Stop Safari showing web pages open on other devices

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Stop Safari showing web pages open on other devices

I have an iPhone, a new iPad Air and an old iPad Air.

The iPhone and new iPad Air are for my own use, but the old iPad Air is shared between my, my partner and our son.

At present, I use the same Apple ID to log into all three devices. This is convenient because it allows me to download apps onto the old iPad Air without having to repurchase them through the App Store.

However, my Apple ID has Safari sharing (as part of the iCloud settings) switched on, which means that you can use the old iPad Air to view and close the Safari pages on my iPhone and new iPad Air.

It can be annoying because my son sometimes closes the Safari pages on my iPhone and new iPad Air using the old iPad Air - and some of the pages (most recently, a possible gift for his birthday) show up when he uses the old iPad Air.

I want to keep that sharing feature switched on for my iPhone and new iPad Air (because it’s useful and I actually use it), but switch it off for the old iPad Air.

Is there a way to do that? I can only find a way of switching it off for all three devices or switching it on for all three devices.

iPad Air Wi-Fi

Posted on Feb 16, 2021 2:40 AM

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Answer 1

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LotusPilot

Level 10

303,674 points

Feb 16, 2021 7:54 AM in response to paulthorpe

The root of your problem is, of itself, very simple. iOS/iPadOS devices are intended to be single-user devices. If all devices are signed-in to iCloud with the same AppleID, files and services are shared between devices by design.

Your Safari web pages/sessions are shared using the Apple Continuity services. Whilst it is understood that you choose to share your AppleID across devices for the purpose of sharing your App purchases, there are far better ways to accomplish this.

First, understand that sharing an AppleID is a very bad idea! Sharing an AppleID causes many practical and data security issues - not limited to unintended sharing of data and sensitive personal information such as Contacts, Calendars , Reminders, Notes, Messages, passwords and keychain data. Unintentional sharing and closure of web pages is merely the tip of an iceberg.

The Golden Rule: Don’t share an AppleID between users. Each user should have their own AppleID for their own exclusive use - linked to their own primary email (and secondary/recovery email addresses and trusted telephone numbers).

If you are sharing an AppleID, you would be best advised to separate your digital identities - and configure a new AppleID for your Son and/or any other users with whom you are sharing your AppleID:

How to create a new Apple ID – Apple Support

If your objective is to share App purchases, Apple services and subscriptions, you can do so using Apple’s Family Sharing features:

Family Sharing - Apple

Set up Family Sharing – Apple Support

Share App Store, iTunes Store and Apple Books purchases with Family Sharing – Apple Support

https://www.imore.com/how-set-up-family-sharing-iphone-ipad

If you also intend to manage or restrict your sons use of his device(s), you can configure Parental Controls:

Use parental controls on your child's iPhone, iPad and iPod touch – Apple Support

More information about Apple’s Continuity services can be found here:

Use Continuity to connect your Mac, iPhone, iPad, iPod touch and Apple Watch – Apple Support

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Stop Safari showing web pages open on other devices

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