From time to time, and often to our surprise, our iPhone, iPad or Mac may display an alert telling us that a device has been added to our account and now has access to FaceTime. It is a genuine security alert designed to let us confirm which devices are using our Apple Account, but what should we do when it appears? We may see it after setting up, restoring or updating a device, or even after turning on one that has been switched off for some time. We should neither panic nor simply ignore it, so let’s take a look at what to do when we receive this alert.
Why the “Device added to your account” alert appears
Apple displays this notification when a device signs in with our Apple Account and activates services such as FaceTime, which normally happens automatically. It may also appear after an iOS, iPadOS or macOS update, after restoring a device to factory settings or when turning on a device that has been switched off for some time. In all these situations, the same thing is happening: the device signs in with our account and the alert is triggered.
So, if we have just started using a new device, restored one we were already using or brought an older one back into use, we can consider the alert checked. The message will, however, appear on all our devices, so we will need to acknowledge it on each one. But what if we do not recognise the device?
What to do when we do not recognise the device
First of all, there is no need to panic. The most likely explanation is that one of our devices has, for some reason, reconnected to the service and triggered the alert. Is there a very remote possibility that someone has gained access to the account we so carefully protect with a strong password and a verification code? Technically, yes, but it is the least likely explanation.
What should we do? Check. Whenever we are not sure what triggered the alert, the best course of action is to review the complete list of devices associated with our Apple Account. From there, we can easily check each device and remove any that should not be there.
On our iPhone or iPad, we open the Settings app and tap our name at the top. On a Mac, we open System Settings and click our name. We then scroll down to the list of devices. From here, we can open the details for each one, identify it using the information shown —particularly its serial number— and remove from the account any device we do not recognise.
If we do reach the point where we need to remove an unfamiliar device, we should immediately change our Apple Account password and, if we have not already done so, enable two-factor authentication.
As a good security practice, it is also worth reviewing the trusted phone numbers associated with two-factor authentication. A well-protected account always depends on keeping our recovery information accurate and up to date.
At Hanaringo, we specialise in Apple and offer personalised training and technical support for individuals and businesses. Sessions are adapted to each person’s needs and, on more than one occasion, the security of our accounts is one of the topics we cover.
As with any security alert, its usefulness depends on our ability to interpret it in the context of our own activity. If we have just set up, restored or updated a device, the explanation is straightforward. If we do not recognise the device, reviewing everything connected to our Apple Account is the best way to make sure our account remains secure.
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