No one likes a snitch, but sometimes your favorite gadgets betray you.
Like the British man whose wife found text messages to a prostitute on his iPhone that he thought he’d deleted. Now he’s suing Apple for $6 million for storing the messages in iCloud.
But even if you’re not doing anything shady, your messages, photos and other files you delete don’t immediately disappear.
They usually stick around for at least a month so you want to recover them, which can lead to problems if you sell or lend your phone to someone, or if you share devices with your kids or partner.
Here’s how to ensure your private pictures and documents don’t come back from the digital grave.
Your deleted messages still exist
Even if you’re not doing anything shady, your messages, photos and other files you delete don’t immediately disappear. They usually stick around for at least a month so you want to recover them
That’s the whole basis of that scumbag’s lawsuit. He was setting up secret rendezvous — not realizing that when you’re signed into iCloud, messages sync across devices even when you delete them from one.
On an iPhone:
â—Ź Tap Filters at the top of your messages list.
â—Ź Select Recently Deleted to bring back texts or erase them forever.
On Android, the default Google Messages app doesn’t have a recycle bin. If you delete a text there, it’s gone for good.
But if you use a different messaging app, look for a recently deleted section.
Photos and videos
This is generally good because you can find pics you deleted and changed your mind about — like the selfie where you did look great.
In Photos on an iPhone:
â—Ź Head to Albums and scroll down to Recently Deleted.
â—Ź You can recover recently deleted photos and videos or trash them for good.
In Google Photos:
â—Ź Go to Library > Trash, to check for and take action on deleted files.
Other photo apps will have a similar section. Just look for terms like deleted or trash.
Other files
Your phone has lockers for general files, too. This is where you’ll find items you downloaded and anything else that doesn’t fit nicely into another category.
On iPhone:
â—Ź Open Files > Browse > Recently Deleted.
On Android:
â—Ź Open Files > Menu (the three lines, top left) > Trash.
Stay in sync
If you have sync turned on, your apps and devices always sync with the cloud and other gadgets. But there’s a lot to watch out for.
If you want to sell your device, you’ll want to know how to turn it off. And if your syncing gets turned off accidentally, something you delete on one device could stick around on another.
For Apple devices: Tap your name at the top of Settings on an iPhone or iPad, then pick iCloud to see what’s syncing. On a Mac, it’s System Settings, then your name and iCloud.
If you’re using a mix of Windows, Android and Apple …
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It’s a little more complicated. First things first, check your sync settings in your browser.
For Chrome on Windows and macOS:
â—Ź Click the three dots in the top right corner > Settings.
â—Ź Open You and Google > Sync and Google services.
â—Ź Click Manage what you sync.
â—Ź Make sure Sync everything is selected.
If you’re using the Phone Link app on Windows to sync your Android or iPhone and want to stop syncing, make doubly sure you disconnect it from your phone.
â—Ź Start menu > Phone Link > Click the Gear icon (top right).
â—Ź Choose My Devices.
â—Ź Click the three dots next to a phone then Remove to disconnect.
iCloud for Windows is another tool you might have set up if you use an iPhone or a Mac (or both) with Windows. Launch the app from the Start menu to check what’s being synced, including photos, videos, and files.
And remember any other file-sharing apps you use like OneDrive, Google Drive or Dropbox.
Keep Your Digital Life Private
In today’s tech-driven world, your gadgets know more about you than your best friend. Ensuring your privacy is more than just locking your phone – it’s about understanding how your devices handle your personal data.
Apple fans, listen up: Your iPhone and iPad have built-in tools to keep your data secure but don’t get too comfortable. Regularly dive into your Photos app and clear out the Recently Deleted folder.
Those ‘deleted’ selfies and screenshots stick around longer than you think.
Keep an eye on your Mac’s iCloud settings to ensure you’re not unintentionally sharing more than you want.
Windows warriors, this one’s for you: The integration of services like iCloud for Windows and the Phone Link app can be a lifesaver, but they also require careful management. Don’t let old devices hang around in your sync settings – disconnect them to prevent unwanted data access.
No matter what platform you’re on, keep your software updated. Outdated apps and systems are like unlocked doors for hackers. Use strong, unique passwords and turn on two-factor authentication to give your accounts an extra layer of security.
Let’s not forget about your browser. Whether you’re on Chrome, Safari, or Edge, sync settings can spill more beans about your habits than you’d like. Make sure you’re syncing only what you need.
By staying on top of these tips, you’ll keep your personal information out of the wrong hands and maintain control over your digital footprint. Remember, a little vigilance goes a long way in our interconnected world.