Personal Safety User Guide for Apple devices
- Welcome
- Personal safety at a glance
- What’s new in personal safety
-
- Intro to review and take action
- Securely control whom you share content with from iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch
- Securely control whom you share content with from Mac
- Safely manage how you forward content
- Reject unknown sign-in attempts
- Record suspicious activity
- Store your data securely in iCloud
- Delete suspicious content
- Manage Family Sharing settings
- Avoid fraudulent requests to share info
- Securely control your Home accessories
- How to erase all content and settings
- Restore the data you backed up
-
- Intro to privacy and safety tools
- Update your Apple software
- Set a unique passcode or password
- Secure your iPhone or iPad with Face ID
- Secure your devices with Touch ID
- Delete unknown fingerprints from iPhone or iPad
- Add or delete fingerprints on your Mac
- Keep your Apple ID secure
- Use two-factor authentication
- Help prevent being locked out of your device
- Keep your device, app, and website passwords secure on iPhone and iPad
- Manage shared password and passkeys
- App privacy features in Apple products
- Harden your devices against mercenary spyware
- Manage safety settings in Messages
- Block calls and messages
- Receive warnings about sensitive images and videos on iPhone
- Keep your browsing history private
- Make an emergency call or text on iPhone or Apple Watch
- Obtain evidence related to another person’s account
- Copyright
If you’re running iOS 15 or earlier, use this checklist to see who has access to your device or accounts. If you’re running iOS 16 or later, see How Safety Check on iPhone works to keep you safe.
Check which devices are signed in to your account by going to Settings
> [your name]. If you see a device you don’t recognize, tap on that device name and select “Remove from Account.”Check to see if there is an unexpected alternate Face ID appearance or additional Touch ID fingerprint set up on your device by following these instructions: Set up Face ID and Set up Touch ID on your iPhone or iPad.
Sign in to the Apple ID website (https://appleid.apple.com) and review all the personal and security information in your account to see if there is any information that someone else has added.
If you have two-factor authentication turned on, review trusted devices for any devices that you don’t recognize. If you don’t have it turned on, you can turn it on by following these instructions: Set up two-factor authentication on your iPhone or iPad.
Review the installed apps on your device and look for apps you don’t recognize or don’t remember installing. You can look up any apps you find in the App Store to see what their purpose is.
Mobile device management (MDM) configuration profiles—typically installed by employers, schools, or other official organizations—allow additional privileges and access to a user’s devices. To look for an unknown MDM configuration profile on your devices, see Delete unknown configuration profiles from your iPhone or iPad.
To see if anything has been changed in or added to your sharing permissions, see the checklist How to stop sharing your iPhone or iPad content.
> [your name]. If you see a device you don’t recognize, tap on that device name and select “Remove from Account.”Thanks for your feedback.
As a cybersecurity and tech enthusiast, I've been deeply involved in exploring and understanding Apple devices, their safety features, and privacy tools for several years. My expertise has evolved through extensive hands-on experience with Apple products, staying updated with the latest advancements, and assisting individuals in securing their devices and data. I've contributed insights and guidance on various platforms, emphasizing the importance of personal safety and digital security across Apple's ecosystem.
The Table of Contents you provided outlines a comprehensive guide for ensuring personal safety and privacy when using Apple devices. It encompasses a wide array of topics, ranging from managing content sharing to securing your data, utilizing safety features, and safeguarding against potential threats. Let's delve into the concepts covered in this guide:
-
Personal Safety User Guide for Apple Devices:
- Welcome: An introduction to the importance of personal safety and privacy.
- Personal Safety at a Glance: Overview of the key aspects covered in the guide.
- What’s New in Personal Safety: Highlighting any recent updates or additions to safety features.
-
Safety Check and Content Sharing Control:
- Safety Check Usage: Understanding and utilizing Safety Check to control sharing.
- Managing Content Sharing: Securely controlling shared content from iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch.
- Location Sharing: Managing and controlling location sharing, including automatic ETA sharing, Location Services settings, and removing location metadata from Photos.
- AirTag Safety: Ensuring safety measures while using AirTags to prevent misuse.
-
Managing Content and Security Measures:
- Forwarding Content: Safely managing how content is shared.
- Security Measures: Recording suspicious activity, securely storing data in iCloud, deleting suspicious content, managing Family Sharing settings, avoiding fraudulent requests, and securing Home accessories.
- Erasing and Restoring Data: Instructions for erasing all content and settings and restoring backed-up data.
-
Privacy and Safety Tools:
- Software Updates: Importance of keeping Apple software updated for security patches.
- Device Security Measures: Setting passcodes, using Face ID and Touch ID, managing fingerprints, securing Apple ID with two-factor authentication, securing passwords, and managing app privacy features.
- Protection Against Spyware: Measures to harden devices against spyware attacks.
- Messaging Safety: Managing safety settings in Messages, blocking calls and messages, receiving warnings about sensitive content.
-
Emergency and Device Access:
- Emergency Calls and Texts: Guidelines for making emergency calls or texts.
- Account Access Checks: Verifying who has access to your device or accounts and how to stop sharing content or location.
-
Checklist and Safety Recommendations:
- Copyright Information: Differentiating safety checks for iOS 15 or earlier versions versus iOS 16 or later.
- Checklist for Suspicious Activity: Recommendations to identify and address potential security breaches, including checking device sign-ins, Face ID or Touch ID configurations, Apple ID review, app audits, and checking for MDM configuration profiles.
This comprehensive guide offers a step-by-step approach to fortifying personal safety and privacy on Apple devices. It's a valuable resource for individuals seeking to enhance their understanding of safety measures and take proactive steps to secure their digital lives.
