What to Do if Your Apple ID and Phone Number Are Being Used on Another Device - Reactionary Times (2024)

If you receive a pop-up alert that your Apple ID is being used on another device, don’t jump to conclusions. Your account security is not necessarily compromised.

While this message is designed to inform you that a new device is now associated with your account, it could also pop up when you sign in or log in to a new Apple service, such as iCloud, iTunes, Apple TV, or App Store.

More often than not, the “Your ‌Apple ID‌ and phone number are now being used for iMessage/‌FaceTime‌ on a new [‌iPhone‌/‌iPad‌/Mac]. If you recently signed into [device name] you can ignore this notification” alert appears for technical reasons rather than security concerns.

The Apple ID account allows you to sync and share data and settings between multiple Apple products, including iPhone, iPad, and Mac. This account is also used for Apple services, such as iCloud, and can be used as a universal access account that gives you control of your devices.

Even if you haven’t linked any new devices or services to your Apple ID account, the alert message could pop up if you turn on a device that has been offline for a while, especially if this device uses Apple ID to login to iMessage or FaceTime.

Likewise, the notification could pop up if a device has been connected to a poor Wi-Fi connection.

However, if you suspect that someone unauthorized has access to your Apple ID, there are several steps you can take to regain control of your account.

Table of Contents

Check your Apple ID devices

A simple check of all devices associated with your Apple ID will likely shed light on the appearance of the “Your Apple ID and phone number are being used on another device” message.

How to check Apple ID on an iPhone

  1. On your phone, open the Settings app and tap the Apple ID banner at the top of the menu.
  2. Scroll down the list of devices and check for unknown ones. Tap any device to see that device’s information, such as device model, OS version, and whether it is a trusted device that can receive Apple ID verification codes.

How to check Apple ID on a Mac

  1. Open the Apple menu, click Preferences, and select Apple ID.
  2. Like the ID function on your iPhone, you can scroll down the list of devices and check their details.

If you notice unknown or suspicious devices, remove this device by clicking the red option at the bottom of the device information screen.

If your account has been compromised, it is recommended that you take measures to secure it.

How to secure your Apple ID

  1. Log in to your Apple ID account via Apple’s Apple ID website. If you have trouble logging in, use the password reset option.
  2. On the Apple ID account page, review all personal and security information.
  3. Change your password if you suspect that it has been compromised, or if you haven’t changed it for a while.
  4. Update any incorrect account details, including your name and phone number, your primary Apple ID email address, and alternate email address.
  5. It is recommended that you set security questions and answers that are hard to guess.
  6. If you haven’t already, enable the two-factor authentication (2FA) for your Apple ID. The 2FA feature is an additional security layer that is designed to protect your account and personal information from people who know your password.
What to Do if Your Apple ID and Phone Number Are Being Used on Another Device - Reactionary Times (2024)

FAQs

What to Do if Your Apple ID and Phone Number Are Being Used on Another Device - Reactionary Times? ›

If you see anything untoward or suspicious – a device linked to your ‌Apple ID‌ that you don't recognize, for example – then your account may be compromised. You should remove the device from your account using the red option at the bottom of the screen for that device.

What to do if someone is using your Apple ID and phone number? ›

Go to appleid.apple.com to update any of personal or security information that isn't correct or that you don't recognize. Check with your email address* provider to make sure that you control every email address associated with your Apple ID.

What to do if your Apple ID is being used on another device? ›

Use the web to find where you're signed in

From the Devices section of your Apple ID account page, you can find all of the devices that you're currently signed in to with your Apple ID, including Android devices, consoles, and smart TVs: Sign in to appleid.apple.com,* then select Devices.

What does the message mean your Apple ID and phone number are being used? ›

This may mean that someone is logged under your AppleID on some other phone. Change your AppleID password and security questions as soon as you can. Changing the password will log everyone out of the AppleID, but changing the password will not allow the other iPhone back onto the AppleID.

How do I disassociate a phone number from my Apple ID? ›

On your iPhone or iPad
  1. Sign out of every Apple service and device that uses your Apple ID, except the one you're using to change your Apple ID.
  2. Go to Settings > [your name] > Sign-In & Security.
  3. Next to Email & Phone Numbers, tap Edit.
  4. Tap Delete.
Dec 29, 2023

How to tell if someone is accessing your iPhone remotely? ›

Keep an eye out for significant changes in device temperature and battery life, as these might indicate remote access. During calls, pay attention to any strange noises or voices, as they could indicate unauthorized call monitoring or recording. Be cautious of increased service messages and pop-up ads.

How to find out which devices are using your Apple ID? ›

Click Devices in the left-hand menu bar. In iOS/iPadOS: Go to Settings > Account Name and swipe down until you see your devices. In macOS: Go to System Settings > Account Name and scroll down in the main window to the Devices section. In iCloud for Windows: Click Account Details and then click Manage Apple ID.

How do you check if my Apple ID is being used by someone else? ›

If you're running iOS 16 or later, see How Safety Check on iPhone works to keep you safe. Check which devices are signed in to your account by going to Settings > [your name]. If you see a device you don't recognize, tap on that device name and select “Remove from Account.”

How do I stop Apple ID from sharing with other devices? ›

Remove your associated iPhone or iPad
  1. Open the Settings app.
  2. Tap your name, then tap Media & Purchases.
  3. Tap View Account. You might be asked to sign in.
  4. Scroll down, then tap Remove This Device.
Mar 15, 2024

Why is someone else using my Apple ID? ›

The biggest vulnerability of your Apple ID — and your entire life online — is your day-to-day cyber hygiene. Nearly all Apple ID hacks happen because people either haven't secured their login information or unwittingly share it with scammers.

What do I do if I get a message that my Apple ID and phone number are being used on a new iPad? ›

If you see a notification that your Apple ID is being used to sign in on a new device and you're not signing in, tap Don't Allow to block the sign-in attempt. You may also want to capture a screenshot of the notification before dismissing it. See Record suspicious activity.

Can someone see your texts if they log into your Apple ID? ›

If someone else has access to your Apple ID, they can view information that is synced across devices, which may include such things as Messages and location. Learn here how to secure your Apple ID on iPad, iPhone, and Mac. Below are a few important things you can do to secure your Apple ID and protect your privacy.

Can someone see my iMessages from another device? ›

The app can be installed remotely on an iPhone if you have the proper iCloud credentials. For Android phones, someone will need to install it on the phone directly. Once that's done, your messages and more can be intercepted. Someone can access your past messages via iCloud and Android backup apps such as Dr.

How do I unlink a phone from my Apple ID? ›

How Do I Unlink an iPhone From an Apple ID?
  • Open the Apple menu and select System Preferences.
  • In the top-right section of the menu, select Apple ID.
  • Select the device you want to remove from the menu on the left side of the window.
  • Select Remove from Account.
  • A pop-up will appear asking you to confirm.

What happens when you deregister a phone number from Apple ID? ›

After you complete deregistration, your phone number is removed from iMessage services. You should be able to receive text messages right away but it might take a few hours for some Apple devices to recognize that you're not using iMessage when they send you a message.

How do I remove my phone number from Apple ID verification? ›

On your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch: Go to Settings > your name > Sign-In & Security. Next to Trusted Phone Number, tap Edit. On your Mac: Choose Apple menu  > System Settings (or System Preferences), then click your name (or Apple ID). Click Sign-In & Security, then add or remove a trusted phone number.

What to do if my phone number is already in use with another Apple account? ›

Sign in to your Apple ID account page and edit / update. -> edit your trusted phone number. So you use / have multiple Apple ID. And that number is still linked to that other iCloud account.

How can I remove someone Apple ID from my phone? ›

How to get rid of someone else's Apple ID on the App Store, Apple Music, and other Apple services
  1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone and tap your name at the top of the screen.
  2. Select Media & Purchases.
  3. From the pop-up that appears at the bottom, choose Sign Out and confirm from the dialog box that appears.
Jan 18, 2024

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