Keeping Your Smartphone Secure: Essential Settings

Your smartphone contains more personal information than almost any other device you own. From banking apps to private messages, photos to location history, protecting your phone means protecting your digital life. The good news is that both iOS and Android devices come with powerful security features built in. You just need to turn them on and configure them properly.

Start with a Strong Screen Lock

Your screen lock is your first line of defense. If someone picks up your phone, this is what stands between them and all your data. Here's how to set it up properly on both platforms.

For iPhone Users

Go to Settings, then Face ID & Passcode (or Touch ID & Passcode on older models). If you haven't already, set up Face ID or Touch ID. These biometric options are both convenient and secure. But here's the important part: you also need a strong passcode as a backup.

When setting your passcode, tap "Passcode Options" and choose "Custom Alphanumeric Code." This lets you create a password instead of just a PIN. A password like "GreenCoffee!Morning22" is much harder to crack than a six-digit number. If you find this too cumbersome for daily use, at minimum use a six-digit numeric code rather than the old four-digit option.

While you're in these settings, scroll down and make sure "Erase Data" is turned off unless you're certain you want your phone to wipe itself after ten failed passcode attempts. This feature can protect against theft but might be risky if you have young children who like to play with your phone.

For Android Users

Open Settings and navigate to Security or Biometrics and Security (the exact name varies by manufacturer). Set up fingerprint recognition or face unlock if your device supports it. Like with iPhone, you'll also need a backup PIN, pattern, or password.

Choose "Password" rather than PIN or pattern. Patterns are particularly weak because someone can literally see the smudge marks on your screen. A strong password provides the best protection. Make it at least 8 characters with a mix of letters and numbers.

Look for a setting called "Lock after screen timeout" or similar. Set this to lock immediately or after 5 seconds. You don't want your phone sitting unlocked on a table after the screen goes dark.

Enable Automatic Updates

Software updates often contain critical security patches. When you skip updates, you're leaving known vulnerabilities unpatched, which is exactly what attackers look for.

iPhone Update Settings

Go to Settings, then General, then Software Update. Tap "Automatic Updates" and turn on both "Download iOS Updates" and "Install iOS Updates." Your phone will now update itself overnight while charging. You'll wake up to a more secure device without having to think about it.

iOS also includes automatic app updates. Go to Settings, then App Store, and enable "App Updates" under Automatic Downloads. This ensures your apps get security patches quickly too.

Android Update Settings

For the operating system, go to Settings, then System, then System Update (or About Phone on some devices). Look for an option like "Automatic system updates" and enable it. Note that Android updates vary by manufacturer, and some older devices may not receive updates at all anymore.

For app updates, open the Google Play Store, tap your profile icon, then Settings, then Network Preferences, then "Auto-update apps." Choose "Over any network" or "Over Wi-Fi only" depending on your data plan. This keeps all your apps current automatically.

Review and Control App Permissions

Every app on your phone requests certain permissions: access to your camera, microphone, location, contacts, and more. Many apps request more permissions than they actually need. It's worth reviewing what you've granted.

Managing Permissions on iPhone

Go to Settings and scroll down to see your installed apps. Tap on any app to see what permissions it has. You can revoke access to specific features here. Alternatively, go to Settings, then Privacy & Security, and you'll see categories like Location Services, Camera, Microphone, and Contacts. Tap any category to see which apps have access and adjust accordingly.

For location access, you have three choices: Never, Ask Next Time, or While Using the App. Very few apps need "Always" access. A weather app, for instance, only needs your location while you're using it, not all the time in the background.

Managing Permissions on Android

Open Settings, then Privacy (or Privacy Dashboard on newer versions), then Permission Manager. This shows all permission types. Tap any permission like Camera or Location to see which apps have access. You can change any app from "Allow" to "Ask every time" or "Deny."

Android also offers "Allow only while using the app" for location, which is perfect for most applications. Maps needs your location while navigating you, but it doesn't need to track you when the app is closed.

Take a few minutes to audit these permissions. Does that flashlight app really need access to your contacts? Does that game need to know your location? If the answer is no, revoke those permissions. The app will ask again if it truly needs them for something.

Turn On Find My Device

If your phone is lost or stolen, you need a way to locate it, lock it remotely, or erase its data. Both platforms offer this built-in.

Setting Up Find My iPhone

Go to Settings, tap your name at the top, then Find My, then Find My iPhone. Turn on "Find My iPhone" and also enable "Find My network." This latter option lets your phone be located even when it's offline by using Bluetooth signals from nearby Apple devices. Also turn on "Send Last Location" so your phone automatically sends its location to Apple when the battery is critically low.

Setting Up Find My Device on Android

Open Settings, then Security, then Find My Device, and toggle it on. This allows you to locate your phone using any web browser by visiting android.com/find. You can make it ring, lock it with a message, or erase it completely if necessary.

Enable Device Encryption

Encryption scrambles your data so that even if someone physically accesses your phone's storage, they can't read your information without your passcode.

Good news: if you've set up a screen lock on a modern iPhone or Android device, encryption is already enabled. iPhones have been encrypted by default since iOS 8. Android devices running Android 6.0 or later are also encrypted by default when you set a lock screen password.

To verify on Android, go to Settings, then Security, and look for an "Encryption" section. It should say something like "Encrypted" or "Encryption enabled." If you have an older Android device that's not encrypted, you'll find an option to encrypt it here, though be warned that the process takes an hour or more and cannot be undone without a factory reset.

Be Selective About App Installation

Only install apps from official sources: the App Store for iPhone or Google Play Store for Android. These platforms screen apps for malware, though they're not perfect. Read app reviews and check the developer's reputation before installing anything.

On Android, make sure "Install unknown apps" is restricted. Go to Settings, then Security or Apps, then Special App Access, then Install Unknown Apps. Each app that could install other apps will be listed here. Make sure everything is set to "Not allowed" unless you have a specific reason to trust a source.

Regularly review your installed apps and delete any you no longer use. Go to Settings, then General, then iPhone Storage on iOS, or Settings, then Apps on Android. Every unused app is a potential security risk, so if you haven't opened it in months, remove it.

Use Built-In Security Features

Both platforms offer additional security features worth enabling.

On iPhone, go to Settings, then Screen Time. Even if you don't use Screen Time for its primary purpose, it contains a useful feature called "Content & Privacy Restrictions." You can restrict app installations, prevent account changes, and require a password for purchases. This is especially valuable if you share your device with family members.

On Android, Google Play Protect scans apps for malware. Open the Google Play Store, tap your profile icon, then Play Protect, and make sure "Scan apps with Play Protect" is turned on. This runs automatically in the background.

Regular Security Checkups

Make it a habit to review your security settings quarterly. Check your installed apps, review permissions, make sure your software is up to date, and verify that Find My Device is still enabled. These few minutes every few months can prevent serious security issues.

Your smartphone is a powerful device that holds your digital life. Taking the time to configure these security settings properly means you can use it with confidence, knowing your personal information is protected. Start with these essentials, and you'll have a solid foundation for smartphone security.