How to Improve Security on Your iPhone with Privacy & Security Features

Wouldn’t it be great if we didn’t have to worry about the security of our data online? As soon as you start to learn about how many threats there are to your personal data and safety on the internet (especially with smartphones!), the days of worry-free scrolling and clicking disappear. 

The unfortunate reality is that there are constant threats to our privacy and security online, especially when we use smartphones. These threats evolve constantly, so it’s important to avoid getting complacent. 

If you use an iPhone, it’s important to stay up to date on the latest security features, as well as the features you should turn off or avoid using because of the risks they pose.

iPhone features to avoid/turn off

First, you should turn off features that are known for creating security risks. Although these features may be convenient, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons of each one. You may decide that some of these just aren’t worth it! 

Location Services

There are a handful of situations where you may need to have location services turned on. For example, if you are using a GPS app to get from Point A to Point B, your phone will need to know where you are. However, there are many apps that request your location that are completely unnecessary. 

If you need to use location services for an app, restrict its permissions to only track your location when you are using the app. Even better, click “never” when prompted to allow the app to use your location information. 

To change your settings so that zero apps can use your location, go to Settings>Privacy & Security>Location Services to turn off the feature. 

Bluetooth Connectivity

You don’t have to swear off all Bluetooth activity to be safe online, but you should turn off Bluetooth when it’s not in use. This will prevent your device from being connected to other devices or networks that you haven’t authorized.

Targeted Advertising from Apple

When you disable personalized ads, you can prevent Apple from collecting your data to advertise products to you. Most iOS 15 users opt out of targeted advertising. Importantly, you will still see ads—they just won’t be based on your activity. 

App Tracking 

Apple’s app tracking allows apps to collect your data and link them to other companies’ apps and sites. In short, your data is linked to a device identifier for advertisers (IDFA), which is a profile of your interests and online behaviors. This is another opportunity for targeted advertising. Any time your data is shared, there is an increased risk of a breach. 

iPhone features that will enhance your security 

In addition to turning off or limiting iOS features that could cause security risks, you can activate other features to protect your data online. Whether you’re browsing the internet, sending messages, downloading files, streaming content, using apps, using Apple Pay, or doing anything else on your phone, taking steps to keep your data safe is always a good idea. 

Turn on stolen device protection

When you enable the stolen device protection feature, your phone will require the user to confirm their identity via Face ID or Touch ID before anyone can take any actions like turning off Lost Mode, using any passwords, and erasing data. 

A security issue is this: Under normal circumstances, for stolen device protection to work, your phone has to have location services turned on. That’s because it works by recognizing when you are away from familiar locations like your home or workplace.   

However, you can activate stolen device protection to work all of the time, no matter your location, if you want to keep location sharing turned off. You simply need to follow these steps:

Settings>Face ID & Passcode OR Touch ID & Passcode>Stolen Device Protection. Then, under Require Security Delay, check “Always.” 

Turn off wallet access from lock screen

Many people choose to access their Apple Wallet from the lock screen on their phone for convenience, but you can adjust this feature to increase security. While Apple Wallet will remain accessible from the lock screen with Face ID or Touch ID authentication, you can disable the double-click shortcut that quickly opens it.

To do this, go to Settings>Face ID & Passcode OR Touch ID & Passcode. Enter your passcode and find “Allow Access When Locked.” Toggle off “Wallet” to disable the double-click side button shortcut for Apple Pay and passes.

With this setting disabled:

• You won’t be able to double-click the side button to quickly access Apple Pay
• Transit cards and student IDs may not work with Express Transit/Access
• You’ll need to unlock your phone first and then open the Wallet app directly

This adds an extra layer of security by preventing accidental purchases or unauthorized access to your payment methods and passes, though it does reduce the convenience of quick payments.

Use iCloud Private Relay 

When you’re browsing the web on your iPhone, your internet activity and location data can be visible to network providers and websites. Apple’s iCloud Private Relay adds a layer of privacy protection specifically for Safari browsing.

Private Relay focuses on hiding two key pieces of information:

• Your IP address (which reveals your location)
• Your Safari browsing activity

This feature ensures that no single entity—not even Apple—can see both who you are and what websites you’re visiting simultaneously.

Private Relay uses a unique approach with two separate proxy servers:

1. First Server (Apple-owned): Knows your IP address but can’t see which websites you’re accessing. It assigns you an approximate location rather than your exact one.
2. Second Server (Third-party): Can see which website you want to visit but doesn’t know your actual IP address. It assigns you a random IP within your general area.

This split system means that your identity and browsing activity remain separate throughout the process.

To activate this feature:

• Go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Private Relay
• Toggle the feature on
• Choose your IP location preference (approximate location or broader country/time zone)

Note: Private Relay requires an iCloud+ subscription, starting at $0.99 per month.

While Private Relay offers valuable privacy protection, it has specific boundaries:

• Only protects Safari browsing and certain DNS traffic—not all apps
• Doesn’t allow location spoofing to access geo-blocked content
• May conflict with VPN services if both are active
• Unavailable in certain countries
• Won’t bypass parental controls

If you need comprehensive protection across all apps or want to access region-locked content, you may need to temporarily disable Private Relay and use a traditional VPN service instead.

This feature is ideal for:

• General web browsing privacy in Safari
• Protecting your browsing habits from ISPs and websites
• Maintaining location privacy while still receiving relevant local content

For situations requiring more extensive protection or specific location masking, consider supplementing Private Relay with other security tools.

Read more about iCloud Private Relay in our blog post about this tool.

Use the Safety Check feature on iOS 16 and later 

For newer iPhones, Apple has integrated a Safety Check feature, which is designed to help people who are experiencing domestic violence or intimate partner violence. Because these situations can escalate quickly, it is imperative that people can quickly change, delete, or limit access to their online activity in an emergency situation. 

There are two key features of Safety Check: 

1. Emergency reset, which provides a one-tap way to immediately stop sharing your location with all people, sign out of iCloud on all your devices, reset your Apple ID password and privacy permissions, and limit access to Facetime and Messages to only the device you’re currently holding. 
2. Manage sharing and access, which allows you to make step-by-step decisions about who can access your accounts, which apps have access to your location or other personal data, and which devices are signed into your account. This also lets you review which information you’re sharing with specific, individual contacts. 

Designed to be discreet, Safety Check can be accessed by going to Settings>Privacy & Security>Safety Check. 

Once you’re on the Safety Check screen, you can quickly exit by hitting the Quick Exit button. Notifications are silenced while you are using Safety Check, and no one you cut off from access to your account(s) will receive a notification that you have done so. 

Activate Lockdown Mode for heightened security

If you need the highest levels of available security possible, Lockdown Mode is your best bet. It is designed for people who are at significant risk of targeted cyberattacks. The mode dramatically restricts certain features of the iPhone, including: 

• Blocking most attachments from messages
• Blocking link previews
• Disabling JavaScript for websites that haven’t been marked as trusted
• Preventing FaceTime calls from people outside of your Contacts

Connect your Medical ID to your Emergency SOS Service

Even though iPhones have had Emergency SOS capabilities for years, iOS 14 devices and later have expanded on this safety feature. These newer devices automatically share your location with emergency services via satellite, so it works even if you don’t have any signal. It’s not just your location, either. In an emergency, your device can let emergency responders know your health information, including blood type, diagnoses, allergies, etc. 

To set up your Medical ID, open the Health App, tap your profile picture, tap “Medical ID,” then “Edit,” and enter your medical information. Tap “done” to save your changes. 

Use your iPhone’s security features to improve your safety online 

Your iPhone isn’t just a phone—it’s a digital extension of your life, holding everything from banking details to private conversations and cherished memories. The security features Apple has built into iOS are tools that give you more control over your digital presence.

Taking a proactive approach to your iPhone security isn’t a sign of paranoia. It’s about making smart decisions to keep yourself safe online! The few extra seconds it takes to authenticate or manage permissions today could save hours of stress tomorrow.