My husband has been convinced for weeks that his iPhone 16 Pro Max has been hacked, even though we got them at the same time from an Apple Store about five months ago. I'm at a loss for how to reassure him that his phone is safe. He points to random pin drops and unfamiliar photos in our text history as evidence of hacking and sometimes even blames me, suggesting that I've created a second identity. This fear is putting a strain on our relationship because he won't trust me when I say I haven't tampered with his phone. I'm looking for signs we should watch for to confirm whether his phone is actually hacked. It's fully updated, but I really need advice on how to handle this situation before it gets worse. Thanks for any help!
4 Answers
Honestly, this sounds like more than just a phone issue. If he has such deep-rooted fears about his phone being hacked, that might indicate some unresolved mental health struggles. It’s definitely worth considering counseling or therapy options before things worsen.
Taking his phone to an Apple Store could be a good step. They can check for any unusual activity and reassure him about security. But honestly, if his paranoia is this intense, it sounds like he might need to talk to a mental health professional. Trust issues like this could lead to bigger problems in your marriage if not addressed properly.
It might help to gently point out that it’s very uncommon for phones to get hacked unless someone is a high-profile target. First, make sure he's running the latest version of iOS. You could encourage him to go through the iOS safety check procedure to see who has access to his account and what permissions are granted. If he's still worried, running the phone in lockdown mode might give him extra peace of mind. Most importantly, why would someone hack into his phone just to drop random pins or share photos? It could be worth discussing the possibility that he’s simply forgetting things and that there might be some underlying mental health issues he needs to address.
Exactly! Also, remember that it might just be a case of paranoia. Sometimes people can convince themselves there's a bigger issue at play when it might just be typical phone quirks.
There’s an app called iMazing that can detect spyware like Pegasus without needing a paid license. If he’s not a person of interest, it’s highly unlikely he’s being hacked. But if the paranoia persists, getting professional help could be crucial.

I agree with this! If he continues to be fixated on the idea of being hacked, it might be deeper than just phone safety. Getting an expert's help could really benefit both of you.