iPhone Privacy Settings You Should Turn On Right Now!
Your iPhone holds a lot of personal information - your messages, photos, location, browsing habits, and even your voice. While Apple builds privacy into its devices, it’s still important to take control of your own settings. Many apps and websites try to track what you do to show you targeted ads or gather data about you. The good news is that you can stop much of this with a few changes in your iPhone settings - or get help from local experts if you need professional assistance. Below is a complete guide to the most important privacy settings you should turn on right now to better protect your data and digital life.
Key Takeaways
- Enable App Tracking Transparency to reduce cross-platform tracking.
- Use Precise Location selectively to prevent apps from pinpointing your location.
- Protect email and browsing habits using built-in privacy settings.
- Restrict access to photos and sensitive iPhone features app-by-app.
- Monitor app behavior using App Privacy Report for better control.
1. Stop Apps from Tracking You Across Other Apps
Steps to follow: Settings > Privacy & Security > Tracking
Action: Turn on “Ask Apps Not to Track”
Apps often track your activity across other apps and websites to collect data about you. This setting makes sure every new app asks for permission before tracking begins. When you turn this on, most apps won’t be able to follow what you do outside of their own platform. It helps protect your privacy and reduces unwanted personalized ads.
2. Limit Location Access by Turning Off Precise Location
Steps to follow: Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services
Action: Tap on each app and turn off “Precise Location”
Your iPhone allows apps to use your location for better services, but they don’t always need your exact address. For example, a weather app may only need your general area. By disabling “Precise Location” for most apps, you stop them from knowing exactly where you are at all times.
3. Hide Your IP Address in Safari
Steps to follow: Settings > Safari > Hide IP Address
Action: Choose “From Trackers”
Your IP address reveals information about your location and device. Trackers use it to build a profile of you for ads. By hiding your IP address in Safari, you make it harder for websites to track your online behavior while you browse.
4. Turn On Mail Privacy Protection
Steps to follow: Settings > Mail > Privacy Protection
Action: Turn on “Protect Mail Activity”
Some emails include hidden trackers that notify the sender when, where, and even how often you open their messages. This setting blocks those trackers, keeping your email behavior private. It’s a useful tool against spam and unwanted marketing.
5. Control Which Apps Can See Your Photos
Steps to follow: Settings > Privacy & Security > Photos
Action: Tap each app and set access to “Selected Photos”
Many apps ask for access to your full photo library when they only need one or two images. You can protect your private memories by allowing access to only selected photos instead of the whole library. This limits what an app can see and use.
6. Remove Location Data from Photos
Steps to follow:
- Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services > Camera ? set to Never or While Using the App
- When sharing a photo: tap Options and turn off Location
Photos can store the exact place where they were taken. If you send a picture, the recipient might be able to see where you live or visit. Turning off this setting keeps your photo-sharing safe and private.
7. Review App Permissions Regularly
Steps to follow: Settings > Privacy & Security
Action: Go through sections like Microphone, Camera, Contacts, Calendars, etc.
Every app should only have access to the features it really needs. If you see apps with microphone or camera access that shouldn’t need it, turn it off. This helps reduce the risk of your data being used in the wrong way.
8. Use Private Wi-Fi Addresses
Steps to follow: Settings > Wi-Fi > Tap the “i” next to your connected network
Action: Turn on “Private Wi-Fi Address”
Each time you connect to Wi-Fi, your iPhone shares a device identifier. Over time, this could be used to track your device across networks. Enabling a private Wi-Fi address generates a new identifier, making your device harder to follow.
9. Turn On Two-Factor Authentication for Apple ID
Steps to follow: Settings > [Your Name] > Password & Security
Action: Turn on Two-Factor Authentication
Two-factor authentication adds an extra step when signing into your Apple ID. Even if someone gets your password, they can’t get into your account without a second code sent to your trusted device. This keeps your iCloud, messages, photos, and purchases safe from intruders.
10. Lock Hidden and Deleted Photos
Steps to follow: Settings > Photos
Action: Turn on “Use Face ID” or “Use Touch ID”
Your hidden and recently deleted photos can be sensitive. Enabling Face ID or Touch ID keeps them secure so that only you can access them, even if someone has your phone.
11. Check the App Privacy Report
Steps to follow: Settings > Privacy & Security > App Privacy Report
Action: Turn it on and review it after a few days
This report shows which apps are accessing your camera, location, microphone, or contacts and how often. It also shows which websites your apps contact. If something looks suspicious, you can go back and adjust that app’s permissions.
Final Thoughts:
Taking a few minutes to adjust your iPhone’s privacy settings can make a big difference in protecting your personal data. From stopping apps from tracking your every move to limiting who can access your photos and location, these settings give you more control over your digital life. Privacy is not just about hiding - it’s about choosing who sees what. By following this guide and turning on these settings, you're making your iPhone safer and your information more secure. Make privacy a priority today.
If you face issues with privacy settings, cracked screens, or battery problems, the certified technicians at iFixScreens can help. Visit your nearest iFixScreens store for quick repairs or use our mail-in service for convenience. Keep your iPhone secure and running like new with help from trusted local experts.
FAQs
Q. How does Apple protect your privacy?
A. Apple uses features like app tracking control, on-device processing, and encryption to keep your data private and secure.
Q. Where is the location on an iPhone?
A. Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services to view or manage your location settings.
Q. Can Apple see my private photos?
A. No, your photos are stored securely on your device or in iCloud with encryption, and Apple cannot view them.