Your smartphone is incredibly useful—but it also holds a lot of personal information. The good news? You don’t need to be “techy” to make your phone more private and secure. A few simple settings can make a big difference.
Here are five smartphone settings you should check today.
1. App Permissions
Many apps ask for access to things they don’t really need, like your contacts, microphone, or location.
Take a few minutes to review app permissions and turn off anything that doesn’t make sense.
Ask yourself: Does this app really need this information to work?
2. Location Services
Your phone may be sharing your location more often than you realize.
Change location access to “While Using the App” instead of “Always.” This limits tracking and protects your privacy.
3. Automatic Updates
Keeping your phone updated is one of the easiest ways to stay secure. Updates often fix security problems you never even see.
Turn on automatic system updates so your phone protects itself in the background.
4. Lock Screen Security
If your phone is lost or stolen, a lock screen is your first line of defense.
Use a strong passcode, fingerprint, or face recognition—and avoid simple codes like 1234 or your birthday.
5. Spam and Scam Filtering
Most phones include built-in tools to block spam calls and messages.
Turn these on to reduce scam attempts and unwanted interruptions.
Bottom line: Small changes add up. Spending 10 minutes reviewing these settings can greatly improve your privacy and peace of mind.
ChattyJackie reminder: You don’t need to understand everything—just take it one step at a time.
