Why This Checklist Matters
Every new phone comes out of the box configured for convenience, not security. This simple checklist walks you through the 15-minute privacy tune-up that blocks tracking, reduces data leaks, and secures your default settings without touching any complicated menus.
Checklist at a Glance
Follow the order below; each step builds on the last and none requires rooting or jail-breaking.
- Screen lock & SIM PIN
- Find My/Find My Device activation
- App permissions audit
- Location settings hardening
- Ad tracking dies
- Software updates turned on
- Auto-backup encryption enabled
- Safe messaging defaults
Estimated time: 12–17 minutes.
1. Lock the Front Door: Screen & SIM
Set a strong screen lock
iPhone: Settings > Face ID & Passcode. Pick a custom 6-digit or longer numeric passcode; avoid birthdays. Re-enter it to confirm.
Android: Settings > Security > Screen lock. Choose PIN or Password (at least 6 digits or a mix of letters, numbers, symbols). Avoid simple swipe or pattern for your primary device.
Add a SIM PIN
This stops criminals from SIM-swapping your phone number if they steal the card.
- iPhone: Settings > Cellular > SIM PIN. Turn it on. Use a 4-digit PIN different from your screen passcode.
- Android: Settings > Security > More security settings > SIM card lock > Lock SIM card.
2. Track the Device Itself: Find My & Find My Device
Turning on the built-in tracker lets you erase data or lock the phone remotely if it is lost or stolen.
- iPhone: Settings > [Your Name] > Find My > Find My iPhone > toggle both Find My iPhone and Send Last Location on.
- Android: Settings > Security > Find My Device > toggle on. Also open Google Play Services > Battery > Allow Background Activity so the service can always check location.
3. Audit App Permissions
The fastest way to lose privacy is to grant an app more data than it needs. Work in one tab, grant-deny-repeat.
iPhone Permissions
- Open Settings > Privacy & Security > App Privacy Report. Skim the list.
- Any app using “Always” location, microphone, or camera that you rarely open? Tap the entry.
- Choose a stricter option: When I Share for camera, While Using for location, or Deny if the app never truly needs it.
Android Permissions
- Settings > Privacy > Permission manager.
- Select each category (Location, Camera, Microphone). Tap each app inside the category.
- Pick “Allow only while in use” for ride-sharing, food delivery, maps. Deny entirely for random games and social networks that don’t serve a justifiable need.
Tip: Keep flashlight or QR scanner apps on “Deny” for Camera until the moment you need them.
4. Kill Ad Tracking
Browse menus once and end the game.
- iPhone: Settings > Privacy & Security > Tracking. Toggle Allow Apps to Request to Track OFF.
- Android (Pixel flavor): Settings > Privacy > Ads. Turn Delete advertising ID ON (appears Opt out of ads personalization on other brands).
A second, blunt move: reset your advertising identifier the first and last time. iPhone: Settings > Privacy & Security > Apple Advertising > View Ad Targeting Information > Reset Advertising Identifier. Android: Settings > Privacy > Ads > Reset advertising ID.
5. Location Settings Tight-Up
Limit background GPS
- iPhone: Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services > scroll to System Services. Turn off iPhone Analytics and Popular Near Me; keep Find My iPhone on.
- Android: Settings > Location > App permissions > see above audit again, then scroll down to Device location accuracy; flip it OFF if you are comfortable with GPS alone (saves some battery too).
Extreme (but for beginners still within menus): turn on Precise Location toggle only for maps and ride apps when required.
6. Force Automatic Updates
Security fixes are free patches—let the phone fetch them overnight.
- iPhone: Settings > General > Software Update > Automatic Updates > toggle both Download iOS Updates and Install iOS Updates on.
- Android: Settings > System > Software update > enable any auto-install toggles listed. On Samsung, path is Settings > Software update > Download and install > Auto download over Wi-Fi.
If you are on a tight data plan, restrict automatic downloads to Wi-Fi only both for OS and apps.
7. Back Up Encrypted
Lost the phone? At least the backup is unreadable without your account.
iPhone
Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup > toggle iCloud Backup ON. Below, Advanced > Back Up Now and verify green tick. If the phone offers End-to-End Encrypted iCloud Backup, accept it; it adds an extra key layer against cloud subpoenas.
Android (Pixel/Samsung)
Settings > Google > Back up > enable Back up to Google Drive. Make sure PIN, pattern, or password is set—the backup will ship encrypted by default in that case. Manually tap Back up now once to test.
8. Default Browsers & Messaging
Switch browsers
iPhone: download Safari-focused mode (remain with Safari) or Firefox Focus from the App Store. Firefox Focus clears history, cookies and trackers on exit; Safari Tracking Switch lives under Settings > Safari > Prevent Cross-Site Tracking.
Android: open Settings > Apps > Default apps > Browser app. Choose DuckDuckGo or Firefox Focus. In DuckDuckGo, tap settings > Fire Button > Clear on app exit.
Enable RCS encryption (Android)
Open Google Messages > three dots > Settings > RCS Chats > toggle ON. Verify lock icons show next to compatible contacts.
9. Review App Stores & Purchase Controls
iPhone App Tracking Control
Open Settings > [Your Name] > Media & Purchases > View Account > Country/Region. Ensure Apple ID region matches your physical location to avoid geo-censored updates.
Play Store Safety Net (Android)
Play Store > profile icon > Play Protect > turn on Scan apps with Play Protect and Improve harmful app detection.
Set up purchase approval
- iPhone: Settings > [Your Name] > Subscriptions > ensure two-factor Apple ID; also Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > iTunes & App Store Purchases > Require Password > Always Require.
- Android: Play Store > Profile > Manage apps & device > Manage tab > Require authentication for purchases > pick For all purchases.
10. Optional Ghost Mode Features
Once the core work is done, pick further comfort-upgrades below—all take under two minutes:
Hide notification previews on lock screen
- iPhone: Settings > Notifications > Show Previews > select When Unlocked or Never.
- Android: Settings > Lock screen > Notifications > Don’t show.
Turn on Auto-Lock shorter timer
- iPhone: Settings > Display & Brightness > Auto-Lock > 30 seconds.
- Android: Settings > Display > Screen timeout > 30 seconds.
Disable Always-On Display extras
- iPhone: Settings > Display & Brightness > Always On Display > toggle ambient widgets off.
- Android: Settings > Lock screen > Always On Display > toggle; choose “Tap to show” for balance.
Quick Recap Checklist
- Screen lock + SIM PIN: Done ✔
- Find My / Find My Device on: Done ✔
- App permissions set to While using or denied where possible: Done ✔
- Tracking for ads off: Done ✔
- Software updates automatic: Done ✔
- Encrypted backups on: Done ✔
- Private & safe browser set as default: Done ✔
Save this list in your notes app, run a 90-second check every quarter, and you have locked your smartphone tighter than 90 % of users—no tech degree required.
Credits & Disclaimer
Steps adapted from official support documentation of Apple, Google, and Samsung as of March 2025. AI generated article by automated service UseAtYourOwnRisk™; no liability for omissions. Always back up before changing settings.