen from cracks or scratches but also blocks out light from certain angles so people around you can look at what you’re inputting.
Never share your password or passcode. If you’ve got a google profile set up on your Android device, you can set up different or guest profiles, which will limit their access to the settings and information on your phone.
Send videos and photos directly to someone instead of handing over your unlocked phone
Never leave your phone unattended
By far the smartest protection is to install good security protection on all of your devices for the best protection. My top pick is TotalAV (Limited time deal: $19 your first year (80% off). More: Best Antivirus Protection found here.

Got an iPhone and want to see who’s spying on you?

Check and detect if someone you know is snooping on your iPhone

Have you been snooped on before? Or hacked? How did you find out? To find out more specific signs that may indicate that your phone has been compromised, check out How to tell if your phone has been hacked.