Get safe guide
If you or someone you know is concerned they might be experiencing technology-related stalking or harassment on an Apple related product, or wants to sever digital ties with someone, the strategies below can help. To connect with an advocacy organization providing support related to harassment, domestic violence, stalking, or other concerns, see the Here to Help webpage.
If you’re looking for proactive ways to guard against future technology-related issues, see the Stay safe guide.
Strategies for getting safe
Use the steps below to help manage what you’re sharing and secure your devices and accounts.
Step 1. Safety first
IMPORTANT: Before making changes or deleting information, consider potential impacts to your safety.
You can download or print a copy of this Get safe guide for future reference by Control-clicking and selecting either Save Page As or Print Page.
Step 2. Update your Apple software
To help secure your device, make sure all of your Apple devices have the latest operating system installed with the latest security and privacy updates. To learn how, see Update your Apple software.
Note: Device updates may take time and device power to complete. If you’re in an urgent situation or emergency, you may want to continue on to the next step.
Step 3. Use guided solutions
Most tech-related personal safety issues relate to sharing and access. For guided help with these, use either:
Safety Check: The fastest, easiest way to view and manage sharing directly on your iPhone. To learn how, see Safety Check.
To access, use your iPhone with iOS 16 or later: Go to Settings
> Privacy & Security > Safety Check. (You may need to scroll down.)Checklists: For iOS 15 or earlier, or for other Apple devices, see:
Step 4. Go further
Some things can’t be reviewed or changed using the guided solutions. Review these important additional steps.
This guide contains dozens of personal safety articles pertaining to devices, features, and settings. If you’d prefer help with a specific feature or issue, use:
The search field (top left)
This guide’s table of contents (top left)
Topic-based indexes (below)
Urgent measures
IMPORTANT: Before making changes or deleting information, consider potential impacts to your safety and privacy.
Quick help
Quickly stop all sharing using Emergency Reset
Gather evidence
Restore a device to factory settings
If you want to erase all information and settings—including any apps that were installed without your knowledge—and reset your privacy settings so you aren’t sharing location with any people or apps, see Restore device to factory settings.
Lockdown Mode
If you believe you may have been targeted by a highly sophisticated cyberattack, such as by a private company developing state-sponsored mercenary spyware, see Harden your devices with Lockdown Mode.
Help for specific situations
It’s recommended that you start with steps 1–4 above, but you can also use the sections below to quickly find articles that may be helpful to your situation.
What is your situation? Select the plus button 
next to its title.
Someone always knows where I am
This may relate to someone sharing your Apple Account, a Family Sharing group, or location or content sharing (such as shared calendars or photos posted on social media or shared calendars).
Start with steps 1–4 above. If you’re using checklists in Step 3, start with Limit access and Manage location.
I can’t get into my Apple Account
To regain access to your Apple Account, consider the following Apple Support articles:
After your access is regained, consider the following:
Someone locked me out of my device, or I can’t unlock my device
To regain access, see the Apple Support article If you forgot your iPhone passcode, use your Mac or Windows device to reset it.
After your access is regained, consider these resources to help protect your device in the future:
Use Touch ID to secure your devices or delete unknown fingerprints
Secure your devices with Face ID (iPhone or iPad)
Consider adding an account recovery contact
Consider taking precautionary measures using the Stay safe guide.
I want to escape or am considering leaving a relationship that doesn’t feel safe
To connect with a victim advocacy organization that provides support related to harassment, domestic violence, stalking, or other concerns, see the Here to Help webpage.
Use guided solutions (above) to review your access and sharing preferences—and make changes if it’s safe for you to do so.
Review these urgent measures to learn more about blocking, evidence collection, and more.
Review these additional safety steps that include unwanted tracking alerts, non-apple accounts, cellular plans, and more.
I need to protect something else
Access to your devices
Review Checklist 1: Limit device and account access.
Also consider:
To view more articles about protecting your devices and accounts, see the Table of Contents (upper left corner) under “Limit account or device access—articles.”
Your apps and browser
Your family and home
Which devices do you have?
iPhone, iPad, and Mac
Nearly all Personal Safety User Guide content applies to iPhone, iPad and Mac.
To review, limit, or stop others from accessing your devices, account, or personal information, see Strategies for getting safe.
If you’re planning ahead to prevent others from getting access, see the Stay safe guide.
For additional ways to engage with the wide array of content in this user guide, see the overview.
For other topics relating to these devices, see the iPhone User Guide, iPad User Guide, or Mac User Guide.
Apple Watch
For personal safety information relevant to Apple Watch, see:
For other topics, see the Apple Watch User Guide.
Home accessories
For personal safety information specific to Home, see Securely control your Home accessories.
For other topics, see the Home User Guide.
AirTag
For personal safety information specific to AirTag, see Detecting unwanted trackers.
For other topics, search Apple Support for “AirTag.”