Android users have a tonne of options, but is there anything an iOS user can do to make their phones more private. It was not my choice to get an iPhone but it’s what was provided to me so I’m rolling with it.
Android users have a tonne of options, but is there anything an iOS user can do to make their phones more private. It was not my choice to get an iPhone but it’s what was provided to me so I’m rolling with it.
You have many options:
First things first, disable biometrics and turn on lockdown.
Turn on automatic updates and stay up to date. The 26.3 update had significant security fixes in it!
Install your privacy respecting VPNs app and mdm shim. Use their dns (especially if it has an adblocker (mulvad)).
Figure out how to keep a backup code on paper and use that to turn on advanced data protection (adp). This will allow you to have e2ee with no backdoor on your iCloud stuff.
Go to settings > privacy and security and do a security checkup. It’ll walk you through which apps have access to what and when.
Don’t install extra shit. There’s good sandboxing in iOS but every app is another tracking vector.
Turn off location services unless you need it.
Turn off siri, also in Face ID and passcode scroll to the bottom and turn off access control center when locked (or just remove the airplane mode control). That keeps someone from turning on airplane mode and defeating stolen device protection when they snatch your phone.
Settings > privacy > all the way at the bottom: wired devices allow when unlocked
There’s probably more I’ll remember later. It’s easier if I know what you’re trying to get privacy from. Big difference between 4th amendment stuff and the advertisers you unknowingly invite into your home.
Additional info on lockdown mode
If you’ve identified in your threat model that your phone could fall into the wrong hands, and someone might try to hack into it, using lockdown could save the day. Very least, the hackers are not going to have an easy day.