Your Apple ID or Google Account protects email, photos, backups, purchases, devices, and password recovery for other services. Securing it before trouble starts is one of the highest-value security tasks you can do.
Does this affect you?
Use this for Apple ID and iCloud accounts on iPhone, iPad, Mac, or iCloud.com, and Google Accounts used for Android, Gmail, Drive, YouTube, and other services.
Secure Apple ID and iCloud
Use a trusted Apple device when possible.
- Open Settings on iPhone or iPad and tap your name, or open System Settings on Mac and select your name.
- Open Sign-In & Security.
- Confirm Two-Factor Authentication is on. Enable it if needed.
- Review the Devices list and remove anything unfamiliar.
- Change the Apple ID password if it is reused or you are unsure about it.
- Set up a Recovery Key or Recovery Contacts if appropriate for your situation.
- Review Apps Using Apple ID and remove apps you no longer use.
Secure your Google Account
Use myaccount.google.com from a phone or computer.
- Go to myaccount.google.com and open Security.
- Under How you sign in to Google, confirm 2-Step Verification is on.
- Use an authenticator app or physical security key when possible instead of relying only on SMS.
- Review Your devices and sign out anything unfamiliar.
- Check Recently used security settings and Password for changes you did not make.
- Review Third-party apps with account access and remove old or unknown apps.
- Confirm recovery phone and recovery email are current.
More control
SMS is better than nothing, but not strongest
Text codes can be intercepted through SIM swaps. Authenticator apps and hardware keys are not tied to your phone number.
Review every few months
Devices and app permissions accumulate over time. A quick pass through both accounts catches forgotten access before it turns into a crisis.
Recovery details must stay current
An old phone number or abandoned recovery email will not help during a lockout. Update them whenever they change.
Sources
- Apple Support – Two-factor authentication for Apple ID (2025)
- Google Account Help – Secure your account (2025)
- CISA – More than a password: multi-factor authentication (2024)