Lock Down Your iPhone After A Scam: Update, Safety Check And Your Apple Account

Guide 11h · Security & Find My

Cleaned up the pop-ups, calendar spam and junk apps? Now let's lock things down. Do these steps in order.

Does This Look Familiar?

• You just had a "virus detected" or "Your iPhone has been infected" scare. (Those messages are fake.)
• You typed a password or code into a scam page.
• Someone on the phone asked you to change settings.
• You see a device in your account you don't know.

Step 1: Finish The Cleanup First

Before you sign in or change any password, make sure the phone is clean. Check each one:

• Close fake pop-ups
• Remove calendar spam and unknown profiles
• Delete apps you didn't install

Typed your Apple Account password into a scam page and have another trusted device? Don't wait for these steps. Change it from that device right away. See Step 5.

Step 2: Update iOS

1. Plug your phone into power and connect to Wi-Fi.
2. Open Settings and tap General.
3. Tap Software Update.
4. If you see an update, tap Download and Install. Follow the steps on screen.

While you're there, tap Automatic Updates and turn on Automatically Install.

Step 3: Run Safety Check

Safety Check helps you review who and what can see your information. It needs iOS 16 or later.

1. Open Settings and tap Privacy & Security.
2. Scroll down and tap Safety Check.
3. Tap Manage Sharing & Access, then tap Continue.
4. Follow the steps on screen. Stop sharing with anyone or any app you don't recognize.

Don't see Safety Check? Your iOS may be too old. Update first. Note: Emergency Reset is a different button. It stops all sharing at once, so only use it if you mean to.

Step 4: Check Your Device List

1. Open Settings and tap your name.
2. Scroll down to your device list.
3. Tap any device you don't recognize.
4. Tap Remove from Account, then confirm.

A removed device can't get your verification codes or iCloud.

Step 5: Change Your Apple Account Password

If you used another trusted device earlier, you're done here. If this phone is your only device, change it now, right after the cleanup. Don't put it off.

1. Open Settings and tap your name.
2. Tap Sign-In & Security.
3. Tap Change Password.
4. Follow the steps on screen.
5. If asked, tap Remove Other Devices to sign out everywhere else.

Asked to wait an hour? That's Stolen Device Protection, a safety feature. Wait, then try again.

Step 6: Change Other Passwords

If you typed your email or bank password into a scam page, change those right away too. Use a different trusted device, or this phone right after the cleanup, by going to the real site or app yourself. For bank trouble, call the number on the back of your card.

Last Resort: Erasing The Phone

Quick Answers

Should I change my Apple Account password right away?
Yes, if you typed it into a scam page. Change it right away from a different trusted device. If this phone is your only device, do the cleanup first, then change it right after.

What does Safety Check do?
It shows who and which apps can see your information, and lets you stop sharing. Find it in Settings > Privacy & Security > Safety Check.

Franchitti's Fix LLC is an independent repair shop, not affiliated with Apple.