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This Secret Emergency Button On Your iPhone Can ‘Protect Your Privacy,’ Stop Stalkers From Tracking You, And Hide Photo Access: ‘Quickly Protect Your Info’

December 3, 2024 by Lisa Cupido

 

Your iPhone can keep you safe from stalkers — but you have to be aware of the one setting that can help you in you’re ever in a jam.

There’s a secret emergency button on your iPhone that can “protect your privacy” and “quickly protect your info” so that stalkers can no longer track you OR view your photos (which is just downright creepy). As part of Apple’s Safety Check feature, the emergency button feature has been added to Apple’s iOS 16 update, so if it has been awhile since you’ve downloaded updates, get on that quickly. Here’s what you need to know about the emergency button feature and how it can keep you safe.

Stop Sharing Information


Unbeknownst to you, you could be sharing more information than you’d like with people — even people you’d never feel comfortable providing things like access to your photos. According to Apple, "Safety Check on iPhone allows you to quickly stop sharing your information, or to review and update sharing with individual people and apps. You can use Safety Check to check whom you’re sharing information with, restrict Messages and FaceTime to your iPhone, reset system privacy permissions for apps, change your passcode, change your Apple Account password, and more."


Sounds great, so how can you get started?

To get started, first make sure you are running iOS 16 or a later version. Go to Settings > General > Software Update and make sure you consistently update your software.


Next, go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Safety Check. Here you can cut off someone’s access to your Apple account and personal information as well as limit the amount of personal info you share with apps. Hit done when you’re finished to save your new settings.

Emergency Reset


Safety Check also allows you to perform an Emergency Reset. As Apple explains, "If your personal safety is at risk, use Emergency Reset to quickly protect your information from people and apps, change your Apple Account password, and review your emergency contacts. Any changes you make will be saved as you go. Keep in mind that people may notice if you stop sharing your information with them." This setting can be incredibly important it you’re ever in a situation where you feel you are being stalked and your information is getting out there against your will. Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Safety Check and then press Emergency Reset.

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