Additional safety steps

Non-Apple steps

Non-Apple apps

Apps installed on your device may gather information about your general location. Taking into account any potential impacts to your safety and privacy, you may want to review installed apps and delete the ones you don’t use or recognize. See Review and delete apps and Third-party app settings.

Non-Apple accounts and passwords

Protect sensitive personal information in accounts like banking, shopping, email, social media, education:

• Change account passwords.

• Review security and privacy settings.

• Review communications accounts (email, phone, messaging) to make sure nothing is being forwarded without your permission.

Social media, shopping, and other accounts

Posting photos and other personal information on social media, shopping, or other websites can reveal details about your location and personal life. Be sure you:

• Check the privacy and security settings in your social media, shopping, and other web based accounts

• Review your lists of connections and followers

• Think carefully about what you post to attain the level of privacy you need

• Manage location metadata in Photos

  See Manage location metadata in Photos.

Other devices you own or use

Check sharing and access settings for any other devices you use to help secure your information. To learn how, see the Limit device and account access checklist. If anyone else is with you, like a child or friend, be aware that their devices may also be sharing information.

Cellular plan

If you’re part of a shared cellular plan, other members of the plan may have access to your location, call and messaging activity, or billing details. Contact your carrier to learn more about your plan and to see what additional safety measures can be placed on your account, such as an access PIN or security code, before changes can be made.

If you don’t have a shared plan but someone else has online access to your cellular plan account, they may also have access to your location, call and messaging activity, or billing details. Taking into account any potential impacts to your safety and privacy, you may want to consider updating your the passwords, pins, and any other security features associated with your cellular plan.

Apple-related steps

Unwanted tracking

Consider enabling notifications to detect unwanted trackers (like AirTag or other Find My network accessories). To receive alerts if one of these is moving with you, turn on:

• Bluetooth

• Location Services

• Tracking Notifications (open the Find My app, tap Me, scroll to Customize Tracking Notifications, then turn on Allow Notifications)

  See Detect unwanted trackers.

Home and HomeKit

If you’re a member of an Apple home and decide to remove yourself, consider that the person who manages the home can still use HomeKit accessories, like cameras, that could impact your personal safety.

See Securely control your Home accessories.

Apple Wallet

If you share financial cards or access keys with someone in Apple Wallet, the person you’re sharing with may be able to view your purchase history or when you unlocked your door.

Details of financial transactions may also be viewed through shared bank accounts and shared credit cards, or if someone else has online access to your financial accounts. To review your recent transactions and logs, open Apple Wallet. Taking into account any potential impacts to your safety and privacy, you may want to consider updating the passwords associated with your bank and credit cards.

Family Sharing

If you’re a member of an Apple Family Sharing group, the Family Sharing organizer may be able to see the purchases you’ve made and make changes to a child’s device settings. To leave a family group, go to Settings, tap your name, and open Family Sharing settings. Although you can’t remove a child account from a Family Sharing group, you can move the child account to another Family Sharing group or simply delete its Apple Account.

See Manage Family Sharing.