If you suspect that someone is spying on your phone, there are several steps you can take to protect your privacy and secure your device. Here are some tips to help you lock down your iPhone and prevent snoops from spying on your activities.
Lock Down Your iPhone with Safety Check
With the introduction of iOS 16, Apple introduced a new security setting called Safety Check. This feature allows you to quickly review and update sharing with people and apps, and stop sharing your information with others if necessary. Safety Check also allows you to review and remove devices signed into your account, review and update trusted phone numbers, change your Apple ID password, update your emergency contacts, and update your device passcode and Face ID or Touch ID information.
To use Safety Check, go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Safety Check. From there, you can tap Manage Sharing & Access to review and reset information you’re sharing with people and apps. You can also tap People or Information to select people or apps in the list and review the information shared, and decide which information you want to stop sharing. Once you’ve finished, tap Continue and then Done to complete the process.
Use Emergency Reset to Stop Sharing Immediately
If you need to stop sharing all of your information immediately, you can use the Emergency Reset tool within Safety Check. This feature allows you to review and reset settings associated with your Apple ID and stop sharing everything immediately. To use Emergency Reset, go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Safety Check, tap Emergency Reset, and follow the onscreen instructions.
Factory Reset Your Phone
If your phone is infected with spyware or other malware that is watching your activities, your best bet is to do a full factory reset. A factory reset will erase all data and settings from your device, including any spyware or malware that may be present. To do a factory reset on an iPhone, Google Pixel, or Samsung model, tap or click here for steps.
Know the Warning Signs of Malware
There are several warning signs that may indicate that your phone is infected with malware, including your device heating up when you’re not using it, more data usage than usual, and unexplained activity in your accounts. If you notice any of these red flags, it’s important to take action to remove the malware and secure your device.
Basically, if you suspect that someone is spying on your phone, there are several steps you can take to protect your privacy and secure your device. Use Safety Check and Emergency Reset to review and update sharing with people and apps, and stop sharing your information with others if necessary. Factory reset your phone to erase all data and settings, including any spyware or malware that may be present. And be aware of the warning signs of malware, and take action to remove it and secure your device if you notice any red flag.
