how to hide find my friends app
Find My Friends, also known as FFM, is a location-sharing app developed by Apple Inc. It allows users to share their real-time location with friends and family members using their Apple devices. While the app can be a convenient way to keep track of loved ones, some users may prefer to keep their location private. In this article, we will discuss various methods on how to hide Find My Friends app and maintain your privacy.
1. Disable location services
The first and most straightforward way to hide Find My Friends app is by disabling location services on your device. This will prevent the app from accessing your device’s GPS and sharing your location with others. To disable location services, go to Settings > Privacy > Location Services and toggle off the button. Keep in mind that this will not only hide Find My Friends but also other location-based apps.
2. turn off Share My Location
If you want to keep location services on for other apps, you can turn off the Share My Location feature within the Find My Friends app. This will prevent FFM from sharing your location with others, and you can still use the app to see the location of your friends. To turn off Share My Location, open the Find My Friends app, tap on your profile picture, and toggle off the button next to “Share My Location”.
3. Hide Location from Specific Friends
Another option within the Find My Friends app is to hide your location from specific friends. This is useful if you want to share your location with some friends but not others. To do this, open the app, tap on the friend’s name, and select “Hide My Location”. Keep in mind that this will only hide your location from that particular friend, and your location will still be visible to others you have not hidden it from.
4. Set Up a Temporary Location
If you want to appear in a different location temporarily, you can use the “Set Location” feature within the Find My Friends app. This will allow you to choose a different location and make it appear as if you are there. This can be useful if you want to avoid someone or plan a surprise for your friends. To use this feature, open the app, tap on your profile picture, and select “Set Location”.
5. Use a Different Apple ID
If you don’t want to share your location with anyone, you can use a different Apple ID for Find My Friends. This will prevent others from seeing your location, and you can still use your original Apple ID for other purposes. To do this, go to Settings > iTunes & App Store, tap on your Apple ID, and select “Sign Out”. You can then create a new Apple ID and use it for Find My Friends.
6. Use a Different Device
Another way to hide Find My Friends is by using a different device. If you have multiple Apple devices, you can use one device for Find My Friends and another for your personal use. This will prevent others from seeing your location, and you can still use the app to see the location of your friends. Keep in mind that this may not be a feasible option for everyone, as it requires owning multiple devices.
7. Use a Third-Party App
If you don’t want to use Find My Friends, you can use a third-party app that offers similar features. These apps usually have more privacy settings and offer additional features such as location history. Some popular options include Life360, Glympse, and Google Maps. However, keep in mind that these apps may have their own privacy policies, and it’s essential to research and read reviews before using them.
8. Set a Geofence
A geofence is a virtual boundary that you can set around a specific location. If you want to be notified when someone enters or leaves a particular area, you can use the geofencing feature within the Find My Friends app. This can be useful for parents who want to track their children’s location or for employers who want to monitor their employees’ whereabouts. To set a geofence, open the app, tap on the friend’s name, and select “Notify Me”.
9. Turn Off Notifications
If you don’t want to be notified every time someone shares their location with you, you can turn off notifications for the Find My Friends app. This will prevent you from receiving constant location updates and maintain your privacy. To do this, go to Settings > Notifications > Find My Friends and toggle off the notifications.
10. Delete the App
If you have tried all the above methods and still don’t feel comfortable using the Find My Friends app, you can delete it from your device. This will remove the app and all its data from your device, and no one will be able to track your location through FFM. Keep in mind that this will also prevent you from using the app to see the location of your friends.
In conclusion, there are various ways to hide Find My Friends app and maintain your privacy. Whether it’s disabling location services, using a different Apple ID, or setting a geofence, you can choose the method that works best for you. It’s essential to remember that while location-sharing apps can be convenient, it’s crucial to prioritize your safety and privacy.
how to block websites on microsoft edge
Microsoft Edge is a popular web browser developed by Microsoft that is known for its fast performance and user-friendly interface. However, as with any web browser, it is important to have control over the websites that can be accessed through it. Whether you want to block certain websites for yourself or for other users, Microsoft Edge offers various ways to restrict access to specific sites. In this article, we will discuss how to block websites on Microsoft Edge in detail.
Why block websites on Microsoft Edge?
There are several reasons why you may want to block websites on Microsoft Edge. For one, parents may want to restrict their children’s access to inappropriate or harmful websites. Employers may also want to limit their employees’ access to non-work-related websites during working hours. Additionally, individuals may want to block distracting websites to increase productivity or to prevent themselves from accessing addictive sites.
Whatever your reason may be, Microsoft Edge provides the necessary tools to block websites efficiently. Let’s take a look at the different methods you can use to block websites on this browser.
Method 1: Use the built-in parental controls
If you are a parent looking to protect your children from accessing inappropriate content on the internet, Microsoft Edge has a built-in parental control feature that can help you achieve this. This feature is called “Family Safety” and it allows you to create a child account with restricted access to websites.
To set up parental controls on Microsoft Edge, follow these steps:
Step 1: Create a child account
The first step is to create a child account for your child. You can do this by going to the Microsoft family website, signing in with your Microsoft account, and clicking on “Create a family group”. From there, you can add your child’s email address and set up a child account.
Step 2: Set up content restrictions
Once the child account is created, go to the “Content restrictions” section and select “Web browsing”. Here, you can choose to block inappropriate websites, limit access to specific websites, or allow only certain websites to be accessed.
Step 3: Customize the website restrictions
You can further customize the website restrictions by clicking on “Always block” or “Only allow” and adding specific websites to the list. This way, you can allow your child to access educational websites while blocking social media or gaming sites.
Step 4: Save the changes
After you have made the necessary changes, click on “Save” to apply the restrictions to the child account.
Method 2: Use the hosts file
Another way to block websites on Microsoft Edge is by using the hosts file. The hosts file is a text file that maps hostnames to IP addresses. By editing this file, you can block specific websites by redirecting them to a different IP address that doesn’t exist.
To block websites using the hosts file, follow these steps:
Step 1: Open File Explorer
Press the Windows key + E on your keyboard to open File Explorer.
Step 2: Go to the hosts file location
Navigate to the “C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc” folder. This is where the hosts file is located.
Step 3: Open the hosts file
Right-click on the hosts file and select “Open with” and then choose “Notepad” from the list of options.
Step 4: Edit the hosts file
At the bottom of the hosts file, add the IP address “127.0.0.1” followed by the website you want to block. For example, to block facebook -parental-controls-guide”>Facebook , you would add “127.0.0.1 www.facebook.com” to the hosts file. You can add as many websites as you want, each on a new line.
Step 5: Save the changes
After you have added the websites, click on “File” and then “Save” to apply the changes to the hosts file.
Method 3: Use a third-party software
If you are not comfortable editing the hosts file, you can use a third-party software to block websites on Microsoft Edge. There are many free and paid software options available that can help you block websites effectively. Some popular options include Cold Turkey, Freedom, and Net Nanny.
To use a third-party software to block websites, follow the instructions provided by the software provider. Generally, you will need to install the software, add the websites you want to block, and then activate the blocking feature.
Method 4: Use a browser extension
You can also use a browser extension to block websites on Microsoft Edge. Browser extensions are small programs that can be added to your browser to enhance its functionality. There are many extensions available specifically for blocking websites, such as StayFocusd, Block Site, and LeechBlock.
To use a browser extension to block websites, follow these steps:
Step 1: Open Microsoft Edge
Launch Microsoft Edge and click on the three dots in the top-right corner of the browser.
Step 2: Go to the extensions page
From the drop-down menu, click on “Extensions” to go to the extensions page.
Step 3: Search for a website blocking extension
In the search bar, type in the name of the extension you want to use, such as “StayFocusd”.
Step 4: Add the extension
Click on the extension from the search results and then click on “Get” to add it to your browser.
Step 5: Customize the settings
Once the extension is added, click on its icon in the toolbar and customize the settings according to your preferences. You can add specific websites to the block list, set a time limit for browsing, and more.
Method 5: Use the “Family Options” feature
If you are an adult looking to block websites on your own device, you can use the “Family Options” feature on Microsoft Edge. This feature allows you to set up a family account and then add yourself as a child with restricted web browsing access.
To use the “Family Options” feature, follow these steps:
Step 1: Create a family group
Go to the Microsoft family website and click on “Create a family group”. From there, you can add yourself as a child to the family group.
Step 2: Add yourself as a child
When adding yourself as a child, make sure to use a different email address from the one you use to sign in to Microsoft Edge.
Step 3: Set the content restrictions
Just like setting up parental controls, you can set up content restrictions for yourself as a child account. This will restrict your access to certain websites.
Step 4: Save the changes
Once you have set up the content restrictions, click on “Save” to apply the changes.
Method 6: Use the Content Advisor feature
The Content Advisor feature on Microsoft Edge allows you to control the types of content that can be accessed through the browser. You can use this feature to block specific websites by adding them to the restricted list.
To use the Content Advisor feature, follow these steps:
Step 1: Open Internet Options
Launch Microsoft Edge and click on the three dots in the top-right corner of the browser. From the drop-down menu, click on “Settings” and then click on “Internet options”.
Step 2: Go to the Content tab
In the Internet Options window, click on the “Content” tab.
Step 3: Enable Content Advisor
Under the Content Advisor section, click on “Enable” to activate the feature.
Step 4: Add websites to the restricted list
Click on “Approved Sites” and then add the websites you want to block under the “Never” section. This will prevent those websites from being accessed through Microsoft Edge.
Step 5: Save the changes
After you have added the websites, click on “Apply” and then “OK” to save the changes.
Method 7: Use the Parental Controls feature
If you are using a Windows 10 device, you can use the Parental Controls feature to block websites on Microsoft Edge. This feature allows you to set up a child account with restricted access to websites.
To use the Parental Controls feature, follow these steps:
Step 1: Open the Settings app
Press the Windows key + I on your keyboard to open the Settings app.
Step 2: Go to Accounts
In the Settings app, click on “Accounts”.
Step 3: Add a family member
Under the “Family & other users” section, click on “Add a family member”.
Step 4: Set up parental controls
Select “Add a child” and then follow the instructions to set up parental controls for the child account.
Step 5: Customize the website restrictions
Once the parental controls are set up, click on “Content restrictions” and then select “Web browsing”. Here, you can choose to block inappropriate websites, limit access to specific websites, or allow only certain websites to be accessed.
Step 6: Save the changes
After you have made the necessary changes, click on “Save” to apply the restrictions to the child account.
Conclusion
In this article, we have discussed various methods you can use to block websites on Microsoft Edge. You can use the built-in parental controls, edit the hosts file, use a third-party software or a browser extension, or take advantage of the various features available on Microsoft Edge to restrict access to specific websites. Whether you are a parent, employer, or individual looking to increase productivity, these methods can help you effectively block websites on Microsoft Edge.
