Notifications
- Turn off previews for chat and dating apps (Settings, Notifications, Show Previews: Never).
- Set a different notification sound, or silent, for private apps.
- Check Do Not Disturb and Focus modes, which can hide notifications without disabling them.
App and device locks
- Passcode or biometric lock inside the app.
- A strong phone passcode your partner doesn't know.
- Auto-lock set to a short time.
Shared accounts: the big one
- Family sharing. Apple Family and Google Family can share purchases and sometimes location.
- Cloud backups. iCloud and Google Photos can sync photos or messages to another device.
- Messages on other devices. Check iMessage and WhatsApp Web sessions.
- Browser history. Use a separate profile or private browsing, and remember it's only partly private.
Screen Time and usage reports
Weekly usage summaries can show which apps you used and for how long. Check what's visible and to whom.
Shared devices
Don't sign in on the family computer, TV or tablet. Don't save passwords in a shared browser.
FAQs
Can my partner see my app usage?
Only if you share Screen Time, a family account or have given access to your phone.
Do deleted messages disappear completely?
Not always. They may remain in backups or on the other person's device.
Is private browsing safe?
It hides history on your device only, not from your network or provider.