An original, in-depth guide (Android & iPhone) with actionable steps — fully safe for AdSense and written for readers who want real privacy without technical complexity.
Why these privacy settings matter today
Phones hold more of your personal life than almost any other device — contacts, photos, messages, location history, payment tokens, and so on. Privacy settings are the switches that control who gets access. Enable the right ones and you dramatically reduce tracking, unnecessary data sharing, and exposure to scams.
This guide walks through the most impactful, practical privacy controls you can enable in minutes — plus extra checks and advanced tips for people who want to lock things down tightly.
Quick checklist — do these right now (2–8 minutes)
- Turn on a screen lock (PIN, pattern, passcode, or biometrics).
- Enable automatic OS updates.
- Review app permissions: camera, mic, location, photos.
- Disable unnecessary background location & Bluetooth access.
- Turn off ad personalization / reset advertising ID.
Want to read more related tips? Check our Smartphone Tips & Tricks section for beginner-friendly tutorials.
What changed in 2024–2025 (short)
Both Android and iOS have continued to add controls that give users better visibility and easier revocation of permissions. Android’s Privacy Dashboard now keeps a longer access history for permissions, and Play Protect is more proactive about revoking risky app permissions. Apple’s App Tracking Transparency still controls cross-app tracking and iOS provides centralized tracking & privacy controls. These platform-level advances make it easier than ever to reclaim privacy — but only if you enable and check the right settings. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}
Foundational privacy controls (apply first)
1. Use a strong screen lock
A screen lock is your first line of defense. Use a numeric PIN (6+ digits) or an alphanumeric passcode where possible. Fingerprint and Face ID are convenient — but they should be paired with a fallback PIN/passcode that’s not trivially guessable.
2. Enable automatic OS and security updates
Updates patch security holes and improve privacy behavior. Turn on automatic updates for the OS and for apps (Google Play / App Store). Many privacy/security fixes are delivered via these updates.
3. Turn on full-disk encryption (if available)
Most modern iPhones and Android devices encrypt storage by default. Ensure encryption is active in Settings (check the Security or Privacy sections). Encryption protects stored data if the device is lost or stolen.
4. Use a password manager & strong unique passwords
Use a reputable password manager (built-in or third-party) and enable its biometric unlock. Avoid reusing passwords and enable two-factor authentication (2FA) for important accounts.
Android — essential privacy settings and where to find them
Android exposes a lot of granular controls. Below are the highest-impact toggles and steps (menu names vary slightly by manufacturer and Android version).
1. Privacy Dashboard — review app access
Open Settings → Privacy → Privacy dashboard. This shows which apps accessed location, camera, mic, and other sensors — and when. Look for apps that access sensitive data unexpectedly and revoke permissions if the access is unnecessary. Android has recently expanded the dashboard to show a longer history which helps spot repeat offenders. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
2. App permissions — grant only what’s needed
In Settings → Apps → [App name] → Permissions, choose "Only while using the app" for location/camera/mic where possible, or "Ask every time" if available. Revoke background location permissions unless an app truly needs them (e.g., navigation).
3. Location settings — use coarse or approximate location
Many apps function with approximate location. Under Location → App-level permissions or within each app’s permissions, switch to approximate location if precise GPS is not required.
4. Ads & Advertising ID — opt out of ad personalization
Go to Settings → Privacy → Ads (or similar) and turn off "Use advertising ID for personalization" and reset the ad ID. This reduces targeted advertising across apps. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
5. Google Play Protect & app sources
Keep Play Protect enabled (Settings → Security → Google Play Protect). Play Protect now also takes proactive steps such as revoking permissions for harmful apps on its own — an important safety net against malicious applications. Avoid enabling “install unknown apps” globally; only allow it per-app and temporarily when necessary. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
6. Notification privacy & lock screen
In Settings → Notifications → Lock screen, hide sensitive content on the lock screen so that message previews and 2FA codes are not visible without unlocking the phone.
7. Clipboard & Nearby device access
Some Android builds let you restrict background clipboard access and limit apps’ ability to see nearby devices or network scans. Revoke any "Nearby devices" or "Nearby sharing" permissions from apps that don’t need them.
Quick action: run a permissions audit monthly. You can also uninstall apps you don’t use — unused apps are a privacy risk.
Read more step-by-step Android privacy tweaks in our Smartphone Tips & Tricks section.
iPhone (iOS) — essential privacy settings and how to toggle them
Apple centralizes many privacy controls in Settings → Privacy & Security. Below are the most impactful settings to check on iPhone (iOS 16/17/18-era controls remain similar).
1. App Tracking Transparency (ATT)
iOS requires apps to ask permission before tracking you across apps and websites. Open Settings → Privacy & Security → Tracking and turn off "Allow Apps to Request to Track" to automatically refuse cross-app tracking prompts. You can also manage tracking permission per-app. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}
2. Location — choose “While Using” or “Ask Next Time”
In Settings → Privacy & Security → Location Services, set location permission to "While Using the App" or "Ask Next Time" for apps that do not require continuous tracking. Disable "Precise Location" when the app works with city-level info only.
3. Microphone & Camera access
Visit Settings → Privacy & Security → Microphone / Camera and revoke access from apps that don’t need live audio or video. iOS will show which apps requested access recently.
4. Photos access
Use "Selected Photos" instead of "All Photos" where possible, and prefer the "Add Only" mode for apps that only need to save pictures.
5. Limit ad tracking & reset Advertising Identifier
Go to Settings → Privacy & Security → Apple Advertising and disable personalized ads. You can also reset your advertising identifier to reduce profiling.
6. Hide sensitive notifications on lock screen
Settings → Notifications → Show Previews → When Unlocked (or Never) to prevent message/2FA previews from appearing on the lock screen.
Tip: iOS shows a blue/orange indicator when an app accesses mic/camera — use this to spot suspicious activity and revoke permission if needed.
Want practical iPhone privacy walkthroughs? Visit our Smartphone Tips & Tricks label for screenshots and guides.
App-level privacy: permissions, accounts, and data sharing
Even when OS settings are tight, apps are where most privacy loss happens. Follow these app-level controls:
1. Audit permissions per app
Check app permissions for camera, mic, location, contacts, calendar, sensors, and files. Revoke anything not essential. On Android, use the Privacy Dashboard; on iPhone, use Settings → Privacy & Security.
2. Limit background app refresh
Disable background refresh for apps that don’t need it (Settings → General / Apps). This prevents apps from silently processing or uploading data in the background.
3. Sign in with less data — avoid social logins if possible
Social logins (Sign in with Facebook/Google) speed onboarding but increase data sharing. Use email/password or "Sign in with Apple" (which can hide your email) where privacy matters.
4. Remove unused accounts and apps
If you stopped using a service, delete the account and uninstall the app. Many apps retain account data long after you stop using them.
5. Manage app backups and syncing
Check whether apps are backing up sensitive data to cloud storage. Adjust backup settings (e.g., Photos, Messages) to limit what’s synced.
Advanced privacy controls and power-user tips
1. Use a privacy-respecting browser & search engine
Switch to browsers such as Firefox, Brave, or use private modes and tracker-blocking extensions. Choose a search engine that limits profiling (DuckDuckGo, Startpage, etc.).
2. Turn off Bluetooth / Wi-Fi scanning when idle
Many phones allow apps to scan for nearby Bluetooth devices or Wi-Fi networks, which can leak location. Turn off “Wi-Fi scanning” and “Bluetooth scanning” when not needed in Settings → Location / Privacy.
3. Use a VPN for untrusted networks
When on public Wi-Fi, use a reputable VPN to protect traffic from local snooping. Remember: VPNs protect transport privacy, not app-level data collection.
4. Harden cloud backups and accounts
Use strong 2FA (authenticator apps or hardware keys), review connected devices and revoke unknown ones. For Google/Apple accounts check Security → Sign-in methods and remove old session tokens.
5. Consider creating a separate work/personal profile (Android)
Android supports separate users / work profiles — use them to compartmentalize apps and data (reduces cross-app leakage).
6. Disable Siri/Assistant access from lock screen
Prevent voice assistants from being invoked on the lock screen (Settings → Siri & Search / Assistant) to avoid exposing data or allowing commands without unlocking.
Ad tracking & advertising IDs — reduce profiling
Both platforms offer controls to limit ad personalization and reset your advertising ID. On Android, Settings → Privacy → Ads (or similar) lets you disable ad personalization and reset ID; on iPhone, Settings → Privacy & Security → Apple Advertising or Tracking controls the same. Turning these off doesn't remove ads but reduces targeted profiling. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}
Troubleshooting & what to watch for
Strange permission prompts
If an app requests unexpected permissions (e.g., a calculator asking for location), deny it and consider uninstalling the app. Check app reviews and the developer’s reputation.
High battery or data use from unknown app
Use battery and data usage screens to spot apps that eat resources. These often also access phone sensors in the background.
Persistent pop-ups asking to “optimize” or “fix” settings
Beware of apps that show intrusive warnings urging you to grant permissions or install recommended tools. These are common social-engineering vectors. Use Play Protect/App Store reviews and official support pages to validate.
Frequently asked questions
Will turning off permissions break apps?
Sometimes. If an app needs location to function (maps), removing the location permission will affect its features. Consider granting "Only while using" or "Ask every time" before full removal.
Is a VPN all I need for privacy?
No. A VPN protects network traffic but doesn't stop apps from collecting data or using platform identifiers. Combine a VPN with the OS-level privacy settings listed here.
How often should I audit permissions?
Quarterly audits are a good baseline. If you install many new apps often, check monthly.
Conclusion — practical next steps
Start with the quick checklist at the top, then tackle platform-specific sections step-by-step. Focus especially on screen lock, app permissions (camera/mic/location), ad personalization, and automatic updates. For readers who want screenshots and step-by-step visuals, visit our Smartphone Tips & Tricks label where we publish walk-throughs and device-specific guides.
Privacy is not a one-time setting — treat it as maintenance: review permissions, check active devices, and refresh your ad ID every few months.
Start the quick checklist now →Sources & further reading
The most time-sensitive claims above (about platform privacy features, Privacy Dashboard history, Play Protect behavior, and App Tracking Transparency controls) are backed by these authoritative resources:
- Android official privacy page — Android Privacy & Safety. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}
- Android Privacy Dashboard 7-day history reporting (Android 15 rollout). :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}
- Google Support — manage permissions from the Privacy Dashboard. :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}
- Apple Support — App Tracking Transparency and privacy controls. :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}
- Recent coverage on Play Protect automatic permission revocation and safety features. :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}
