iPad vs MAC notification
Received a notification about access to my Google account that I accessed on my iPad, but identified it as MAC device. Was I hacked?
iPad, iPadOS 16
Question marked as
No, you haven't been hacked.
Be aware that some websites may incorrectly identify your iOS/iPadOS Safari User Agent or version when used in one or other of its browsing modes - of which there are two - these being Desktop and Mobile. Misidentification of the browser Agent can sometimes manifest as the website reporting that your browser is out of date, or won’t properly render a page. Similarly, when a website reports access, you (the user) may mis-attribute the access as something untoward.
iPadOS Safari can operate in two modes - the default Desktop mode or Mobile. The browser User Agent, as enumerated by the website, determines how the website recognises your browser - and may change the manner in which it will render pages.
When Safari used in Desktop Website mode, your iPad will be enumerated as a Mac - whereas Mobile mode will be reported as an iPad or iPhone.
Here is an example - albeit for an earlier version of iPadOS:
By contrast, if you switch to Mobile website mode, your User Agent is instead detected as Safari 13.1 on iOS 13.5:
It’s easy to switch between modes if a website isn’t functioning correctly. From the desired web-page, touch the aA icon at the left of the Address Bar; this will reveal a menu. From the menu select Website Settings, then select (or deselect) Request Desktop Website, then tap Done. Now refresh the webpage.
The chosen setting will be saved for the selected website - and can be simply reversed if needed.
You can check - and experiment for yourself - using this website: