Key Takeaways
Why the First Hour Matters
Out of the box, smartphones are configured to be convenient — not necessarily private. Manufacturers and app developers set defaults that favor data collection, broad permissions, and cloud syncing because most users never change them. That means a phone used straight from the box, without any adjustments, is likely sharing more about you than you'd knowingly agree to.
The good news is that the settings with the most impact take only minutes to configure. Most require no technical knowledge — just the willingness to move through a checklist once. If you're also setting up other connected devices around the same time, the checklist for new smart home devices covers similar ground for your home network. For a broader grounding in what data phones collect and where it goes, Online Privacy for Beginners is a useful starting point.
Don't Skip Setup to Start Using Apps
It can be tempting to start downloading apps immediately, but installing apps before completing your security configuration means those apps may gain access to permissions and data in an insecure state. Complete the steps in this guide first, then add apps one at a time. Permissions granted during an app's first launch are harder to revisit than ones you set proactively.
The steps below apply to both iPhone and current Android devices. Menu names differ slightly by manufacturer and OS version, but the underlying settings exist on all major platforms.
What you will need
Step-by-Step: Securing Your Device
Work through each step in order. The earlier steps build the foundation — encryption and a strong lock screen — while later steps reduce ongoing data exposure from apps and accounts.
Phone Settings App
The built-in system settings menu is where nearly all security and privacy configurations live.
Authenticator App
A dedicated authentication app generates time-based codes for two-factor authentication, a more secure alternative to SMS codes.
Password Manager
Stores and generates strong, unique passwords so you don't reuse credentials across accounts.
Set a strong screen lock
Navigate to Settings > Security (Android) or Settings > Face ID & Passcode (iPhone). Choose a PIN of at least six digits, a strong alphanumeric passcode, or a biometric option such as fingerprint or face recognition. Avoid four-digit PINs and pattern locks, which can be guessed or observed more easily.
Verify encryption is enabled
Modern iPhones encrypt storage automatically once a passcode is set. On Android, go to Settings > Security > Encryption and confirm the device is encrypted. Most Android phones ship encrypted by default, but it is worth verifying rather than assuming.
Install all pending OS and security updates
Go to Settings > General > Software Update (iPhone) or Settings > System > System Update (Android). Install any available updates before adding apps or accounts. Phones can sit in a warehouse for months, meaning the software may already be several patches behind.
Audit app permissions from the start
Head to Settings > Privacy (both platforms) and review which categories — location, microphone, camera, contacts, calendar — are accessible to apps. Grant permissions only when an app clearly needs them for a function you use. On both platforms, you can set location access to While Using rather than Always for most apps.
Review ad tracking and diagnostic sharing
On iPhone, go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Tracking and turn off Allow Apps to Request to Track. On Android, open Settings > Privacy > Ads and opt out of personalized ads. Also check Settings > Privacy > Analytics & Improvements (iPhone) or the equivalent diagnostics menu on Android and disable automatic sharing of usage data if you prefer not to send it.
Enable Find My Device and remote wipe
On iPhone, enable Find My under Settings > [your name] > Find My. On Android, ensure Find My Device is on under Settings > Security. Both features allow you to locate, lock, or remotely erase the phone if it is lost or stolen — but only if enabled beforehand.
Secure your key accounts with two-factor authentication
Before downloading social or financial apps, make sure the accounts they connect to already have two-factor authentication (2FA) enabled. This adds a second verification step beyond your password — typically a code from an authenticator app or a text message. Your Apple ID and Google account should both have 2FA active. See our guide to enabling two-factor authentication for step-by-step instructions across major apps.
Review Default Settings Periodically
New app installs and OS updates can quietly reset or introduce new data-sharing settings. Schedule a brief privacy check-up every few months — it takes less than ten minutes. Our article on settings most people never change covers what to look for beyond the initial setup.
Public Wi-Fi Can Expose Unprotected Traffic
Before connecting to any open or public Wi-Fi network, be aware that unencrypted traffic can potentially be intercepted. Avoid logging into sensitive accounts — banking, email, healthcare — on public networks. A Virtual Private Network (VPN) encrypts your connection and reduces this risk, though not all VPN providers offer the same level of trustworthiness; research any provider before using it.
Once these steps are complete, take a moment to review which apps you actually plan to install. Every app is another potential permission request. For a deeper look at what oversharing defaults look like across apps and browsers — not just your phone's system settings — see our piece on privacy settings most people overlook. If you use tap-to-pay features, understanding how that transaction actually works is also worthwhile — here's what happens behind that one-second tap.