Smartphone Safety & Privacy: What to Know and What to Do
Your smartphone holds a lot of personal information — your messages, photos, bank accounts, passwords, and more. But are you doing enough to keep it all safe?
At TechPals, we help people take control of their digital lives by simplifying privacy and security settings that are often buried or hard to understand. This guide breaks down the most important steps you can take to protect your smartphone privacy and safety — in plain, friendly language.
Whether you use an iPhone or Android, this 2025 safety guide will help you:
Avoid scams and phishing traps
Lock down sensitive information
Adjust key settings that impact your security every day
Need more help? Visit techpals.org to schedule one-on-one support or browse more safety tips on the TechPals blog.
1. Lock Your Phone (the Smart Way)
Start here: Make sure your phone is locked with a passcode, fingerprint, or facial recognition.
iPhone:
Go to Settings → Face ID & Passcode (or Touch ID & Passcode)
Choose a 6-digit passcode or longer
Turn on Face ID or Touch ID for faster access
Android:
Go to Settings → Security → Screen Lock
Set up a PIN, password, pattern, or biometric unlock
Why It Matters: If your phone is lost or stolen, this is your first line of defense.
2. Be Cautious with “Sign in with Google/Apple”
Using your Google or Apple account to log into apps is convenient — but it can also link a lot of services to one login.
When It’s Safe:
Trusted apps (news, games, popular services)
You’re using your own device
You’ve set up two-factor authentication (2FA)
When to Be Careful:
Shared or public devices
Lesser-known apps
If you don’t want accounts linked
Related: Should You Sign in with Google or Apple?
3. Turn Off Location Sharing (When You Don’t Need It)
Apps don’t always need your location. Limiting location access can protect your privacy — and save battery.
iPhone:
Go to Settings → Privacy & Security → Location Services
Set apps to "While Using" or "Never"
Android:
Go to Settings → Location → App permissions
Choose which apps can use your location and when
Bonus Tip: Turn off location tagging in your photos.
Related: How to Turn Off Location Tracking in Your Photos
4. Watch Out for Scam Texts and Emails
Phishing scams often look like real messages from companies like PayPal, USPS, or E-ZPass.
Red Flags:
Messages that ask you to click a link or verify personal info
Misspellings or odd sender addresses
A sense of urgency ("act now" or "your account will close")
What to Do:
Don’t click links
Don’t reply to suspicious texts
Report scam texts by forwarding to 7726
Related:
5. Use Stronger Passwords — and Store Them Safely
Using the same password everywhere is risky. Use strong, unique passwords for important accounts.
Tips:
Use at least 8–12 characters with a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols
Avoid real words or common phrases
Consider using a password manager (like the one built into iCloud or Google)
TechPals Tip: Need help learning a password manager? We can walk you through it.
6. Turn On Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
2FA adds an extra step to logging in — like entering a code sent to your phone. It’s one of the easiest ways to keep hackers out.
Turn on 2FA for:
Apple ID
Google account
Email (like Gmail or Yahoo)
Bank and credit card accounts
Check your settings for "two-step verification" or "2FA."
Why It Matters: Even if someone steals your password, 2FA blocks them.
7. Check Which Apps Have Access to Your Info
Apps often ask for access to your contacts, camera, microphone, and more — but they don’t always need it.
iPhone:
Go to Settings → Privacy & Security
Review permissions for each category (Contacts, Photos, Microphone, etc.)
Android:
Go to Settings → Privacy → Permission manager
What to Look For: Turn off access for apps that don’t need it.
8. Be Smart with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
Public Wi-Fi can be risky, and Bluetooth can sometimes stay on without you realizing.
Safety Tips:
Don’t log in to bank accounts or sensitive sites on public Wi-Fi
Turn off Bluetooth when not in use
Use a VPN (virtual private network) for extra protection on public networks
Bonus: Airplane Mode disables Wi-Fi and Bluetooth with one tap
Related: What Is Airplane Mode and When Should You Use It?
9. Customize Your Lock Screen Notifications
Do messages show up on your lock screen? That might reveal private info to anyone who picks up your phone.
iPhone:
Settings → Notifications → Show Previews → When Unlocked
Android:
Settings → Notifications → Lock screen notifications → Hide content
Why It Matters: This keeps texts, emails, and alerts private unless the phone is unlocked.
10. Update Your Phone Regularly
Software updates aren’t just for new features — they often include important security fixes.
To Check for Updates:
iPhone: Settings → General → Software Update
Android: Settings → System → Software Update
TechPals Tip: Turn on auto-updates when possible. It’s one of the simplest ways to stay safe.
Final Thoughts: Your Phone, Your Privacy
Taking a few minutes to adjust these safety settings can save you hours of frustration — or worse, a stolen identity. You don’t have to be a tech expert to protect yourself. Just start with the basics.
Need help checking your phone’s privacy settings? TechPals can walk you through every step. Visit techpals.org for friendly, jargon-free support.
We believe your phone should work for you — not share more than you want it to. Tech Pals is here to help you stay safe, informed, and confident with your tech.
