Privacy help needed - my ex has my old phone on wifi only and seems to be able to imessage from it as me. Can he see my iMessages?

With my current iPhone or iPad, when I go to "Find My" I only see the four devices I'm actively and currently using: an iPhone, an iPad (with data), an Apple Watch (without data), and a pair of Beats earbuds.


Over the years I've had several other iPhones, iPads, etc. I always delete all the apps, change my iCloud password, etc. I let my little kids use the devices on wifi to watch YouTube, Netflix, etc. I also have an old iPhone that another family member stopped using.


I'm divorcing, it's contentious, and we separated last year. In the time leading up to our divorce, and especially since we have separated, my ex often seemed to know where I was, who I was talking to, and personal details of my life that I couldn't explain. I've checked my vehicle and home for tracking and listening devices and found nothing. I couldn't find anything on my phone to explain this (he is an Android user).


When he moved out, he took an old iPad and an old iPhone with him. Again these devices do not show up for me in my "find my" list because I've deleted them so they shouldn't be tied to my iCloud account.


The other day, my youngest daughter was at her dad's house, and she sent a text using one of my old phones he has there to another family member. That family member received the text and it looked like it was from me. How is this possible? It seems to somehow still be associated with my phone number? If that's the case, is it possible my ex has been receiving, taking copies of and/or viewing all of my iMessages without my knowledge?



iPhone 13 Pro Max, iOS 16

Posted on Jul 13, 2023 10:28 AM

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Posted on Jul 13, 2023 11:28 AM

Is your daughter using her own Apple ID with the old phone, or is it still signed into your Apple ID for Messages? Just because it is not showing in Find My doesn't mean the Apple ID isn't still being used for Messages, iTunes, App Store because iCloud Find My is a separate feature from these.


On the old phone go to Settings > Messages > Send & Receive to see what Apple ID and phone number are set.

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Jul 13, 2023 11:28 AM in response to mnlinds

Is your daughter using her own Apple ID with the old phone, or is it still signed into your Apple ID for Messages? Just because it is not showing in Find My doesn't mean the Apple ID isn't still being used for Messages, iTunes, App Store because iCloud Find My is a separate feature from these.


On the old phone go to Settings > Messages > Send & Receive to see what Apple ID and phone number are set.

Jul 13, 2023 11:25 AM in response to mnlinds

Is your daughter using her own Apple ID with the old phone, or is it still signed into your Apple ID for Messages? Just because it is not showing in Find My doesn't mean the Apple ID isn't still being used for Messages, iTunes, App Store because iCloud Find My is a separate feature from these.


On the old phone go to Settings > Messages > Send & Receive to see what Apple ID and phone number are set.

Jul 14, 2023 2:33 PM in response to mnlinds

I would first make sure you check the devices are not showing associated with your Apple ID for iTunes following View and remove your devices that are associated with Apple ID purchases - Apple Support


Then reset your Apple ID password following Change your Apple ID password - Apple Support and if asked if you want to stay signed in, or sign out of all devices you choose Sign Out.

Jul 14, 2023 9:08 AM in response to mnlinds

Hi shoeluvr13, I think you're on the right track. She must be. If I changed my password, can that phone still display things like my iMessages, my location, etc.?


He has the phone in his possession, as he also has an old iPad. I cannot access them, and if I ask him to I'm certain he'll deny that he's using it and/or delete any info I'd find that he had.


Basically during the last year or so we were together and for all the time that we've been separated he's known where I was and knew personal details about my life that he couldn't have known without monitoring me somehow. I would like to be able to prove that he's done this AND stop it from continuing.


In the short term, thankfully most of my communication takes place in secure messaging sites like WhatsApp, but this is really upsetting.



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Privacy help needed - my ex has my old phone on wifi only and seems to be able to imessage from it as me. Can he see my iMessages?

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