I’ve noticed that my call history is being shared between my iPhone and my partner’s. We’re both using iOS 17. We want to keep our call logs separate. How do I turn this off? Any help would be appreciated!
Oh, I totally get why you’d want to keep your call history separate. It sounds like both of your iPhones are using the same Apple ID for iCloud, which means that several things, including call history, are being synced across both devices.
Here’s the deal: when you share an Apple ID, it tells your iCloud account to sync across all connected devices. It was mainly created for people who use multiple devices themselves, like an iPhone and an iPad, but it can get tricky when you’re sharing with someone else. Let me walk you through the steps to separate that call history:
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Check the Apple ID: First thing’s first, make sure you’re both clear on who is using what Apple ID. You might have to create a new one if necessary. Go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud to check which Apple ID you’re using.
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Create a new Apple ID: If you don’t already have separate Apple IDs, you’ll need to create one for one of you. This can be done by going to the Apple ID site or through the phone’s setup ‘Settings > [Your Name] > Sign Out’. Follow the prompts to create a new Apple ID.
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Sign In with the New Apple ID: Once you have a new Apple ID set up, you’ll need to sign in with that new Apple ID on one of the iPhones. For that:
- Go to Settings.
- Tap on [Your Name] at the top.
- Scroll down to hit Sign Out.
- Enter the current Apple ID password to turn off Find My iPhone.
- Tap Sign Out again.
- After signing out, return to Settings.
- Tap Sign In to Your iPhone.
- Enter the new Apple ID and password.
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iCloud Settings: Now you should configure the iCloud settings to ensure only the right things are shared. Go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud and toggle Contacts, Calendars, Reminders, Safari, etc. on or off depending on what you want to sync.
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Disable Call Syncing: One last thing to do to stop call logs from syncing:
- Both of you should go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud.
- Scroll down and toggle off iCloud Drive if it isn’t essential for you.
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Set up Family Sharing: This is optional but recommended. Instead of sharing an Apple ID, you can still share purchases, a storage plan, and other Apple services by using Family Sharing.
- Go to Settings > [Your Name] > Family Sharing.
- Follow the steps to set up Family Sharing and invite your partner to the Family Group using their new Apple ID.
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Verify Settings: Double check everything to make sure the settings are as you want them, ensuring that only the necessary data is being shared.
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Sync Issues: If for some reason you’re still seeing shared data, head to Settings > [Your Name] > Sign Out and sign back in. Sometimes this re-synces everything and clears out lingering issues.
That should do the trick. By setting up individual Apple IDs and using Family Sharing, you can keep your call histories and many other iCloud features separate while still sharing the occasional app or subscription. If you run into any issues, Apple Support always has up-to-date solutions and can provide guidance tailored to your exact needs. Let me know if you’re still having any trouble!
Byteguru has some great points, especially about the Apple ID syncing part. But let me throw out an alternative there’s sometimes an overlooked approach, particulaly if you don’t mind some manual tweaking.
First, try this quirky trick— flip Airplane Mode on and off before syncing. Sounds weird, right? But it’s worked for some iPhone users to reset network sync settings. Give it a shot.
Then, consider FaceTime & iMessage decoupling. Often call logs sync due to these services.
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Disable FaceTime on One Device:
- Go to Settings > FaceTime. Toggle off FaceTime. You’d lose quick video calls, but it could cut down on shared histories.
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iMessage Separation:
- Navigate to Settings > Messages > Send & Receive. Ensure only your own phone number and email are checked. Repeat on your partner’s phone.
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Differentiating iCloud and App Store IDs: Alright, so Apple isn’t big on shouting about this, but using a different Apple ID for iCloud and the App Store could be a sneaky workaround. You can still separately sync iMessages, email, contacts, etc., while retaining shared App Store purchases.
- Go to Settings > [Your Name] > Media & Purchases > Sign Out.
- Sign back in with the mutual Apple ID for apps and media, not for iCloud (trickier but offers mixed limelight).
Next, if both of you mainly care about your call history being discreet, contemplate enting into Family Sharing without changing IDs much:
- Set up Family Sharing in Settings.
- Adjust each other’s call settings under the Apple ID to control who can make changes.
Occasionally, reset network settings can help:
- Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings. This doesn’t delete your data but resets Wi-Fi and other networks, flushing out old, stubborn sync paths.
You know, these ideas flow a bit outside the regular Apple layout, but it’s good to know all angles. Everybody’s setup differs, so mix and match as you need. Also, jot down results for future users! Fixes that seem overkill sometimes do the trick nobody else thought about.
Got any funny bugs after these steps? Drop a line, we’re here to brainstorm!
Peace!
Honestly, I wonder if using Apple has become too complicated with all these syncing issues. You shouldn’t have to jump through hoops just to keep your call logs separate. The fact that you have to create new Apple IDs, sign out, sign in, toggle a bunch of settings, and even consider Family Sharing feels excessive.
Seriously, who has the time for this? Dealing with Apple’s iCloud can be a nightmare. My suggestion? Think about just ditching iCloud altogether for your call logs. You can use third-party apps like WhatsApp or Signal for calls and messages. They keep your history separate by default. Plus, they’re end-to-end encrypted, which is an added bonus.
Also, Apple ID isn’t even the only game in town. There are Androids with Google IDs that handle this kind of stuff differently. Not saying switch, but it might be worth considering how other ecosystems approach these issues. With Android, you can use separate Google accounts for different services much easier.
Anyway, if you still want to stick to Apple, another way is to not share the same WiFi network consistently, or manually log out of iCloud Drive before syncing. Avoiding shared networks might seem drastic, but hey, it’s a workaround.
Bottom line, Apple needs to make this simpler. Until then, play around and see what works best for you without breaking the bank or your sanity.