There are several ways you can optimize your iOS privacy settings today. We recommend:
- Limiting your (ad) tracking and location services as much as possible.
- Optimizing your Safari settings for secure browsing.
- Enabling Apple’s security features, including Find My Phone and Protect Mail Activity.
- Using a strong passcode, as well as Face ID or Touch ID.
Want to cover all your bases at once? One of the best ways to make your iPhone or iPad more secure is by using a VPN!
A VPN encrypts all your data, protects you from malware and adware, and lets you browse anonymously. For iOS, the best VPN app you can get is Surfshark, which offers great connection speeds and low prices.
Surfshark
For a step-by-step guide on changing your most important iOS privacy settings, keep reading.
If you’re wondering how to optimize your iPad and iPhone privacy settings, we’re here to help you out. With new apps and services entering the market every day, it’s easy to lose track of where your private data ends up and who’s snooping on your online activity.
Luckily, there are steps you can take to improve your privacy on iOS. Don’t worry, we know figuring out where to get started can be overwhelming. That’s why we’ve created step-by-step instructions to take you through the most important iPad and iPhone privacy settings.
From keeping your texts, contacts, and photos to yourself to making sure no one can access your microphone, camera, or Bluetooth — we go over everything below.
Enhance Your iOS Privacy Settings With a VPN
When it comes to privacy, one of the best changes to consider is using a virtual private network (VPN). If you’re new to the world of VPNs, the main thing to understand is that a VPN keeps your online activity private.
How does this work? A VPN is an app you can download directly on your iPhone that will reroute your internet traffic through an encrypted tunnel to a VPN server before it reaches the web. When your data gets encrypted, no other parties — not even the VPN provider — will be able to see it.
On your iPhone or iPad, this will largely prevent data collection, making it one of the best ways to improve your privacy.
On top of that, the best VPNs come with many extra features to benefit you, such as:
- Built-in antivirus software to stop online threats to your mobile device, like malware and phishing attacks
- Ad blocker to prevent sites from overwhelming you with ads
- Unblocking features so you can stream Netflix from any country in the entire world on your mobile
- Protection on public Wi-Fi networks to stop malicious actors from snooping on your data while you are casually browsing on your phone
If you want an affordable premium option for your mobile device, Surfshark is one of the best iOS VPNs in the entire world. You can get an account on unlimited devices for as little as $2.30 per month. With Surfshark’s 30-day risk-free trial, you can see how easy it is to use the app for yourself.
14 iPad and iPhone Privacy Settings to Update Today
Generally, your iPhone’s operating system (iOS) provides you with a decent amount of security. With each update, Apple puts more emphasis on privacy and includes several new features. On top of that, iOS requests your consent when it comes to data collection.
However, not all features are automatically enabled. Moreover, it can be tricky to understand exactly what data you’re giving up if you use a certain app or feature. That’s why we’ve listed the most important iOS privacy settings to take a look at and adjust.
Below, we provide detailed guides on how to change some of the most important iOS privacy settings.
1. Disable ad tracking
Most of your sensitive data is collected for targeted advertising purposes so that companies can build up a personal profile based on your interests.
On iOS, large amounts of data may be collected by Apple itself, as well as individual apps. This data can also be sold to other parties. Most of the time, you’re not even aware you’ve consented to this. For certain apps, including fertility apps or period tracking apps, it is safer to keep this data private.
When you disable ad tracking on your iOS devices, you can avoid personalized advertisements based on your search history and online behavior.
To turn off general ad targeting, here is what you can do:
- Go to “Settings.”
- Tap on “Privacy & Security.”
- Go to “Tracking.”
- Disable “Allow Apps to Request to Track.” This will ensure that all app tracking requests are automatically denied.
To turn off Apple’s personalized ads, follow these steps:
- Go to your iPad or iPhone Settings.
- Tap on “Privacy & Security.”
- Scroll down to the bottom to find “Apple Advertising.”
- Toggle off “Personalized Ads.”
2. Revoke access to your (diagnostic) data
Apple collects data to improve its services, including crash reports, iCloud data, and Siri recordings. While sharing certain information can help Apple keep your device running smoothly, it doesn’t hurt to check what data Apple collects once in a while, as in some cases, this can be more intrusive than you might like.
If you want to limit the data Apple collects and enhance your iPad or iPhone privacy settings, you can disable access to your analytics by following these steps:
- Open “Settings.”
- Go to “Privacy & Security.”
- Scroll down to the bottom to find “Analytics & Improvements.”
- Here you can access what data has been previously shared by clicking “Analytics Data.” You can also toggle off each setting as desired.
3. Limit location services
It can be very useful for apps to pinpoint your approximate location, for example, when you schedule an Uber, need directions from Google Maps, or want to access your weather app. In fact, most apps do. By limiting location services, you can choose to stop apps from tracking your precise location (and potentially selling this data).
To get full control over which apps have location access to your Apple device, here’s what you can do:
- Access your iPad or iPhone Settings.
- Tap on “Privacy & Security.”
- At the top, you’ll find “Location Services.” Make sure it’s toggled on.
- Click to see an overview of which apps use your location data.
- For each app, you can choose between “Never,” “Ask Next Time Or When I Share,” or “While Using The App.”
4. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA)
Long gone are the days when a simple username and password were enough to keep your online accounts secure. Today, the best way to protect your online accounts from hackers is to use two-factor authentication (2FA) whenever possible.
For your Apple account, 2FA will require a one-time-use code alongside your password. If you log in on a new device, this code will be requested, making it much harder for anyone to use your account, even when they know the password.
Here’s how to set up two-factor authentication and enhance your iPad or iPhone privacy settings:
- Go to “Settings.”
- Click on [Your Name] at the top to go to your Apple ID.
- Tap on “Password & Security.”
- Make sure “Two-Factor Authentication” is on.
5. Set a strong passcode
One of the most important security precautions you can take is setting up a strong passcode on your iOS settings and on any other accounts you use. Your passcode provides access to other settings, including your Apple ID. That’s why you want to make sure that it’s not easily hacked.
The default six-digit passcode is a better choice than any four-digit one. The best passwords, of course, are a combination of letters and numbers. To help you out, we’ve included a guide to creating a unique secure password.
To change your passcode, do the following:
- Access your iPad or iPhone Settings.
- Click on “Face ID & Passcode.”
- Scroll down until you see “Change Passcode.”
- You’ll be asked to enter your old passcode before you can change to a new one.
6. Use Face ID or Touch ID
To unlock your iPhone or iPad, we recommend using Touch ID or Face ID. You can use these features for many different purposes, including downloading apps and making purchases. This makes your online activity a lot more secure.
Here’s how to set up Face ID on your iPhone or iPad:
- Open “Settings.”
- Click on “Face ID & Passcode.”
- Select how you want to use Face ID.
Make sure that you toggle on “Require Attention for Face ID.” This means your device can’t be unlocked when your eyes are closed.
7. Optimize your lock screen privacy
iOS will display your notifications on your lock screen. Usually, no security is needed to see this, which means anyone might get access to the content of your emails or text messages.
Luckily, you can hide this content and improve your iPad or iPhone privacy settings. Here are the steps to take:
- Access “Settings.”
- Tap on “Face ID & Passcode.”
- Scroll down to the “Allow Access When Locked” section.
- Here you can make any changes you like. For extra security, disable “Reply With Message,” “Return Missed Calls,” and “Notification Center.”
Pro Tip:
For optimal security, enable “Erase Data” in the same menu. This will make sure that all data gets wiped from your iPhone or iPad after 10 failed passcode attempts.
8. Configure Siri settings
Siri can be a useful assistant to have on your side. However, from a privacy point of view, we recommend limiting Siri as much as possible. This is because Siri can easily pull data from apps to gather information for personalized suggestions. Moreover, in the past, there was a lawsuit against Apple claiming that Siri potentially violates the privacy of its users.
Here’s how to re-configure your Siri settings and make them more privacy-sensitive:
- Open “Settings.”
- Go to “Siri & Search.”
- To stop using Siri altogether, make sure to toggle off “Listen for Hey Siri” and “Press Side Button for Siri.”
- To limit Siri’s access to certain apps, scroll down to get a full overview of all the apps you’ve installed. Pick an app you’d like to change the settings of, for example, Zoom.
- Toggle off “Learn from this App” to stop Siri from collecting data for her suggestions.
9. Consider your iCloud privacy
In terms of data security, iOS does a pretty good job of keeping your information safe. However, in the case of iCloud backups, the company will be able to hand over data upon legal request. This is why you might want to have a look at what apps are automatically backed up to your iCloud.
Pro Tip:
You might be tempted to disable iCloud backups completely, but this means that you’ll have lost all your data once you set up a new phone. Consider this carefully.
Here are some iCloud settings to review:
- Access your iOS Settings.
- Click on [Your Name] at the top to go to your Apple ID.
- Tap “iCloud.”
- Click “Show All” under “Apps Using iCloud.”
- You will see an overview of all your apps and can toggle off any app you don’t want to store in your iCloud backup.
If you’re worried about your sensitive data getting lost, check out our recommendations for the best cloud storage providers to back your data up securely.
10. Review app permissions
Each time you add a new app to your device, you get a series of permission requests during the initial app setup. The app asks if it can access things like your camera, contacts, microphone, and device sensors. Sometimes you have no choice but to say yes.
To optimize your iPad and iPhone privacy settings, we recommend going over your app permissions once in a while to see what access you’ve consented to.
- Go to “Settings.”
- Tap on “Privacy & Security.”
- For each feature, you can see which apps have access to it by clicking on it. We recommend checking Contacts, Photos, Bluetooth, Microphone, Camera, and Files and Folders.
App privacy reports
To get a quick overview of which apps have accessed which features on your phone, you can request your App Privacy Report:
- Open your iOS Settings.
- Go to “Privacy & Security.”
- Scroll down to “App Privacy Report.”
- Click “Turn On App Privacy Report.”
11. Tweak Safari settings for more privacy
Most iOS users will use Safari as their default search engine to browse the web. Though you might want to consider a more private browser or search engine, there are also ways you can optimize your Safari privacy settings.
The first thing you’ll want to do is disable cross-site tracking. This prevents sites from tracking you when you browse the web using Safari. Here’s how you can change it:
- Access your iPad or iPhone Settings.
- Go to Safari.
- Scroll down to the “Privacy & Security” section and make sure that “Prevent Cross-Site Tracking” is enabled.
It is also possible to stop websites from tracking your IP address through Safari. You can hide your IP address by clicking “Hide IP Address” in the same menu. Make sure “From Trackers” is checked.
Use a VPN to spoof your IP
If you want to be able to spoof your IP completely, we recommend using a VPN. Even if your location is tracked by certain websites or apps – for example, if you don’t have the choice but to consent – your real IP address will remain hidden.
A VPN also works on any browser and protects you any time you go online. Additionally, you’ll be able to unlock country-specific content and services.
After extensively testing Surfshark, we have found it the best VPN for iOS. It runs in the background of your iPhone or iPad and ensures your real location remains hidden.
- Very user-friendly and works with Netflix and torrents
- 30-day money-back guarantee. No questions asked!
- Cheap with many extra options
12. Auto-delete iMessages
Our text messages reveal a lot about us. If you’re not holding onto messages for sentimental reasons, it’s probably best to make sure they’re automatically deleted after a while, especially if you want to enhance your iPad or iPhone privacy settings.
Not only will this save you lots of storage space, but it’s also a great privacy feature for iOS!
Here’s how to change the settings to auto-delete messages:
- Open “Settings.”
- Click on “Messages.”
- Scroll down to “Message History” and click on “Keep Messages.”
- Check the option you want to preserve your messages.
13. Enable ‘Protect Mail Activity’
If you think advertisers only track you when you’re surfing the web, think again. For a long while, they’ve been inserting invisible tracking pixels into your emails. This invisible image sends information back to the sender and tells them, among other things, the exact time you opened the email, your IP address, and your location. This lets the sender surveil you without your knowledge.
What they do with that information is completely out of your hands. Some pixels also track other metrics, like how long it took you to read your mail, your cursor movement, and the links you clicked.
Apple’s Mail App addressed this invasion of privacy with its new Mail Privacy Protection feature. To enable this feature go to your Mail app and follow these steps:
- Open your iPad or iPhone Settings.
- Select “Mail.”
- Click on “Privacy Protection.”
- Make sure “Protect Mail Activity” is enabled.
Enhanced privacy protection for iCloud+ subscribers
For iCloud+ subscribers, there is an additional mail privacy feature available called “Hide My Email.” You can find this in your iCloud settings: Settings > Apple ID > iCloud.
This feature keeps your personal email private by creating anonymized email addresses you can provide to websites, apps, or businesses. Any emails sent to the anonymous email are forwarded to your personal email that is associated with your Apple ID. For iCloud+ subscribers, it’s automatically enabled.
Any time you create a new account on a website or in an app, you can choose between your actual email or an auto-generated one.
14. Make sure ‘Find My Phone’ is on
Find My Phone is not only a useful tool when it comes to locating your phone when you’ve lost it. It also allows you to wipe it clean of data remotely, thereby enhancing your iPhone privacy settings. This is a great security feature.
Here’s how to enable Find My Phone:
- Open your iOS Settings.
- Click on [Your Name] at the top to go to your Apple ID.
- Click on “Find My.”
- Select “Find My iPhone” and make sure it’s on.
More Ways to Strengthen Your iOS Privacy Settings
Now that you’ve enhanced your iPad and iPhone privacy settings keep the following guidelines in mind for general security.
Keep iOS up to date
Staying on top of iOS updates as they are released is important. Why?
New bugs and potential security threats are discovered every day. Apple developers are constantly updating software to address these concerns. If you ignore these updates, you’re creating an unnecessary risk.
Ensure your apps are updated frequently
The same goes for the third-party apps you have on your device. Bugs and security threats are a concern for app developers, too. They issue app updates to address known threats and protect you from being hacked via their apps.
Be sure to periodically go into the App Store and install app updates as they become available.
Always use a VPN when you go online
Using a VPN whenever you go online is an excellent way to ensure your privacy. Since all your data is fully encrypted, it is safe from the prying eyes of hackers, your ISP, and even the government.
Setting up a VPN on your iPhone or iPad is easy enough.
Small Changes to iOS Privacy Settings Can Make a Big Impact
Apple has made great strides toward privacy protection for users of their devices. Still, we recommend making some additional changes to your iPad or iPhone privacy settings, including, but not limited to:
- Restricting ad tracking, data collection, and location services
- Optimizing your passcode, Face ID, or Touch ID
- Tweaking your Siri and Safari settings
- Enabling “Protect Mail Activity” and “Find My Phone”
Moreover, if you really want to optimize your security on iOS, one of the safest, most reliable, and low-effort changes to make is to start using a VPN and encrypt your traffic. This way, no one will be able to see or gain access to your sensitive information.
We recommend Surfshark for its phenomenal iOS app — which many of us at VPNOverview use every day — and its affordable prices. You can use Surfshark on your iPhone or iPad for 30 days without having to commit to anything.
If you want to know more about how to improve your privacy on different devices, check out the articles below:
- 12 Tips for Improving Your Mac Privacy Settings
- A Full Guide to Optimizing Android Privacy
- How to Configure Your Router for Maximum Security and Privacy
Do you have any questions about how to update your iOS privacy settings? Check out our FAQ below or leave us a comment!
To update iOS on your iPhone, follow these steps:
- Open Settings > General > Software Update.
- Tap Automatic Updates.
- Toggle Download iOS Updates and Install iOS Updates to ON.
Your updates will be installed overnight, while your iPhone is charging and connected to your Wi-Fi.
In the Settings and Privacy & Security menu of your iPhone, consider the following:
- Restricting ad tracking, data collection, and location services
- Optimizing your passcode or using Face ID/Touch ID
- Tweaking your Siri and Safari settings to limit additional tracking
We also highly recommend using a VPN for iOS. This will cover a lot of privacy and security risks immediately.
You can make your iPhone or iPad more private by optimizing your iOS privacy settings. Always make sure you have a strong passcode (Face ID or Touch ID are also great), that you limit (location) tracking as much as possible, and that you keep your operating system up to date.
For your Apple ID, you want to make sure you use two-factor authentication. This will keep your private data protected and ensure the best security.
