iOS and macOS are tightly integrated to work in sync with each other. Hence, you can seamlessly switch from iPhone to Mac or vice-versa to carry out your tasks like note-taking, file management, messaging, and more without any hassle. Both from a productivity and convenience perspective, this seamless experience is awesome. But what if you have decided to cut down this deep integration whether for privacy or any personal reasons? Worry not, there are several ways to disconnect iPhone from Mac to ensure your secrets never spiral from one device to another. So, here are 12 ways to disconnect iPhone from Mac. Show
Disconnect Your iPhone and Mac: 12 Different Ways (2022)Apart from offering a one-click disconnecting option, Apple provides several ways to block your Mac from connecting or syncing with your iPhone. Thus, you have got the flexibility to choose the option that can meet your needs better. Do note that while iPhone is our focus, most of these tricks apply to iPad as well. Table of Contents
1. Remove Your Mac from Apple IDIf you are on the lookout for a one-stop solution to disconnect your iPhone from your Mac, remove your Mac from your Apple ID. So long as both the devices are paired with the same Apple ID, they will remain in sync. Remove Your Mac from Apple ID
Remove Your iPhone from Apple IDOn your Mac, navigate to System Preferences app -> Apple ID.
2. Unpair Your Mac/iPhone Via BluetoothBluetooth plays a key role in helping Continuity work seamlessly between your devices like iPhone and Mac. Therefore, turning off Bluetooth can let you instantly prevent your devices from being synced with each other and disconnect your iPhone from Mac. Turn Off Bluetooth on Your iPhone/iPad
Turn Off Bluetooth on Mac
Note: Disabling Bluetooth will also prevent your AirPods, Bluetooth accessories, and your Apple Watch from connecting and syncing with your iPhone. 3. Disable HandoffWith Handoff, you can start something on one Apple device and pick it up on other devices linked with the same iCloud account. If you no longer want to hand off from your iPhone to Mac or vice-versa, make sure to disable it. Turn Off Handoff on iPhone
Turn Off Handoff on Mac
4. Disconnect Your iPhone from FinderWhen you connect your iPhone to your Mac using a USB cable, your iPhone appears in the Finder. Hence, just removing the USB cable can let you disconnect your iOS device. Keep in mind that your iPhone may still appear in Finder if you had previously set your Mac to detect your device when on Wi-Fi.
5. Disconnect Your Mac from Your iPhone’s Personal HotspotIf you have ever used your iPhone’s personal hotspot on your Mac, your Mac will automatically connect to the personal hotspot of your iPhone or ask you to join in whenever the Mac detects it. But bother not, you can turn off “Ask to join in” to stop your Mac from using your iPhone’s personal hotspot. Stop Your Mac from Automatically Joining Your iPhone’s Personal Hotspot
Disable Personal Hotspot on Your iPhone
6. Disable iCloud SyncingIf you’re trying to stop your content such as reminders, calendar events, and messages from syncing between your devices, you can disable iCloud sync. Manage iCloud Sync on Mac
Manage iCloud Syncing on iPhone
7. Disable AirDropWhen AirDrop is enabled, your iPhone and Mac can detect each other for file-sharing. You can completely disable AirDrop to prevent these devices from detecting each other. Turn Off AirDrop on Mac
Turn Off AirDrop on iPhone and iPad
8. Disallow Calls on Other DevicesiOS lets you use your iPhone cellular account to make and receive calls on other devices including your Mac signed in to your iCloud account when they are nearby and on Wi-Fi. But you can disallow calls on other Apple devices.
9. Turn Off Text Message ForwardingText Message Forwarding allows you to automatically send SMS/MMS texts received on an iPhone to your other devices including iPad, iPod touch, or Mac which are connected with the same iCloud account. If you don’t want your messages to travel to your Mac, disable Text Message Forwarding. Disable Text Message Forwarding On iPhone
Prevent Your Mac from Receiving Messages from Apple ID
10. Stop Your iPhone Notes From Syncing With MaciCloud Drive is selected as the default account for Notes to ensure your notes are able to sync across Apple devices you own. However, you can choose to save notes locally on your iPhone or iPad.
11. Disable iCloud Drive in the Files app and FinderAlthough the Apple Files app supports several cloud storage services including Google Drive and Dropbox, iCloud Drive is set as the default option. If you want to completely disconnect your iOS device from your Mac, be sure to either store files locally on your device or select other cloud storage services. Just like iOS, macOS also lets you disable iCloud in Finder and choose to store files in other locations. Disable iCloud Drive in the Files App
Disable iCloud Drive in Mac’s Finder
12. Restrict Safari Downloads on iPhone OnlySafari’s downloads are automatically stored in iCloud Drive but you have the freedom to change the downloads location. Depending on your needs, you can save your downloads locally or store them in your desired cloud service.
Disconnect Your iPhone or iPad from Mac With EaseSo that’s how you can disconnect your iPhone and Mac. While I personally love using the integrated ecosystem features that my MacBook and iPhone offer to me, if you’re not interested in such features and you’d just like to use your devices individually, you can do that pretty easily as we’ve explained in this guide. So, do you like Apple’s features like Continuity and Handoff, or are you disconnecting your Mac and iPhone? Let us know in the comments. How do I remove previous owner from Apple ID on Mac?Ensure your device is connected to the computer. Find the "Unlock Apple ID" option and select it. Hit the "Start" option to delete the Apple ID of the original owner.
How do I unlink a device from the same Apple ID?Tap Settings, tap your name, then tap Media & Purchases. Tap View Account. You may be asked to sign in. Scroll down, then tap Remove This Device.
How do you unlink Apple ID?Enter your Apple ID password and tap Turn Off. If you're using iOS 10.2 or earlier, tap Settings > iCloud > Sign Out. Tap Sign Out again, then tap Delete from My [device] and enter your Apple ID password. Then go to Settings > iTunes & App Store > Apple ID > Sign Out.
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