Troubleshooting & FAQs

Cell phone safety for victims of domestic abuse

If you're in immediate danger, call 9-1-1.

For emergency shelter, see Get Help Now from PATHS (Provincial Association of Transition Houses and Services of Saskatchewan).

If you're concerned about someone else: Please be careful with how you share this information. Abusive partners commonly monitor their victim’s communications. Only share this page directly with someone who may be at risk if you have checked with them first (verbally) to ensure it is safe. (Source: ViolenceLink.ca)

Please review the following resources to help you with having a safer wireless device.

Check if your device location and other info are being tracked

How to know if your phone is being tracked or monitored (Clario)
How to tell if your phone is tapped and what to do if it is (Norton)
Survivors’ Guide to Phones: Increasing Privacy and Responding to Abuse (Tech Safety Canada) includes:
- Is your phone being used against you?
- [What to do] If your phone is being monitored
Technology Safety & Privacy: A Toolkit for Survivors (Safety Net Project, NNEDV) includes:
- Checking devices for rooting and jailbreaking (under Basic Technology Safety)
- Stalkerware & Location Tracking (section)

Secure your accounts and devices

Securing Devices & Accounts (Safety Net Project, NNEDV)
Getting access to a safer phone:
- Consider using a prepaid Mastercard or Visa. These are available to purchase at most retailers using cash to avoid monthly statement charges.
- You may be able to get a phone through PATHS
Online Privacy and Safety Tips (Tech Safety Canada)

Use privacy settings and safety features

Apple

Apple Personal Safety User Guide (Apple Support)
Share or stop sharing your location with people (Apple Support)
About privacy and Location Services in iOS, iPadOS, and watchOS (Apple Support)
iPhone Privacy and Security Guide (Tech Safety Canada)

Android

Manage your Location Sharing settings (Google Account Help)
Share your real-time location with others > Stop sharing (Google Maps Help)
- The same steps apply to Google Maps on an iOS device
Privacy on Android devices (Android.com)
Android Privacy and Security Guide (Tech Safety Canada)