Recommended Free Tools
Some links on this page are affiliate links: if you buy through them we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.
If you think someone is monitoring your iPhone, use a safer device the person cannot access before researching, changing passwords, contacting support, or resetting the phone. A sudden loss of access may alert someone and could put you at risk. If it is safe to do so, plan with a domestic-violence or technology-abuse advocate before making changes; the FTC warns that removing stalkerware can affect personal safety.
On an iPhone, monitoring does not always come from a hidden app. It may involve an Apple Account, location sharing, an unknown device or computer, a management profile, a shared third-party account, or access to iCloud backups. Apple’s Safety Check is a useful first review, but it is not a malware scanner. This guide helps you check likely access routes, preserve evidence if needed, and decide whether to remove access or erase the phone.
Before you change anything: safety and evidence
If you face immediate danger, prioritize getting to a safe place and contacting emergency or specialist support from a device the other person cannot access. Do not assume your iPhone is safe for calls, searches, messages, or password changes. A person with access may see activity through an account, synced device, or other monitoring method.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
- Consider a safety plan. A domestic-violence advocate can help assess whether changing settings or removing access could provoke a reaction. The FTC’s stalkerware guidance recommends seeking this kind of support before removal when abuse is a concern.
- Decide whether evidence matters. If you may report the situation or need documentation for a legal, employment, custody, or protective-order matter, consider getting specialist advice before deleting apps or erasing the iPhone.
- Document what you find. If safe, photograph or record suspicious profiles, unfamiliar devices, login alerts, messages, dates, and times. Avoid extensive investigation on a phone that may be monitored.
- Think through practical consequences. A shared Apple Account, phone plan, home system, password manager, or financial account may provide legitimate access that is no longer welcome. Removing it may affect services or be noticed.
Apple’s Safety Check guide describes Quick Exit: it closes Settings and returns to the Home Screen. Changes already made are saved, so Quick Exit does not undo them or guarantee that your activity is hidden.
#1 Best Overall
- [2 Pack] This product includes 2 pack privacy screen protectors.WORKS FOR iPhone 17e/16e/14/iPhone 13/13 Pro 6.1 Inch tempered glass screen protector.Featuring maximum protection from scratches, scrapes, and bumps.[Not for iPhone 16 6.1 inch, iPhone 13 mini 5.4 inch, iPhone 13 Pro Max/iPhone 14 Pro Max/iPhone 14 Plus 6.7 inch, iPhone 14 Pro 6.1 inch]
- Specialty: to enhance compatibility with most cases, the Tempered glass does not cover the entire screen. HD ultra-clear rounded glass for iPhone 17e/16e/14/iPhone 13/13 Pro is 99.99% touch-screen accurate.
- 99.99% High-definition clear hydrophobic and oleophobic screen coating protects against sweat and oil residue from fingerprints.
- High Privacy: Keeps your personal, private, and sensitive information hidden from strangers,screen is only visible to persons directly in front of screen.Good choose when you are in the bus,elevator,metro or other public occasions.(Note: Due to this privacy cover will darken the image to prevent the peeking eyes near you, you might need to turn your device display brightness up a bit when use it.)
- Online video installation instruction: Easiest Installation - removing dust and aligning it properly before actual installation,enjoy your screen as if it wasn't there.
What “stalkerware on an iPhone” can mean
Stalkerware is software, an app, or a device used to secretly monitor someone’s activity. But an iPhone can be monitored without a conspicuous spyware app. The Coalition Against Stalkerware notes that some monitoring can involve data from iCloud backups.
- Account access: someone knows your Apple Account password, can receive verification codes, or has a device still signed in. They may also access email, social, cloud, messaging, or financial accounts.
- Sharing you did not intend or no longer want: Find My, Family Sharing, shared calendars, photos, Notes, Home controls, or app permissions can expose information without malicious software.
- Computer access: an iPhone may have been synced with a computer or connected to iPhone Mirroring.
- Profiles or device management: a configuration profile, VPN, certificate, or mobile-device-management (MDM) profile can change device or network behavior. Work- and school-managed phones may have legitimate profiles.
- Malicious or modified software: unauthorized modification such as jailbreaking can weaken iPhone protections. Apple warns that jailbreaking can expose a device to malware, spyware, data theft, instability, and update problems.
- Physical tracking: an AirTag or other Bluetooth tracker is a separate unwanted-tracking issue, not an app installed on the iPhone. Use Apple’s additional personal-safety guidance for tracker-related steps.
Apple’s Lockdown Mode addresses a different threat: highly sophisticated, targeted attacks such as mercenary spyware. It is not a routine stalkerware detector or a substitute for reviewing account access and sharing.
Do these symptoms prove stalkerware?
No. Battery drain, heat, sluggishness, crashes, unusual data use, poor reception, a strange text, or Safari ads can have ordinary causes. None of these symptoms alone confirms surveillance.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →More useful leads include an unfamiliar device in your Apple Account, unexpected location sharing, a profile you cannot explain, a computer you do not recognize in your sync or mirroring settings, unexplained account alerts, or someone knowing private information. These still require investigation: a shared account or previously authorized device can explain access without an app secretly installed on the phone.
Start with Safety Check
On an iPhone running iOS 16 or later, open Settings > Privacy & Security > Safety Check. Safety Check reviews sharing, connected devices, trusted phone numbers, app access, and some account and device-security settings. It does not scan for malware or review every third-party account.
Choose Emergency Reset if you need to stop sharing quickly
Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Safety Check > Emergency Reset. Follow the prompts to stop sharing with people and apps and review account and device security, including connected devices, verification phone numbers, and your Apple Account password. This is a rapid intervention, not an invisible one: people may notice that sharing has stopped or changed.
Rank #2
- [3 Pack] This product includes 3 pack privacy screen protectors.WORKS FOR iPhone 16/iPhone 15/iPhone 15 Pro 6.1 Inch tempered glass screen protector. Due to the rounded edge design of the iPhone 16/iPhone 15/iPhone 15 Pro and to enhance compatibility with most cases,the tempered glass screen protectors will be slightly smaller than the phone screen.[Not for iPhone 16e 6.1 inch, iPhone 15 Plus/iPhone 15 Pro Max/iPhone 16 Plus 6.7 inch,iPhone 16 Pro 6.3 inch,iPhone 16 Pro Max 6.9 inch]
- Specialty: HD rounded glass for iPhone 16/iPhone 15/iPhone 15 Pro 6.1 Inch is 99.99% touch-screen accurate.
- 99.99% High-definition hydrophobic and oleophobic screen coating protects against sweat and oil residue from fingerprints. Featuring maximum protection from scratches, scrapes, and bumps.
- High Privacy: Keeps your personal, private, and sensitive information hidden from strangers,screen is only visible to persons directly in front of screen.Good choose when you are in the bus,elevator,metro or other public occasions.(Note: Due to this privacy cover will darken the image to prevent the peeking eyes near you, you might need to turn your device display brightness up a bit when use it.)
- Online video installation instruction: Easiest Installation - removing dust and aligning it properly before actual installation,enjoy your screen as if it wasn't there.
Choose Manage Sharing & Access for a more deliberate review
Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Safety Check > Manage Sharing & Access. Review the people and apps with access, the devices signed in to your Apple Account, trusted phone numbers, and device security. You can review items individually rather than stopping all sharing at once.
Some Safety Check options depend on iOS version: synced-computer review requires iOS 17 or later, and iPhone Mirroring review requires iOS 18 or later. Safety Check can behave differently when Stolen Device Protection or Screen Time restrictions are enabled. See Apple’s version and feature details if an option is missing.
Secure the Apple Account and the iPhone
In Safety Check, review the devices connected to your Apple Account and remove any you do not recognize, after documenting them if evidence could matter. Review trusted phone numbers and account-recovery details. Reject unfamiliar sign-in prompts; never give someone a verification code just because they ask.
When it is safe, change your Apple Account password from a safer device, then confirm two-factor authentication and recovery methods. Change the iPhone passcode to one the suspected person cannot guess. If someone may have added their face or fingerprint, review and reset Face ID or Touch ID enrollment. Review shared passwords and passkeys, too. Apple’s Personal Safety guide covers these as distinct security checks.
Securing the Apple Account does not secure Gmail, social media, banking, messaging, or other services automatically. From a safe device, change those accounts’ passwords, review active sessions and recovery email addresses or phone numbers, and strengthen their multi-factor authentication. Apple says Safety Check cannot review or change non-Apple accounts and passwords.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Review sharing, apps, profiles, and computers
Location and shared information
Review Find My location sharing and Family Sharing, plus shared calendars, photo albums, Notes, Messages, FaceTime, Home app users, Wallet sharing, and social-media location settings. Check Settings > Privacy & Security for sensitive app permissions, especially Location Services, microphone, camera, photos, contacts, Bluetooth, local network, motion and fitness, and notifications. Pay particular attention to apps allowed location access at all times.
Rank #3
- Perfect Fit for iPhone 17 Pro Max：Engineered exclusively for iPhone 17 Pro Max with seamless edge-to-edge coverage, ensuring precise alignment and reliable full-screen protection.
- Advanced Privacy Protection：Features a 28° privacy filter with smooth 2.5D curved edges, preventing side glances in public. Your screen remains visible only to you—ideal for commuting, traveling, and crowded environments.
- Effortless Installation：Equipped with an auto dust-elimination tool that delivers a fast, accurate, and bubble-free application, keeping your screen perfectly clear with minimal effort.
- Military-Grade Protection：Made of nano-reinforced 9H tempered glass, SGS certified. Provides 5X stronger scratch resistance and proven durability, withstanding thousands of pressure and impact tests.
- Smudge & Fingerprint Resistant：Hydrophobic and oleophobic coating repels fingerprints, sweat, and oil—ensuring your screen stays clean, clear, and smooth to the touch.
Some sharing changes can be noticed. Safety Check also does not cover every channel—for example, social-media sharing or devices signed in to a different Apple Account may require separate checks. Apple lists further limits and review steps in its additional safety guidance.
Installed apps
Scan the Home Screen and App Library for apps you do not recognize, including ones with misleading names. Review each app’s permissions and consider whether it is also installed on a paired Apple Watch, iPad, or Mac. Deleting an unfamiliar app may be appropriate, but consider safety and evidence first. Removing one app does not prove the phone is clean: access may instead come from accounts, sharing, profiles, backups, or another device.
Configuration profiles, VPNs, and management
On current iOS documentation, check Settings > General > VPN & Device Management. An unknown profile, VPN, certificate, or management entry is worth investigating; it is not proof by itself that someone installed stalkerware.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsIf this is a work-, school-, or organization-managed iPhone, a profile may be legitimate. Do not remove it until you know who manages it and what services depend on it; removing it could disrupt work or school access or violate policy. If you cannot identify an entry, document it and ask the organization’s IT administrator or a qualified specialist using a safe channel.
Synced computers and iPhone Mirroring
Review the computer and mirroring relationships listed in Safety Check. Remove a computer you do not recognize if it is safe to do so, but document the entry first if you may need evidence. A previously authorized computer can expose information without a hidden spyware app, so this check is easy to overlook.
Update iOS; use Lockdown Mode only for the right threat
Keeping iOS current generally helps protect the device. Update through the normal software-update controls if you are not preserving the iPhone for a forensic examination. The FTC and Apple both recommend software updates as part of security hygiene; check Apple’s current instructions for your model and iOS version.
Rank #4
- 【Industry-Leading 100% Anti-Spy Privacy Protection】Designed for iPhone 17 Pro. Larger iPhone screens are easier for others to glance at, so UltraGlass uses patented, SEGI-certified 25° Blackout-3 optical technology to help block side views and keep emails, banking apps, and private content visible only to you—while keeping the front view HD-clear and comfortable through hours of scrolling and streaming.
- 【Unbreakable TOP 9H+ Glass, the Excellent 2nd Screen for Your iPhone】Boasting unparalleled shatter resistance and durability. And the core excellence is the top 9H+ tempered glass material, which is widely applied in aerospace and military fields for its ① Shatter-proof ② Scratch & Wear Resistance ③ Durability that is 7-8 times higher than other materials. Thus, UltraGlass builds a second tough screen for your iPhone 17 Pro!
- 【Industry NO.1 Military-Grade Shatterproof】Authorized by the International Military Standard with 50+ rigorous engineering tests of 220 lbs impact, 8,000+ drop tests, 20,000+ scratch tests, etc., its strength, toughness and durability perform NO.1 among all glass. By especially breaking the industry's record with a 12ft drop, the iPhone 17 Pro screen protector is ensured to be unbreakable from its surface to every edge and corner.
- 【Invisible Armor, 1:1 Full Covers the iPhone's Screen】Mimicking the iPhone's original screen design, it uses a 1:1 3D curved reinforced black edge that wraps around every curve — case friendly — while securing even the most vulnerable edges. Seamlessly blending with the iPhone 17 Pro screen, it's virtually invisible and feels like the original screen while offering enhanced full-screen protection.
- 【0 Bubbles + 0 Dust + 0 Misaligned =100% Successful Installation】Includes everything you need with pioneering automatic positioning, dust removal, and absorption technology, making the installation just effortlessly easy in seconds. No bubbles, no troubles—transforming beginners into experts!
Consider Lockdown Mode if you have received an Apple threat notification or have a credible reason to fear highly sophisticated targeted spyware—for example, because of work as a journalist, activist, researcher, public figure, or similar high-risk role. The path is Settings > Privacy & Security > Lockdown Mode > Turn On Lockdown Mode.
Lockdown Mode restricts some apps, websites, messaging attachments, media handling, wireless connectivity, and other features. Apple says a paired Apple Watch running watchOS 10 or later also enters Lockdown Mode when the iPhone does; for comprehensive protection, enable it on relevant Apple devices. It is a hardening measure, not a scan: it does not remove an app, fix account compromise, or undo location sharing. Most people are not targeted by mercenary spyware.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.When and how to erase the iPhone
Apple recommends a factory restore when someone may have had physical access, tampered with an iPhone, and installed malicious software such as stalkerware. Erasing is a reasonable removal path when malicious software is strongly suspected, but it is not always the safest first action. A reset may alert the person, destroy useful evidence, erase needed data, or affect access to essential services.
Before erasing, consider safety and evidence, run Safety Check if appropriate, save important files and documentation separately, confirm you know your Apple Account password and can receive two-factor authentication codes, and consider cellular-plan or eSIM effects. If a forensic examination may matter, seek specialist advice before wiping.
Erase from the iPhone
On iOS 26, the path is Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings. Follow the prompts; you may need the iPhone passcode or Apple Account password. You may be asked whether to erase or retain the eSIM. Erasing an eSIM can mean contacting your carrier to reactivate the cellular plan. Apple’s current erase instructions explain the choices.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
If the iPhone cannot be erased normally, Apple’s restore instructions cover using Finder on a Mac, the Apple Devices app on Windows, or iTunes on older systems where applicable. Follow Apple’s current steps for the specific device rather than relying on generic recovery-mode directions.
Best Value
- 【Innovative 1-Step Installation! 】Simplify the application process! Featuring automatic alignment functionality, enjoy a quick and easy installation,swiftly eliminate air bubbles, providing you a hassle-free installation experience for the iPhone 16 Pro Max privacy screen protector.Friendly Reminder: Please watch the installation video before you begin.
- 【Indestructible Ultra 9H Glass for Ultimate Protection】With nearly diamond-like 9H hardness, this privacy screen protector for iPhone 16 Pro Max effectively avoids shattering, cracking, and scratches. It is up to 4X stronger than traditional tempered glass protectors and reliably protects the entire phone screen from compression and other impacts.
- 【Ultra-Clear and Ultra-Sensitive】This protective film covers the iPhone 16 Pro Max 6.9-inch, ensuring you feel as if there's nothing on your iPhone screen.The high-quality anti-fingerprint surface keeps your screen clean, bubble-free, delivering the most natural viewing and sensitive touch for videos and gaming.
- 【26° Anti-Spy Privacy Protection】Featuring upgraded micro-louver optical technology, this iPhone 16 Pro Max privacy screen protector delivers a precise 26° privacy viewing angle. It maintains ultra HD clarity from the front view, while instantly darkening the screen for anyone viewing from the sides or behind.
- 【Professional After-Sales Support】Each package contains 4 privacy screen protectors for the 6.9-inch iPhone 16 Pro Max. We also offer a 365-day warranty service. We provide free replacement support for installation failures caused by product defects, size mismatch, or other verified quality issues. Please feel free to contact our customer support team for assistance.
Reset All Settings is not a factory reset. It resets certain settings but does not erase apps, photos, messages, or app data. It is not equivalent to removing suspected stalkerware.
Do not restore the suspected backup
If malicious software is the concern, Apple says not to restore from a backup: the backup may reinstall the unwanted software. Instead, set the iPhone up as new where feasible. Back up only files you need and can assess; do not bring back the complete suspected device state simply for convenience.
Rebuild access safely after an erase
- Install the latest iOS available for the iPhone.
- Choose a new passcode and secure Face ID or Touch ID enrollment.
- Change the Apple Account password from a trusted device, confirm two-factor authentication and recovery information, and review signed-in devices again.
- Install apps manually from the App Store; avoid restoring the full backup if stalkerware was suspected.
- Change passwords and review active sessions and recovery methods for email, social, financial, cloud, and messaging accounts.
- Recheck Find My, Family Sharing, app permissions, profiles, VPNs, and management entries.
- Reconnect only computers and accessories you trust. If the suspected person controlled your home router or Wi-Fi, consider changing its administrator credentials and Wi-Fi password from a safe device.
A factory erase removes the phone’s contents, apps, and settings, but it does not automatically secure a compromised account, another signed-in device, or a shared third-party service. Treat the phone and the accounts connected to it as separate parts of the problem.
Which first step fits your situation?
| What you know or suspect | Safer starting point |
|---|---|
| Immediate danger or fear of retaliation | Use a safer device and contact emergency or specialist support before changing the iPhone. |
| Possible partner monitoring, no immediate emergency | Safety-plan, preserve evidence if needed, then review Safety Check. |
| Unknown Apple Account device or unexpected location sharing | Document it, then review account devices, trusted numbers, and sharing. |
| Unknown profile or MDM entry | Document it and establish whether it is legitimate before removing it. |
| Unfamiliar synced or mirrored computer | Review computer relationships; record the entry before removing it if evidence matters. |
| Jailbroken or modified iPhone | Treat the device as higher risk; decide about evidence first, then update or restore using Apple guidance. |
| Apple threat notification or credible targeted-spyware risk | Preserve the alert and seek expert digital-security help before erasing if evidence matters; consider Lockdown Mode. |
| Only battery drain, heat, or slowness | Do not diagnose stalkerware from those symptoms alone; troubleshoot ordinary causes and review access calmly. |
| Strong suspicion or evidence of malicious software | After safety and evidence decisions, erase and set up as new; do not restore the suspected backup. |
When to get expert help
Contact a domestic-violence or technology-abuse advocate if someone may retaliate or controls your finances, housing, transportation, or communications. Consider a qualified digital-forensics or incident-response specialist if you received a targeted spyware alert, are a high-risk target, or need evidence preserved. Ask about iOS experience, privacy practices, written evidence-handling procedures, scope, and pricing; do not assume that wiping first is necessary.
Apple Support can help with Apple Account or device-recovery issues, but it may not resolve abuse risks, third-party account compromise, or forensic questions. Choose help based on the part of the problem you need to address, and contact it from a device the suspected person cannot access.
Sources: Apple Safety Check, Apple Personal Safety, Apple guidance on restoring after suspected stalkerware, FTC stalkerware advice, and the Coalition Against Stalkerware.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
