Dating expert warns common phone habit could be major sign your partner is 'micro-cheating' on you

A dating expert has revealed the subtle signs to watch out for that could signal your partner is "micro-cheating" - and one of them is worryingly common.

An expert has shared the signs your partner may be "micro-cheating" on you. Credit: DjelicS/Getty Images

Getting cheated on is one of the hardest things for any relationship to overcome, and while some people are able to forgive and forget, it can be a deal-breaker for others.

And while some signs are pretty obvious - such as catching them in the act, finding messages between them and someone else, or the clichéd giveaway of lipstick on a collar - there can be some warning signs of a partner "micro-cheating" before they go the whole hog.

A dating expert, who goes by M on TikTok, shared the signs a person could be disrespecting their partner by "micro-cheating".

She explained: "You won’t find evidence, you won’t see texts — but you know that something is going on. That’s how silent cheating works."

According to Psychology Today, micro-cheating - also known as silent cheating - involves subtle behaviors that blur the lines of what is acceptable in a relationship.

M revealed the signs people should watch out for. Credit: TikTok/beyondthebruise

M revealed that one of the key signs involves the way a person behaves with their cell phone, explaining: "I feel like we’ve all been in this one, is this person is acting very suspicious with their phone.

"They are turning their screen away when they’re texting, or they’re suddenly exiting out of apps when you walk by."

She added: "You might notice certain contacts or messages mysteriously disappearing, and if you ask who they're talking to, they might get weirdly defensive, like 'Why do you even care?' or 'Just a friend'."

And while that is suspicious enough on its own, M also shared other signs that something might be amiss in your relationship.

She explained that "innocent flirting" may not be what it seems, and could be a person "toeing the line" of what's acceptable in their relationship.

Cheating doesn't always have to be physical. Credit: Ableimages/Getty Images

This is flirting that's enough to make their partner uncomfortable but not enough to actually accuse them of infidelity, as they may play it off as them just "being nice".

She added: "They might engage with certain people, like, comment, follow people that make you uncomfortable, but not outright enough for you to call it cheating.

"It’s so confusing. They have these overly friendly comments, inside jokes, these just barely there physical touches, and if you bring it up they will brush it off."

Another red flag could be if they have a particularly close relationship with an ex - as they could be lining up a backup love interest.

She explained: "They might keep their options open without technically cheating.

"This is their way of keeping somebody in their life who clearly has a romantic interest in them and it's like they're always keeping a backup plan just in case."

And it's not just exes you need to keep an eye out for - if your partner is building an emotional connection with someone else, that could be micro-cheating, too.

M explained: "Are they building emotional intimacy with somebody else? Are they confiding in someone about things that they should be discussing with you? Are they turning to this person for validation, for comfort, for connection but claiming that it's nothing?

"It might not be physical, but it still leaves you feeling like you’re being emotionally replaced - that's silent cheating."

And while all of these might be concerning enough, M believes the fifth warning sign is possibly the most important of all - if they become defensive when you raise your concerns.

She explained: "Instead of reassuring you, they get defensive when you bring up your concerns, and they flip it on you: ‘Wow, so you don’t trust me?’ or ‘You’re just paranoid.’

"A lot of the time, they never actually deny it — they just make you feel very guilty for even asking."

While micro-cheating can be almost as devastating as actual cheating, there are a few expert-approved ways to bring up the subject.

A partner being suspiciously protective over their phone could be a red flag. Credit: SimpleImages/Getty Images

William Schroeder, a therapist and owner of Just Mind Counseling centers in Austin, Texas, suggested bringing up the fact your partner is on their phone more than usual rather than accusing them of doing you dirty outright.

He also suggests discussing boundaries with one another so there is no ambiguity over what each person finds acceptable, such as remaining friendly with exes, and addressing the issue head-on as soon as it happens rather than letting it fester is also key.

Featured image credit: Ableimages/Getty Images