Application Safety#

Applications and Your Information

  • Your information can be shared with others through the applications you use. On iOS devices, applications can request information about your calendar, contacts, files, photos, wallet, location, and several other categories of information that you may want to keep private. Some of that same information like your location, photos, and calendar events can also be shared directly with other iPhone users. If you suspect that you may be unintentionally sharing information from your iPhone with dangerous applications and users, there are several ways to change the permissions in your phone to solve this issue.

Finding Your iOS Version

  • Your phone’s operating system (iOS) may be a different version than the most recent one that has been released by Apple. Many of the recommendations in this section are different based on the version of iOS that your phone is running. To find the version of iOS that your phone is running:

    • Go to the Settings app > General > About

  • Here, the version of iOS that your phone is running will be listed.

Updating Your Device

  • If you are running an older version of iOS or if you would like to always have access to the most recent privacy features released by Apple, there are several ways for you to update your operating system. If you go to Settings > General > Software Update, you can manually install updates to iOS on your phone.

  • Additionally, you can also set your phone to automatically install updates for you. If you go to Settings > General > Software Update > Automatic Updates, you will have an option to Automatically Install or Automatically Download. If the Automatically Install option is selected, your phone will download a new update when it is released, and it will install this update during the nighttime if your phone is charging and connected to Wifi. If you deselect the Automatically Install option and only select the Automatically Download option, your iPhone will automatically download updates when your phone is connected to Wi-Fi, charging, and locked. These updates will only be downloaded, so you will be able to install these updates manually whenever you like.

Safety Check

  • If your phone is running iOS 16 or later, you have access to the “Safety Check” feature. This feature allows you to see what information your phone is sharing and who it is being shared with. To get to “Safety Check”, go to the Settings app, go to the Privacy and Security, then go to Safety Check. You will have two options: emergency reset or manage sharing and access. Emergency Reset allows you to immediately revoke sharing access with ALL people from ALL of your apps. It also allows you to immediately change your Apple Account password and review the security of your account. Finally, you can quickly add and remove your emergency contacts.

  • [PEOPLE MAY NOTICE WHEN YOU STOP SHARING INFORMATION WITH THEM. PROCEED WITH CAUTION IF YOU BELIEVE REMOVING INFORMATION WILL CAUSE SOMEONE TO HARM YOU].

  • The second option is Manage Sharing and Access. This allows you to manage the information you are sharing with people, manage which apps have access to information on your phone, and review your Apple Account password. [PEOPLE MAY NOTICE WHEN YOU STOP SHARING INFORMATION WITH THEM. PROCEED WITH CAUTIOUS IF YOU BELIEVE REMOVING INFORMATION WILL CAUSE SOMEONE TO HARM YOU]. If you choose Manage Sharing and Access, it provides you with a “Quick Exit” option that immediately closes the settings app and brings you back to the home screen.

Safety Check Alternatives

  • If you are not running a version of iOS 15 or earlier, there are still other ways to keep your device safe. First, change the password to any of your Apple devices to make sure that no one is able to unlock them. Next, go to Settings > [your name] > Devices. Here, you can review all of the devices that your Apple Account is logged in to. Remove all devices from your account that you do not recognize.

Two-Factor Authentication

  • In order to add more security to your device, consider enabling two-factor authentication. This prevents people from accessing your Apple Account, even if they know your password. To do this, go to Settings > [your name] > Sign-in & Security. Here, select the two-factor authentication option. If you enter a trusted phone number, this phone number will now receive verification codes every time you try to log into your Apple Account. When you want to log into your Apple Account, simply log in, then enter the verification code received from your phone number.

Screen and Filter Calls

  • iOS 26 allows you to manage all of your blocked contacts from one place and screen calls from unknown senders. To manage your blocked contacts: Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Blocked Contacts To screen calls from Unknown Senders Go to Settings > Apps > Phone > Calls This allows you to choose whether to ask unknown callers to say the reason that they are calling or to silence them. Filter Messages from Unknown Senders Go to the Messages app and tap the button with three horizontal lines in the top right corner. If you tap manage, this will give you the ability to manage how you filter your messages.
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If you are in immediate physical danger, call 911!