Hey everyone! I'm 18 and currently using an older iPhone model. My dad recently bought an iPhone 17 Pro Max that he wants to give to me as a gift. The thing is, I really don't feel the need for it and I'm happy with my current phone. But he keeps insisting that I take it. I started feeling a bit uneasy when I noticed he had already opened the phone before giving it to me. Given the history of him secretly placing cameras around the house, I can't help but wonder if he could have installed something on the phone for spying purposes. Even if I reset the phone and set it up from scratch, could there be hidden software that remains? Any insights would be really helpful!
2 Answers
Generally, a factory reset should clean out most troubling stuff, but be aware that some software can be persistent. It doesn’t need to be super expensive, either—there are capable spy apps out there that could stay hidden for a while. If you're really worried, definitely reset it and check for any suspicious apps afterward!
If you reset the phone and set it up as new, there shouldn't be anything on it that can track you. Just make sure to choose the option that wipes everything and doesn't restore from a backup. However, if the phone was enrolled in a Mobile Device Management (MDM) program, which is common in schools and businesses, it might have some oversight software that could stick around. Just double-check before you start using it!
Yeah, that's a good point! But remember there's also consumer apps like Life360 that could be installed without you knowing. Just do a thorough investigation after resetting it.