Can a scammer hack my phone through a text message?
Receiving a text alone is safe, but tapping a link in a malicious text can install malware or steal credentials if your phone is unpatched.
Last reviewed: 10 June 2026
Explanation
Simply receiving a text message does not give anyone access to your phone. Your messaging app processes the text as data, and no code executes just because a message arrives. The risk begins the moment you interact with the content — especially links.
So-called smishing attacks work by sending links that lead to fake websites designed to capture your login details, or to pages that exploit browser or OS vulnerabilities to silently install spyware. On fully updated phones these exploits are much harder to pull off, but zero-day vulnerabilities do exist and are sometimes used in targeted attacks.
Premium-rate SMS fraud is a different vector: your carrier charges you for texts sent to premium numbers without you realising it, usually after you install a shady app that sends them in the background. This doesn't require you to click anything in the original text.
Keep your phone's operating system and apps updated, never tap unsolicited links even if they look official, and avoid sideloading apps outside the official store. If you did tap a suspicious link, run a reputable mobile security scan and change any passwords you may have entered.
Common red flags
- Unexpected text from an unknown number containing a link
- Text claims to be a parcel delivery notice with a tracking link
- Link domain is misspelled or uses a URL shortener
- Message urges immediate action or threatens account suspension
- Text arrives immediately after you shared your number somewhere new
- Unusual battery drain or data usage after tapping a link
What to do now
- Do not tap any link in a suspicious text — delete the message
- If you already tapped, do not enter any credentials on the page that loaded
- Run a mobile security scan (Malwarebytes or your device's built-in scanner)
- Change passwords for any accounts you accessed on the phone shortly after
- Check your carrier bill for unexpected premium-rate charges
- Report the number to your carrier by forwarding to 7726 (SPAM)
- Keep your OS and apps fully updated to close known exploit windows
Frequently asked questions
Does opening an MMS picture message carry the same risk as tapping a link?
MMS images are decoded by your media library. Unpatched vulnerabilities in media parsers have historically allowed exploit code to run — keep your OS updated to close those gaps.
I got a strange text but didn't tap anything — am I safe?
Almost certainly yes. No action on your part means the attacker has no foothold. Delete the message and block the number as a precaution.