Smartphone privacy settings give you meaningful control over how your device, apps, and data are used—but most people never look at them beyond the initial setup. Taking 30 to 60 minutes to review your smartphone privacy settings can limit how much personal data your device shares, reduce targeted advertising, and lower your exposure if your device is ever lost, stolen, or compromised. This guide covers the most important settings to review on both iOS and Android.
Why Smartphone Privacy Settings Matter
Smartphones collect an enormous amount of data: your location history, the apps you use and how long you spend in them, your contacts, your microphone and camera access, your browsing behavior, and more. Much of this data is shared with app developers, advertisers, and third-party analytics companies by default. Adjusting your settings does not require technical expertise—it is a matter of knowing where to look and what each setting controls.
The Federal Trade Commission has long emphasized the importance of consumer awareness around mobile data collection, noting that many consumers are unaware of the extent of data gathered by mobile apps and platforms.
Location Services
Location data is among the most sensitive data your phone collects. Many apps request access to your location when it is not necessary for their core function.
On iPhone (iOS)
Go to Settings > Privacy and Security > Location Services. Here you can see every app that has requested location access. For each app, you can set access to:
- Never: The app cannot access your location at all
- Ask Next Time or When I Share: The app asks each time it needs your location
- While Using the App: Access is allowed only when the app is actively open
- Always: The app can access your location even when running in the background
Review this list carefully. Apps like weather, maps, and rideshare legitimately benefit from location access. Many others—games, shopping apps, flashlight utilities—do not need it at all. Switch those to “Never.”
On Android
Go to Settings > Location > App Permissions (the exact path varies by manufacturer and Android version). The options are similar: Allow all the time, Allow only while using the app, Ask every time, or Don’t allow. The same principle applies: give location access only to apps where it provides a clear benefit.
App Permissions: Camera, Microphone, and Contacts
Apps frequently request access to your camera, microphone, contacts, and photo library. Review these permissions regularly, not just at install time.
iOS
In Settings > Privacy and Security, you will find individual categories: Camera, Microphone, Contacts, Photos, Reminders, Calendars, and more. Tap each to see which apps have access and revoke any that seem unnecessary.
Android
Go to Settings > Privacy > Permission Manager. Select a permission type (Camera, Microphone, Contacts, etc.) to see which apps have access and adjust accordingly.
Pay particular attention to microphone access. Many apps that have no legitimate audio function request microphone permissions. Revoke these without hesitation.
App Tracking and Advertising IDs
iOS – App Tracking Transparency
Since iOS 14.5, Apple requires apps to ask permission before tracking your activity across other apps and websites. When an app requests tracking permission, you can choose Allow or Ask App Not to Track. To review your current tracking settings, go to Settings > Privacy and Security > Tracking. You can also toggle “Allow Apps to Request to Track” to off, which automatically denies all future tracking requests.
To limit the advertising identifier used by apps you do allow, go to Settings > Privacy and Security > Apple Advertising and disable Personalized Ads.
Android – Ad ID Reset and Opt-Out
Go to Settings > Privacy > Ads. Depending on your Android version, you may be able to delete your advertising ID entirely (Android 12 and later) or opt out of interest-based advertising. Deleting the ID limits how advertisers can build a profile tied to your device.
Lock Screen and Biometric Security
Privacy settings are most valuable when your device itself is secure. Review these basics:
- Use a strong passcode. A 6-digit PIN is more secure than a 4-digit PIN. An alphanumeric passcode is stronger still. Avoid patterns that are easy to guess or observe.
- Enable biometric authentication. Face ID (iOS) and fingerprint sensors (both platforms) provide fast, secure access without entering your passcode in public.
- Review what shows on your lock screen. On iOS, go to Settings > Face ID and Passcode (or Touch ID and Passcode) to control what is accessible on the lock screen without unlocking—notification previews, Siri, wallet access, and more. On Android, go to Settings > Lock Screen. Consider hiding notification content until the phone is unlocked.
Two-Factor Authentication for Your Apple ID or Google Account
Your Apple ID or Google account is the master key to your smartphone’s data. Securing it with two-factor authentication (2FA) is one of the most impactful privacy and security steps available.
- iOS: Settings > [your name] > Sign-In and Security > Two-Factor Authentication
- Android/Google: myaccount.google.com > Security > 2-Step Verification
With 2FA enabled, accessing your account from a new device requires not just your password but a verification code sent to a trusted device or phone number—making unauthorized access significantly harder even if someone has your password.
App Store and Google Play Privacy Labels
Both Apple’s App Store and Google Play now require developers to disclose the data their apps collect. On the App Store, look for the “App Privacy” section on any app’s product page—it shows data linked to you, data used to track you, and data not linked to you. On Google Play, look for the “Data Safety” section.
These disclosures are developer-reported and not independently verified, but they provide a useful starting point for evaluating an app before installing it.
Browser and Search Privacy
- Review your mobile browser settings and consider enabling features like enhanced tracking protection (Firefox and Safari have this built in).
- Clear browsing history, cookies, and cached data periodically through your browser’s settings.
- Consider using a privacy-focused browser for sensitive browsing if your primary browser accumulates significant tracking data.
Wireless and Bluetooth Settings
- Turn off Bluetooth when not in use. Bluetooth signals can be used by retailers and others to track your location and behavior in physical spaces.
- Disable Wi-Fi on your device when traveling in public areas if you are not connected to a trusted network, or ensure your device does not automatically connect to open networks.
- Forget networks you no longer use. Your device’s list of remembered networks is shared in certain contexts when Wi-Fi is enabled.
Smartphone Privacy Settings Checklist
- Review location permissions for every app—set to “Never” or “While Using” for apps that do not need it
- Audit camera and microphone access and revoke unnecessary permissions
- Review contacts, photos, and calendar access for each app
- On iOS: disable or limit app tracking through the Tracking settings menu
- On Android: delete or reset your advertising ID
- Set a strong passcode and enable biometric authentication
- Configure lock screen to hide notification previews when locked
- Enable two-factor authentication for your Apple ID or Google account
- Check App Store and Play Store privacy labels before installing new apps
- Enable enhanced tracking protection in your mobile browser
- Disable Bluetooth and auto-connect Wi-Fi when not in use
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) provides additional mobile device security guidance that complements the privacy settings outlined here. Combining strong privacy settings with good security practices gives you the most comprehensive protection for your smartphone and the data it holds.
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