Want More Privacy? Three Ways To Make Your Phone Settings More Secure

Most of us rely on our iPhones for everything from social media to navigation, but did you know that many apps are tracking you? And it’s not just the usual suspects. App developers often bury hidden trackers in settings, turning your location and browsing data into profit. Here’s how to regain control over your privacy without sacrificing your phone’s functionality.

1. Ad Tracking

Apps want to know your every move, collecting data to create a profile that’s perfect for targeted ads. To stop this, you’ll need to disable tracking for each app individually. Head to Settings > Privacy & Security > Tracking and block apps from gathering data about your behaviour. Just note, turning off ad tracking won’t reduce ads – it just keeps them from being eerily accurate.

2. Significant Locations

Your iPhone quietly logs places you visit frequently, helping Maps make personalized suggestions. If this feels too invasive, turn off this feature in Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services > System Services > Significant Locations. While you might lose some personalized convenience, like your favorite coffee shop showing up first in search, it’s worth it for the added privacy.

3. Location Tracking

This is the big one – Location Services uses GPS, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi to pinpoint your location. Some apps genuinely need this, like maps and rideshare apps, but not all do. Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services and review each app’s access. You can either restrict location tracking across your device or allow it only for trusted apps.

Taking these steps can mean giving up some convenience, like auto-suggestions and real-time updates. But if privacy matters, it’s a small price to pay.