Removing hidden accessories iPad Apple Watch etc. spying on my location and information

Hidden accessories like mac Apple Watch iPhone iPads connected to iPhone 17 spying on my device how to find and remove them off my iPhone 17 now

iPhone 17

Posted on Jan 16, 2026 10:31 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jan 17, 2026 12:52 AM

If you feel an unauthorized person/app is remotely using, controlling or monitoring your device, then that is possible only if you have done one or more of the following Don'ts...


  1. Don't hand over an iPhone to kids or to a stranger without Enabling Guided Access
  2. Don't share Apple IDs
  3. Don't Jailbreak
  4. Don't share sensitive information pertaining to your device
  5. Don't give in to Phishing
  6. Don't plug in your device in Airports and Public places through third-party cables and trust the device. Beware of Juice Jacking. (Especially in India)
  7. Don't leave your iPhone unlocked and unattended in public places like offices, schools, malls, etc.


If one of the above is true then quickly change the Apple ID Password and Return iPhone settings to their defaults.


  1. Immediately change your Apple ID password
    1. Go to Settings → [your name] → Sign-In & Security → Change Password.
    2. This signs out anyone using your account.
  2. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (if not already): Same menu → Two-Factor Authentication → Turn On.
  3. Check for any unknown devices linked to your account:
    1. Settings → [your name] → Devices.:
    2. If you see anything you don’t recognize, tap it → Remove from Account.
  4. Check for unknown profiles or device management:
    1. Settings → General → VPN & Device Management.
    2. If you see a profile you didn’t install, tap it → Remove Profile.
  5. Check Accessibility & Screen Sharing settings
    1. Settings → Accessibility → Switch Control, Voice Control, or Remote Control — turn off anything you didn’t set up.
    2. Settings → General → AirPlay & Handoff → make sure AirPlay is set to Ask or Never Automatically.
  6. Sign out of iCloud everywhere and reset
    1. Go to Settings → [your name] → Sign Out (you’ll need your password).
    2. Then back up your photos to iCloud or your computer.
    3. Go to Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone → Erase All Content and Settings.:
    4. Set it up as a New iPhone (not from a backup), so nothing suspicious is restored.
  7. Update iOS: Always keep the latest iOS version for security fixes.


If a person has ever had your passcode, they could’ve installed something quietly — so the full erase and setting up as new is the safest option. How to factory reset your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch

2 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Jan 17, 2026 12:52 AM in response to Lizstaferd

If you feel an unauthorized person/app is remotely using, controlling or monitoring your device, then that is possible only if you have done one or more of the following Don'ts...


  1. Don't hand over an iPhone to kids or to a stranger without Enabling Guided Access
  2. Don't share Apple IDs
  3. Don't Jailbreak
  4. Don't share sensitive information pertaining to your device
  5. Don't give in to Phishing
  6. Don't plug in your device in Airports and Public places through third-party cables and trust the device. Beware of Juice Jacking. (Especially in India)
  7. Don't leave your iPhone unlocked and unattended in public places like offices, schools, malls, etc.


If one of the above is true then quickly change the Apple ID Password and Return iPhone settings to their defaults.


  1. Immediately change your Apple ID password
    1. Go to Settings → [your name] → Sign-In & Security → Change Password.
    2. This signs out anyone using your account.
  2. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (if not already): Same menu → Two-Factor Authentication → Turn On.
  3. Check for any unknown devices linked to your account:
    1. Settings → [your name] → Devices.:
    2. If you see anything you don’t recognize, tap it → Remove from Account.
  4. Check for unknown profiles or device management:
    1. Settings → General → VPN & Device Management.
    2. If you see a profile you didn’t install, tap it → Remove Profile.
  5. Check Accessibility & Screen Sharing settings
    1. Settings → Accessibility → Switch Control, Voice Control, or Remote Control — turn off anything you didn’t set up.
    2. Settings → General → AirPlay & Handoff → make sure AirPlay is set to Ask or Never Automatically.
  6. Sign out of iCloud everywhere and reset
    1. Go to Settings → [your name] → Sign Out (you’ll need your password).
    2. Then back up your photos to iCloud or your computer.
    3. Go to Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone → Erase All Content and Settings.:
    4. Set it up as a New iPhone (not from a backup), so nothing suspicious is restored.
  7. Update iOS: Always keep the latest iOS version for security fixes.


If a person has ever had your passcode, they could’ve installed something quietly — so the full erase and setting up as new is the safest option. How to factory reset your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch

Jan 16, 2026 10:48 PM in response to Lizstaferd

"Removing hidden accessories iPad Apple Watch etc. spying on my location and information: Hidden accessories like mac Apple Watch iPhone iPads connected to iPhone 17 spying on my device how to find and remove them off my iPhone 17 now"

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Removing Hidden Accessories:

Why do you suspect someone is "spying" on your device, your location, and your information? Unpair these from your Apple Account. If you do not want it to be seen, then turn off Find My (which is not ideal, when it comes to its safety feature of Lost & Found). As for Bluetooth, if you toggle it off in Settings, your iPhone will not be seen by other nearby devices that have Bluetooth turned on and working, themselves

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Removing hidden accessories iPad Apple Watch etc. spying on my location and information

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