Hey everyone, I'm curious if my dad can see the apps I've downloaded or any messages I've sent, even after I've deleted them. I'm not supposed to have Instagram, but I downloaded it anyway, and I recently got in trouble. After my dad took my phone for a week, he warned me that he could restore everything. I'm worried about whether he can access my deleted apps or messages when he has my phone. I've read that as long as I delete everything I don't want him to see and make a backup afterwards, he won't be able to find them. I also use a VPN and don't think I'm on family sharing. Can anyone help me understand if there are ways he can find out about my past downloads or see deleted messages? Thanks!
3 Answers
At the end of the day, it seems like your dad genuinely wants to keep an eye on things for your safety. Instead of trying to outsmart him, maybe consider talking to him about why he feels the need to check up on you. Communication is key!
Honestly, if your dad can access the App Store on your iPhone, he can see any apps you've downloaded, even if you've deleted them. When you download an app, it shows up in your purchase history, so unless he doesn't regularly check it, he can find out pretty easily. Just be careful and consider being honest with him about social media instead of trying to hide it.
There are ways to hide your tracks, but it's really about how much effort you're willing to put in. If you're using a VPN, that’s a start, but even browsing history can reveal some things. Think about using incognito mode when browsing websites like Instagram to leave no trace. Just remember, this isn't a great way to build trust!
That’s a good point! I’ll try talking to him about it.