Your iPhone has dozens of settings that can improve your privacy, battery life, notifications, and everyday experience.
But most people never touch them.
Here are 15 iPhone settings worth checking right now: 🧵👇
14
30
37
2,597
1. Turn off unnecessary Location Services
Go to:
Settings → Privacy & Security → Location Services
Review which apps actually need your location.
For apps that don't need it constantly, choose “While Using the App” or “Never.”
Less unnecessary location access = better privacy.
1
3
143
2. Stop apps from tracking you
Settings → Privacy & Security → Tracking
Turn off:
Allow Apps to Request to Track
You don't need every app asking to track your activity across other companies' apps and websites.
1
4
99
3. Reduce notification overload
Settings → Notifications
Go through your apps and disable notifications you don't actually need.
Keep alerts for important things.
Turn off the noise.
Your lock screen shouldn't look like a news ticker.
1
3
69
4. Check Background App Refresh
Settings → General → Background App Refresh
You don't necessarily need every app refreshing in the background.
Turn it off for apps where background updates aren't important.
This can also reduce unnecessary background activity.
1
3
65
5. Turn on Optimized Battery Charging
Settings → Battery → Charging
Enable:
Optimized Battery Charging
Your iPhone can adapt charging behavior to reduce the time the battery spends fully charged.
Small setting.
Useful long-term habit.
1
3
57
6. Turn on Limit IP Address Tracking
For supported networks:
Settings → Wi-Fi → tap the network → Limit IP Address Tracking
You can also check the setting under cellular options.
It's designed to limit certain forms of IP-address-based tracking.
1
3
52
7. Review App Privacy Report
Settings → Privacy & Security → App Privacy Report
This can show you things like:
→ Data and sensor access
→ Network activity
→ Domains apps contact
It's one of the easiest ways to see what your apps are actually doing.
1
3
46
8. Turn on Stolen Device Protection
Settings → Face ID & Passcode → Stolen Device Protection
This adds additional security requirements for certain sensitive actions when your iPhone is away from familiar locations.
If someone steals your unlocked phone, extra protection matters.
1
3
64
10. Check Safety Check
Settings → Privacy & Security → Safety Check
You can review:
→ Who has access to your information
→ Which apps have permissions
→ Sharing settings
It's worth checking occasionally, especially if you've forgotten what you've previously shared.
Oct 2, 2026 · 3:16 PM UTC
1
3
40
11. Review Microphone & Camera permissions
Settings → Privacy & Security → Microphone
Then check:
Camera
Ask yourself:
“Does this app actually need access?”
If not, turn it off.
You can always grant access later when needed.
1
3
50
12. Customize Always-On Display
If your iPhone supports Always-On Display:
Settings → Display & Brightness → Always On Display
You can adjust what remains visible.
If you prefer a cleaner lock screen or want to reduce the amount of information shown while the phone is idle, customize it.
1
3
41
13. Set a stronger Auto-Lock
Settings → Display & Brightness → Auto-Lock
If your phone stays unlocked for too long, consider choosing a shorter interval.
It's a simple security and battery-conscious change.
1
3
30
14. Review your default apps
Settings → Apps → Default Apps
Depending on your iOS version and region, you may be able to choose alternatives for supported categories such as:
→ Browser
→ Email
→ Messaging
→ Calling
Your iPhone doesn't necessarily have to use Apple's default for every supported category.
1
3
30
15. Check Emergency SOS settings
Settings → Emergency SOS
Review how Emergency SOS is activated and make sure you understand the available options.
You don't want to discover how it works during an emergency.
Take 30 seconds to learn it now.
1
3
33