Your iPhone is equipped with a number of settings that can enhance your experience and make your data more private, if you know where to look. When left unchecked, apps can run amok tracking your every move, both online and offline. Getting a better handle on the settings that can help is key to more privacy, and these five settings are the perfect place to start.
These are the iPhone settings that you can and should change to protect your iPhone data. Instead of wondering whether your iPhone is safe, feel secure that it is after changing this setting.
1. App Tracking
You can limit how much data your apps are allowed to track so that they aren’t tracking your behavior across all sites. Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Tracking. Toggle off Allow Apps to Request to Track to prevent apps from asking to track your activity.
2. Location Services
Your apps do not need access to your location at all times. Even the apps that do require location, like those with GPS capabilities, aren’t in need of it 24/7. Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services. Disable location access for apps that don't require it, or set them to other options like "While Using the App" instead of "Always."
3. App Permissions
It’s a good idea to access what information your apps have about you and cut off access to things you don’t want those apps to have. For example, does the app have access to your photos, microphone, and camera? Decide if you agree with the permissions your app is taking by heading to Settings > Privacy & Security.
4. Siri and Search Suggestions Lock Screen
Keep others who gain access to your Lock Screen from using Siri and searching for your personal data by disabling this setting. Go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode (or Touch ID & Passcode). Toggle off Siri and Search under Allow Access When Locked. This will prevent them from being used without unlocking your device.
5. Enable Encrypted iCloud Backups
If ever your phone is lost or gets stolen, enabling encrypted iCloud Backups ensures that your data is backed up in iCloud. To enable this feature go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup, and make sure iCloud Backup is turned on.
