With the brand-new lineup of iPhones unveiled in September and eager customers gradually receiving their pre-orders, plenty of older iPhones can soon be expected to change hands. Some might be traded in or sold, while others will be passed down to family members. After all, as long as your old phone is in good condition, why not put it to use and give it another life?
Still, while an older iPhone might work just fine, there are a few security-related precautions worth considering before passing it on to your parents, grandparents, or kids. Depending on who will be using it, a few simple adjustments can go a long way toward making the phone safer and more secure.
Key points of article
- When you upgrade to a new iPhone, your old device can still find a useful second life with someone in your family.
- Taking just a few simple steps can go a long way toward making the iPhone safer for its new owner.
- If the iPhone is for a child, a few additional settings can help make their experience safer.
Is your old iPhone still secure?
Giving an older iPhone a second life is fairly common these days, especially considering the rising prices of new iPhones. According to 2025 data from Consumer Intelligence Research Partners (CIRP), around 9% of iPhone activations in the U.S. involve used devices, with roughly a quarter of those being iPhones handed down to family or friends. However, keep in mind that not every older iPhone is equally well equipped to deal with today’s security threats. The longer a phone has been around, the more important it becomes to take a closer look at its security.
One of the biggest concerns is outdated software. As Apple releases new versions of iOS, some older iPhone models eventually get left behind. They may still receive security updates for a while, but even that support does not last forever. Once the updates stop, the phone can become more vulnerable to attacks that exploit known security flaws.
And we are not talking about just theoretical risks. Attacks such as DarkSword have targeted vulnerabilities in older iOS versions, potentially putting users at risks simply by visiting a compromised website.
Meanwhile, phishing messages and malicious links remain another security concern, especially if the phone is being used by a child or an older family member who may be less experienced with technology or less familiar with online scams.
Find out more about threats targeting iPhones and ways to identify that your iPhone has been compromised.
Before you pass it on
A secure handover starts with the basics:
- Erase all your data and start fresh – Even if your old iPhone stays in the family, your text conversations, photos, accounts, and apps should not stay with it. Back up or transfer anything you want to keep, then erase the device before setting it up for its new owner.
(Settings -> General -> Transfer or Reset iPhone -> Erase All Content and Settings)
- Keep the software up to date – An older iPhone is not necessarily an unsafe one. Apple supports many models with security updates for years, so check which iOS version your device can run and install the latest available updates. Keep in mind that older iPhone models may eventually stop receiving software updates.
(Settings -> General -> Software Update -> Automatic Updates (On))
- Help the phone’s new owner set up a strong passcode and Auto-Lock – A strong passcode is one of the simplest ways to protect personal information that is stored on an iPhone. Encourage the new owner to choose a passcode that is difficult to guess, and help them enable Touch ID or Face ID, if available. You can also set Auto-Lock to turn off the screen after a period of inactivity.
(Settings -> Display & Brightness -> Auto-Lock)
- Turn on Find My – Phones get forgotten or lost, and sometimes even stolen — and that is no fun. With Find My enabled, the owner can locate their iPhone, mark it as lost, or erase its data remotely if needed.
(Settings -> [Your Name] -> Find My -> Find My iPhone (On))
- Set up regular backups – When something does go wrong, it is usually the memories and contacts we worry about losing the most, rather than the phone itself. Help the new owner set up iCloud Backup, or show them how to regularly back up their iPhone to a computer.
(Settings -> [Your Name] -> iCloud -> iCloud Backup -> Back Up This iPhone (On))
- Consider Stolen Device Protection – If someone steals an iPhone and knows its passcode, they could get access to sensitive information. Stolen Device Protection makes that harder by adding extra security checks for certain actions, such as changing important account settings.
(Settings -> Face ID & Passcode -> Stolen Device Protection (On))
- Check your browser settings – If you are using a security app that offers protection against phishing and malicious websites, make sure it is properly set up in your browser.
(Settings -> Apps -> Default Apps -> Browser App)
- Consider a security app – Even with an iPhone’s built-in security features, a little extra protection can come in handy. A security app from a reputable vendor, like ESET Mobile Security for iOS, can help identify dangerous links, check for potential security issues in your phone’s settings including browser settings, and warn you about risky networks.
How ESET Mobile Security for iOS can help
If you are looking for a security app for the iPhone you are passing down, ESET Mobile Security for iOS is one option worth considering. It helps protect users against threats such as phishing and scams while also guiding them on how to properly and securely configure their devices. The app’s dashboard offers a quick overview of your iPhone’s security.
Here is how its features can help:
- Device Scan audits the iPhone and makes practical recommendations to improve its security.
- Device Settings Check provides the status of basic security settings of the device.
- Anti-Phishing protects against harmful websites attempting to trick users into sharing their sensitive information, including usernames and passwords, credit card information, and more.
- When in doubt about a website shared by a friend, pasting its link into the Link Checker gives answers about its safety.
- Connection Security checks the network an iPhone is connected to and helps spot potential risks.
ESET Mobile Security for iOS may be especially useful on older iPhones limited to iOS 18, as it protects against drive-by download attacks such as DarkSword.
Extra safeguards for younger users
Set up Screen Time and Content & Privacy Restrictions. If your old iPhone is going to your child, and especially if it will be their first phone, you might want to set a few boundaries. Apple’s Screen Time and Content & Privacy Restrictions let you manage a child’s screen time, limit access to inappropriate content, and help prevent unwanted purchases.
(Settings -> Screen time -> …)
Alternatively, you can set up the iPhone from scratch specifically for a child using Quick Start, and follow the instructions by Apple to customize the settings.
A secure second life
An older iPhone can still have plenty to offer, whether it ends up in the hands of your child, a parent, or someone else entirely. Taking a little time to set it up properly can go a long way toward making its next chapter safer and more secure. And while no device or security setting can guarantee you’ve eliminated every security risk, taking a few simple precautions can help its new owner stay safer — and give you some extra peace of mind as well.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Is an older iPhone still safe to use?
Yes, older iPhones can still be used safely, provided you keep some security basics in mind. Ensure that your model is still eligible for software updates, so that you can keep its software up to date. Set up a strong passcode and Auto-Lock, and do not forget to back up your data regularly.
What should I do before passing my old iPhone down to a family member?
Before you pass your old iPhone down to a family member, make sure to erase all your data and settings and set up the device from scratch for the new user. Install the latest iOS available for the device, and ideally also enable automatic updates. Help the new owner set up a strong passcode and automatic screen lock after a period of inactivity.
How can I avoid losing my photos and contacts if my iPhone is lost or stolen?
The best way to prevent the loss of your valuable data is to perform regular backups, whether using iCloud Backup or backing up your iPhone’s data to a computer. That way, if anything happens, you will have the option to restore your precious information, including your photos and contacts, to a new phone.
Does an iPhone need a security app?
While iPhones are generally considered secure, their popularity makes them attractive targets to cybercriminals. Select a security app from a reputable vendor, like ESET Mobile Security for iOS. It helps protect against threats such as phishing and scams while also providing recommendations on how to properly and securely configure your iPhone. All-in-one digital life security solutions such as ESET Home Ultimate offer additional layers of protection, including VPN and Identity Protection.
How can ESET Mobile Security for iOS help protect my iPhone?
ESET Mobile Security for iOS helps protect against threats such as phishing and scams while also providing recommendations on how to properly and securely configure your iPhone. It can be especially useful on older iPhones that are limited to iOS 18, as it protects against drive-by download attacks such as DarkSword.
