I used to think that installing an app was simple. You download it, open it, tap a few buttons, and start using it. Then the permission requests begin.
- Allow location?
- Allow contacts?
- Allow camera?
- Allow microphone?
Most of the time, we just tap Allow because we want to get things done. I have probably done it too. We rarely stop to ask whether the app really needs access to all that information. The thing is, your phone may contain more personal information than you realise. It can hold your photos, messages, location history, contacts, and even details about the places you visit.
You do not need to be a tech expert to protect this information. A few minutes in your phone settings can help you take better control of your privacy. Here are seven settings I would check first.
1. Check Which Apps Can Access Your Location
Location access is useful. Google Maps needs it to give you directions, and a weather app may use it to show local forecasts. But does every app need to know where you are?
Probably not.
Some apps may request location access even when their main features do not really need it. It is worth checking which apps have this permission.
On Android, open Settings and look for Location or Permission Manager. The exact menu name depends on your phone.
On iPhone, go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services.
Look through the list and ask yourself one simple question: does this app really need my location?
For apps that do, choose an option such as While Using the App when available. You can also turn off precise location for apps that only need a general idea of your area. It is a small change, but it gives you more control over when your location is shared.
2. Stop Giving Every App Access to Your Camera and Microphone
Your camera and microphone are not permissions I would hand out without thinking. A video calling app needs them. A camera app obviously needs the camera. But a simple calculator or wallpaper app? That is a different story.
Check which apps have permission to use your camera and microphone.
On Android, look under Settings > Privacy or Permission Manager. Some phones also have camera and microphone privacy controls in Quick Settings.
On iPhone, open Settings > Privacy & Security, then check Camera and Microphone.
Turn off access for apps that do not need these features. This does not mean every app asking for permission is dangerous. Some permissions have perfectly reasonable uses. The important thing is to understand why an app needs access before allowing it.
3. Be Careful About Photo and File Access
Think about how many personal photos you keep on your phone. There may be family pictures, screenshots of receipts, documents, travel photos, or images containing information you would rather keep private.
When an app asks for access to your photos, check whether it needs your entire photo library.
On iPhone, some apps let you select only certain photos instead of giving access to everything.
On Android, the available options depend on your phone version and the app. Where supported, choose selected photos or limited access instead of allowing access to all your media.
This is especially useful when an app only needs one picture for your profile or a post. Why give it access to hundreds of other photos when it only needs one?
4. Review Which Apps Can Read Your Contacts
Your contact list is not just a collection of phone numbers. It may contain the names of family members, friends, colleagues, customers, and other people you know.
Some apps need contacts to help you find friends or make calls. Others can work perfectly well without them. Go through your app permissions and check which apps can access your contacts. If an app has no clear reason to use your contact list, consider turning off that permission.
You can usually find this under Permission Manager on Android or Settings > Privacy & Security > Contacts on iPhone.
One thing to remember: removing contact permission does not necessarily delete information that an app has already collected. It mainly controls future access through that permission.
That is why it is better to review permissions before giving them away in the first place.
5. Check Your Advertising and Tracking Settings
Have you ever searched for a product and then started seeing advertisements for similar items? There can be several reasons for this. Advertising systems may use activity within apps, websites, and other signals to decide which ads to show you. You cannot stop every form of online tracking with one button. Still, there are settings worth checking.
On iPhone, go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Tracking. You can review which apps have requested permission to track your activity across other companies' apps and websites.
On Android, look for Ads or advertising privacy settings. The exact options depend on your Android version and device.
You can also review your Google Account's ad and activity settings. These controls have limits. Turning off a particular tracking option does not mean you will stop seeing advertisements or that all data collection will end. The aim is to reduce unnecessary tracking where the available controls allow it.
6. Review the Apps You No Longer Use
This one is easy to forget. You download an app for a holiday, use it once, and leave it sitting on your phone for the next two years. Meanwhile, you may have forgotten that it still has certain permissions.
Take a look at your installed apps. If you no longer use an app, uninstall it if you do not need to keep it. For apps you want to keep, review their permissions and remove access that is no longer necessary.
Some Android phones also offer automatic permission removal or permission resetting for unused apps. If your phone supports it, this can be a useful extra layer of protection. Fewer unnecessary apps can also mean less clutter and fewer notifications.
7. Check Your Google or Apple Account Activity
Phone privacy is not only about the settings inside individual apps. Your main account matters too.
If you use an Android phone, review the activity and privacy controls in your Google Account. Check which devices are signed in and whether there is activity you do not recognise.
If you use an iPhone, review the devices linked to your Apple Account.
Remove devices you no longer own or recognise, and make sure your account has a strong password. Two-factor authentication is also worth enabling.
It is a good habit to check this from time to time, especially if you have changed phones, sold an old device, or signed in on a shared computer.
If something looks unfamiliar, do not immediately assume that your account has been hacked. Check the details first, then secure your account if necessary.
How Often Should You Check These Settings?
You do not need to check every permission every day. I would review them when installing a new app, after a major phone update, or whenever I notice an app asking for access that seems unnecessary.
A quick check every few months is also a reasonable habit.
The most important thing is not to approve every request automatically. Stop for a moment and ask what the app needs, why it needs it, and whether there is a more limited option.
Final Thoughts
Your phone is part of your daily life. You use it for banking, shopping, work, conversations, photos, and plenty of other personal things. That does not mean you should be afraid of every app you install. It simply means you should be a little more careful about what you allow.
Start with location, camera, microphone, photos, and contacts. Then check tracking settings and remove apps you no longer use. You may not be able to prevent every form of data collection, but you can make more informed choices about the information your phone shares.
When was the last time you checked your phone's app permissions? You might be surprised by what you find.
Sources
- ZDNET: https://www.zdnet.com/article/phone-privacy-settings-to-disable-review-avoid-exposing-data/
- Android Help: https://support.google.com/android/
- Apple — Control access to information in apps: https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/control-access-to-information-in-apps-iph251e92810/ios
- Google Account Help: https://support.google.com/accounts/