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Original poster

Ex has control of Samsung location settings

41 replies

Perx · 15/12/2024 22:00

I hope someone can help! I have been divorced now for 7 years after a horrible marriage with DV and coersive control. I was repeatedly told whilst married that he would cut my throat while I slept, or would burn the house down whilst my children and I slept. 2.5 yrs ago we moved to a new town and he has not had the address. Contact is via their school address. He chose to stop contact 18 months ago, this is the fourth time in 7 years, time wise usually 8-12 months, but longer this time. My kids asked to see him again after their class mate lost his Dad suddenly in an RTA, so he agreed and it was set up for this weekend. They had a great time, an early Xmas, came home happy with shiny new Samsung tablets each. They have no tech, I can't afford it, and I worry about parental settings, paedos etc. He said he has set up a Kinzoo family group and set the apps to only include known people etc, which is what I would want, BUT I know these tablets have location settings in them. I took the kids to maccies while I tried to work out how to turn off the location settings, but he is the admin on the tablets, so I don't think I can. I have asked the kids to keep them switched off until I can find a solution. This is going to create tension because they don't have the tablets on and I'm going to look like the baddie, when all I want is for them to have a relationship with him, but us to be safe here. I'm also scared he will drop them again if I push for him to amend the settings. Can anyone advise me how to switch off locations whilst he is admin?
Thanks x x

OP posts:
Cinnabarmotheaten · 15/12/2024 22:03

I don’t know OP but what a truly horrible situation. Glad you have escaped. Can you take the devices to a Samsung outlet and get the techies there todo it for you?

maddening · 15/12/2024 22:07

Can you get them reset to factory settings?

Guest100 · 15/12/2024 22:08

Definitely take the tablets to be reset and have all the controls fixed so you are the admin if this is possible. Otherwise sell the tablets and get them something else.

Annabella92 · 15/12/2024 22:10

I wouldn't have these at home. You'll have to keep checking and he only needs you to miss it once. He can send links and it can be installed remotely.

Original poster
Perx · 15/12/2024 22:15

Yes, I'll go to a Samsung place in the morning. God I didn't think of that. My mind went into blank panic. Thankyou. X

OP posts:
Haribosweets · 15/12/2024 22:16

Reset factory settings and then create new Gmail / samsung accounts and any parental apps you want

Original poster
Perx · 15/12/2024 22:18

I'm so panicked the kids are going to sneak them on, because they're so excited to finally have one, then that's it, he has the address. I am thinking I can get them wiped but then reset to exactly as he had them set up only I'm the admin and locations stay off. 🤷🏻

OP posts:
wombat15 · 15/12/2024 22:21

Just reset to factory settings and you can start again.

NarnianQueen · 15/12/2024 22:42

Perx · 15/12/2024 22:18

I'm so panicked the kids are going to sneak them on, because they're so excited to finally have one, then that's it, he has the address. I am thinking I can get them wiped but then reset to exactly as he had them set up only I'm the admin and locations stay off. 🤷🏻

I think you need to have them in your possession until you can get an expert to reset them. It's not worth the risk.

MrsCarson · 15/12/2024 22:44

I'd take them away from them until you can get them reset. Make sure they're switched off. If you're as paranoid as me I'd wrap them in foil in case he can switch on remotely it depends what he has installed and what he has the settings as.

Original poster
Perx · 15/12/2024 22:51

MrsCarson · 15/12/2024 22:44

I'd take them away from them until you can get them reset. Make sure they're switched off. If you're as paranoid as me I'd wrap them in foil in case he can switch on remotely it depends what he has installed and what he has the settings as.

Omg, is that an actual thing? Can he do that? 😱

OP posts:
Temporaryname158 · 15/12/2024 22:59

I would also seek professional help from a tech expert.

id also inform the police that he has done this. It should be logged with them in case he does get your address

Hannaahhhh · 15/12/2024 23:32

I'd return them to him, I wouldn't allow them in my house given the history. They can use them on the rare as rocking horse shit occasion he sees them.

Turbo4 · 15/12/2024 23:38

You should be able to do a factory reset on them. Google it and it will tell you how to to do it. There may even be a step by step guide video how to do it on youtube. Might be best to reset them away from your home to make sure you can do it.

Hope you are ok 💐

Needanewname42 · 15/12/2024 23:42

Factory reset them but do it away from the house.
Also check they don't have SIM cards in them.

Needanewname42 · 15/12/2024 23:44

I should add i had to factory reset two recently. I needed passwords to do it.

A full hard reset might be better.

RacingThoughts111 · 15/12/2024 23:45

Perx · 15/12/2024 22:00

I hope someone can help! I have been divorced now for 7 years after a horrible marriage with DV and coersive control. I was repeatedly told whilst married that he would cut my throat while I slept, or would burn the house down whilst my children and I slept. 2.5 yrs ago we moved to a new town and he has not had the address. Contact is via their school address. He chose to stop contact 18 months ago, this is the fourth time in 7 years, time wise usually 8-12 months, but longer this time. My kids asked to see him again after their class mate lost his Dad suddenly in an RTA, so he agreed and it was set up for this weekend. They had a great time, an early Xmas, came home happy with shiny new Samsung tablets each. They have no tech, I can't afford it, and I worry about parental settings, paedos etc. He said he has set up a Kinzoo family group and set the apps to only include known people etc, which is what I would want, BUT I know these tablets have location settings in them. I took the kids to maccies while I tried to work out how to turn off the location settings, but he is the admin on the tablets, so I don't think I can. I have asked the kids to keep them switched off until I can find a solution. This is going to create tension because they don't have the tablets on and I'm going to look like the baddie, when all I want is for them to have a relationship with him, but us to be safe here. I'm also scared he will drop them again if I push for him to amend the settings. Can anyone advise me how to switch off locations whilst he is admin?
Thanks x x

Factory reset them

Kimmeridge · 15/12/2024 23:46

My Samsung tablet doesn't need admin rights to switch off the location

Try going into settings then location and try just switching it off. It's as straight forward as that in mine

I can't even see an option for an admin to restrict that. Might be worth a try

BeeCucumber · 15/12/2024 23:50

How old are the children - are they capable of giving him your address if he asks them?

Original poster
Perx · 15/12/2024 23:55

Kimmeridge · 15/12/2024 23:46

My Samsung tablet doesn't need admin rights to switch off the location

Try going into settings then location and try just switching it off. It's as straight forward as that in mine

I can't even see an option for an admin to restrict that. Might be worth a try

Is the parental guard thing / family group that he is admin of, means the location settings can't be changed on the devices. He is the only one can switch them on or off. X

OP posts:
AlllSeeingEye · 16/12/2024 00:01

You can Factory Reset it yourself but he may have a Samsung Account linked up and/or Find My Device set up via the Google Account on the tablet which can be logged into remotely, if so. (You need to remove the tablet linked to the Google Account as well, if possible).
Definitely turn it on away from home. Sign out of the Samsung Account if there is one and Reset the tablet via the settings.

Vaxtable · 16/12/2024 00:02

As others have said factory reset by the Samsung shop. Alternatively will they take them back in part exchange for a new one? Then that way you know he doesn’t have any form of access to any identification numbers attached to it, wheats he might have taken down the number on the box for the other one.

in the meantime switch them off, do you have family nearby it could stay at?

Original poster
Perx · 16/12/2024 00:03

Hannaahhhh · 15/12/2024 23:32

I'd return them to him, I wouldn't allow them in my house given the history. They can use them on the rare as rocking horse shit occasion he sees them.

Yeah, I totally get why you'd say that, but my kids are desperate to see him and I don't want them to hate me for blocking that. I have additional safeguards in place for when they are going there. He said it is to facetime them, he won't do it via my phone. I don't think he will on this either, but getting rid of these tablets makes me the baddie. And they need a tablet. They are 9 and have no tech at all. They are behind their classmates academically as everything is done on screens now and they just don't have that access.

OP posts:
Original poster
Perx · 16/12/2024 00:05

Vaxtable · 16/12/2024 00:02

As others have said factory reset by the Samsung shop. Alternatively will they take them back in part exchange for a new one? Then that way you know he doesn’t have any form of access to any identification numbers attached to it, wheats he might have taken down the number on the box for the other one.

in the meantime switch them off, do you have family nearby it could stay at?

No, I have nobody nearby. I'm sorting it first thing tomorrow, I've told my manager I can't come in so I can get it done. X x

OP posts:
Original poster
Perx · 16/12/2024 00:08

AlllSeeingEye · 16/12/2024 00:01

You can Factory Reset it yourself but he may have a Samsung Account linked up and/or Find My Device set up via the Google Account on the tablet which can be logged into remotely, if so. (You need to remove the tablet linked to the Google Account as well, if possible).
Definitely turn it on away from home. Sign out of the Samsung Account if there is one and Reset the tablet via the settings.

Yes I think when I checked them there was a Samsung family account and a Google account. I can't look at them now without turning them on. Grrrr I wish I'd taken photos of the settings / accounts now. X

OP posts:
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