Can an iPhone be manipulated remotely?

Anyone have an iPhone that has been hacked remotely? They have access to everything and no matter what I do, change passwords, (which they will then change again and lock me out) reset phone, scribble over chat help, you name it, I could go on and on…they sabotage any hope of getting my sanity back. Literally taunt me by changing my web searches to what they want me to see, make files in my email, give me on and off access to my apps (depending on if I **** them off or not). I’ve been to my carrier, Apple Store, Geeksquad…They all think I’ve lost my mind. I’ve even given them proof! I’m at a loss. I fear if I get a new phone, this nightmare will follow me. All these “experts” keep telling me that hackers in no way can hack an IPhone!! Are you KIDDING ME??? PLEASE tell me I’m not the only one and tell me you found a solution!



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iPhone 14, iOS 18

Posted on Nov 25, 2024 05:51 AM

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Posted on Nov 25, 2024 05:59 AM

As long as you have not jailbroken your phone, there is no remote hacking capability. That may be why you are getting brushed off.


Is your screen cracked? With a cracked screen you will see odd behavior as the digitizer in the screen has been damaged and you will see "ghost touches" that appear to be able to change things on your phone as if someone else is doing it.



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Nov 25, 2024 05:59 AM in response to Snowdog55

As long as you have not jailbroken your phone, there is no remote hacking capability. That may be why you are getting brushed off.


Is your screen cracked? With a cracked screen you will see odd behavior as the digitizer in the screen has been damaged and you will see "ghost touches" that appear to be able to change things on your phone as if someone else is doing it.



Nov 30, 2024 04:17 PM in response to Snowdog55

iPhone can be hacked. It’s just exceedingly expensive, based on available evidence. Remote no-click iOS exploits with persistence are currently worth up to two million dollars each, give or take.


Apple themselves provide related info about exploits, and Apple has provided notifications to some users when they suspect compromises: About Apple threat notifications and protecting against mercenary spyware - Apple Support


SIM swapping is a thing too yes, though there are options to eliminate the exposure to that, particularly involving security keys.


But since you clearly believe you have been hacked by folks seemingly with immense budgets and carrier access, or with immediate local direct access (whether gaslighting or otherwise), and have undoubtedly already taken the basic steps to re-secure your environment (and failed) (though oddly lacking security keys), that automatically puts you well outside the sort of help that can be offered around here, or in most any other forum.


You can continue with these requests in this and other forums of course, and you will get the same suggestions previously offered, already considered, and already failed.


You will need specialized forensics help, or you need to learn about forensics and collect some evidence yourself. If not what you learn and collect, you’ll either need to pay for forensics help, or you’ll need to differentiate your requests for (free) help with the immense numbers of other folks also seeking that same (limited) (free) help too, as they’re not inundated with requests.


Lots of folks think they were hacked. Most have not been. The “I’ve got a virus” and “I’ve been hacked” claims are often wrong. More than a few of these reports have been caused by benign and mundane software changes of software bugs, or by hardware failures. Not by security issues. And if you have been hacked, you’re outside the portfolio of anybody around here.


Or put more succinctly, you have reached the limits of your current approach, and will need to change your strategy.


Dec 22, 2024 09:58 AM in response to mydogsname

mydogsname wrote:

His phone could have been cloned or his son/ someone could be using a computer this user is still logged into and the browser/ imessages/ Mail are synced with the iphone. So mysterious usage could be coming from another device. User could login into his icloud account and look at the devices on his account/ sign out of ones he is not using.


If you’re sharing an Apple Account not recommended), or if re-using passwords or passcodes, or a password or passcode compromise (including cloning a device), then problems can and often will ensue, yes.

Nov 25, 2024 06:29 AM in response to Mac Jim ID

Ok. Someone who has not been remotely hacked is not going to be of help. This person has “communicated” with me through the search bar wanting to “be my friend” saying I seem like a “nice person” and revealing personal info like how they “don’t have friends” used to be fat”…Also, directing my searches to “places they’d like to take me” Then, when I get ****** off and tell them where to go, that’s when I get “punished” for weeks at a time and locked out of everything. I’ve tried to take snapshots of these conversations, and of course, they get deleted.

Too much to explain to others who can’t relate. Need advice from others who are going through the same thing. Sounds like I may have been “jailbroke?” Which, I didn’t do. I do know that I had the IOS 18.1 software update download a month or 2 before anyone else. Apple Store blames it on my 21 year old son, who is in college who doesn’t even live with me, and btw, has never had access to my phone, nor would have no desire to. And I myself have no tech skill to even attempt any manipulation of so called “jailbreaking” or even care to of such idiocy. And no, I’m not a celebrity.


Nov 25, 2024 06:31 AM in response to Snowdog55

You are not losing your mind. But no, you also have not been hacked.


Its so impossibly difficult, expensive and complex to actually hack an iPhone, more so remotely, that no actual hackers that can do this would waste their time and money on just some random person to just play around with with them.


Sorry, you are just not worth the cost or time hacking would take. Unless you are a high ranking politician, journalist, celebrity or other high profile target you are just not worth the effort.


Whatever is happening on your device, and no doubt something is happening, is almost certainly not due to remote hacking.


If have been hacked, then, there is no way to resolve it. Hacking targets need to recreate their entire existence on line after a hack.


Nov 25, 2024 06:43 AM in response to Snowdog55

Snowdog55 wrote:

I saw some post group on in a year and years passed, but the threads were closed. I was hoping that I could get some responses from either updates on recent experiences..

What you are being told by some of the most senior and highly respected members of this forum is that hacking an iPhone to be remotely controlled, is almost impossible. No one is suggesting you don't have something wrong with your phone, but it hasn't been hacked.


Change your Apple ID Password if you want to make yourself more comfortable --> Change your Apple Account password - Apple Support


Nov 30, 2024 03:36 PM in response to Snowdog55

For all the know-it-alls and ones who replied (sarcastically) just because they have nothing better to do, here’s something you might want to learn before you gaslight the next person who has the same legitimate concerns that I did. I wouldn’t wish this on even you. God Bless. https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/cell-phone-fraud

Excerpt from Wikipedia


EXACTLY what happened to me.

Nov 30, 2024 03:47 PM in response to Snowdog55

Snowdog55 wrote:

For all the know-it-alls and ones who replied (sarcastically) just because they have nothing better to do, here’s something you might want to learn before you gaslight the next person who has the same legitimate concerns that I did. I wouldn’t wish this on even you. God Bless. https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/cell-phone-fraud

Nothing there says your iPhone is hacked. Like we have all said, an account can be compromised simply with the Password. The link you posted talks about convincing your cell provider to port your phone or compromise other information from your cell provider to port your number. Nothing there allows anyone to remotely access your phone. That is once again your account that has been compromised and in that instance it would need resolved by your cell provider.


Someone can also get into your bank account by convincing an employee that you are on the phone or by having your password. You may have the bank app on your iPhone, but again your phone is not hacked and they got no information from your phone.


The examples you have given are also not related to anything that is provided in the link and not possible using any of those methods.

  • reset phone
  • scribble over chat help
  • taunt me by changing my web searches to what they want me to see
  • make files in my email


Your phone is not being remotely controlled like your original post is asking.. I am assuming you are not a high value target or government official where a foreign adversary would be willing to spend upwards of a million dollars to monitor your activity. In that case, you would also expect a wire tap on your cell provider and probably being physically followed. That is far beyond the scope here.

Dec 22, 2024 01:17 AM in response to Snowdog55

I have been experiencing these exact same issues for months now. I legitimately thought I was going crazy, and so has everyone that I’ve spoken to about this. Everything you have said is accurate. Everything on my phone, apps included, is manipulated. Everything. I would love to talk further into detail about this nightmare. You are definitely not losing your mind. Please keep in touch on here.

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Can an iPhone be manipulated remotely?

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