Can Someone Clone Your Phone Without You Knowing

What is phone cloning?

Phone cloning is a deliberate attack on your mobile device that aims to produce a perfect replica of it. When someone clones your device, they can intercept your call, use your apps, or even impersonate you while trying to scam your family or friends.

How phone cloning works

Simply put, phone cloning is duplicating your mobile device’s unique identifiers and creating an exact copy of your phone. If hackers achieve this, they can access and replicate your data. This will further allow them to make/intercept calls, send messages, and incur financial damages to your account.

How can someone clone your phone?

Phone cloning isn’t easy to achieve without physical access to your device, but hackers have other methods. These include:

• Software exploits: malware or spyware can be installed via malicious apps, phishing links, or unsecured Wi-Fi networks.
• Network sniffing: hackers can intercept data transmitted over the network (e.g., through unencrypted Wi-Fi).

Now, let’s discuss the most common ways attackers use to clone your phone:

• Clone a phone using Bluetooth
• Remotely clone a phone using a third-party app
• Using an iCloud backup
• SIM card replacement attack

Clone a phone using Bluetooth

Threat actors can exploit Bluetooth hacking apps to target mobile devices. If they successfully connect to your phone, they can access messages, calls, keyboard strokes, etc.

Remotely clone a phone using a third-party app

Some third-party apps often masquerade as innocuous apps for general purposes, like gaming, fitness, etc. However, once installed, they collect your data without you knowing. After gathering sensitive information, they can access your cloud accounts like Google or iCloud and clone backup to a new device.

Such apps can also access your camera and create risks to your privacy. If you are wondering how to tell if someone is watching you through your phone camera, several indicators can help you figure it out:

• apps that do not require camera access for their functions still have permission
• a sudden drop in battery life
• data spikes when you're not actively using your phone

Using iCloud backup

Someone who wants to clone your iPhone via an iCloud backup may accomplish this by having your credentials. Hackers use several methods to exploit backups and access your data:

• Phishing attacks
• Two-factor authentication bypasses.
• Social engineering.

SIM card replacement attack

Ever wondered how someone can hack your phone via SIM card? A hacker can transfer your phone number and connected data to another device by convincing your mobile carrier to issue a new SIM. Having control of your phone number, they can:

• Intercept two-factor authentication.
• Reset passwords.
• Access messaging apps.

What can someone see if they clone your phone?

Сan someone read your text messages from another phone? Yes, they can. If someone creates a replica of your phone, they obtain your personal data. This includes:

• messages and emails
• contacts
• photos and videos
• apps and accounts access
• location

How to tell if someone cloned your phone

1. Receiving phone reboot notifications
2. Unusual calls
3. Incorrect location in Find My Phone
4. SIM update notification from your operator
5. Not receiving messages or calls
6. Locking your accounts

Receiving phone reboot notifications

If your phone suddenly urges you to reboot, this can be a sign of cloning. This is a means malicious actors use to disable your device while introducing a SIM clone temporarily.

Unusual calls

Get frequent calls from unknown numbers? Or maybe you’ve noticed calls you didn’t make in your log? This can be a red flag. Watch your monthly expenses closely, especially if they seem unusually high.

Incorrect location in Find My Phone

If your phone location indicates a place you've never been, this could be a clear indication of malicious actions. To tell if someone cloned your phone, go to Find My Phone and check if it appears in two places simultaneously. If it does, someone might have created a replica of your phone.

SIM update notification from your operator

When you receive a notification about a SIM update from your mobile operator without initiating it, someone might be attempting a SIM card replacement attack. We recommend that you contact your mobile network provider immediately.

Not receiving messages or calls

As I already mentioned, a cloned phone can intercept your text messages and calls. If your phone suddenly goes quiet, it’s a strong indication that someone else is getting them.

Locking your accounts

Notice suspicious activity on your social media accounts or find yourself locked out? Someone may have already cloned your accounts, so they may quickly replace passwords. This is the time for you to reset your passwords and double-check your safety measures.

Here’s how to reinforce security on your social media accounts:

1. Change your passwords.
2. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA).
3. Review account activity.
4. Update security questions.
5. Check linked accounts and apps.

How to stop someone from cloning your phone

Here are several strategies to protect your phone from being cloned:

1. Enable two-factor authentication
2. Use difficult passwords
3. Be careful with unknown networks or devices
4. Monitor your device's performance
5. Install security software
6. Keep your device up to date

Enable two-factor authentication

Consider adding a two-factor authentication for an extra layer of security. This way, even if someone gains access to your passwords, they’ll need to pass a second verification step.

Here's how to set up two-step verification on your Android device:

1. In Settings, go to the Security tab.
2. Scroll to the Signing into Google section.
3. Tap Two-Step Verification.
4. Enter your password if prompted.
5. Tap Get Started.

Then, follow the prompts to select your second verification method.

Here’s how to enable a two-factor authentication on your iPhone:

1. On your iPhone, go to Settings and tap on your Apple ID.
2. Select Sign-In & Security.
3. Tap on Two-Factor Authentication.
4. Enter a phone number to receive verification codes.
5. Enter the verification code sent to your iPhone.

Use difficult passwords

When creating new passwords, consider incorporating a diverse array of characters. A strong password includes uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols such as @, #, $, %, &, and *.

Be careful with unknown networks or devices

Public networks can’t guarantee a safe browsing experience, so you should avoid using them. Also, never connect your phone to an unknown Bluetooth or RFID device. This might be an effort to clone the signals from your phone.

Monitor your device's performance

Unusual battery drain, slowdowns, or unexpected behavior can indicate cloning or other malicious activities.

To check for battery performance spikes and what apps are draining your Android device, follow these steps:

1. Go to Settings.
2. Tap Battery and device care > Device care.
3. Check for battery use spikes and apps you do not recognize.

To check for battery performance spikes and what apps are draining your iPhone, follow these steps:

1. Go to Settings.
2. Tap Battery.
3. Check for unusual battery use spikes and apps you do not recognize.

Install security software

To guard against possible cloning efforts, consider adding anti-spyware software to your device. Clario Anti Spy was created to protect your messages, location, contact list, photos and videos, etc., from unauthorized access. It runs on Android and iOS and offers an anti-spy setup, spyware scan, 24/7 human assistance, and so much more.

Use Clario Anti Spy to remove spyware from your phone. Follow these simple steps to use Clario’s Spyware scan:

1. Download Clario Anti Spy and sign up.
2. Connect your phone to your laptop.
3. Tap on Mobile scan, then Scan my phone.
4. Follow the step-by-step guide to remove spyware.

Keep your device up to date

Ensure regular software updates to patch vulnerabilities and keep your device secure against the latest threats.

Here’s how to update software on an Android device:

1. Go to Settings.
2. Tap Software Update and install any available update.

Here’s how to update software on your iPhone and turn on Automatic Updates:

1. Go to Settings, and tap General.
2. Tap Software Update.
3. Click Update Now.
4. After the update is done, go back to the Software update page and tap Automatic Updates.
5. Set on Automaticly Install and Automaticly Download.

Conclusion

So, can someone clone your phone without you knowing? Unfortunately, the answer is yes. Though rarely, phone cloning still happens and can have negative implications for your privacy and security. But how to know if your phone is being tracked? Download Clario Anti Spy to safeguard your digital life. Your phone is an extension of yourself—protect it accordingly.