How to find out if your Tele2 phone is being monitored on Android

A modern smartphone is not just a means of communication, but a complex computer that stores huge amounts of personal information. For subscribers of the operator Tele2, as for users of any other networks, the issue of digital security is relevant. Often, gadget owners notice strange behavior of the device: rapid battery drain, heating of the case, or inexplicable consumption of Internet traffic. These symptoms may indicate that the phone is being tapped or is being secretly monitored through special software.

You can determine the presence of third-party interference yourself, without turning to expensive specialists. There are a number of technical signs and software methods that allow you to identify spyware utilities or the activation of redirection services, which are often used by cybercriminals or unscrupulous partners. In this article, we will look in detail at how to check whether your phone is being monitored using standard capabilities Android and USSD network commands Tele2.

Primary signs of covert device surveillance

Before delving into the technical settings, pay attention to the physical behavior of your smartphone. Spyware, often called stalkerware, runs in the background, constantly transmitting data to a remote server. This creates additional load on the processor and communication modules, which inevitably affects the operation of the gadget.

If you notice that the battery is discharged much faster than usual, even in standby mode, this is an alarming signal. Malware may use a microphone or camera to record, which consumes a lot of energy. You should also be wary if the phone heats up for no apparent reason, for example, when it is just lying on the table and the screen is turned off.

Another indicator is abnormal mobile traffic consumption. Check the statistics in the settings. If you haven’t watched the video or downloaded the files, but the gigabytes are disappearing, it’s possible that your data (photos, correspondence, call history) is being transferred to third parties. You should pay special attention to applications that use the network in the background.

⚠️ Attention: The sudden appearance of new icons on the desktop or in the list of applications that you did not install is a direct sign of infection. Often such apps are disguised as system utilities with names like “System Update” or “Wi-Fi Service”.

Checking call forwarding via Tele2 USSD commands

One ​​of the simplest and most effective ways to find out whether your calls are being forwarded to another number is to use universal USSD requests. This method does not require the installation of additional software and works on any phone with a SIM card Tele2. Attackers often activate forwarding to intercept your conversations or let calls pass you by.

To check, open the "Phone" application and dial the code *#21#. After pressing the call button, the screen will display the status of all types of forwarding: voice calls, SMS, faxes and data. If it says "Does not forward" everywhere, then the feature is disabled. If you see an unfamiliar phone number, it means your calls are being directed to it.

There are other codes for more detailed diagnostics. The command *#62# will show the number to which calls are forwarded when your phone is turned off or out of network coverage. Often the operator assigns a voicemail number there, but if there is a personal mobile number there, this is a cause for concern. To disable all types of forwarding, use the universal reset code ##002#.

USSD command	Purpose	What the result means
*#21#	Checking general forwarding	Shows active numbers for all types communications
*#62#	Forwarding when unavailable	Where calls go if the phone is turned off
##002#	Full reset of forwarding	Disables all call and SMS forwarding
*#43#	Call waiting status	Shows whether the "Second Call" service is active

Analysis of installed applications and access rights

Most surveillance apps are installed directly on the victim’s device. This can happen if you gave your phone number to a friend to “call”, downloaded a file from an unverified source, or followed a phishing link. To find a spy, you need to carefully study the list of installed software.

Go to the settings of your Android device along the path Settings → Applications → All applications. Scroll through the list carefully. Look for apps without icons, with empty names, or with suspicious names that mimic system processes. If you see an application that you don’t remember installing, it’s a candidate for deletion.

Pay special attention to access rights. Go to section Privacy → Permission Manager. Check which apps are allowed to use your microphone, camera, geolocation, and SMS access. A normal calculator or flashlight should not be able to read your messages or know your location. If such an application is found, immediately revoke its permissions.

Some malware has device administrator rights, which allows it to block its removal. To check this, go to Settings → Security → Device administrator applications. There should only be the Find My Device service from Google. If there is something else there, uncheck the box next to the suspicious item, and then delete it in the usual way.

⚠️ Attention: If, when you try to delete an application, the “Delete” button is inactive or immediately throws you into the main menu, then the app has administrator rights. First, disable them in a special menu, and only after that remove the software.

Monitoring traffic consumption and background activity

Hidden data transfer is the “Achilles heel” of most spyware. Even if developers try to optimize traffic, constantly sending audio files or screenshots leaves traces in the statistics. The system Android provides convenient tools for tracking this process.

Open the section Settings → Connections → Data usage. Here you will see a graph of traffic consumption for the current month. Click on the "Mobile Data" or "Wi-Fi" button to see details for each application. Sort the list by the amount of traffic spent.

If you see at the top of the list an application that you rarely use (for example, a voice recorder, a gallery, or a strange service with an unclear name), this is a serious reason to check. Click on it to see detailed statistics: how much traffic was spent in the background, and how much during active use. Spyware almost always uses background mode.

It is also worth checking the "Traffic saving" or "Background limiting" section. Enable background activity restriction for all suspicious apps. This will not remove the virus, but it may temporarily close the information leakage channel until you find and neutralize the threat completely. Remember that some system processes also use traffic, but their volumes are usually minimal.

Hidden processes in the task manager

In some cases, spyware disguises itself as a process called com.android.systemui or similar. To see the real package name, enable the "Display package name" option in the developer settings. This will help distinguish a system process from a fake.

Diagnostics using the engineering menu and codes

For a deeper check, you can use the engineering menu of your smartphone. It provides access to hidden radio module settings and equipment tests. This menu is entered through special codes, which may differ depending on the manufacturer (Samsung, Xiaomi, Huawei).

Try entering the code ##4636##. If the menu opens, select "Phone Information". Here you can see the connection status, network type and other technical information. Although there is no direct "Check surveillance" button, anomalies in the network operation (frequent reconnections, change of network type without reason) may indirectly indicate interference.

For users Samsung code available #0#, which runs a full hardware test. Check the operation of the sensor, vibration and speakers. Spyware sometimes interferes with hardware, causing those components to malfunction. If the test shows an error where everything worked fine before, this may be a consequence of malware.

It is important to understand that the engineering menu is a tool for diagnosing hardware, not an antivirus. It will not find the Trojan, but it will help identify the consequences of its operation. If you are not sure of your actions, it is better not to change the settings in this menu so as not to disrupt the operator’s network parameters Tele2.

Using anti-virus scanners and Google Play Protection

The most reliable way to detect complex spyware is to use specialized protection tools. There is already a built-in system Android the system is already built in Google Play Protectionthat automatically scans applications for threats. However, to be completely sure, it is better to perform a manual scan.

Go to the store Google Play, click on your profile icon and select "Play Protection". Click the "Check" button. The system will scan all installed applications and compare them with a database of known threats. If malware is found, you will be prompted to remove it.

For a more in-depth scan, it is recommended to install a third-party antivirus from a well-known vendor, for example Kaspersky, Dr.Web or ESET. Download them only from the official app store. After installation, run a full system scan. These apps are able to find Trojans that disguise themselves as legitimate software and are missed by Google’s built-in protection.

After cleaning, be sure to restart your phone. Some types of viruses are registered in startup, and a reboot helps to finally unload them from RAM. If your antivirus finds a threat but cannot remove it, try doing it in safe mode.

⚠️ Attention: Do not install several antiviruses at the same time. They can conflict with each other, slow down the phone and give false positives. Use one reliable app.

Radical measures: factory reset

If you have tried all the methods, but suspicions remain, or if the phone behaves unpredictably, the last and most effective remedy is a complete data reset (Hard Reset). This procedure removes absolutely all data from the phone's internal memory, including any viruses and hidden bookmarks.

Before performing a reset, be sure to save important contacts, photos and documents to external storage or cloud storage. Remember that after the reset, the phone will be as good as new, and you will have to set up accounts and install applications again.

To perform a reset, go to Settings → System → Reset settings → Delete all data. Confirm the action and wait for the reboot. After turning on the phone, be careful when installing applications: do not restore the backup copy of apps immediately, but install them manually from trusted sources.

Can the Tele2 operator monitor my phone itself?

The telecom operator sees the metadata: who called whom, when and where you were (via cell towers). However, the operator does not see the content of conversations and correspondence in instant messengers (WhatsApp, Telegram), since they are encrypted. Access to wiretapping is possible only at the request of intelligence services with a court sanction.

What should I do if I found someone else's number in the forwarding?

Immediately enter the code ##002# to disable forwarding. Then change the password for your Tele2 personal account and scan your phone with an antivirus. If forwarding is turned on again without your participation, there may be a virus on your phone that is blocking the cancellation of the service.

Is it safe to enter USSD codes for verification?

Yes, entering standard diagnostic codes (starting with *#) is completely safe. They are processed at the phone modem level or by the operator's network and cannot install a virus or steal data. The only dangerous links are those that suggest you click to “check.”

How to protect your phone from surveillance in the future?

Never give an unlocked phone to strangers, even for a minute. Do not install applications from unknown sources (APK files from the browser). Update your Android system regularly and use complex passwords or biometrics to lock the screen.