Apple continues to focus on privacy and security with some new tools on how you can protect your devices, accounts, and personal safety. Let’s take a look at the recommended steps to find out who can access your iPhone, other Apple devices, and Apple accounts.
Apple has unveiled its new 20-page support guide entitled “Tools and data access when personal safety is at risk.” And whether you have specific concerns about personal safety or are just ready for a privacy and security check, it’s a good idea to follow along with the steps below.
We also have a guide on analyzing the privacy details of iOS apps.
How to check who can access your iPhone, other Apple devices, and Apple accounts
Here’s what Apple recommends:
Check the devices associated with your Apple ID
- On iPhone and iPad, check the devices registered with your Apple ID by going to Circumstances > Your name > Swipe down under family division
- On a Mac you can go to System Preferences> Apple ID> Look for your devices on the left
- You can also see all your devices associated with your Apple ID at appleid.apple.com
- You can tap / click on any device to learn more, select Remove from account for anything you don’t want to stay connected to your Apple ID
Review Face ID and Touch ID options
- Check for other invisible looks or fingerprints in Face ID / Touch ID settings on an iPhone, iPad, or Mac
- Head to Circumstances > Face ID & Passcode or Touch ID & Passcode to check your settings
- On a Mac, you can go to System Preferences> Touch ID
Apple ID security settings
- Head to appleid.apple.com and check out the Security section
- Make sure everything looks correct
- Unless you have two-factor authentication turned on, that’s a very important part of securing your devices, accounts and personal data.
Take a look at your apps
- Browse through all your installed apps looking for anything unexpected
Look for unexpected profiles
- On iPhone and iPad, look under Options> General for the Profiles section. Businesses, schools, and organizations are the most likely to submit profiles but you can check to see if your device has one. The Profiles section will not appear if none are installed on your device. Profiles bring additional accessibility and benefits to Apple devices.
- Keep in mind that you will not want / or be able to remove profiles if your employer / school / etc wants to.
Going further who can get to your iPhone, iPad, more
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