Securing Your iPhone

Checklist for Securing Your iPhone

1. Check which devices are connected to your account.

Anyone with a device on this list may be able to access your account. An (ex-)partner could use this to access information they should not have. See: Viewing the list of devices in your iPhone account (external site)

2. Check whether your iPhone supports Face ID and whether it is enabled.

Face ID means that your iPhone can be unlocked without a PIN or a swipe pattern. Whilst this is handy, it’s unfortunately not very secure. An abuser can also use Face ID. Face ID can unlock the phone when it is held in front of your face, including while you are asleep. An abuser could also register their own face. Is your iPhone model on this list (guide): iPhone models with Face ID (external page)? If so, you should check whether ‘Face ID’ is set up. In the next step, you’ll see how to check the settings and then you can disable Face ID. You can set it up again later if you want.

--> Guide: Disabling Face ID on the iPhone (external site)

3. Check whether your iPhone has Touch ID.

If so, make sure that only your own fingerprint can unlock the phone. Guide: Managing Touch ID settings on the iPhone (external site)

4. Sign in to the Apple ID website and review all other account settings.

Make sure there is no information there that does not belong to you. Guide: iPhone/Apple ID settings (external site).

5. Check the phone numbers currently associated with your Apple ID.

If you find numbers that do not belong to you, remove or update them. Guide: iPhone: Managing trusted phone numbers (external site)

6) Change your password.

You can find out how to change your password here (guide): https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/erase-iphone-iph7a2a9399b/ios (external site)

7) Check the email address associated with your Apple ID.

Make sure only you can access that email account. If you are unsure, consider changing the address.

Guide: iPhone: Adding a new email address to an existing Apple ID (external site)

8) If you use two-factor authentication, review the settings.

Two-factor authentication is generally a security improvement. This is because an account is secured not only by a password, but also by a mobile phone number or another device. But it can become a problem if your account is secured through a phone controlled by your (ex-)partner. You can find instructions on two-factor authentication here: iPhone: Two-factor authentication (external site)

9) Review all installed apps.

It is possible that someone has gained additional user rights on your iPhone. This feature is actually intended for employers and schools. Some (ex-)partners try to exploit this. To make sure only self-controlled apps are on your phone, you can reset your iPhone to factory settings and install only the apps you are really sure about.

Deleting your Apple ID and creating a new one is not recommended.

All content in the Apple Cloud will be lost (music, photos). Paid apps will also be lost, as they are linked to that account. You cannot delete your Apple ID yourself; this has to be done by the Apple helpline if it is absolutely necessary. It takes about a week for your old Apple ID to be completely deleted.

However, we recommend setting up a new email address linked to your existing Apple ID. Stop using the old email address, but do not delete it.

If you still want to create a new Apple account with a new Apple ID at all costs, follow the Guide: iPhone: Create a new Apple ID (external site)