Additional considerations when using Safety Check
Use Safety Check in iPhone (using iOS 16 or later) to quickly stop sharing and access to your information, or easily review and update sharing with individual people and apps.
In some cases, you may also be sharing information that Safety Check can’t review or change — for example, accounts and passwords, social media sharing, or an iPad or Mac that may also have information you’ve shared. Carefully review the following to help you decide what additional steps you may want to take to reduce the amount of information you’re sharing.
IP address and apps
An IP address is a unique identifier that your internet service provider assigns to internet-connected devices so that you can use the internet. IP addresses don’t convey your exact location but can give a general idea of where you are and allow data collection companies to recognise you over time. Apps installed on your device may use your IP address to gather information about your general location. Review installed apps and delete those that you don’t use or don’t recognise.
For more information on how to review and delete installed apps, see Delete suspicious content from your devices.
Accounts and passwords
Think about the accounts you use that may contain sensitive personal information you want to protect, like banking, shopping, email, social media, education and others. Change the passwords for these accounts to help ensure no one else can access them. Check through each account’s security and privacy settings to ensure that your information is protected. For accounts you use to communicate, like email, phone and messaging, check to make sure nothing is being forwarded without your permission.
Social media
Remember that posting photos and other personal information on social media can reveal details about your location and personal life. Check your privacy settings, review your lists of connections and followers, and think carefully about what you post to ensure the level of privacy you need.
Other devices you own or use
Check the sharing and access settings for any other devices you use to make sure your information is secure. If anyone else is with you, like a child or friend, remember that their devices may also be sharing information.
Unwanted tracking
Unwanted tracking alerts were created to discourage people from trying to misuse AirTags and other small Find My accessories to track someone without their knowledge. To receive alerts if an unknown AirTag or other Find My network accessory is moving with you, make sure Bluetooth®, Location Services and Tracking Notifications are turned on. To turn on Tracking Notifications, open the Find My app, tap Me, scroll to Customise Tracking Notifications, then turn on Allow Notifications.
See the Apple Support article What to do if you get an alert that an AirTag, Find My network accessory or set of AirPods is with you.
Home and HomeKit
If you’re a member of an Apple home and decide to remove yourself, remember that the person who manages the home can still use HomeKit accessories, like cameras, that could impact your personal safety.
Apple Wallet
If you share cards or keys with someone in Wallet, the person you’re sharing with may be able to view your transaction history or door lock history. To review your recent transactions, open the Wallet app. Remember that 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. Remember to update your passwords.
Data plan
If you’re part of a shared data plan, other members of the plan may have access to your location, call and messaging activity, or billing details. Contact your network provider for more information 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 data plan account, they may also have access to your location, call and messaging activity, or billing details. Remember to update your passwords.
Family Sharing
If you’re a member of an Apple Family Sharing group, the Family Sharing organiser 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. Child accounts can’t be removed from a Family Sharing group; however, they can be moved to another Family Sharing group or their Apple ID can be deleted.
Learn more about how to leave Family Sharing groups in steps 1 and 2 of the How to stop sharing your iPhone or iPad location checklist.
For more detailed information on Family Sharing, see Manage Family Sharing settings.