No phone is truly unhackable, but some are much harder to break into than others
The short answer: there is no phone that cannot be hacked under any circumstances. A determined attacker with physical access, enough time, and specialized tools can break into almost any device. But that is not the threat most people face. The realistic question is whether your phone is harder to hack than it is worth to someone trying to steal your data — and that answer depends on what you do, what phone you use, and how you set it up.
The phones that are hardest to hack are iPhones running current iOS and certain Android phones from Google (Pixel) or Samsung that receive regular security updates. These are not unhackable. They are just expensive and time-consuming to break into, which makes them unattractive targets for the kinds of attacks that happen at scale — malware, phishing, stolen passwords, spyware sold to governments.
The phones that are easiest to hack are older devices that no longer receive updates, phones from manufacturers who stopped supporting them, and budget phones from companies with no track record of security. On these devices, known vulnerabilities pile up and never get patched. An attacker does not need to find a new weakness; they can use one that has been public for years.
Key Takeaways
- iPhones and recent Google Pixel or Samsung phones are the hardest to hack because they receive regular security updates that patch known weaknesses.
- A phone is only as secure as the updates it receives — once a manufacturer stops updating it, the device becomes progressively easier to compromise.
- Your behavior matters as much as your hardware: using strong passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, and not clicking suspicious links stops most real attacks.
- Budget phones and older devices are vulnerable not because they are inherently weak, but because they stop receiving patches while attackers keep finding new ways in.
Why updates are the real measure of security
Security researchers find new vulnerabilities in phone software constantly. When Apple, Google, or Samsung discovers a flaw, they release an update that patches it. Your phone is only protected against that flaw if you install the update. Once you do, that particular attack stops working — at least until someone finds the next one.
The problem is that not all manufacturers commit to updates for the same length of time. Apple typically supports iPhones for five to six years. Google supports Pixel phones for three years of major updates and four years of security patches. Samsung supports flagship phones for four years of major updates and five years of security patches. Many other manufacturers support phones for one or two years, or stop updating them without warning.
Once updates stop, your phone becomes a target. Attackers know that millions of devices are no longer receiving patches. They can use old vulnerabilities that were patched on newer phones but still work on yours. This is why a three-year-old iPhone is still reasonably secure — Apple is still patching it — but a three-year-old budget Android phone from an unknown manufacturer may not be.
iPhones versus Android: the real differences
iPhones are generally harder to hack than Android phones, but not because iOS is magically better. The difference comes down to control and consistency. Apple makes both the hardware and the software, so every iPhone runs the same operating system with the same security features. Apple also controls which apps can be installed and how they behave. This closed system makes it harder for attackers to find a way in.
Android is open-source software that many manufacturers customize and install on their phones. Google controls the core Android system, but Samsung, OnePlus, Motorola, and others add their own layers on top. This fragmentation means security updates roll out at different speeds. A security patch from Google might take weeks or months to reach your phone if your manufacturer has to test it first. Some manufacturers never release it at all.
That said, recent Android phones from Google (Pixel) and Samsung are nearly as hard to hack as iPhones. They receive updates quickly, they have strong built-in security features, and they limit what apps can do. The gap narrows every year. The real divide is between phones that receive regular updates and phones that do not — regardless of whether they run iOS or Android.
What to look for when choosing a phone
If security matters to you, prioritize update support over brand name or price. Before you buy a phone, check the manufacturer's website and find out how long they commit to updates. Look for at least three years of major updates and four years of security patches. If the manufacturer does not publish this information, that is a warning sign.
For Android phones specifically, Google Pixel phones and Samsung Galaxy phones (especially the flagship S-series) have the best track records. OnePlus, Motorola, and others have improved, but their support timelines are shorter. Budget Android phones from lesser-known brands often have one year of updates or fewer, which means they become vulnerable quickly.
If you already own a phone, check your settings to see when the last update was released. On iPhone, go to Settings > General > Software Update. On Android, go to Settings > About Phone > System Update. If your phone has not received an update in more than a few months, your manufacturer may have stopped supporting it. That is a sign you should start planning to replace it.
How your own behavior stops most attacks
The strongest phone in the world is still vulnerable if you use a weak password or click a link in a phishing email. Most people are not targeted by sophisticated hacking tools. They are targeted by attacks that work at scale: stolen passwords, malware hidden in fake apps, phishing messages that trick you into entering your login details.
These attacks work because they exploit human behavior, not phone security. You stop them by using a unique, strong password for each account (a password manager like Bitwarden or 1Password makes this practical), enabling two-factor authentication wherever it is available, and being skeptical of unexpected messages asking you to click a link or download something.
Two-factor authentication is especially important. Even if someone steals your password, they cannot log into your account without the second factor — usually a code from an app on your phone or a text message. This stops the vast majority of account takeovers. Enable it on email, banking, social media, and any account that holds sensitive information.
What "unhackable" features actually do and do not do
Phone manufacturers advertise security features with names like "Knox" (Samsung), "Secure Enclave" (Apple), and "Titan" (Google). These are real technologies that make phones harder to hack. They isolate sensitive data so that even if an attacker breaks into one part of the phone, they cannot access everything. They verify that the operating system has not been tampered with. They encrypt data so that it is unreadable without the right key.
These features work. They are part of why modern phones are harder to hack than phones from ten years ago. But they are not magic. They slow attackers down and raise the cost of an attack, but they do not make a phone unhackable. A government with resources can sometimes break through them. A criminal with physical access to your phone can sometimes extract data. What these features do is make your phone unattractive to ordinary attackers who are trying to compromise thousands of devices at once.
Do not buy a phone based on the name of a security feature. Buy it based on whether the manufacturer will update it for years to come. The best security feature is a patch released next month that fixes a vulnerability discovered this month.
When to replace your phone for security reasons
If your phone is more than five years old and you use it for anything sensitive — banking, email, work — it is time to replace it. Even if it still works, the manufacturer has almost certainly stopped releasing updates. Known vulnerabilities are piling up. The risk is not theoretical; it is real.
If your phone is three to five years old, check whether the manufacturer is still releasing updates. If yes, you are probably fine as long as you install them promptly. If no, start planning a replacement. You do not have to buy the newest or most expensive phone. A mid-range phone from a reputable manufacturer that commits to updates is more secure than a flagship phone from a company that has abandoned it.
If you buy a used phone, verify that the manufacturer still supports it. A used iPhone from two years ago is still secure because Apple is still patching it. A used Android phone from a small manufacturer might not be, because the company may have stopped updating it. When in doubt, ask the seller or check the manufacturer's website.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an iPhone really more secure than Android?
iPhones are generally harder to hack, but the gap is smaller than it used to be. Recent Google Pixel and Samsung phones are nearly as secure. The real divide is between phones that receive regular updates and phones that do not. An old iPhone is more secure than a new budget Android phone that will stop receiving updates in a year.
Do I need to buy an expensive phone to be secure?
No. A mid-range phone from a manufacturer that commits to updates is more secure than a flagship phone from a company that abandons it after a year. Check the update policy before you buy. Price does not determine security; update support does.
What if I cannot afford to replace my old phone?
Limit what you use it for. Do not use it for banking or email if it is no longer receiving updates. Use it for calls and messages only, or replace it with a refurbished phone from a manufacturer that still supports it. Refurbished phones are much cheaper than new ones and often come with remaining warranty coverage.
Does turning off location and Bluetooth make my phone unhackable?
No. Turning off features you do not use reduces the attack surface slightly, but it does not make a phone unhackable. The real protection comes from updates, strong passwords, and two-factor authentication. Disabling features is a minor addition to those, not a substitute.
Should I use a VPN on my phone?
A VPN encrypts your internet traffic so your internet provider cannot see what websites you visit. It does not make your phone unhackable or protect you from malware. Use a VPN if you connect to public WiFi and want privacy, but do not rely on it as your main security tool. Focus on updates and strong passwords first.