10 iPhone Privacy Settings Every User Should Enable for Uncompromised Privacy

Advanced privacy and security have always stood linked to Apple goods. On your iPhone, you may change several settings to safeguard your private data, avert any surveillance, and lessen the chance of hacking. Even if you’ve been using the iOS operating system for years, you might need to become more familiar with some. Others are very clear. Learn more about the primary iPhone privacy settings and how to utilize them to safeguard your personal information. For more in-depth guidance, visit AppleVox to explore detailed tips and tricks on enhancing your privacy on iOS.

The Overview of Privacy Settings on iPhone

Overall, compared to its primary rival, Android, iPhones are seen to be more private and secure. But is this a factual evaluation or a false generalization?

To respond to this query, let us quickly review the key privacy concerns about iPhones.

  1. Sandbox for Apps: Users of Apple devices may now regulate and restrict the quantity of private information that an application on their iPhones can access, thanks to the release of iOS 12.
  2. The Source Code:IOS lacks open-source code, so other developers cannot access it. It implies that no one can alter the code and cause damage from the outside. However, it restricts Apple’s ability to enhance its security system and fix any vulnerabilities somehow.
  3. Upgrades for the Operating System and Software: Several times a year, Apple sends out frequent updates for iPhones and iOS devices. Up to five years pass between updates, guaranteeing the operating system’s reliability and consistency.
  4. App Store: Apple’s internal marketplace regulations are rather stringent, imposing specific security and privacy requirements on third-party developers. It lessens the likelihood that harmful apps may inadvertently find their way onto your iPhone.
  5. Security for Smartphones: Some polls claim that 32% of people believe the Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max and iPhone 14 to be the safest smartphones to date. According to the most recent Apple press release, the upcoming September 2023 release of the new iPhone 15 promises even more promising privacy and anti-spyware upgrades.

iOS offers some good privacy options, but these don’t mean total protection from phishing or malicious programs. Want additional protection for your iPhone? Let’s make some adjustments for the sake of peace of mind.

1. Manage the App’s Settings

With your phone comes the ability to adjust app permissions, enabling you to control the information the given app accesses. It improves privacy by reducing the personal information a given app can utilize. You can block access to specific data points, such as:

  • Camera
  • Microphone
  • Location
  • Contacts, and more.
  • Photos

Here’s how to change an iPhone’s app permissions:

  1. Go to Settings > Security & Privacy.
  2. Select the type of data that your apps may access (e.g., microphone).
  3. Toggle the applications you wish to deactivate by selecting them from the list.

2. Reduce the Amount of Location Tracking

Unlike other kinds of data, iPhone apps may track your location, but it is unique. Naturally, for apps like Wallet, Maps, and Weather to work effectively, they need to be able to access your current position. However, apps that require no information at all might follow your location.

Follow these easy steps to modify your iPhone’s privacy settings regarding location tracking:

  1. Go to the Settings on your iPhone.
  2. Open Security & Privacy.
  3. Choose Location-Based Services.
  4. Select a particular app.
  5. Select the times when you want location tracking from this particular app. For example, certain apps, like Weather, could only access it when you’re using them.

Significant Locations is another complex iPhone location-tracking tool. It keeps track of the most frequent locations on your phone to provide more specialized services. Fortunately, you may also handle it this way:

  1. Return to Location Services.
  2. Accessible System Services
  3. Turn it off by going to Significant Locations.

Do you wish to modify the location of your iPhone? To find out how, see our most recent blog article!

3. Stop Location Tracking in Photos

Every photo you take has a tonne of metadata, including your location. And what do you know? Anyone with whom you share an image can easily discover this information!

However, are you willing to give away your house address, place of employment, or favorite hangout for you and your friends? If not, here’s how to easily stop anybody from seeing this information when you submit a photo to Facebook, Snapchat, or any other social networking platform:

  1. After selecting a specific photo, touch the Options in the screen’s upper right corner.
  2. Toggle off All Photos Data under Include.

4. Control the Information you Exchange

Similar to other digital companies, Apple gathers certain data on its customers. It’s not at all a terrible thing in general. Developers use this data to analyze how users interact with various applications, aiding in improving their goods and services. But here’s how to avoid sharing this information if you want to maximize the privacy of your iPhone:

  1. Go to Settings.
  2. Navigate to Security & Privacy.
  3. Choose Analytics & Enhancement.
  4. Turn off the unauthorized tracking (such as Improve Siri & Dictation, Share iPhone Analytics, and Share with App Developers, among other things).

5. Turn Off Siri

Apple introduced Siri in 2011, which became the basis of smartphone virtual assistants. Google followed this with Google Assistant and Amazon with Alexa. Nonetheless, these enhancements have provoked debates on privacy. The assistants identified trigger words, raising concerns that the phones could listen. Apple received criticism in 2019 following revelations of employees spying on users with Siri.

Disabling Siri to avoid privacy concerns associated with your iPhone is advisable. Some worries about the phones listening in, but be careful with taking protective measures so your private conversations and data are protected.

  1. Go to the Settings on your phone.
  2. Launch Siri and search.
  3. Switch off, then Press the side button to summon Siri and listen for “Hey Siri.”

6. Do not Use Bluetooth Tracking

It’s as difficult since Bluetooth data monitoring also gives third-party apps access to your privacy. You are additionally, leaving your iPhone’s Bluetooth on when not in use depletes its battery.

To turn off Bluetooth tracking on an iPhone, follow these steps:

  1. Go into Settings on your phone.
  2. Navigate to Security & Privacy.
  3. Choose Bluetooth.
  4. For undesired apps, turn it off.

Consider granting Bluetooth access selectively. These are essential for devices like AirPods dongles for video apps, but be careful with apps such as Facebook that might ask for access for location tracking purposes.

7. Turn on the USB Limited Mode

Juice-jacking is a term used to refer to data vulnerability that could result from connecting to an untrusted device through a USB to your iPhone. It allows cybercriminals to install malware or steal sensitive data such as passwords and credit card details. People who carry their gadgets around and plug them into other chargers regularly should be wary.

The solution? Toggle on USB restricted mode on your iPhone. This feature prevents data leaks through untrustworthy USB ports. Here’s how to enable it:

  1. Go to Settings.
  2. Either select Touch ID & Passcode or Face ID & Passcode.
  3. Toggle off USB Accessories after entering your passcode.

8. Make Use of the Find My iPhone Function

This crucial function will be your saving grace if your iPhone is stolen or lost. Find My iPhone lets you track your phone’s whereabouts from another device or online, and it also lets you erase all of your data to prevent it from falling into the wrong hands. Thus, switch on Find My iPhone while you’re away from home.

To enable this functionality, follow these steps:

  1. Navigate to Settings > Security & Privacy.
  2. Select Location Services by tapping.
  3. Launch Find My.
  4. Press the “Find My iPhone” button.
  5. Turn on Send Last Location, Find My Network, and Find My iPhone.

Enhance your iPhone’s privacy settings by setting a strong, unique passcode and ensuring your phone locks within 15 seconds. These steps could be a lifesaver in case of theft.

9. Permit Automatic Updates for Software

As previously discussed, Apple frequently releases software patches and upgrades to fix vulnerabilities and security concerns. But if you need to upgrade your phone as soon as possible, these advancements will only rescue the day. If not, hackers can take advantage of the flaws in the system and infect your computer with harmful malware or viruses.

To ensure that the operating system and applications on your phone are up to date, take the following actions:

  1. Navigate to Settings > General.
  2. To see the most recent updates, choose Software Update.

You will receive an update notification if one is available.

Additionally, you may enable automatic updates to ensure you get everything crucial. Here’s how to do it:

  1. Return to Software Update under Settings > General.
  2. Turn on the feature that updates automatically.

10. Make Use of a VPN

Though iPhones do not have an in-built VPN, using a third-party provider will still protect your privacy online. Monitoring and hacking risks necessitate a VPN, as basic browser settings are insufficient to address these concerns.

It hides your IP address, reroutes the traffic through a secure server, and encrypts the data, making any attempts at snooping impossible. A good VPN like ExtremeVPN prevents malware, phishing, and pop-up ads like the iPhone Calendar virus.

Opt for a VPN with strong privacy attributes like a zero-logs policy, Kill Switch, and AES-256 encryption. Thus, ExtremeVPN is a reliable choice. Do you want to kick start VPN on your iPhone? Let’s dive in.

How to Configure an iPhone VPN

Here are a few easy steps to set up ExtremeVPN on your iPhone:

  1. Select your ideal price plan and create an ExtremeVPN account.
  2. Get ExtremeVPN for iOS from the App Store and install it.
  3. Get your iPhone’s ExtremeVPN app open.
  4. Choose your favorite server location. Simply choose Italy from the list to obtain an Italian IP address. Alternatively, using the Optimal Location function, you can connect to the nearest server for the quickest possible connection.
  5. Enable private browsing on your iPhone by turning on your VPN.

Be aware that iOS 10 or later is compatible with ExtremeVPN. For further details, see our in-depth article on using a VPN on an iPhone.

Would you want to try ExtremeVPN? Select the best plan and take advantage of ExtremeVPN’s 30-day money-back guarantee for your iPhone!

Use Phone Accessories like Privacy Screen Protectors for Extra Security

While adjusting privacy settings on your iPhone significantly improves data security, adding certain phone accessories like a privacy screen protector further protects your device. Also known as an anti-spy screen protector, it helps ensure that sensitive information displayed on your iPhone remains unseen by those nearby, narrowing the viewing angle so only you can view the screen content directly. Using this accessory complements iPhone’s built-in privacy features, providing an additional physical barrier and making it an ideal choice for anyone prioritizing privacy.

FAQs

How can you keep your iPhone safe?

You can enhance the security and privacy of your iPhone in several ways. The most efficient techniques are as follows:

  • Turn on the Find My iPhone function.
  • Create a strong passcode, allowing your phone to lock in 15 seconds.
  • On your iPhone, manage the permissions of applications.
  • Update the OS and apps on your phone regularly.
  • Limit the tracking of location and other data.
  • Install a dependable VPN such as ExtremeVPN on your iPhone.
  • See this article for further details.

Which iPhone settings should I turn off for privacy?

Suppose it isn’t interfering with the functioning of those applications. In that case, strongly consider restricting those apps’ access to your private data, including your contacts, microphone, camera, and more. You should also disable Siri, switch off location tracking for applications you aren’t using, and stop Bluetooth tracking. Learn more by reading this article.

Where can I find the privacy settings on an iPhone?

To manage certain fundamental iPhone privacy settings (such as location tracking and app permissions), just launch the Settings app and select Privacy & Security. You can find a few extra functions on your iPhone. Learn how by reading this article.

How can I configure my iPhone’s privacy settings?

On your iPhone, you may adjust many privacy and security settings. These are the most popular methods for safeguarding your private information on an iOS device:

Manage application permissions under Settings > Privacy & Security.

Restrict location tracking.

Turn off Siri.

Make use of Find My iPhone.

Permit updates to happen automatically.

Get a VPN installed on your iPhone.

To modify these and other Apple iPhone privacy settings, see this article.

How much privacy does an iPhone offer?

Most people agree that iOS is a safe and private operating system. iPhones have several good privacy-focused features, such as an app sandbox and customizable settings that shield users’ personal information from prying eyes. Even yet, an iPhone doesn’t offer complete privacy. Specifically, it won’t protect you from various online dangers, such as malware, hacking, and phishing. For this reason, setting up a trustworthy VPN on an iPhone, such as ExtremeVPN, is worthwhile. For further information, see this article.

Author: 99 Tech Post

99Techpost is a leading digital transformation and marketing blog where we share insightful contents about Technology, Blogging, WordPress, Digital transformation and Digital marketing. If you are ready digitize your business then we can help you to grow your business online. You can also follow us on facebook & twitter.

Leave a Comment