Stop a family member seeing your messages and contacts
Quick answer
Give each person their own Apple Account, and use Family Sharing to share apps and subscriptions instead. Check which devices use your account in Apple Account, then Devices.
Why it happens
Everything tied to an Apple Account follows it to every device signed in with it. If you and someone else use the same account, you share Messages, Contacts, Photos, Notes and more, so your texts appear on their iPad. Family Sharing exists so each person can keep their own account and still share purchases.
How to fix it
Open System Settings, click your name at the top of the sidebar, then click Devices. Every Mac, iPhone and iPad signed in with your account is listed.
Apple Account›Devices
On each device that belongs to someone else, they should sign out of your account and sign in with their own, or create one. Anything they saved to iCloud under your account stays with your account, so help them keep copies of photos or notes they want first.
Back on your Mac, click their device in the Devices list and click Remove from Account. Do this after they've signed out, or the device can come back.
Apple Account›Devices›Remove from Account
To keep sharing apps, music and subscriptions, open Family in System Settings and click Add Member… to invite them with their new account.
Family
Still not fixed?
If only your texts still reach them, check where Messages sends. On your Mac, open Messages, choose Settings… and click iMessage, then look under You can be reached for messages at. On your iPhone, check Send & Receive and Text Message Forwarding in Messages settings.
Messages›Settings…›iMessage
If someone knows your Apple Account password and you'd rather they didn't, change it. Click your name in System Settings, then Sign-In & Security, then Password.
Apple Account›Sign-In & Security›Password
Children below a certain age, which depends on your country, can't make an account on their own. Create one for them from Family by clicking Add Member… and choosing to create an account for a child.
If a device won't leave your account or you can't get back into it, contact Apple Support. They can help you check and secure your account.
Questions people ask
Why does my wife see my messages on her iPad?
Her iPad is signed in with your Apple Account. Give her her own account, sign yours out on her iPad, and use Family Sharing to share purchases.
Can two people share one Apple Account?
It works, but you share messages, contacts, photos and more. Family Sharing needs everyone to use their own Apple Account.
Will we lose our shared apps if we split accounts?
Not with Family Sharing. Once the organiser turns on Purchase Sharing in Family, members can use the apps and media others bought.
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