Linked Devices is in Settings under your Apple ID, not under general device settings
The Linked Devices section on iPhone shows every device signed into your Apple ID account — your iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and any other hardware using the same account. Apple calls this list "Devices" in most places, but the full name is "Linked Devices" because these are the devices your account is linked to, not just devices you own.
To find it: open Settings, tap your name at the very top, then scroll down and tap "Devices" or "Your Devices". You will see a list of every device currently signed in to your Apple ID. This is the same list Apple uses to decide which devices can receive your passwords, two-factor codes, and iCloud data.
Why this matters: if a device on this list is one you no longer own or use, it can still receive sensitive information sent to your Apple ID. Removing old devices from the list is one of the fastest ways to tighten control over where your data goes.
Key Takeaways
- Linked Devices is found in Settings > [Your Name] > Devices, and it shows every device signed into your Apple ID account.
- Each device on the list can receive passwords, two-factor authentication codes, and iCloud data, so old devices you no longer use should be removed.
- You can remove a device from the list by tapping it and selecting "Remove from Account", and Apple will sign it out of your Apple ID.
- If you see a device you do not recognize, remove it when ready and change your Apple ID password as a precaution.
What information each linked device can see
Every device on your Linked Devices list is signed into your Apple ID, which means it has access to the same iCloud account. That includes your iCloud Mail, iCloud Photos, iCloud Drive files, contacts, calendars, and reminders — depending on which services you have turned on for that device.
More importantly, when you receive a two-factor authentication code (the six-digit number Apple sends when you sign into something new), that code appears on all your linked devices at once. If an old iPad is still on your account, it will see every two-factor code you receive, even if you have not touched that iPad in years. The same is true for password suggestions and saved passwords in iCloud Keychain.
This is why removing devices matters: it is not just about decluttering. It is about controlling which physical devices can intercept sensitive codes and see your stored passwords.
How to remove a device from your account
Open Settings, tap your name, then tap "Devices". Find the device you want to remove and tap it. At the bottom of the screen, tap "Remove from Account". Apple will ask you to confirm, and once you do, that device will be signed out of your Apple ID.
The device itself does not disappear — it will still exist as a physical object. But it will no longer have access to your iCloud account, two-factor codes, or saved passwords. If someone else is using that device, they will be locked out of your Apple ID services.
You cannot remove the device you are currently using (the iPhone in your hand). If you want to remove your current iPhone from your account, you have to do it from a different device, or you have to sign out of your Apple ID on that iPhone first.
What to do if you see an unfamiliar device
If you see a device on your Linked Devices list that you do not recognize — a Mac you never owned, an iPad you never bought, an iPhone with a name you do not remember — remove it when ready. Tap it, tap "Remove from Account", and confirm.
After you remove it, change your Apple ID password. Go to Settings > [Your Name] > Password & Security > Change Password, and create a new one that is different from any password you have used before. This step matters because an unfamiliar device usually means someone else knows your Apple ID password.
If you see multiple unfamiliar devices, or if you cannot remember why a device is there, consider turning on two-factor authentication if it is not already on (Settings > [Your Name] > Password & Security > Two-Factor Authentication). This makes it harder for someone to sign into your account even if they have your password.
The difference between Linked Devices and Find My
Linked Devices and Find My are two separate lists, and they show different things. Linked Devices shows every device signed into your Apple ID. Find My (Settings > [Your Name] > Find My) shows devices you have chosen to track — usually devices you still own and use.
You can have a device on your Linked Devices list but not on Find My. You can also have a device on Find My but not on Linked Devices (if someone else owns it and you have permission to track it). The two lists do not have to match.
For security purposes, focus on Linked Devices. That is the list that controls access to your passwords, codes, and iCloud data. Find My is useful for locating a lost device, but it does not affect what information a device can see.
Why old devices stay on the list longer than you expect
If you sold an iPhone or gave away an iPad, you might expect it to disappear from your Linked Devices list automatically. It does not. The device stays on the list until you remove it manually or until you sign out of your Apple ID on that device itself.
This is by design — Apple assumes you might want to keep a device on your account even if you are not using it right now. But it also means you have to actively clean up your list. Set a reminder to check your Linked Devices list every few months, especially after you sell or give away a device.
If you gave a device to someone else (a family member, a friend), ask them to sign out of your Apple ID on that device before they start using it. They can do this in Settings > [Their Name] > Sign Out. Once they sign out, the device will disappear from your Linked Devices list.
Linked Devices and family sharing
If you use Family Sharing, your family members will not show up on your Linked Devices list. Family Sharing is a separate feature that lets you share purchases and subscriptions with people in your family group, but it does not link their devices to your Apple ID.
Each family member has their own Apple ID and their own Linked Devices list. You cannot see their devices, and they cannot see yours. If you want to track a family member's device (like a child's iPhone), you use Find My, not Linked Devices.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I see what apps a linked device has installed?
No. Linked Devices only shows the device name, model, and serial number. You cannot see which apps are installed, what files are stored on it, or what the person using it is doing. If you need that level of monitoring, you would need a separate parental control tool or device management software.
What happens if I remove a device and then want to use it again?
You can sign back in. Go to Settings on that device, tap "Sign in with your Apple ID", and enter your Apple ID and password. The device will reappear on your Linked Devices list. You will need to enter any two-factor codes Apple sends during the sign-in process.
Do I need to remove a device before I sell it?
You should remove it from your Linked Devices list, but you should also erase the device completely first. Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset > Erase All Content and Settings, which will wipe the device and sign you out of your Apple ID. After that, remove it from your Linked Devices list as a final step.
Can someone else see my linked devices if they have my password?
Yes. If someone knows your Apple ID password, they can sign into Settings on their own device, see your full Linked Devices list, and remove devices from your account. This is why changing your password when ready after seeing an unfamiliar device is important.
Why does my old device still show as "online" if I am not using it?
A device shows as online if it is connected to Wi-Fi or cellular and signed into your Apple ID, even if the screen is off or you have not touched it in months. It will show as offline once the battery dies or it loses internet connection. This does not mean someone is actively using it — just that it is powered on and connected.