How can I protect my privacy on my iPhone or iPad?

Because you carry your iPhone or iPad with you a most of the time, it is important to make sure that what you do on it stays private. For example, many apps on your phone have access to your location data and know where you are at all times. They then sell your location information to the highest bidder. 

The steps below are for your iOS devices  (iPhone, iPad) and provide basic privacy protections from any apps or websites you interact with.  

1. Automatically Update Your Software

1. Go to Settings
2. Select General
3. Select Software Update
4. Enable Automatic Updates

2. Limit Location Services

1. Go to Settings
2. Select Privacy & Security
3. Select Location Services
4. For each app, change the status to Never or While Using the App
5. For most apps, also disable Precise Location — this limits tracking to your general area rather than your exact address
6. Optional: Scroll down to System Services > Significant Locations > enter passcode > Disable

3. Limit Carrier Location Tracking (New in iOS 26.3 — compatible devices only)Your cellular carrier can also track your location through cell towers, separate from app permissions. On supported devices (iPhone Air, iPhone 16e, iPad Pro M5):

1. Go to Settings
2. Select Cellular
3. Select Cellular Data Options
4. Enable Limit Precise Location
5. Restart your device when prompted

4. Disable Tracking in Apps

1. Go to Settings
2. Select Privacy & Security
3. Select Tracking
4. Disable Allow Apps to Request to Track

5. Protect Mail Activity

1. Go to Settings
2. Select Mail
3. Select Privacy Protection
4. Enable Protect Mail Activity

6. Review App Privacy Report (New)See exactly which apps have recently accessed your camera, microphone, location, or contacts:

1. Go to Settings
2. Select Privacy & Security
3. Select App Privacy Report
4. Enable App Privacy Report to start logging

   
   Additional Resources:

   - How can I protect my privacy inside apps? 

   - How can I protect my privacy in the Safari mobile browser? 

   - How do I use encryption to stay private and secure? 

   - How can Firefox Focus protect my mobile browsing?