Is it possible for an iPhone to be hacked without creating an Apple Account or downloading apps?

NWN_VKB wrote:

A family member of mine believes her iphone has been hacked. We have factory reset, changed phones entirely updated software and still she believes it to be hacked stating the phone is hot sometimes, sometimes sees a green light indicating camera or mic use, claims there are a bunch of apps running in the background that cannot be seen. She took it to the Apple Store and she interpreted that the Genius confirmed the phone was hacked, saying they have never seen anything like it. Is this a possible scenario? No Apple ID was created. No login to emails. No apps downloaded and no suspicious links clicked..

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Original Title: iPhone Hacking possible?

NO, none of what your describe is a hack.

There are no hack/malware/spyware/virus for a non jailbroken phone.

phone can be hot if device has issue keeping a strong connection with cellular data.

IF there is no Apple id or app, how can they say there is app running in the background.