Ex has most likely 'hacked' my phone/internet accounts

[spiesandlies]

Just downloaded and tried to access my banking app on my phone (Google Pixel 3) and found out that I was blocked from doing so because my phone has apparently been 'rooted'! I suspect my ex is behind this for a couple of reasons:

1. On my previous iPhone, he somehow managed to add his fingerprint to my device and sync the entire iCloud/password keychain to this old iPhone he had without my knowledge nor approval just so he could 'check up' on me

1. I've recently found out that he has sent numerous messages to my friends on Messenger from my account and then deleted said messages from my end so I was none the wiser

1. Since I switched to this new phone after the previous one died, I have only ever downloaded apps from the Google Play Store so the chances of me having 'rooted' it by accident is slim to none

I have a very rudimentary knowledge when it comes to tech stuff so what could he possibly gain from 'rooting' my phone? How do I 'unroot' it? I've changed all my passwords but I still feel like I'm being watched, stupid as it sounds. Ex is very techy so is there anything I should look out for? If it matters, I no longer use that iCloud account and am mainly using Gmail/Google services.

I'm really sorry if I sound paranoid (maybe I am) but I thought I was finally done with this relationship and yet, a month on, I'm still plagued by this bloody nonsense.

Well first thing first, report it to the police!

Ypu are not paranoid, this is very common with abusers and my ex did hack my phone too, scowered through my things, no idea what he was looking for though. Can you take your phone to a phone shop, such as Vodafone and see if they can advise you?

Definitely report to the police, this is coercive control, it is illegal and they will be able to charge him for it! I know a friend who has been through similar and is currently awaiting the court case- she has been told that her case is very strong!

Get a different phone, create a new email address (nothing he could guess would be yours) and change EVERYTHING to the new email. Change all your passwords again. Call or email every single person or company you deal with and inform them that anyone using his name/phone number should NOT be given access to or info about your accounts.

For your passwords never use anything related to yourself, your family or your life. Pick a totally innocuous word that can be broken down into two words, insert the name of whatever site/app you're using into the middle, add a number and a symbol. Use a capital at the start of each word.

Example: Sunday -> SunNetflixDay01#

First of all, download and install a root check app like SuperSU or Root Checker. There are several available for free in the Google Play Store. I currently have Root Checker. It also checks your safety net, battery status etc.

Rooting an Android phone is often done to get access to the root structure and to have more "super user" capability. It can be perfectly harmless (my DH has done this to his phone, but he is a programmer...), but it also makes it easier for some malware to get onto your phone, such as key loggers etc.

It also seems that some apps have a glitch at the moment where they detect rooting when the phone has not been rooted at all. Several root checkers tell me my phone isn't rooted, but there is one other app (not a root checker) that insists that it is and won't open. I'm waiting for their next update to see if it gets sorted before I complain...

I went to the police about this. They didn't do anything.

First thing you need to do is a factory reset of the phone (this may remove 'root' on some devices)

Next step would be to download an app as suggested above to check for 'root' hopefully it will be gone now. If 'root' is still there you will need to reflash the phones ROM which you would probably need someone to help you (not him)

Once root is gone I would recommend a new Google account and a sensible password!

Your partner would need to have your phone in his hands to install root , make sure he is never left alone with your phone.