The Privacy Settings Worth Changing on Every Device You Own
Most people spend hours choosing the right phone, laptop, or tablet—but only a few minutes setting it up.
Out of the box, most devices collect far more information than many users realize. Location history, advertising identifiers, app permissions, voice recordings, and tracking data are often enabled by default. While much of this data collection is intended to improve services or personalize your experience, it can also mean sharing more information than you’re comfortable with.
The good news is that you don’t need to be a cybersecurity expert to improve your privacy. Spending just 15 to 20 minutes reviewing a few key settings can significantly reduce how much personal information you share, without making your devices harder to use.
Review app permissions regularly
One of the easiest ways to improve your privacy is to check which apps have access to sensitive information.
Many apps request permissions that aren’t essential to their core function. A flashlight app doesn’t need your contacts. A simple game probably doesn’t need your microphone all the time.
Go through your apps and review access to:
- Location
- Camera
- Microphone
- Photos
- Contacts
- Calendar
- Bluetooth
- Local network
Whenever possible, choose options like “While Using the App” instead of “Always”, or deny access altogether if the feature isn’t necessary.
It’s also worth reviewing permissions every few months. Apps evolve over time, and updates sometimes introduce new permission requests that you may have accepted without thinking.
Turn off unnecessary location tracking
Location services are incredibly useful for maps, weather apps, ride-sharing, and finding nearby restaurants. But not every app needs to know where you are throughout the day.
Many devices also keep a history of places you’ve visited. While these features can be convenient, they may reveal detailed patterns about your daily routine.
Instead of disabling location services completely, take a more selective approach.
Allow precise location only for apps that genuinely need it, and consider turning off location access for shopping, entertainment, or social media apps unless there’s a specific reason to keep it enabled.
You should also review whether your device stores location history and decide if that feature provides enough value to justify keeping it on.
Reset your advertising preferences
Many people are surprised to learn that phones and computers include advertising identifiers that help personalize ads across apps and services.
These identifiers don’t usually contain your name, but they can be used to build a profile based on your interests, browsing habits, and app usage.
Most operating systems allow you to:
- Reset your advertising identifier
- Limit personalized advertising
- Reduce cross-app tracking
- Prevent apps from requesting tracking permission
These changes won’t eliminate ads, but they can make them less personalized and reduce the amount of behavioral data shared for advertising purposes.
Strengthen your account security
Privacy and security go hand in hand.
Even the best privacy settings won’t help much if someone gains access to your accounts.
Start by enabling two-factor authentication wherever it’s available. This adds an extra verification step when signing in from a new device, making it much harder for someone else to access your account—even if they know your password.
It’s also worth reviewing devices currently signed into your accounts. Remove any old phones, computers, or browsers you no longer use.
If you’re still reusing passwords across multiple websites, now is a good time to switch to unique passwords for each account. A password manager can make this much easier without requiring you to memorize dozens of different credentials.
Disable features you don’t actually use
Modern devices include dozens of convenience features, but not all of them are necessary for every user.
Take a few minutes to review settings related to:
- Voice assistants that continuously listen for wake words
- Automatic cloud syncing for data you prefer to keep local
- Diagnostic and usage data sharing
- Personalized recommendations
- App analytics
- Automatic Bluetooth connections
None of these features are inherently bad. In fact, many people find them genuinely useful. The key is making a conscious decision about which ones you want to keep enabled rather than simply accepting every default.
Think of privacy settings as a menu, not an all-or-nothing switch.
Privacy is about control, not hiding
When people hear the word “privacy,” they sometimes imagine someone with something to hide.
In reality, privacy is about deciding what information you share, who you share it with, and when.
Most people lock their front door, use curtains, and protect their financial information—not because they’re hiding something, but because they value control over their personal space.
Your digital life deserves the same approach.
You don’t need to stop using modern technology or give up the convenience of smart devices. A few thoughtful adjustments to your privacy settings can help you enjoy the benefits of technology while sharing less information than you might otherwise.
The best privacy habits aren’t complicated. They’re simply intentional. By reviewing your settings every few months and being more selective about what you allow, you can make every device you own a little more private—and keep more control over your personal data in the process.
