iCloud

Step-by-step guide to securing your iCloud and Apple ID

Before You Start

Is it safe to do this now?

Before making changes to your Apple ID, consider whether the other person might notice. Many changes to your Apple account can trigger notifications to all devices signed in with your Apple ID. This includes:

  • Signing out a device from your account
  • Changing your password
  • Adding or removing trusted devices
  • Leaving Family Sharing

If someone has access to another device signed in with your Apple ID (an iPad, Mac, or old iPhone), they may receive alerts about these changes.

Good news: Apple has a feature called Safety Check (iOS 16 and later) specifically designed for people in abusive situations. It can review and reset all sharing in one place, and includes an “Emergency Reset” option that acts immediately.

What you’ll need

  • Your iPhone, iPad, or Mac
  • Access to your Apple ID email address
  • Access to your trusted phone number(s)
  • Approximately 30-45 minutes of uninterrupted time

Consider doing first

Important: Your Apple ID controls everything

Your Apple ID is the master key to your entire Apple ecosystem. It controls:

  • iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch access
  • iCloud storage (photos, documents, notes, passwords)
  • Find My location sharing
  • iMessage and FaceTime
  • App Store purchases
  • Apple Pay and Wallet
  • Family Sharing (shared purchases, locations, subscriptions)

Securing your Apple ID is essential for your digital safety.

Quick Contacts

MethodDetailsBest for
Phone0800 048 0408 (8am-8pm, 7 days)Complex account issues
Apple Support appDownload from App StoreScheduling callbacks
Online supportsupport.apple.comStep-by-step guidance
In-storeBook Genius Bar appointmentIn-person help
ChatVia Apple Support websiteQuick queries

What to say: You don’t have to explain your full situation. You can simply say:

“I need to review and secure my Apple ID and make sure I’m the only person with access.”

If you want to disclose more:

“I’m in a difficult situation and need to make sure nobody else can access my Apple account or see my location.”

Apple support staff are trained to help, but the Safety Check feature on your iPhone may be faster and more private for many tasks.

Apple’s Safety Check Feature

iOS 16 and later includes Safety Check, a powerful tool designed specifically for people whose safety is at risk. Before going through each section manually, consider using this feature.

How to access Safety Check

  1. Open Settings on your iPhone
  2. Tap Privacy & Security
  3. Scroll down and tap Safety Check
  4. You may need to authenticate with Face ID, Touch ID, or your passcode

Two options within Safety Check

Manage Sharing & Access - Review and choose what to stop sharing:

  • Location sharing via Find My
  • Shared photos and albums
  • Calendar and Notes sharing
  • People with access to your Home devices
  • Apps with access to your data

Emergency Reset - Immediately stop all sharing:

  • Stops sharing your location with everyone
  • Resets privacy permissions for all apps
  • Signs out of iCloud on all other devices
  • Changes your Apple ID password
  • Reviews and updates trusted phone numbers

Important: Emergency Reset is quick but noticeable. Other devices will be signed out and the other person will know something has changed. Use this if your immediate safety is more important than secrecy.

Quick Exit

Safety Check includes a Quick Exit button (top right). Tapping it immediately closes Settings and returns to the Home screen. Your progress is saved.

Check Who Has Access

Devices signed in to your Apple ID

Every device signed in with your Apple ID can potentially access your information. To check:

On iPhone or iPad:

  1. Open Settings
  2. Tap your name at the top
  3. Scroll down to see all devices signed in with your Apple ID
  4. Tap any device to see details (model, serial number, Find My status)

On a Mac:

  1. Click the Apple menu > System Settings (or System Preferences)
  2. Click your name or Apple ID
  3. Click Devices in the sidebar

On the web:

  1. Go to appleid.apple.com
  2. Sign in with your Apple ID
  3. Scroll to Devices

What to look for:

  • Devices you don’t recognise
  • Old phones or tablets you no longer use
  • Devices that belong to someone else

Check your trusted phone numbers

Trusted phone numbers are used for two-factor authentication. Someone with access to a trusted number can receive your verification codes.

  1. Open Settings > tap your name
  2. Tap Sign-In & Security
  3. Tap Two-Factor Authentication or check Trusted Phone Numbers
  4. Review all numbers listed

If you see a number you don’t control (such as someone else’s phone), this is a serious security concern. See “Lock Down Your Account” below.

Check Find My sharing

Find My can share your location with others. To check who can see your location:

  1. Open the Find My app
  2. Tap the People tab at the bottom
  3. Review everyone listed

Anyone on this list can see your current location. Also check:

  • Are you sharing your location with them?
  • Are they sharing their location with you?

Check Family Sharing

Family Sharing can reveal your location, purchases, and more to family organiser and other members.

  1. Open Settings > tap your name
  2. Tap Family Sharing

Review:

  • Who is in your family group
  • What features are being shared (Location Sharing, Purchase Sharing, etc.)
  • Whether you’re sharing your location with family members

Note: If you’re not the Family organiser, you may have limited control over certain shared features.

Check shared photo albums

Shared albums can reveal your photos and location data (embedded in photo metadata).

  1. Open the Photos app
  2. Tap Albums at the bottom
  3. Scroll to Shared Albums
  4. Tap each album and tap the People icon to see who has access

Also check for:

  • Shared Library (iOS 16+): Settings > your name > iCloud > Photos > Shared Library

Check iCloud email forwarding

If someone set up forwarding rules, they could be receiving copies of your emails.

  1. Go to icloud.com on a computer
  2. Sign in and click Mail
  3. Click the Settings icon (gear)
  4. Click Rules or Forwarding
  5. Check for any rules forwarding mail to addresses you don’t recognise

Check Home app and HomeKit

If you have smart home devices, check who has access:

  1. Open the Home app
  2. Tap the three dots (top right) or Home Settings
  3. Tap Home Settings
  4. Under People, review who has access to your home
  5. Check their access level (Owner, Member, or Guest)

Someone with Home access could control lights, locks, cameras, and see when you’re home.

Remove Unwanted Access

Sign out devices remotely

If you see a device that shouldn’t have access:

On iPhone or iPad:

  1. Open Settings > tap your name
  2. Scroll to the device list
  3. Tap the device you want to remove
  4. Tap Remove from Account
  5. Confirm

This signs out that device from your Apple ID and removes it from Find My.

On the web:

  1. Go to appleid.apple.com
  2. Sign in
  3. Click the device
  4. Click Remove from Account

Warning: The person may notice they’ve been signed out. If you need to remove access without being noticed, consider whether it’s safe to do so now.

Leave Family Sharing

To leave a Family Sharing group:

  1. Open Settings > tap your name
  2. Tap Family Sharing
  3. Tap your own name
  4. Tap Stop Using Family Sharing or Leave Family
  5. Confirm

What happens:

  • You’ll lose access to shared subscriptions (Apple Music, iCloud+, etc.)
  • You’ll no longer share purchases with the family
  • Family members won’t see your location (if that was enabled)
  • Your Screen Time data may be visible to the organiser until you leave

If you’re the Family organiser, you’ll need to remove members individually or dissolve the group.

Stop sharing location in Find My

  1. Open the Find My app
  2. Tap the People tab
  3. Tap the person you want to stop sharing with
  4. Tap Stop Sharing My Location

Or stop sharing with everyone at once:

  1. Open Settings > tap your name
  2. Tap Find My
  3. Tap Share My Location
  4. Toggle Share My Location off

Remove people from shared albums

  1. Open Photos > Albums > Shared Albums
  2. Tap the album
  3. Tap the People icon
  4. Tap the person’s name
  5. Tap Remove Subscriber

Leave a Shared iCloud Photo Library

If you’re part of a Shared Library:

  1. Open Settings > tap your name
  2. Tap iCloud > Photos
  3. Tap Shared Library
  4. Tap Leave Shared Library
  5. Choose whether to keep or delete shared photos

Remove people from Home

  1. Open the Home app
  2. Tap Home Settings (three dots)
  3. Under People, tap the person
  4. Tap Remove Person

Lock Down Your Account

Change your Apple ID password

  1. Open Settings > tap your name
  2. Tap Sign-In & Security
  3. Tap Change Password
  4. Enter your device passcode
  5. Create a new password

Password tips:

  • Use at least 12 characters
  • Don’t use anything related to the other person (names, dates, etc.)
  • Don’t reuse passwords from other accounts
  • Consider using a passphrase like “purple-elephant-cycling-autumn”

Important: Changing your password will sign out all other devices. The other person will know access has been revoked.

Remove untrusted phone numbers

If someone else’s phone number is listed as a trusted number:

  1. Open Settings > tap your name
  2. Tap Sign-In & Security
  3. Tap Two-Factor Authentication or find Trusted Phone Numbers
  4. Tap Edit
  5. Tap the red minus sign next to numbers you don’t control
  6. Add your own trusted number if needed

Critical: Make sure at least one phone number you control remains. You need this to receive verification codes.

Enable two-factor authentication

If you haven’t already enabled two-factor authentication:

  1. Open Settings > tap your name
  2. Tap Sign-In & Security
  3. Tap Turn On Two-Factor Authentication
  4. Follow the prompts

With two-factor authentication enabled, signing in on a new device requires both your password and a verification code sent to a trusted device or phone number.

Review trusted devices

Trusted devices can receive verification codes when you sign in. Every device signed in with your Apple ID is a trusted device.

To ensure only your devices are trusted:

  1. Go to Settings > tap your name
  2. Review the device list
  3. Remove any devices you don’t control (see “Sign out devices remotely”)

Review app permissions

Apps can request access to your location, contacts, photos, and more.

  1. Open Settings > Privacy & Security
  2. Review each category (Location Services, Contacts, Photos, etc.)
  3. Tap any category to see which apps have access
  4. Remove access from apps you don’t recognise or trust

Pay special attention to Location Services - any app listed as “Always” can track your location continuously.

Check for AirTags and unknown trackers

AirTags and other Find My network devices can be used to track your location.

If you have an iPhone: Your iPhone will automatically alert you if an unknown AirTag, AirPods, or other Find My accessory is travelling with you.

To manually scan:

  1. Open the Find My app
  2. Tap the Items tab
  3. Scroll down and tap Identify Found Item

If you’re concerned about tracking devices:

  • Check your belongings (bags, car, jacket pockets)
  • Listen for a beeping sound (AirTags will chirp if separated from their owner)
  • Contact Refuge Tech Safety for specialist advice

Get Confidential Support

Apple Support options

Apple doesn’t have a specialist domestic abuse team, but their support staff can help with account security:

  1. Apple Support app - Download from App Store, schedule a callback at a safe time
  2. Phone - 0800 048 0408 (8am-8pm daily)
  3. In-store - Book a Genius Bar appointment for in-person help

What to say:

“I need help reviewing my account security and making sure I’m the only person with access to my Apple ID.”

You can also say:

“I’m concerned about my safety and need to make sure no one else can access my location or data.”

Keep a record

If you need evidence of account compromise for legal purposes:

  • Take screenshots of unfamiliar devices or settings
  • Note dates and times of suspicious activity
  • Contact the police if you believe a crime has been committed

If You’re Locked Out

Forgot your Apple ID password

  1. Go to iforgot.apple.com
  2. Enter your Apple ID email address
  3. Follow the prompts - you may need to:
    • Receive a code on a trusted device
    • Receive a code via SMS to a trusted phone number
    • Answer security questions (older accounts)

Don’t have access to your trusted devices or phone number

If someone else controls your trusted devices or phone numbers:

  1. Start account recovery at iforgot.apple.com
  2. Follow the prompts to begin the recovery process
  3. Apple will verify your identity and provide access after a waiting period

Important: Account recovery can take several days to protect against fraud. Apple will send updates to your Apple ID email.

Locked out due to too many failed attempts

If your account is disabled due to security:

  1. Wait and try again later (some locks are temporary)
  2. Visit iforgot.apple.com to reset your password
  3. Contact Apple Support if you’re still locked out

Someone changed your password

If you receive an email saying your Apple ID password was changed and you didn’t do it:

  1. Go to iforgot.apple.com immediately
  2. Try to reset your password before the other person changes trusted phone numbers
  3. If you can’t reset it, contact Apple Support urgently

Starting Fresh

Sometimes it’s safer to create a new Apple ID rather than trying to secure an old one. This may be the right choice if:

  • Someone else set up your Apple ID and knows all the credentials
  • You can’t remove their trusted phone number
  • The account recovery process would alert them
  • You want a completely fresh start with no traces

Creating a new Apple ID

  1. Sign out of your current Apple ID on your device
  2. Create a new Apple ID at appleid.apple.com or during device setup
  3. Use an email address only you can access
  4. Use a phone number only you control as your trusted number

What you’ll lose:

  • iCloud photos and documents (download first)
  • App purchases (you’d need to repurchase)
  • iCloud email address (you can’t transfer it)
  • iMessage history

What you can transfer:

  • Photos (download to device before switching)
  • Contacts (export to vCard)
  • Documents (download from iCloud Drive)

Keeping your new account private

  • Use a new email address the other person doesn’t know
  • Don’t rejoin any Family Sharing groups they’re in
  • Don’t share your location in Find My
  • Keep your trusted phone number private
  • Consider a new phone number if they know your current one

Red Flags That Suggest Compromise

Watch for these warning signs that someone may have access to your Apple ID:

  • Devices in your Apple ID device list you don’t recognise
  • Trusted phone numbers that aren’t yours
  • Location being shared with people you didn’t authorise
  • Purchases or app downloads you didn’t make
  • Emails about Apple ID changes you didn’t make
  • Someone knowing things from your private messages or emails
  • Someone knowing your location when you haven’t told them
  • Family Sharing with people you don’t remember adding
  • Unfamiliar rules forwarding your iCloud email
  • Shared albums you didn’t create

If you notice any of these, use Safety Check immediately or contact Apple Support.

Additional Support

Apple support

  • Phone: 0800 048 0408 (8am-8pm daily)
  • Online: support.apple.com
  • Apple Support app: Schedule callbacks at safe times
  • In-store: Book a Genius Bar appointment

If you have an iPhone with iOS 16 or later, Safety Check is the fastest way to review and reset all sharing. Settings > Privacy & Security > Safety Check.

Technology abuse support

External support

Last verified: December 2025

If anything on this page is out of date, please contact us.