How to Catch a Cheating Spouse: 10 Effective Tips

Michelle Wilson - January 12, 2024

Although no one wants to believe their partner could betray their trust, there are times when things don’t add up. When a partner becomes deceitful or secretive, it’s better to trust your gut. If you have a sneaking suspicion your partner is unfaithful, you’ll want to look for proof and evidence of cheating.

As technology evolves, catching someone unfaithful isn’t as tricky as it once was. Start by watching how your partner acts around their phone, paying attention to work schedules, looking for physical changes, and evaluating your communication. Although these tips aren’t definitive signs of an affair, they shouldn’t be ignored if you want to salvage the dynamic you both have.

Catching a Cheater Using a Digital Footprint

A digital footprint is any activity or action they perform connected to the internet. Monitoring a digital footprint often includes tracking online activity or any activity relating to their cell phone or laptop. To get started, you’ll want to gather as much evidence as possible to confirm your suspicions.

Watch How They Behave on Their Phone

If your partner has always been an open book with their cell phone and suddenly puts passwords on their device, they may have something to hide. Look at how your partner behaves with the cell phone, especially if they commonly silence notifications or delete the history. If possible, look through the device when your partner isn’t around. Check through the following areas on the phone:

• Call history and any incoming or outgoing messages
• Any social media accounts or applications (including secret or public apps)
• Check online financial accounts, including banks and credit cards
• Secure or password-protected folders on the phone
• Hidden audio messages or images
• Cloud storage files or images
• Accessible or secretive messaging apps on the phone

Hire a Private Investigator

Although this method can prove costly, it’s effective for catching a cheater. Private investigators often have access to different tricks and tactics to catch the individual, ranging from GPS trackers to observation and tracking call history. This service also offers irrefutable evidence for the client wanting answers.

Use Touch ID on the Phone

If your partner is addicted to their phone, consider adding your fingerprint to the unlock menu. This method works well when an individual has a few different prints saved on the security panel but automatically unlocks the phone when your print is held on the device.

Invest in a Keylogger

A keylogger is software that runs on a computer that hides in the background. The user can view various aspects, but all content stems from the typed content. Results may include websites, forums, or accounts online. Anything typed into the keyboard records and automatically sends it to the user. After collecting the relevant information, delete the program from the system.

Check All Text Messages or Messaging Apps

Start by scanning through the messaging applications for unknown or new names. Some cheating partners will disguise the affair’s name with a same-sex name to deceive their partner. More explicit chats often occur on third-party networks, especially software offering encryption. Try to scroll through archived or deleted conversations, too. If your partner uses an iPhone, a few conversations may automatically save to the cloud, offering another access point to messages and content.

Consider Using the Google Chrome Password Hack

While many partners will safeguard their phones, few will remember the shared access with a laptop or computer. If your partner regularly uses Google Chrome to browse on their phone, there’s a good chance the passwords are stored through the Google Chrome browser. To access these accounts, use a computer to go into the Google Chrome settings. Choose the Autofill option under the menu. Results will include any network that currently has an automatic password. Look through these websites for any questionable content. To view the password, select the eye icon beside the browser title.

Carefully Review Bank and Credit Statements

Maintaining an affair isn’t cheap, especially if they’re trying to entertain another person. Look through all financial accounts to see if anything unusual shows on the account. Look for different stores, hotels, restaurants, or cell phone bills. If you find anything suspicious, screenshot the content and keep a record of it.

Pay Attention to How They Dress

When your partner suddenly takes care of their appearance, buys new clothes, goes to the gym more often, or practices new hygiene habits, it may suggest they’ve got a new interest. Most people become comfortable with their partner over time, making each person less concerned with their physical appearance. Pay attention if your partner is a sweatpants lover looking for the newest jeans and high-end cologne.

Work Always Seems to Run Late

Although everyone will occasionally have to work late, it’s a potential warning flag for any couple with a significantly changed schedule (without a new job). A partner who begins working late, leaving for work early, or pulling weekend shifts may not be trying to help the company. If you believe your partner is having a work affair, surprise them with a late lunch or dinner when they stay late. If they’re innocent, they’ll be grateful for a warm meal. If they’re dishonest, they may not be at the job when you arrive or could have other intentions there.

Consider Tracking Them

If you believe your partner is having an affair, consider tracking them using the phone’s automated software. Android users frequently use Google for maps or GPS, which conveniently offers a Previous Destination option in the navigation menu. Additionally, most phones come with a “Find my phone” option that allows users to locate a device according to GPS location.

If your partner has an iPhone, there are several tracking options available. Initially, users can use the Find My iPhone option or track the previous locations under the phone’s settings. Find the location services under the privacy menu and choose Location Services to find significant locations.

Watch for Body Language When You Talk to Them

No one knows your partner better than you do, especially if you’ve been together long. Pay close attention to how your partner displays physical affection at home. They may have someone else on the side if they’ve suddenly shifted from highly affectionate to short and quick embraces. It isn’t necessarily the physical reaction to your affection that is a concern; it might be how they engage in it. Any partner that shifts (either more or less often) how often they kiss you, the frequency of sex, or how minor physical contact occurs may be shutting down emotionally.

Conclusion

Catching a cheating partner often starts with a gut feeling that doesn’t let up. With detective work, most partners can successfully prove the affair if they know where to look. Paying close attention to your partner’s physical attributes and emotional connection is an excellent place to start. Additionally, you can check through your partner’s mobile device, track their location, and start monitoring financial accounts to attempt to uncover the affair.