Want to know every device logged into your iCloud account? It’s a piece of cake to find out – and may allay any fears that someone has tapped into your accounts. In these uncertain times, the Mac 911 mailbox routinely hears from readers who are concerned that something is up. You can put at least one fear to rest by checking that list of iCloud devices. (Recently someone wondered if an unknown party put something in the reading list.)
No one can access your iCloud data without physical access to your devices, the ability to sign in with your account credentials on iCloud.com (for limited types of data) or iCloud for Windows (even more limited), or by logging into on an Apple device with your Apple ID.
If someone signs in with something other than an Apple device:
- If your Apple ID has two-factor authentication enabled, and most accounts do, they’ll need to get the verification code from one of your trusted devices or phone numbers.
- If they succeed in logging in at a new location, Apple will email your Apple ID associated email address with the credentials.
- iCloud for Windows offers iCloud Keychain access, a significant security risk, but you have to jump through a few verification and encryption hoops to get there – it’s not as simple as having a password.
All Apple devices that are signed in to your iCloud account always appear in a list that Apple maintains. This includes any Mac, iPhone, iPad, or Watch, as well as any Apple TV, HomePod/HomePod mini, Windows system, or third-party smart TV with Apple TV software. You can access this list in three places:
- Via the Apple ID website: Go to appleid.apple.com, click To registerand log in with your credentials. Click Devices in the left menu bar.
- In iOS/iPadOS: Go to Institutions > Account name and swipe down until you see your devices.
- In macOS: Go to it Apple ID preference pane (Catalina or newer) and scroll through the navigation list on the left. (In Mojave and earlier, go to the iCloud preference pane, click Account informationand click Devices.)
- In iCloud for Windows: click Account information and then click Manage Apple ID.
This list shows many details when you select a device: its serial number, Find My status, latest iCloud backup (if any), whether it is properly set as a trusted device (for applicable hardware), associated Apple Pay cards and installed version. This way you can easily determine whether all devices are yours and should have access.
If you find a device that shouldn’t be there, you can tap or click Remove from account in all views above and then confirm the action. Removing it will disconnect it from iCloud, disable its use as a trusted device, and remove it from the list.
If you have access to the device you want to remove, you can sign out of iCloud and all other stores and services directly from the device instead.
This Mac 911 article is an answer to a question from an anonymous Macworld reader.
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We’ve put together a list of the questions we get asked most often, along with answers and links to columns: read our super FAQs to see if your question is covered. If not, we are always looking for new problems to solve! Email yours to [email protected], including screenshots if applicable and if you want your full name used. Not every question is answered, we don’t reply to email, and we can’t provide direct troubleshooting advice.
