Who has access to my Apple devices and accounts?

Apple boasts that it attaches great importance to user privacy and protection. At the same time, great importance is also attached to digital networking in the family and among friends. However, the individual possibilities through shared content, access rights to folders, devices and accounts as well as similar mechanisms and settings can also have negative effects. Under certain circumstances, criminal subjects, stalkers and the like could take advantage of a network that you do not want. Here's how to find out who has access to your Apple devices and accounts.

Apple checklist for device and account access

In January 2022, Apple published a "Personal Safety User Guide", i.e. a guide for personal safety on Apple devices. At the end of the month it had not yet been translated into German. That's why you'll find the translated checklist here, which so far is only available in English under the title "See who has access to your device or accounts" - I've packed a few additional tips for you:

1. You can use the mobile Apple device at Settings → Own name Look at the bottom to see if there's a device you don't recognize. Known devices can be your Mac computer, your iPhone and iPad, your Fire TV Stick, your Windows PC, etc. If a device seems suspicious, just tap on it and select "Remove from account".
2. You can find out if there are additional entries for Face ID or Touch ID (which others can use to unlock the iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad). Settings → Face ID and passcode or by Settings → Touch ID and passcode out. Here you can also reset the face scan or fingerprint for identification.
3. On the Apple ID website (https://appleid.apple.com) you can see your personal data and stored information. This is a quick and easy way to check whether someone has entered additional information or permissions. Under "Devices" you can view the linked devices (as in point 1 of this list) and remove them if necessary.
4. Two-factor authentication is a good thing. But here, too, you should check whether someone has smuggled in their own device for the check. On the mobile device you can More colorful Settings → Own name → Password & security Check if you have two-factor authentication enabled.
5. You can also check if you can find apps on your Mac, iPhone, iPad or other Apple device that you did not install yourself. On the Mac that goes over hard disk → Program, and on mobile via the App Library (swipe left on all Home screens on iPhone). You can find out the purpose of the unknown apps in the App Store or using a search engine.
6. Supervisors, schools or other authorities can use the so-called "Mobile Device Management" (MDM) to access issued devices and carry out certain actions. No MDM should be set up on the private device. Whether that's the case, you can see below Settings → General → VPN and device management.
7. In the Finder, in the Photos app, in cloud applications and in other apps, you can see who you are sharing which folders or files with. If someone has access, then that person can access specific content or even the entire device. Here, too, Apple offers various guides and instructions.

Sources: 1, 2

Johannes Domke

After graduating from high school, Johannes completed an apprenticeship as a business assistant specializing in foreign languages. But then he decided to research and write, which resulted in his independence. For several years he has been working for Sir Apfelot, among others. His articles include product introductions, news, manuals, video games, consoles, and more. He follows Apple keynotes live via stream.