Tech & Gadgets

Mobile Security Settings Most People Never Touch

Updated Jun 3, 2025· 5 min read
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Smartphone screen showing a privacy and security settings menu with toggle switches

In This Article

Key Takeaways

Most smartphones already include powerful security features that remain unused simply because they're hard to find.
App permissions are one of the biggest overlooked privacy risks — review them regularly.
Lock screen and biometric settings provide a first line of defense that most people configure only once and forget.
A few minutes spent in Settings can meaningfully reduce your exposure to data theft and account compromise.
Both Android and iOS share similar security categories, though the menu names and paths differ slightly.
20–40 min

Summary

18 items · 20–40 minutes

Why These Settings Are Rarely Touched

Most people set up their phones once — tap through the initial prompts, log into a few apps — and never look at Settings again. The result is a device that may be quietly sharing more than you'd like, or missing layers of protection that are already built in and waiting to be switched on.

This checklist walks through the security and privacy settings that get skipped most often. You don't need technical knowledge to use it. Each item is something you can check in under a minute, and the whole list should take well under an hour. If you're setting up a new device, the Getting Started With a New Smartphone guide is a good companion to this one.

Lock Screen & Biometrics

Enable a strong PIN or passcode (6 digits minimum) rather than a 4-digit code or pattern unlock. Must
Set up face recognition or fingerprint unlock so security doesn't discourage you from locking your phone. Should
Review what appears on your lock screen — disable message previews and notification content from appearing before the phone is unlocked. Should
Set your screen to lock automatically after 30 seconds to 1 minute of inactivity. Must

App Permissions

Open Settings > Privacy (iOS) or Settings > Apps > Permissions (Android) and audit which apps have access to your location, microphone, and camera. Must
Set location access to 'While Using the App' rather than 'Always' for any app that doesn't genuinely need continuous location data. Must
Revoke microphone and camera access from any app where you can't immediately recall why it needs them. Must
Check contact and calendar access — many apps request these permissions without a clear functional reason. Should

Account & Two-Factor Authentication

Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on your phone's primary account — Apple ID or Google Account — if you haven't already. Must
Verify your account recovery options (backup email, recovery phone number) are current and accessible. Must
Review which third-party apps are signed in with your Apple ID or Google Account, and remove any you no longer use. Should

Software & System Updates

Enable automatic OS updates so your phone receives security patches without requiring manual action. Must
Check that automatic app updates are also enabled — outdated apps can introduce security gaps even when the OS is current. Should

Network & Connectivity

Turn off auto-join for public Wi-Fi networks, or review and delete any saved networks you no longer use. Should
Disable Bluetooth when you're not actively using it, especially in crowded public spaces. Nice to have
Check whether your device is set to share its location with the manufacturer or carrier by default, and adjust to your comfort level. Should

Find My Device & Remote Wipe

Confirm Find My (iOS) or Find My Device (Android) is enabled so you can locate or remotely wipe your phone if it's lost or stolen. Must
Pair this with a current backup so a remote wipe doesn't mean losing your data — see How to Back Up Your Phone for step-by-step instructions. Must

What You'll Need Before You Start

No special tools are required — just your phone, a few minutes per category, and your account password in case any changes prompt re-authentication. Because settings menus vary between Android and iOS versions, the names below are descriptive rather than exact navigation paths.

Required

Your phone's Settings app

The primary location for all security and privacy controls covered in this checklist.

Required

Your Apple ID or Google Account credentials

Required to verify or update two-factor authentication and account recovery settings.

Optional

An authenticator app

Provides a more secure alternative to SMS-based two-factor authentication codes.

Changing permissions may affect app functionality

Revoking location or microphone access from some apps will limit what those apps can do. For example, a navigation app needs location access to give directions. Review permissions thoughtfully rather than revoking everything — the goal is informed control, not blanket restriction.

Going Further: Habits Beyond the Settings Menu

A one-time settings audit is valuable, but security is more durable when it becomes a habit. Revisiting your app permissions every few months — especially after installing new apps — takes only a few minutes and catches permission creep before it becomes a problem. For a broader look at protective habits that extend beyond your phone, see Keeping Your Computer Secure: Habits That Actually Make a Difference.

Your phone's security is also connected to the other devices on your home network. If you use smart home devices alongside your phone, Keeping Smart Home Devices Secure Over Time explains how to reduce household-level exposure. And if you're thinking about where your data lives once you've locked down the phone itself, Cloud Storage vs. Local Storage on Your Phone covers the real trade-offs.

Lost or stolen phone: act quickly

If your phone is lost or stolen, use Find My Device from another device or browser as soon as possible. Remote lock or wipe options are only available while the device has power and a network connection. Having a recent backup is the only way to recover your data after a remote wipe — make sure both protections are in place before you need them.

Tech & Gadgets Editorial Team is the collective byline for our editorial team and contributor network. Articles published under this byline or an editorial pen name are researched, written, and reviewed according to our editorial standards for clarity, consistency, and independence before publication.

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