YOUR iPhone has an emergency button designed to stop smartphone stalkers in their tracks.
In an instant, you can block someone from spying on your photos or even your location.
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It’s part of Apple’s easy-to-miss Safety Check feature, which is built to keep you safe from prying eyes.
The feature was added in Apple’s iOS 16 update – and we’re now on iOS 18, so it’s likely that you have it.
Safety Check lets you quickly see who you’re sharing info with.
That might be people you’ve set up sharing arrangements with – but also, sharing that may have been created without your knowledge.
Apple explains: “Safety Check on iPhone allows you to quickly stop sharing your information, or to review and update sharing with individual people and apps.”
“You can use Safety Check to check whom you’re sharing information with, restrict Messages and FaceTime to your iPhone, reset system privacy permissions for apps, change your passcode, change your Apple Account password, and more.”
HOW TO USE SAFETY CHECK ON IPHONE
Firstly, you’ll want to make sure that you’re running iOS 16 or later.
Just go into Settings > General > Software Update to check – and install any updates if you have downloads waiting.
Then go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Safety Check.
From here, you can manage all the sharing and access options you have.
This lets you instantly cut off specific people from certain pieces of information.
And you can also prevent sharing with individual apps too.
You can review and remove devices connected to your Apple Account – as well as linked phone numbers.
There’s an option to update your Apple Account password and device passcode, and update your emergency contacts.
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Once you’re finished, just hit Done to save the options.
There’s also a Quick Exit option to instantly leave the app.
“Quick Exit helps you quickly protect your privacy,” Apple explains.
“Tap Quick Exit to immediately close the Settings app and return to the Home Screen (top-right corner on all screens in Safety Check).
“Any changes you made before using Quick Exit are saved.”
IPHONE EMERGENCY RESET
Inside Safety Check is a powerful option called Emergency Reset.
This is designed for serious situations where you need to make sweeping access changes very quickly.
“If your personal safety is at risk, use Emergency Reset to quickly protect your information from people and apps, change your Apple Account password, and review your emergency contacts,” Apple explains.
WHAT SAFETY CHECK CAN’T CHANGE
Here’s Apple’s official list of shared info that Safety Check can’t review or change…
- Non-Apple accounts and passwords.
- Social media sharing.
- Devices you’re signed into with a different iCloud account.
- An iPad or Mac with information sharing settings turned on for other apps.
Picture Credit: Apple
“Any changes you make will be saved as you go.
“Keep in mind that people may notice if you stop sharing your information with them.”
Just go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Safety Check and then press Emergency Reset.
Then simply follow the on-screen instructions to use the feature.
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If you need confidential support, the National Stalking Helpline offers help through freephone on 0808 802 0300 (09:30-16:00 weekdays except for Wednesdays when it is open 13:00-16:00). The National Domestic Abuse Helpline has a 24-hour helpline on 0808 2000 247. If you think you are in immediate danger, try to contact the police.
