After separating, it’s worth checking whether your location is being shared or tracked. The most common methods are phone location-sharing features (Find My on iPhone, Find My Device / location sharing on Android), shared family accounts, and small Bluetooth trackers such as AirTags or Tile hidden in a bag or car. To protect yourself: change your passwords and turn on two-factor authentication, review location-sharing and shared-account settings, and use your phone’s built-in tracker detection to scan for unknown devices. Before you change anything, think about whether the other person will notice. If that worries you, get advice first. If you feel unsafe or in immediate danger, call 000. This is general information, not legal advice.
This guide is part of our series on Safety & Privacy When You Separate.
Why this matters after separation
A relationship usually involves a lot of shared technology — accounts, passwords, family location sharing, maybe a car you both used. After you separate, those same conveniences can become a way for one person to keep tabs on the other, sometimes without you realising.
If something feels off — your ex seems to know where you’ve been, or turns up unexpectedly — trust that instinct and take a look at your tech. Below is a practical, plain-English walkthrough. If at any point you feel unsafe or in immediate danger, call 000.
Before you change anything
Turning off location sharing, changing a password or removing a tracker can be noticed by the other person. For many people that won’t matter. But if you think it could provoke a negative response, or tell them you’ve worked out what’s happening, it’s worth planning before you act.
- Think about whether the other person is likely to notice, and what they might do.
- If you have any concern for your safety, speak to a domestic and family violence service before making changes. They do this every day and can help you work out the safest order to do things.
- Use a device the other person cannot access when you’re reading about this or seeking help.
- In an emergency, call 000.
Getting advice before you act isn’t a delay. It’s part of staying safe.
1. Check phone location sharing
Your phone is the most likely source of location sharing.
- Safety Check (iPhone). Apple has built a feature specifically for this situation: Settings > Privacy & Security > Safety Check. It lets you review who can see your location and information, and stop sharing with everyone at once. Apple developed it with domestic and family violence organisations in Australia.
- iPhone: Check the Find My app (the People and Me tabs) to see who you’re sharing your location with, and stop sharing if needed. Also review Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services to check for apps that know your location.
- Android: Check Google Maps location sharing and your Google account’s Find My Device settings.
Also check whether you’re signed into a shared Apple ID or Google account — if you and your ex share one, they may see your location and data. Setting up your own fresh account is often the safest step.
2. Look for hidden Bluetooth trackers
Small trackers like AirTags, Tile or Samsung SmartTags can be slipped into a bag, coat or car.
- iPhone users get automatic alerts if an unknown AirTag is travelling with them, and can scan for nearby trackers.
- Android users can use the built-in Unknown tracker alerts / Find unknown trackers feature to scan.
- Physically check common hiding spots in a car: glovebox, under seats, boot, and the area around the bumper.
3. Review your accounts and devices
- Change your passwords on email, banking, social media and cloud storage — and don’t reuse old ones.
- Lock down profiles on social media accounts, check for groups or pages that you follow that give hints about your location, and review the friends that you allow to see your posts and photos.
- Turn on two-factor authentication so a password alone isn’t enough to log in.
- Check for unfamiliar devices signed into your accounts and sign them out.
- Review app permissions for anything with location access you don’t recognise.
- Be mindful of smart-home devices (cameras, doorbells, speakers) that may still be linked to a shared account.
Being careful with your information doesn’t stop at your devices. Public AI tools can store what you type, so it’s worth understanding the privacy and privilege risks of using AI during a family law matter.
4. Don’t forget the car and other tech
- Many modern cars have a connected-car app that shows the vehicle’s location — check who has access.
- Toll accounts and dashcams can also reveal movements.
If you find something
- Prioritise your safety. If you feel threatened, call 000.
- Don’t necessarily remove or destroy a tracker straight away — it may be important evidence. Consider getting advice first.
- Document it — take photos and note dates and locations.
- Get support and advice. Tracking and monitoring can be a form of family violence, and may be relevant to your family law matter.
Where to get more help
- Apple Personal Safety User Guide (Australian edition) — step-by-step guidance for iPhone, iPad and Mac, including Safety Check: https://support.apple.com/en-au/guide/personal-safety/
- eSafety Commissioner — online safety checklist for domestic and family violence — practical guidance from the Australian Government: https://esafety.gov.au/key-topics/domestic-family-violence/online-safety-checklist
- Domestic and family violence support services — such as DV Connect Womensline (1800 811 811) or Mensline (1800 600 636), or 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732).
How Family Law Group can help
Monitoring, tracking and other controlling behaviour can be relevant to parenting and property matters and to protective orders. Our team practises exclusively in family law and can advise you on your options and how to move forward safely. If you’ve recently separated, our free Separation Checklist sets out the practical first steps to take.
Call (07) 5499 2900 or send a confidential enquiry. Use a safe email address only you can access.
Frequently Asked Questions
Check your phone’s location-sharing settings (Find My on iPhone; Google location sharing on Android) and whether you share an Apple ID or Google account. On an iPhone, Safety Check lets you review and stop all sharing at once. Turn off sharing you didn’t intend and secure your accounts.
iPhones alert you to unknown AirTags travelling with you, and Android has an unknown-tracker scan. You can also physically check bags and your car’s common hiding spots.
Prioritise your safety first. A tracker may be relevant evidence, so it can be worth getting advice before removing or disabling it. In an emergency, call 000.
They may. Changing sharing settings or passwords can be noticed. If you’re concerned about how the other person might react, speak to a domestic and family violence service before making changes — they can help you plan the safest approach.
Tracking, monitoring and other controlling behaviour can be a form of family violence and may have legal consequences. It can also be relevant to your family law matter. Speak to a lawyer about your situation.
Change your passwords, turn on two-factor authentication, and review location sharing and shared accounts — using a device the other person can’t access.
