These are the various ways you can disconnect your iPhone from a Mac. They include Bluetooth, AirDrop and iCloud.
Both your iPhone and Mac will almost always communicate with one another if you have both an iPhone and a Mac. This is what makes Apple’s ecosystem so unique and seamless.
There are many ways to disconnect an iPhone from a Mac. Below, we’ll go over each one.
1. How to disconnect an iPhone from Finder on a Mac
You can stop your iPhone showing up in Finder on a Mac by simply disconnecting from the USB cable. If that fails, you can configure Finder to detect your iOS device over WiFi.
Start by selecting your iPhone in Finder’s sidebar. Scroll down to the Option section, and uncheck the box next Show this iPhone on Wi-Fi.
img alt=”Finder App showing iPhone-related Options.” data-img-url=”https://static1.makeuseofimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/1-disconnect-iphone-finder.png”/>
You can revoke permissions that you granted when your iPhone was connected to the Mac if you don’t have it. Open the Settings iPhone app and navigate to General >Reset. Next, tap Privacy and Reset Location.
2. How to Disconnect a Mac from an iPhone Personal Hotspot
The Personal Hotspot functionality of the iPhone allows you to quickly access the internet from your Mac without having to connect to another Wi-Fi network. If you need to disconnect, click on your iPhone’s WiFi menu. Or choose a different hotspot.
You may also want to prevent the Mac asking you to connect your iPhone constantly. To do this, open the Apple Menu and navigate to System Preferences>> Network > Wi-Fi. Uncheck the box next and ask to join Personal Hotspots. It is still possible to join via the WiFi menu.
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You can also block devices (such as a Mac) from joining your iPhone’s Personal Hotspot. Go to Settings > Personal Hotspot on your iPhone and disable the switch next Allow Other to Join.
3. How to Disconnect Bluetooth Pairing between iPhone and Mac
If your iPhone has been paired with a Mac via Bluetooth (which is another method to get a Mac online), it can be disengaged by opening the Control Centre on the Mac, expanding the Bluetooth control and clicking on your iPhone.
To permanently disable Bluetooth pairing between these devices you will need to open the Apple Menu, select System Preferences and then select Bluetooth. Next, click the Xshaped icon near your iPhone. Then, select Remove.
img alt=”Mac’s Bluetooth device screen showing iPhone.” data-img-url=”https://static1.makeuseofimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/3-disconnect-bluetooth-pairing.png”/>
Alternativly, you can also remove the Mac’s name from your iPhone’s list of Bluetooth paired devices. Go to Settings > Bluetooth and tap the Information icon beside the Mac. Next, tap Forget This device.
4. How to Disconnect AirDrop between an iPhone and Mac
You can disable AirDrop from your iOS device to prevent your iPhone’s AirDrop location being displayed on your Mac. Open the Settings App, then go to General > AirDrop and choose Receiving off. This will also prevent the iPhone from receiving files via AirDrop on other devices.
You can also stop your Mac being displayed in AirDrop for the iPhone. Open the Finder app and select AirDrop from the sidebar. Set Allow me be discovered by: To No One.
img alt=”Finder App on Mac showing AirDrop Screen” data-img-url=”https://static1.makeuseofimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/4-disconnect-from-airdrop.png”/>
You can stop AirDrop from appearing on a device that doesn’t belong you by setting AirDrop Contacts only on your iPhone/Mac and removing all contact information related to the other device in the Contacts app.
5. How to stop iCloud Syncing between an iPhone and Mac
To stop your Mac from syncing data and features such as photos, contacts and calendar events with other Apple devices, open Apple menu. Next, go to Systems Preferences > Apple ID. You can then uncheck the boxes next the services you don’t want: Photos and Contacts. Calendar is another example.
img alt=”The Mac’s Apple ID screen showing iCloud Services.” data-img-url=”https://static1.makeuseofimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/5-disconnect-apple-services.png”/>
You can also stop your iPhone’s data synchronization to your Mac (and any other devices linked with your Apple ID). Open the Settings App, then go to Apple ID > ICloud and turn off any switches that are not required.
6. How to Disconnect Handoff between an iPhone and Mac
Handoff is a great tool if you need to continue to use your iPhone as a keyboard and vice versa. However, the Dock’s constant visual cues can distract.
Uncheck the box next Allow Handoff between your iCloud devices. Be aware that Handoff disables Universal Clipboard from the iPhone and Mac.
img alt=”General Settings Screen on a Mac” data-img-url=”https://static1.makeuseofimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/6-disconnect-handoff.png”/>
You can still use Handoff on the Mac but want to stop the prompts from your iPhone. Open the Settings App and navigate to General > AirPlay.
7. How to stop receiving iPhone text messages on a Mac
Your Mac will automatically receive both text and iMessage replies from your iPhone. To stop this, open the Messengers app on your Mac. Next, open Preferences. Switch to the IMessage tab. Uncheck any boxes next to any phone numbers.
You can also deactivate any email address (such as that related to your Apple ID).
img alt=”The Preferences screen in the Mac’s Messengers app.” data-img-url=”https://static1.makeuseofimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/7-disconnect-iphone-messages.png”/>
You can also block your Mac from sending or receiving text messages via your iPhone. To turn off the switch, go to Settings > SMS > Text Message Forwarding.
8. How to disconnect an incoming iPhone call on a Mac
Do you get a constant pingback from your Mac about FaceTime and incoming calls to your iPhone? Open FaceTime and open its Preferences panel. Next, open the Settings tab. Uncheck calls from iPhone.
img alt=”FaceTime Preferences Screen on Mac” data-img-url=”https://static1.makeuseofimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/8-stop-iphone-calls.png”/>
You can also configure your iPhone to not transmit incoming calls to your Mac. Open the Settings App and tap Calls on Other Devices. Next, disable the switch beside the Mac.
9. How to remove an iPhone from the Apple ID on a Mac
As long as both devices use the same Apple ID, your iPhone and Mac will be linked forever. You must sign out from at least one Apple ID if you wish to remove the iPhone and Mac links.
This option can be found under System Preferences> Apple ID or under Settings> Apple ID.
You can disconnect your iPhone from your Apple ID by using your Mac if you don’t have it with you at all times. Select Remove account from the sidebar of System Preferences>
img alt=”Linked Apple ID Devices on the Mac” data-img-url=”https://static1.makeuseofimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/9-disconnect-from-account.png”/>
You can also remove a Mac from your iPhone using Settings > “Your Name”. Select the macOS device, then tap Remove from Account.
You are disconnected from just about everything
These tips should have made it easier to disconnect your iPhone from a Mac. You might consider setting up a new iCloud account if you have already removed either the iPhone or Mac from your Apple ID.
