Have a spy on your phone? Take steps now!

December 31, 2022

By Kim Komando

I read every single note from people like you who need a hand with something digital. One common theme lately is from people worried someone is spying on their phones. If that rings true, keep reading. You can drop me your questions on my site here.

Lock down your iPhone

With iOS 16, Apple introduced Safety Check. This robust security setting lets you quickly stop sharing your information or review and update sharing with people and apps.

You may have shared access to certain things with someone in the past — or they could have given over access without you realizing it.

You can use Safety Check to:

• Review and remove devices signed into your account.
• Review and update trusted phone numbers.
• Change your Apple ID password.
• Update your emergency contacts.
• Update your device passcode and Face ID or Touch ID information.

Another helpful Safety Check tool is Manage Sharing & Access. You can review and reset information you’re sharing with people, review and reset the information apps have access to, and update your device and Apple ID security.

Here’s how to use Safety Check to review the information you’re sharing:

• Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Safety Check.
• Tap Manage Sharing & Access. Progress is saved as you go.

To stop sharing information with other people:

• Tap People, select people in the list, review the information shared, then decide which information you want to stop sharing.
• Tap Information, select apps in the list, review the information shared, then decide which information you want to stop sharing.

Tap Continue, then do any of the following:

• Review and remove devices signed into your account.
• Review and update trusted phone numbers.
• Change your Apple ID password.
• Update your emergency contacts.
• Update your device passcode or Face ID or Touch ID information.

From there, tap Done. You’re all set.

When you need to stop sharing right now

Emergency Reset is another tool within Safety Check. Use it to stop sharing everything immediately. It also allows you to review and reset settings associated with your Apple ID.

This is an excellent option if you are in a dangerous or abusive relationship or need reassurance that your phone is locked down quickly.

Here’s how to use Emergency Reset:

• Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Safety Check.
• Tap Emergency Reset, then follow the onscreen instructions. Progress is saved as you go.
• When you’ve finished, make sure you stopped all sharing and reset specific settings. Tap or click for instructions to verify you have stopped sharing.

Did you get locked out of your Apple ID account? Tap or click here for instructions to recover it.

Do a factory reset

If your phone is infected with spyware or other malware watching what you do, your best bet is a full factory reset. Tap or click here for steps to do that on an iPhone, Google Pixel or Samsung model.

How do you know if malware is to blame? There are warning signs like your device heating up when you’re not using it, more data usage than usual, and unexplained activity in your accounts. Tap or click here for red flags you’re being watched.