7 Android Settings You Must Check to Make Sure No One Is Spying on You
Check 7 Android settings to stop hidden spying. Protect your privacy, calls, messages, camera, and location from unauthorized access.
EN - SECURITY & PRIVACYEN - ANDROID SMARTPHONES
Quebec Test
6/16/20253 min read
✅ Understanding the Privacy Score
To help you prioritize, each tip below includes two ratings:
🔐 Privacy & Security Score (1 to 5): Indicates the risk to your personal data if the setting is left active
🔋 Battery/Performance Impact (1 to 5): Measures how much the feature affects your phone’s battery or speed
The goal? Make your phone smarter — and safer.
1. 📍 Google Location Sharing
What it is:
Google lets you share your live location with other people, for instance while traveling or for safety. But sometimes, this feature remains enabled permanently, and you might forget about it.
Why you should check:
Someone may still have access to your real-time movements without your knowledge.
🔧 How to check:
Go to Settings → Location
Tap Location Services
Select Google Location Sharing
Remove any active sharing sessions
🔐 Privacy: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
🔋 Battery: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
2. 💬 Messages Synced to Other Devices
What it is:
Google Messages lets you sync your SMS to a computer or tablet. If you’ve used this feature in the past, the device might still be linked.
Why you should check:
An old or forgotten device could read your conversations remotely.
🔧 How to check:
Open the Messages app
Tap your profile photo or the three dots
Go to Device Pairing
Remove any unfamiliar devices
🔐 Privacy: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
🔋 Battery: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
3. 📱 Devices Linked to Your Google Account
What it is:
Every device you log into with your Google account remains linked until you remove it manually.
Why you should check:
Someone using a forgotten or stolen device may still have full access to Gmail, Photos, Drive, and more.
🔧 How to check:
Go to Settings → Accounts → Google
Tap Security
Scroll to Your Devices
Remove anything you don’t recognize
🔐 Privacy: ★★★★★ (5/5)
4. ⚠️ Device Administrator Apps
What it is:
Some apps can request “administrator” access, allowing them to lock your phone, change passwords, or even erase data remotely.
Why you should check:
Only trusted apps should have admin rights. If an unknown app is listed, it’s a major security red flag.
🔧 How to check:
Go to Settings → Security & Privacy
Tap Other Security Settings
Select Device Admin Apps
Deactivate anything suspicious or unnecessary
🔐 Privacy: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
🔋 Battery: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
5. 🎤 Camera or Microphone in Background
What it is:
Some apps can access your microphone or camera even when you’re not actively using them.
Why you should check:
This can lead to background recording or eavesdropping, without your knowledge or consent.
🔧 How to check:
Go to Settings → Security & Privacy
Tap Permissions
Review apps with access to camera and microphone
Revoke access for any apps you don’t trust
Enable sensor-blocking (if your phone supports it)
🔐 Privacy: ★★★★★ (5/5)
🔋 Battery: ★★☆☆☆ (2/5)
6. 📡 Unknown Bluetooth Tracker Detection
What it is:
Devices like Apple AirTags or SmartTags can be hidden in your belongings and used to track your movements without your consent.
Why you should check:
Android can alert you to suspicious trackers — if you activate the feature.
🔧 How to activate alerts:
Go to Settings → Safety & Emergency
Enable Unknown Tracker Alerts
🔐 Privacy: ★★★★★ (5/5)
🔋 Battery: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
7. ☎️ Call Forwarding Without Your Knowledge
What it is:
Malicious actors can remotely set up call forwarding on your number, routing your calls elsewhere.
Why you should check:
This type of old-school phone surveillance still exists today.
🔧 How to check and disable:
Dial *#21# to see if call forwarding is active
Dial ##002# to disable all forwarding
🔐 Privacy: ★★★★★ (5/5)
✅ Final Thoughts: Take Back Control of Your Phone
Doing these 7 quick checks will help you block hidden data access, improve your privacy, and ensure no one is monitoring your phone activities. It's not about being paranoid — it's about being smart and aware.
📌 Recommended Next Reads & Videos:
Your Android phone is packed with useful features — but some of them, if left unchecked, could be quietly sharing your personal data in the background. Whether you're using a Samsung, Pixel, Xiaomi, OnePlus, or any other brand, certain default settings may put your privacy at risk without you realizing it.
In this guide, we walk you through 7 essential privacy and security checks to help you regain full control of your phone and ensure that no one is listening in on your calls, accessing your messages, or tracking your location.
👉 Prefer watching? Here's the full video guide:
