WhatsApp is possibly the most popular medium of communication across the world today. People across ages and professions use it as a means of regularly communicating with each other. In fact, the numbers stand at about two billion users worldwide. 

However, with this immense popularity and the increase in cybercrime, there also come the chances that someone is spying on WhatsApp to access sensitive and confidential information. While WhatsApp’s conversations are end-to-end encrypted, hackers have their ways of working around it. 

This article will dive into the different ways you can find out if someone is spying on your WhatsApp. So let’s dive right in. 

 
HOW TO DETECT WHATSAPP SPYWARE ON YOUR DEVICE
 

Check Your Linked Devices History 

WhatsApp offers a feature called WhatsApp Web which allows users to scan a QR code to use WhatsApp from their computers. This makes communication very convenient, especially for people who work on their laptops all day. However, this also means that someone could use it to their advantage to spy on all your conversations. 

If you’re unaware of how WhatsApp Web functions, you could fall prey to such attempts. However, we’re going to tell you everything you need to know about this method so you can immediately detect when someone’s spying on your conversations. 

The first step to initiate WhatsApp Web is to type the URL web.whatsapp.com on your computer’s browser. This opens a page with a QR code, as in the image below:

Next, you need to open WhatsApp on your smartphone, go to the options button, or the three dots on the top right-hand corner of the screen, and select WhatsApp Web. You’ll then have to scan the QR code on your computer screen and you’ll be given access to WhatsApp Web. 

The first thing to notice is that the moment WhatsApp becomes active, you’ll notice a corresponding logo of a laptop on your phone’s notification panel, as in the image below:

This logo signifies what WhatsApp Web is active on your computer. Now, let’s come to how you can detect if someone is using this to spy on you. If you’ve never used WhatsApp, or did, but logged out of your last known session and continue seeing this logo, you can be sure that someone still has access.

While this can be a scary sign, there is an immediate solution. Open WhatsApp on your phone and go to the option (three dots on the top-right hand corner) and click on Linked Devices. This will show you the browser and the time at which WhatsApp Web was last used on another device. If you notice an unauthorized link, click on the device and click on Log Out. This will cease all connections and unlink the devices. 

You Notice Strange Changes on Your WhatsApp 

Another sign that someone is spying on and remotely controlling your WhatsApp is to look out for strange changes or messages that you don’t remember making or sending. If this happens, it can be extremely damaging to your safety and reputation, so it’s essential that you’re always vigilant. 

Your Phone Heats Up When Not in Use 

Every smartphone is bound to heat up a little when in use or when it’s being charged. This is especially so for devices that are tuned to use powerful Fast Charging mechanisms. However, if you notice that your phone is heating up even when not in use, it could be a sign that there’s some program running in the background. This is most likely to be spyware or a keylogger, and chances are that it’s also being used to spy on your WhatsApp apart from the rest of your device. 

Your Whatsapp Slows Down While the Rest of the Phone Is Fast 

If you notice that your WhatsApp is slowing down while the rest of your phone is still blazing fast, this could be a sign that someone is using spyware to spy on your WhatsApp. 

Your Battery Drains out Faster Than Usual 

Every mobile user is generally aware of how long their phone’s battery lasts on an average day of use. This could include using social media apps, watching a Few YouTube videos, Netflix, or when using their device as a mobile hotspot. 

However, if you suddenly notice that your device’s battery has started draining out much faster than usual without a corresponding increase in its usage, this could be a sign of an app in the background that’s consuming part of its juice. 

How to Remove WhatsApp Spy Apps From Your Device 

There are a few ways in which you can remove a WhatsApp spy app from your Android or iOS device. These are listed below: 

Use a reliable anti-malware program. These are constantly updated to keep up with advances in spyware technology and can sometimes do a great job of detecting and getting rid of spy apps. You can check out Norton or Kaspersky. 
Regularly perform a factory reset on your device to erase all the files and programs from it. This will also remove any spyware that’s been installed on your device. However, always remember to take a backup of all your data, including WhatsApp before you go ahead with a reset. 
In Conclusion 

As you can see, when someone attempts to spy on your WhatsApp, it can be quite scary and damaging. Often, while people use the phone tracking apps to track their children or employees, hackers can also misuse them to spy on people’s WhatsApp or other aspects of their devices. This guide has shown you the key signs to look out for, along with what you can do to remove a WhatsApp spy app from your device. 

So, always be vigilant and you’ll be able to keep yourself safe online!