Secure Your Android and Apple Phones Through Settings

By Daniel Zinanti, Information Security Analyst, TraceSecurity

In today’s world, our smartphones hold everything from personal messages to financial details, work emails, photos, and even health information. With cyber threats and data leaks on the rise, securing your phone isn’t just an option; it’s essential. The good news? Both Android and Apple devices include robust privacy and security settings that, when properly configured, can drastically reduce your risk of being hacked or tracked. In this article, we will walk through how to secure your Android and iOS devices by adjusting key settings that protect your data and privacy.

1. Start with a Strong Lock Screen

The first line of defense for both Android and iPhone is a strong lock screen.

• For Android
  Go to Settings > Security > Screen Lock. Use a strong PIN or password instead of a simple 4-digit code. Avoid patterns, as they can often be guessed by observing screen smudges. Enable Fingerprint or Face Unlock for convenience, but pair it with a strong PIN.
• For iPhone
  Navigate to Settings > Face ID & Passcode or Touch ID & Passcode. Choose a 6-digit (or longer) alphanumeric code for better security. iOS also allows you to set Face ID or Touch ID for fast unlocking while maintaining a strong backup password.

Pro Tip: Disable lock screen notifications for sensitive apps like banking or messaging apps by going to Settings > Notifications > Lock Screen on iOS or Settings > Notifications on Android.

2. Review App Permissions

Apps often request access to things they don’t really need, such as your camera, microphone, or location. Limiting these permissions helps prevent spying or data collection.

• Android
  Go to Settings > Privacy > Permission Manager. Check which apps have access to Location, Camera, Microphone, Contacts, and SMS. For apps like weather or maps, set “Allow only while using the app.”
• iPhone
  Open Settings > Privacy & Security. Review Location Services, Camera, Microphone, and Photos. Set apps to “Ask Next Time” or “While Using the App” rather than “Always.”

Bonus Tip: On iOS, turn on the App Privacy Report under Settings > Privacy & Security > App Privacy Report to see how often apps access your data.

3. Manage Location Tracking

Location tracking is one of the biggest privacy risks. Both Apple and Google track your location for services like maps, but you can limit how much data they collect.

• Android
  Go to Settings > Location and turn off Wi-Fi and Bluetooth scanning when not needed. Under Google > Location > Location History, switch off history tracking if you don’t want Google to keep a record of everywhere you go.
• iPhone
  Navigate to Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services > System Services. Disable options like Significant Locations if you don’t want Apple tracking frequent places.

4. Update Your Software Regularly

Keeping your phone’s operating system up to date is crucial. Updates patch security vulnerabilities that hackers can exploit.

• Android
  Go to Settings > System > Software Update and enable Auto-Update if your phone allows it.
• iPhone
  Go to Settings > General > Software Update and toggle on Automatic Updates.

5. Turn Off Ad Tracking

Both Android and iOS use advertising IDs to track your behavior across apps. You can disable this.

• Android
  Settings > Google > Ads > Delete Advertising ID and toggle Opt Out of Ads Personalization.
• iPhone
  Settings > Privacy & Security > Tracking and disable Allow Apps to Request to Track.

This will reduce targeted advertising and limit how apps build profiles about you.

6. Enable Find My Device (Lost or Stolen Protection)

Both Apple and Google offer built-in tools to locate, lock, or erase a lost phone.

• Android
  Go to Settings > Security > Find My Device and make sure it’s turned on. You can track your phone through the Find My Device website.
• iPhone
  Open Settings > [Your Name] > Find My > Find My iPhone and enable Find My Network and Send Last Location. This allows you to locate your phone via the Find My app.

7. Use Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

Both Android (Google account) and iPhone (Apple ID) accounts are gateways to your backups, purchases, and personal data. Enabling 2FA ensures that even if someone steals your password, they can’t access your account without your approval.

• Android
  Go to Settings > Google > Manage your Google Account > Security > 2-Step Verification.
• iPhone
  Navigate to Settings > [Your Name] > Password & Security > Two-Factor Authentication.

8. Additional Tips

• Avoid installing apps from unknown sources on Android; it is important to stick to the Google Play Store.
• On iOS, avoid jailbreaking, as it disables Apple’s built-in protections.
• Consider using a password manager for unique, strong passwords.
• Regularly back up your device securely to iCloud or Google Drive.

Securing your phone isn’t about paranoia; it is about protecting your privacy and sensitive data from cybercriminals, advertisers, and prying eyes. By taking ten minutes to adjust the settings on your Android or iPhone, you can dramatically improve your device’s security. Start with the basics, lock screen, app permissions, and updates, and then fine-tune location and tracking settings. Your smartphone is a vault of personal information; it is important to treat it like one.

Connect with TraceSecurity to learn more.