7 overlooked phone privacy settings that quietly reduce tracking on iOS and Android

Most people lock their phones with a PIN or fingerprint and feel reasonably safe. Yet behind that lock screen, dozens of switches control what apps know about you, how you are tracked online, and how much data is shared in the background.

The good news is that both iOS and Android include strong privacy tools. The catch is that many of the most useful protections are buried a few menus deep. Here are seven settings worth checking on any recent iPhone or Android device.

1. Limit ad tracking and reset your advertising ID

Advertising IDs help companies follow your activity across apps and services. They are not your name or email, but they are a unique tag that can be tied to your behavior over time. Reducing this tracking will not remove all ads, but it makes those ads less personal and less tied to your profile.

On iOS, open Settings, go toPrivacy & Security, thenTracking. Turn offAllow Apps to Request to Trackto block cross-app tracking requests by default. On Android, open Settings, go toPrivacy, then look forAdsand chooseDelete advertising IDorOpt out of Ads Personalization, depending on your version.

2. Tighten app location access

Location data is one of the most sensitive information types on your phone. Many apps request it because it is valuable for analytics and advertising, not because they truly need to know where you are in real time. It is worth reviewing which apps can see your location and how often.

On iOS, go to Settings,Privacy & Security, thenLocation Services. Tap each app and preferWhile Usinginstead ofAlways. Turn offPrecise Locationfor apps that only need a general area, such as a weather app. On Android, go to Settings,Location, thenApp location permissionsand switch apps toAllow only while usingorDenywhere appropriate.

3. Disable unnecessary background app permissions

Apps often continue using permissions in the background when you are not actively looking at them. This can involve location, Bluetooth, nearby device scanning or local network access. Reducing these background privileges cuts down on quiet data collection and can also improve battery life.

On iOS, underPrivacy & Security, review sections likeBluetooth,Local NetworkandNearby Interactions. Turn off access for apps that do not clearly need it. On Android, open Settings, thenPrivacyandPermissions manager. For each permission type, adjust apps that haveAllow all the timeto more limited options where possible.

4. Review photo and media access

Many apps ask for full access to your photo library or media files. While this can be convenient, it also means that a social, shopping or note-taking app could see nearly every image stored on your device. Both platforms now provide more granular control, but these options are easy to miss.

On iOS, go to Settings,Privacy & Security, thenPhotos. For apps that do not truly need all your pictures, chooseSelected Photosand manually pick what they can use. On Android, open Settings, tapPrivacy, thenPermission managerand look forPhotos and videosorFiles and media. Prefer limited access where the system offers it.

5. Turn off unnecessary sharing with nearby devices

Features like Wi-Fi scanning, Bluetooth discovery and nearby device sharing make it easier to connect to networks and accessories. They can also be used to map where your device has been or to infer which devices it was next to, even when you are not actively using those features.

On Android, open Settings, go toLocation, thenWi-Fi scanningandBluetooth scanning. Turning these off means your phone will rely on active Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connections instead of constantly sending out background signals. On iOS, open Settings, tapPrivacy & Securityand reviewBluetoothandLocation Servicesto limit which apps can use nearby device data.

6. Control what is backed up to the cloud

Cloud backups protect you if you lose your phone, but they also mean copies of your messages, photos and app data exist on remote servers. Being deliberate about what is stored there helps limit how much of your life is mirrored outside your pocket.

On iOS, go to Settings, tap your name, theniCloud. UnderApps Using iCloud, turn off services that do not need online backup. For messages and photos, consider whether you really want full cloud libraries or if local storage is enough. On Android, open Settings, tapGoogle, thenBackupand review which data categories are included.

7. Quiet down lock screen previews and voice assistants

Privacy is not only about data that apps collect. It also concerns what others can see at a glance. Lock screen notifications and voice assistants can reveal messages, email snippets or personal details to anyone nearby if they are not carefully configured.

On iOS, open Settings, tapNotifications, thenShow Previewsand selectWhen Unlocked. For sensitive apps such as banking or messaging, turn off lock screen alerts entirely. On Android, go to Settings,Notifications, thenLock screenand choose to hide sensitive content or show only app icons.

For voice assistants, check Settings on both platforms to limit access from the lock screen. This reduces the chance that someone else can trigger a search, send a message or access personal information with a voice command while your phone is locked.

Make privacy checkups a habit

Phone software changes often, and new apps may add permissions after updates. A quick review every few months helps keep your settings aligned with how you actually use your device, rather than with whatever an app requested the first time you opened it.

Start with the areas that feel most sensitive to you: location, photos, microphone, messages or cloud backups. Adjust a few settings, live with them for a week, then tweak again if something feels too restrictive. The goal is not to turn your phone into a locked box, but to make sure that its convenience does not quietly turn into long-term exposure.