How to run a 5-minute privacy check on your phone

January 11, 2025

By Kim Komando

We’ve all got a lot of sensitive info on our phones — texts with loved ones, banking details, passwords and family photos. You don’t want anyone snooping around, whether it’s an app maker on the other side of the world or the guy sitting behind you at the coffee shop.

Take five minutes to run this privacy audit, then pat yourself on the back for a job well done.

Check your permissions

Apps request permissions, and the most important are your phone’s location, camera and microphone. Any apps you allow to access these had better be ones you trust. To check:

• Apple iPhone: Go to Settings > Privacy & Security, and scroll down to Microphone. Then, tap Location Services for Camera.
• Google Pixel: Open Settings > Security and privacy > Privacy > Permission manager.
• Samsung Galaxy: Head to Settings > Security and privacy > Permission manager.

Lock down everything

Your lock screen is an effective barrier to keep out others, and everyone should use one. Whether it’s your PIN, fingerprint or face, anything is better than nothing.

• Apple iPhone: Set this up via Face ID & Passcode.
• Google Pixel: Head to Settings > Security and privacy > Device unlock.
• Samsung Galaxy: Under Settings, look for Lock screen and AOD.

You’ll also want your phone to lock as soon as possible when you’re not using it.

• Apple iPhone: Under Settings, choose Display & Brightness > Auto-Lock.
• Google Pixel: Head to Settings > Display > Screen timeout.
• Samsung Galaxy: From your settings, tap Display > Screen timeout.

Keep out strangers

The short-range transfer tech built into iOS and Android is super handy when you need to share something with a friend or relative. But what if you don’t want strangers pinging you with unwanted photos, videos and other files?

• Apple iPhone: Your device uses AirDrop for these types of transfers. Limit it to contacts only or turn it off altogether via Settings > General > AirDrop.
• Android devices: The transfer tool here is called Quick Share. On a Pixel, you’ll find the sharing prefs under Settings > Connected devices > Connection preferences > Quick Share. On a Samsung Galaxy, it’s under Settings > Connected devices > Quick Share.

Browse the web 

Open your phone’s browser and say hello to instant tracking — unless you do something about it.

• Limit tracking on your iPhone under Settings > Apps. Tap on Safari, then, in the app’s settings, scroll to Privacy & Security and toggle on Prevent Cross-Site Tracking.
• For Chrome on an Android device, open your browser and tap the three dots (top right). Hit Settings > Privacy and security > Third-party cookies and turn on Block third-party cookies.

❤️‍🩹 All pretty painless, right? Now, do your friends and family a favor and share this important intel with them using the icons below.

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