9 iPhone Privacy Settings You Should Turn On Right Now

Apple does a better job than most companies when it comes to privacy. But not all of the default settings on the iPhone are in the user's best interest. Some prioritize convenience over security, while others assume you might be sharing more information than you'd like.

 

9. Prevent Apple from collecting diagnostic data

 

Like most hardware companies, Apple collects diagnostic and usage data from your phone. This data can include crash reports, the performance of certain features, and general patterns about how you use your device. The idea is to help Apple improve iOS over time. But if you're uncomfortable with your phone silently sending this information back, you can easily turn it off.

Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Analytics & Improvements . Once there, you'll see a few toggles. Turn off Share iPhone Analytics to prevent your device from sending data to Apple.

8. Turn on Mail privacy protection

 

You probably don't think twice before opening an email. But what you may not realize is that many of those messages have tracking pixels  that silently tell the sender when and where you opened the email. This is a tactic used by both marketers and spammers.

To enable Mail's privacy protection, open Settings > Apps > Mail > Privacy Protection and turn on the Mail Activity Protection toggle . Note that this feature won't stop tracking if you tap a link inside an email, so if something looks suspicious, trust your instincts and don't touch it.

7. Hide notification previews on lock screen

 

Even when your iPhone is locked, it can still reveal more information than you expect. By default, it displays messages, emails, and all other alerts right on the Lock Screen. Plus, your screen lights up with every new notification, which can catch the attention of anyone nearby.

To keep that information private, go to Settings > Notifications > Show Previews and select When Unlocked or Never .

6. Turn on automatic app and software updates

 

Apple regularly releases updates that fix security issues, resolve bugs, and sometimes introduce new security features without much fanfare.

To turn it on, go to Settings > General > Software Update > Automatic Updates . Then, go back to the main Settings screen, go to App Store > App Updates and select Turn On . It only takes a minute, and you'll have the peace of mind that your iPhone is running the most secure and private version of everything you use.

5. Turn off ad tracking

 

If you've ever felt like your phone is a little too good at guessing what you're thinking, ad tracking might be the reason. Many apps track your activity to create detailed profiles and show you ads that seem a little too specific. The good news is that your iPhone lets you turn that feature off.

Start by going to Settings > Privacy & Security > Tracking. Here, you'll see an option called Allow Apps to Request to Track . If this option is enabled, apps can ask for permission to track your activity on other companies' apps and websites. If you don't want this, just turn the switch off and all such requests will be denied.

4. Protect iCloud data with advanced data encryption

 

Apple's Advanced Data Protection feature adds end-to-end encryption to the data stored in your iCloud account. In simple terms, this means that only your trusted devices can decrypt and access that data. Even Apple doesn't have the key, so the company couldn't see what's in your account even if it wanted to.

However, this feature isn't turned on by default. To turn it on, go to Settings , tap your name at the top, then go to iCloud > Advanced Data Protection . You'll be prompted to set up a recovery method, such as a recovery key or trusted contacts, so you won't be locked out if you forget your password.

3. Enable 2FA for your Apple account

Two-factor authentication is mandatory for all accounts, and your Apple account is no exception.

When two-factor authentication (2FA) is turned on, your account remains protected even if someone gets your password. They won't be able to log in without entering a six-digit code sent to one of your trusted devices. To check if 2FA is turned on, go to Settings > [your name] > Sign-in & Security > Two-Factor Authentication . If it's off, take an extra minute to set it up.

2. Use private search engines and enhance Safari's privacy settings

Google pays Apple billions of dollars a year to remain the default search engine on users' iPhones. But if you don't want every search tracked and turned into targeted ads, you can easily switch to a more privacy-focused search engine.

Go to Settings > Safari > Search Engine . From there, select DuckDuckGo . This is a search engine that doesn't track your queries or build a profile about you.

1. Review app permissions

Apps on your iPhone need your permission to use data like your location, photos, microphone, camera, and contacts. While some of this access is necessary, many apps ask for permissions that aren't necessary for them to function properly.

To see which apps have access to which items, go to Settings > Privacy & Security . From there, tap each category, like Location Services, Microphone, or Photos. You'll see a list of apps that have requested access, along with each app's current permission status.