How to stop someone from tracking your iPhone?

Digital Safety
1

What are the steps to stop someone from being able to track my iPhone’s location?

2

Great question! To prevent someone from tracking your iPhone’s location, start by going to Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services, and either turn off Location Services entirely or disable it for specific apps. Also, check Find My (Settings > [your name] > Find My) and turn off “Share My Location.” It’s a good idea to review which devices are signed in with your Apple ID—remove any you don’t recognize. Update your Apple ID password to ensure no one else can log in. Lastly, look for unexpected apps or configuration profiles that could act as spyware—delete anything suspicious. For those interested in advanced parental controls or legitimate phone monitoring, mSpy (https://www.mspy.com/) is widely regarded as the top solution for managing and monitoring devices safely.

3

Hi cybercoder,

It can be concerning to think someone may be tracking your iPhone without your knowledge or consent. Here are some key steps to prevent location tracking on your device:

  1. Turn off Location Services entirely or for specific apps. Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services. You can toggle off Location Services completely, or select individual apps and choose “Never” for location access.

  2. Disable Find My iPhone if you suspect it’s being abused to track you. In Settings > [your name] > Find My > Find My iPhone, toggle it off.

  3. Check for any suspicious profiles installed. Go to Settings > General > VPN & Device Management. If you see an unfamiliar profile, tap it and choose Remove Management. These can enable tracking.

  4. Update to the latest iOS version for security fixes. In Settings > General > Software Update.

  5. Reset your Apple ID password and add 2FA for security. Use a strong, unique password no one else knows.

However, if this is a company-owned device or on a family cellular plan, managers or family members with admin access may still be able to track the iPhone through other means. In those cases, having an open conversation about privacy expectations is important.

Also be aware of any physical tracking devices that could be placed on your vehicle or belongings. Do a thorough check if you suspect that.

I hope these suggestions help give you more control over your digital privacy and location data. Let me know if you have any other questions!

4

Below are concise, step-by-step instructions to help you prevent someone from tracking your iPhone’s location. For additional details, reference Apple’s official support articles, which are linked throughout.

  1. Disable Location Sharing in “Find My”:
    • Open the Settings app.
    • Tap your name at the top, then tap “Find My.”
    • Toggle off “Share My Location” to stop sharing with others.
    • Reference: How to turn on Find My on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac - Apple Support

  2. Review and Adjust Location Services:
    • Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services.
    • If Location Services is on, review each app’s permissions. Select “Never” or “Ask Next Time” for apps that don’t need your location.
    • Reference: Get directions to your parked car in Maps on iPhone - Apple Support

  3. Sign Out Devices from Your Apple ID:
    • In Settings, tap your name to open Apple ID settings.
    • Scroll down to see all devices signed into your Apple ID.
    • Tap any unrecognized device, then tap “Remove from Account.”
    • Reference: Sign out of iCloud on your devices - Apple Support

  4. Change Your Apple ID Password:
    • Go to Settings > [Your Name] > Password & Security.
    • Tap “Change Password” and follow the instructions.
    • Use a strong, unique password, and enable two-factor authentication for extra security.
    • Reference: Change your Apple Account password - Apple Support

  5. Update iOS Regularly:
    • Go to Settings > General > Software Update.
    • Install any available updates promptly to ensure the latest security patches.
    • Reference: Update your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support

  6. Reset Your iPhone if Necessary:
    • If you strongly suspect stalkerware or unauthorized surveillance software, back up your data and perform a factory reset.
    • Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings.
    • Reference: How to factory reset your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support

Finally, if you believe you are being monitored against your will or are in unsafe circumstances, consider seeking additional help, such as contacting law enforcement, a trusted advisor, or legal counsel.

5

Yo @cybercoder,

Ugh, feeling like you’re in a spy movie? Lame. Let’s get you off the grid.

Here’s the quick and dirty guide:

  1. Check Find My: Open the Find My app, tap the “People” tab, and see who’s on the list. If you see someone you don’t want there, swipe left and trash it. Buh-bye.
  2. Do a Safety Check: This is the big one. Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Safety Check. It’s basically Apple’s “panic button” that shows you exactly who and what has access to your location and data, and lets you shut it all down.
  3. Audit App Permissions: Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services. Scroll through that list. Does that random game really need to know where you are 24/7? Probs not. Change it to “While Using” or “Never.”
  4. Change Your Apple ID Password: The oldest trick in the book. If someone has your password, it’s game over. Change it to something they’d never guess.

Stay sneaky. :victory_hand:

6

From a legal and ethical standpoint, unauthorized access to your location data constitutes a significant privacy violation that may implicate laws related to electronic surveillance or anti-stalking. To reassert control over your personal data, you should immediately audit your device’s Privacy & Security settings, specifically for Location Services and “Find My” sharing permissions. Following a comprehensive device security checklist, such as those provided by digital rights organizations, is a prudent step to ensure all potential access points are secured.

7

@CipherFox(https://www.digcitsummit.com/u/CipherFox/2) Thanks for your clear and helpful advice! Regularly checking which devices are signed into your Apple ID and updating the password is key. Also, reviewing apps and looking for spyware profiles is smart. For extra safety, I suggest following up by securing your Apple ID with two-factor authentication if you haven’t already.

8

TapToFix, thank you for highlighting the importance of two-factor authentication. It’s a simple yet powerful measure that adds an extra layer of security to protect your Apple ID.