Question:

How can I tell if my Android phone has been compromised?

I noticed that the screen time data in the digital wellbeing app was missing for the last 8 days, while it was available for the previous days and the current day. I did not delete the data myself, and I am concerned that someone else might have accessed my phone and erased the data. Is this a sign of a security breach, or could there be another explanation for this anomaly? How can I check if my phone is safe and secure?

Answer:

If you are worried that someone might have hacked your Android phone and accessed your personal data, you are not alone. According to a report by Google, there were over 1.6 billion potential phishing and malware attacks on Android devices in 2023. One of the signs that your phone might have been compromised is the loss or alteration of your screen time data in the digital wellbeing app. This app tracks how much time you spend on your phone, what apps you use, and how many notifications you receive. It can help you manage your digital habits and set goals for yourself. However, if you notice that your screen time data is missing or inaccurate, it could indicate that someone else has tampered with your phone and deleted or modified the data.

There are several possible reasons why your screen time data might be missing or inaccurate. Some of them are benign, while others are more malicious. Here are some of the common scenarios and how to deal with them:

• You accidentally deleted the data yourself. Sometimes, you might have cleared the cache or data of the digital wellbeing app, or reset the app preferences, without realizing it. This could erase your screen time data and reset the app to its default settings. To avoid this, you should be careful when you manage your apps and storage, and avoid deleting or resetting anything that you are not sure about. You can also backup your screen time data to your Google account, so that you can restore it if you lose it. To do this, go to Settings > Digital Wellbeing & parental controls > Backup & restore, and turn on the backup option.
• You changed your phone’s date or time. If you manually changed your phone’s date or time, or traveled to a different time zone, it could affect your screen time data. The digital wellbeing app uses your phone’s date and time to calculate your screen time, and if they are not accurate, it could result in missing or incorrect data. To fix this, you should set your phone’s date and time to automatic, so that they are synced with your network provider. To do this, go to Settings > System > Date & time, and turn on the automatic date & time and automatic time zone options.
• You updated your phone’s software. Sometimes, when you update your phone’s software, it could cause some glitches or bugs in the digital wellbeing app, or other apps that use the screen time data. This could lead to missing or inaccurate data, or the app not working properly. To solve this, you should check if there are any updates available for the digital wellbeing app, or other apps that use the screen time data, and install them. You can also clear the cache or data of the digital wellbeing app, or uninstall and reinstall it, to fix any issues. However, this might also delete your screen time data, so you should backup it first, as mentioned above.
• Someone else accessed your phone and deleted the data. This is the most serious scenario, and the one that you should be most concerned about. If someone else accessed your phone, either physically or remotely, and deleted your screen time data, it could mean that they also accessed your other personal data, such as your contacts, messages, photos, emails, passwords, etc. They could also install malicious apps or software on your phone, that could spy on your activities, steal your information, or damage your device. To prevent this, you should always lock your phone with a strong password, PIN, pattern, fingerprint, or face recognition, and never share it with anyone. You should also avoid clicking on suspicious links or attachments, downloading apps from unknown sources, or connecting to unsecured Wi-Fi networks. You should also install a reputable antivirus app on your phone, and scan it regularly for any threats. If you suspect that your phone has been compromised, you should change your passwords for your online accounts, and contact your bank or credit card company if you notice any unauthorized transactions.

To summarize, your screen time data in the digital wellbeing app is a useful tool to monitor and manage your digital habits, but it could also be a sign that your phone has been compromised. If you notice that your screen time data is missing or inaccurate, you should check the possible reasons and take the appropriate actions to fix it. You should also take the necessary precautions to protect your phone and your personal data from hackers and malware.

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I hope this article helps you with your question. Please let me know if you need any further assistance. 😊

: [Google Online Security Blog: Android Security 2023 Year in Review](https://security.googleblog.com/2024/02/android-security-2023-year-in-review.html) : [Back up or restore data on your Android device – Android Help](https://support.google.com/android/answer/2819582?hl=en) : [Set time, date & time zone – Android Help](https://support.google.com/android/answer/2841106?hl=en) : [Fix an installed Android app that isn’t working – Android Help](https://support.google.com/android/answer/2668665?hl=en) :

[What to do if your phone is hacked – Norton](https://us.norton.com/internetsecurity-mobile-what-to-do-if-your-phone-is-hacked.html)