12 Tell-Tale Signs He’s Cheating On His Phone (Can You Spot These?!)
There’s probably nothing more gutwrenching than suspecting your partner is cheating. It is an incredibly difficult and painful situation to be in.
And of course, one of the most common ways people cheat these days is through their phones.
With so much technology and social media, it’s easier than ever to connect with people and keep secrets from your partner.
If you’re worried that your partner might be cheating on you, it’s important know the signs, but also not to read into every little thing…
While no single sign is a guarantee that your partner is cheating, there are a number of glaring red flags that you should be aware of.
By being aware of these signs he’s cheating, you can start to take steps to protect yourself and your relationship.
Whether you’re just starting to suspect that something is going on, or you’re already pretty sure that your partner is cheating and just want the proof, we’ll help you spot the warning signs before you get further into your relationship…
Signs He’s Cheating On His Phone
While it is important to trust your partner, it’s also important to recognize signs of infidelity.
I will also be the first one to say, sometimes a woman’s intuition, your gut feeling, will be your guiding light.
There are a lot of physical signs he’s cheating on his phone, but if you just have a nagging feeling there may be other women in his life (and you have a secure attachment style), you might not need to go out digging for more signs.
However, here are some of the obvious signs that your partner may be cheating on you with on their phone:
- Your partner is protective of their phone and doesn’t let you see it.
- Your partner suddenly starts password-protecting their phone when they never did before.
- Your partner is always on their phone, even when you’re spending time together.
- Your partner never lets their phone out of their sight.
- Your partner is always deleting their call history or text messages.
- Your partner has a second phone that they keep hidden from you.
- Your partner receives text messages or calls at odd hours of the night.
- Your partner has a lot of new contacts in their phone that you’ve never heard of.
- Your partner suddenly becomes very secretive about their phone usage.
If you notice any of these signs, it may be a good idea to talk to your partner about your concerns.
While it’s possible that there’s a reasonable explanation for their behavior, it’s also possible that they may be cheating on you. Even if it isn’t physical cheating, there may be some other woman he doesn’t want you to know about.
You may want to discuss the reason for the secrecy or even consider couples therapy if you don’t think it’s a topic you can approach alone.
Communication is key in any relationship, so make sure to have an open and honest conversation about your feelings.
Hiding Their Phone Phone
One of the most common and obvious signs that your partner is cheating (or at the very least, hiding something) is when they start hiding their phone.
If they used to leave their phone out in the open but now keep it with them at all times or take it with them to the bathroom, this could be a red flag.
Another sign of increased secrecy is when they start password-protecting their phone or changing their password frequently.
If they refuse to give you their password or get defensive when you ask to use their phone, this could be a sign that they have something to hide.
Other signs that your partner may be hiding their phone include:
- Turning off notifications or keeping their phone on silent
- Deleting text messages, call logs, or emails
- Using apps that hide text messages or phone calls
- Spending more time on their phone than usual
On top of this, you may notice he has a separate phone.
Sometimes cheaters will have two phones in order to not raise alarms. This one may be a lot harder to notice as they may keep the second phone at the office or in the car, where you’ll never see it.
Spending More Time On Their Phone
One sign that your partner may be cheating is if they suddenly spend more time on their phone than usual. This could include:
- Spending more time texting or on social media
- Taking their phone with them everywhere, including the bathroom
- Being defensive or secretive about their phone use
Now, that doesn’t always mean cheating (duh.)
Phones have been shown to be highly addictive, so he could possibly just be going down a wormhole and not noticing.
But if he’s spending a lot of time on social media platforms or you see other woman’s name popping up on his phone, it could be something worth mentioning.
Or Sudden Disinterest In Phone
On the other hand, if your partner suddenly loses interest in their phone or seems to be avoiding it, this could also be something to take note of.
This can include:
- Leaving their phone in another room or turning it off for long periods of time
- Not responding to calls or texts as quickly as they used to
- Acting unconcerned about losing or breaking their phone
- Not checking their phone when messages come in
If your partner is suddenly disinterested in their phone and seems to be avoiding it, it could be a sign that they are trying to hide something.
In general, the rule here is if he’s gone from one end of the spectrum to another. If he was always on his phone and now isn’t (or vice versa,) that change could be a sign he’s hiding something.
(Mandatory Disclaimer: These signs alone aren’t enough proof of cheating. It’s when you mix these signs with others on this list plus other things that just don’t add up. You don’t want to be accusing someone of disloyalty because they’re acting a little off)
Weird Texting Habits
There are a couple of weird texting habits that men who are cheating might start to show.
Maybe you notice he starts deleting messages immediately after sending or receiving them. Perhaps you saw him texting earlier, but if you check his phone there are no outgoing messages.
Or he starts being guarded when he’s texting, pointing the screen away from you so you can’t see.
Or his behavior could be directed toward you. he’s no longer responding to your texts as quickly as he once was.
these are all data points to be made, especially he wasn’t like this when you first started dating.
Increased Phone Privacy
Increased phone privacy can mean keeping their phone on silent or on vibrate all the time. Or maybe they added a password or changed their phone’s password.
It could also mean they don’t leave their phone unattended around you, perhaps even taking it to the shower. Or they start turning off notifications for certain apps, especially social media accounts.
All these little signs of increased secrecy can actually be a big sign something is going on.
Maybe they also start taking incoming calls outside, out of earshot. Or their call history is blank, even though they were on the phone.
A cheating spouse, unless they have multiple phones, tend to be very secretive and guarded around their cell phone.
New or Secretive Apps
If your partner has recently installed some new apps on their phone, it could be a sign that they are cheating.
Especially if they are secretive about what those apps are or refuse to let you see them.
Some common apps that cheaters use to communicate with their affair partners include:
- Private messaging apps like Snapchat or WhatsApp (if they didn’t have these before)
- Dating apps like Tinder or Bumble (OKAY STOP READING NOW IF HE HAS ANY OF THESE!! 100% chance of something sketchy)
- Secret photo vaults like Calculator or KeepSafe
If you notice any of these new apps, it’s important to have a conversation about them as soon as possible.
And if he has any of those dating apps, no conversation is needed. Just pack your bags and get going!.
Unfamiliar Contacts (Perhaps Saving A Womans Names Under Guys Name)
If your partner has contacts in their phone that you don’t recognize, that’s something to take note of.
Pay attention to any new names that show up in their call log or text messages, especially if they are saved under a fake name or with no name at all.
Is he talking a lot lately with a new friend you’ve never heard of? Even if it’s one of the boys, if you’ve never met them or heard of them before, it could very well be a fake name for the other woman.
It’s also worth noting if your partner is suddenly very protective of their phone or if they seem to be hiding their screen when they receive messages or calls.
This could be a sign that they are communicating with someone they don’t want you to know about.
Of course, not all unfamiliar contacts are signs of cheating. Your partner could have a new coworker or friend that you simply haven’t met yet.
But if you notice other signs of infidelity, like secrecy or a lack of intimacy, it’s worth investigating further.
He’s Overly Protective Of His Phone
If your partner is cheating, he may become very protective of his phone. The second the phone rings he may jump and not want you to look at who’s calling in.
He may always keep it with him and never let it out of his sight. He may also become defensive when you ask to see his phone, or he may refuse to let you use it altogether.
Another sign to look for is if he is constantly checking his phone and quickly putting it away when you come near. He may also take his phone with him everywhere, including the bathroom or shower.
He Starts Answering His Phone Calls Outside Or far From You
I touched on this briefly before, but if the second his phone rings he answers it and goes away from you, that’s a big red flag he’s hiding something.
Especially if he’s getting frequent calls and constantly taking them far away.
Of course, if he’s always done this, perhaps he takes a lot of business calls, it’s not an issue.
The issue is when he’s starts doing this out of nowhere and he has no reason to talk in private. It may not be a big deal, maybe he just wants some privacy.
But if it’s a recurring issue and it’s causing trust problems in your own relationship, it may be time to address the concern.
Phone Is Always Locked
If your partner is cheating, he may keep his phone locked at all times. He may also change the password frequently, making it difficult for you to access his phone.
He may also use a different password for his phone than he does for other accounts.
If you do manage to get access to his phone, you may notice that he has deleted text messages or call logs. He may also have a lot of unknown numbers in his call log or contacts list.
Direct Messaging On Social Media
Social media platforms are great for cheaters because they can turn off notifications and not be as easily traced as calls and texts.
If you see he’s constantly messaging on social media platforms, especially if it’s other women, it could be something you may want to acknowledge.
Platforms like Snapchat are infamous for infidelity since the messages disappear.
Perhaps there is an innocent explanation as to why he prefers talking to people through Instagram dm’s, but it’s still something worth making a mental note of, especially if he is constantly spending more and more time on those platforms.
Images Of Woman On His Phone
Alright, this is one of those HUGE signs we can’t ignore.
If, for whatever reason, you see images of women on his phone, perhaps as screenshots or in his messages… I don’t think you need more proof.
He may have an excuse like a friend was just showing him who he’s started to date, but I’d be very cautious.
You likely know his friends and who they may or may not be dating.
Also if the picture is overly sexual, it is a very weird thing for a ‘friend’ to send him of his new budding romance.
Summary: Signs He’s Cheating On His Phone
Cheating is a serious issue that can cause a lot of pain and heartbreak. Learning to rebuild trust (if you want to) after an affair can be one of the hardest things to do.
But also, accusing someone of cheating when they aren’t is a really big stab to any relationship.
If your partner isn’t cheating and get’s accused of doing so, it can create deep trust issues on both sides.
So it’s important to know the signs and not make any accusations without being certain.
While none of these signs alone necessarily mean that your partner is cheating, if you’re noticing several of them, it might be time to have a conversation.
You will want to find evidence before you bring this hard topic up.
Communication is key in any relationship. Especially if you’re feeling unsure or uneasy about something, it’s important to talk to your partner about it.
Be open and honest about your feelings and concerns, and listen to what they have to say. If you’re both willing to work through any issues, you might be able to strengthen your relationship and build a stronger bond.
However, if you do find out that your partner is cheating, it’s important to take care of yourself.
This can be a difficult and emotional time, but it’s important to remember that you deserve to be treated with respect and honesty.
Take time to process your emotions and decide what’s best for you moving forward.
Founder. Entrepreneur. Recovering Perfectionist. Not necessarily in that order.
I run on bad jokes and good food. Lover of life and experiences, I did the nomad thing for four years.
Semi-Based in Miami currently.
In my free time, you can find me reading, running my cats Tinder profile, or trying out a new fitness class. You can find me on Instagram