iOS 15 Privacy Settings You Should Change Right Now

See and Control the 'App Activity' on Your iPhone

Apple's added many features that let users control and understand, in simple terms, what the apps on their iPhones are doing. The good news is, iOS 15 isn't an exception. 

Your iPhone now records the app activity of every app you have installed on your iPhone. That way, you can see how many times an app has entered your photos, camera, microphone, and many other things. That'll give you better control of what your apps are doing. Here's how to use the App Privacy Report.

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Scroll down and go to Privacy.
3. Scroll all the way down and tap on Record App Activity.
4. Toggle Record App Activity on. 

Now your iPhone will start to record the activity of each app from the last seven days. You can also save the activity and share it by tapping Save App Activity.

Don't Allow Apps to Track Your Activity

Apple changed the game with this new security feature. Apps on iPhone now have to ask users permission to track their activity within the app. This gives users more control over what the apps can do on their iPhones. You can select which apps can track your activity or turn off this option completely.

1. Open Settings.
2. Scroll down and tap on Privacy.
3. Tap on Tracking.
4. Disable any app you want to stop sharing your activity with.
5. You can also toggle off Allow Apps to Request to Track to automatically deny access without permission.

Cover Your IP Address While Using Safari

Safari was one of the biggest winners in iOS 15. Not only did the browser get a completely new design that's easier to use, but it also has a new privacy feature that helps you hide your IP address. If you don't have a VPN yet, using this feature will help you protect your IP address from trackers and websites anywhere you are.

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Scroll down and select Safari.
3. Scroll down again and, under Privacy & Security, tap Hide IP Address.
4. Choose Trackers and Websites or just Trackers.

Protect Your Mail Activity

With iOS 15, you can easily block your email activity, so trackers won't be able to learn information about you or your mail activity. What's cool is that you basically protect that information from everyone, including Apple itself. And it's really easy to set up.

1. Go to Settings.
2. Scroll down and select Mail.
3. Scroll down again and tap Privacy Protection.
4. Toggle Protect Mail Activity on.

If you want to learn more about this feature, you can tap Learn more right below Protect Mail Activity.

Automatically Leave Your VPN On

This isn't a feature exclusive to iOS 15, but constantly using your VPN really can't hurt, especially when your data is on the line. Once you set it up, you won't have to worry about turning it on ever again.

1. Launch Settings.
2. Go to VPN.
3. Toggle Status on.

This will leave your VPN turned on automatically. If you don't have a trusty VPN service, to begin with, you should consider getting one of the best VPN services available. After you install the app, you can follow the steps above and never have to worry about it.

Make Sure You're Not Sharing Data with Apple

It may sound creepy, but every time a big software update comes along, Apple always asks you to share your iPhone's activity, so it can "improve its service." While it may be true, it's still creepy to share that information with Apple. Plus, Apple doesn't really need your data to improve iOS.

Fortunately, you can turn it on or off. Disabling this feature will not only help you keep your privacy intact, but it can also help you save a bit of battery life.

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Scroll down and go to Privacy.
3. Scroll down to the bottom and tap Analytics & Improvements.
4. Toggle Share iPhone & Watch Analytics.
5. Tap Ok to confirm.

Disable Certain Location Services

Location Services help apps know your exact location so they can give you a more accurate service. With that said, not every app needs to know your location at all times. You can control which apps have access to your location or disable location services completely so no app can track you.

1. Go to Settings.
2. Scroll down and tap Privacy.
3. Tap Location Services.
4. Tap the app you want to disable.
5. Tap Never. You can also choose Ask Next Time so the app asks you again when you open it or While Using the App, so the app can only track you whenever you're using it.
6. You can also toggle Location Services off at the top of your screen to completely disable this feature.