Below is a guide for How to Secure Your iPhone. Modern smartphones store enormous amounts of sensitive personal and business data. For many users, an iPhone functions as a digital identity hub, holding credentials, messages, financial details, and backups. When privacy and security settings are misconfigured, this data becomes exposed to cyber threats, surveillance, and account compromise.
This guide breaks down iPhone privacy and security settings into clear stages, helping users understand which controls matter most and why.
Stage One: Everyday iPhone Security Essentials
Every iPhone user should review these foundational settings. They form the baseline of mobile security and reduce the most common risks associated with device loss, account takeover, and excessive data sharing.
Enable Two-Factor Authentication on Your Apple Account
Two-factor authentication protects Apple accounts from unauthorised access by requiring an additional verification step beyond a password. Even if attackers obtain login credentials, they cannot access the account without approval from a trusted device. Apple IDs control access to iCloud, backups, messages, photos, and linked devices, making them a frequent target for cybercriminals.
Once enabled, Apple sends a verification code to a trusted device when a new login attempt occurs. Users should review the list of connected devices regularly and remove any they no longer recognise. Individuals at higher risk of targeted attacks may also consider hardware security keys, which provide strong phishing resistance but require careful management.
Secure Your Device with a Strong Passcode and Biometrics
iPhones encrypt stored data by default, but that encryption depends on the strength of the device passcode. Weak or short passcodes reduce protection and increase the risk of unauthorised access if a device is lost or stolen. Users should select an 8 to 12 character alphanumeric passcode that is unique and difficult to guess.
Biometric authentication using Face ID or Touch ID improves convenience and speeds up access, but it does not replace a strong passcode. In many legal systems, memorised passcodes offer stronger protections than biometrics. Users should weigh convenience against risk when configuring these settings.
Audit App Privacy Permissions Regularly
Most apps request access to sensitive information, including location data, contacts, photos, microphones, and cameras. Over time, these permissions accumulate and often remain active even when they are no longer needed. Regularly auditing permissions reduces unnecessary data exposure and limits tracking.
Users should begin by deleting unused apps, then review remaining permissions under the Privacy and Security section in Settings. If an app no longer requires access to certain data, permissions can be revoked and restored later if functionality is affected.
Control Location Services and System Tracking
Location data is one of the most sensitive forms of personal information, as it reveals movement patterns and daily habits. Many apps request location access without operational necessity. Users should limit access to “While Using the App” wherever possible and avoid granting “Always” access unless absolutely required.
Precise location sharing should be disabled unless essential, such as for navigation services. Users should also review system-level location services and consider disabling features like Significant Locations, which store long-term movement history.
Manage Contacts, Photos, Camera, and Microphone Access
Granting full contact access allows apps to copy entire address books, which increases privacy risk. Where possible, users should select limited contact access and only share specific entries. Photo permissions should also be restricted, using Apple’s limited access feature to prevent accidental uploads of unrelated images.
Camera and microphone permissions deserve close attention. If an app has access without a clear purpose, that access should be disabled immediately. Unexpected permissions may indicate excessive data collection.
Disable Ad Tracking and Behavioural Profiling
Mobile advertising relies heavily on cross-app tracking and behavioural profiling. Disabling tracking significantly reduces the amount of personal data shared with advertisers and data brokers. Users can turn off tracking requests entirely under Privacy and Security settings, blocking access to Apple’s advertising identifier.
Apple’s personalised advertising features should also be disabled to reduce internal profiling. Safari users can further enhance privacy by disabling privacy-preserving ad measurement, which limits advertising analytics shared with websites.
Decide How You Want to Handle iPhone Backups
Backups protect against data loss but introduce security considerations. iCloud backups run automatically and are convenient, but without additional protection, Apple retains access to encryption keys. Advanced Data Protection enables end-to-end encryption, preventing Apple from accessing backup data.
Local backups stored on a Mac or Windows computer provide full user control but require manual connections and secure storage practices. Users should review which apps are included in backups and exclude those containing sensitive information where appropriate.
Enable Find My for Device Recovery and Data Protection
Find My allows users to locate lost or stolen devices and remotely erase data if recovery is not possible. This capability is critical for preventing identity theft after device loss. While Find My relies on location data, Apple states this information is encrypted, though some residual privacy risk remains inherent in location-based services.
Enable Stolen Device Protection
Stolen Device Protection reduces the risk of account takeover when an attacker knows the device passcode. This feature introduces delays before sensitive account changes can occur, preventing immediate password resets and Apple ID changes. It is particularly valuable for users who frequently unlock devices in public spaces.
Stage Two: Advanced Security for Higher-Risk Users
Some individuals face elevated cyber risk, including executives, journalists, and public figures. The following settings provide additional protection layers for those scenarios.
Enable Advanced Data Protection
Advanced Data Protection encrypts most iCloud data end to end, placing encryption keys entirely under user control. This protects backups, photos, files, notes, and messages from unauthorised access, including by Apple itself. However, users must manage recovery carefully, as Apple cannot restore access if keys are lost.
Use Lockdown Mode When Necessary
Lockdown Mode reduces attack surfaces commonly exploited by spyware and advanced threats. It limits message attachments, restricts shared services, and disables features that attackers often abuse. This mode suits temporary use during periods of heightened risk rather than continuous operation.
Use Safety Check to Review Shared Access
Safety Check provides a guided review of data sharing, permissions, and account access. It is particularly useful after relationship changes or suspected compromise. Users can immediately revoke all sharing or conduct a step-by-step review to regain control over their data.
Stage Three: Additional Privacy Hardening Options
These optional settings allow users to fine-tune privacy based on personal habits and risk tolerance. While not essential for everyone, they further reduce exposure.
Limit Lock Screen Notifications and App Visibility
Lock screen previews can expose sensitive information to anyone nearby. Users should restrict previews to appear only when the device is unlocked. Apps and photos can also be locked or hidden using biometric controls, reducing accidental disclosure on shared devices.
Tap and hold on an app icon, and you’ll get a menu with the option to “Require Face (or Touch) ID.” Tap this, then “require Face (or Touch) ID,” or “Hide and Require Face ID,” if you want to also hide the app from your home screen.
Restrict Siri and Apple Intelligence Access
Siri and Apple Intelligence can surface app content through suggestions and searches. Users concerned about data exposure should review and restrict these permissions. Disabling Apple Intelligence may be appropriate where privacy concerns outweigh feature benefits.
This option is available under Settings in the Apple Intelligence & Siri menu.
Enable Mail Privacy Protection
If you use the Apple Mail app, Mail Privacy Protection helps prevent email tracking. This feature hides your IP address from senders and blocks tracking pixels that reveal when an email has been opened. As a result, marketers and malicious senders gain less insight into your behaviour and location.
Open Settings > Apps > Mail > Privacy Protection, and turn on “Protect Mail Activity.” Courtesy Surveillance Self Defence (SSD)
Strengthen Safari Privacy Settings
Safari includes several advanced privacy controls that limit tracking across websites. While some settings may affect how certain websites display, they significantly reduce browser-based tracking and fingerprinting.
- Open Settings > Apps > Safari. Here, you can change your default search engine to something less privacy-invasive than Google. If you scroll down, you’ll also see options that may be worth turning on: “Prevent Cross-Site Tracking,” “Hide IP Address,” “Required Face (or Touch) ID to Unlock Private Browsing.”
- You can go one layer deeper by heading into Settings > Apps > Safari > Advanced. Here, some options to consider changing are setting “Advanced Tracking and Fingerprinting Protection” to “All Browsing,” which turns on the tracking prevention techniques used in Private Browsing all the time. Courtesy Surveillance Self Defence (SSD)
Keep Apple Notes Stored on Device Only
For notes that should never sync to the cloud, Apple allows users to store content locally on the device. Enabling the “On My iPhone” account ensures selected notes remain on the phone and do not sync to iCloud or other devices.
This is useful for storing passwords, private thoughts, or sensitive work information. Users can enable this feature in Notes settings and should pair it with Advanced Data Protection for added security.
Review “Shared with Me” Settings
iOS automatically surfaces links, images, and files shared through Messages in related apps such as Safari, Photos, or Apple Music. While convenient, this behaviour can expose private content during screen sharing, CarPlay use, or shared device scenarios.
Users can control this feature by opening Settings, selecting Apps, then Messages, and adjusting Shared with You settings. Automatic sharing can be disabled entirely or limited to specific apps.
Why Mobile Security Matters for Cyber Resilience
Mobile devices represent critical endpoints in modern cyber environments. A compromised phone can enable credential theft, lateral movement, and unauthorised system access. Strong mobile security supports zero trust strategies and strengthens organisational cyber resilience.
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Guide information Courtesy Surveillance Self Defence (SSD)
