7 Must-Check Android Privacy Settings for Enhanced Phone Security

Nowadays, our smartphones store a vast amount of personal information that needs to be kept secure, from banking apps to contacts to health data.

A study by NowSecure in 2025 revealed that about 70% of Android apps accessed sensitive data and tracking domains, with over 60% requesting permissions like location, camera, or microphone access.

Android’s multi-layered security model includes privacy controls that users can adjust. Certain built-in features, such as background scanning, enhance user experience but can lead to increased background data activity. It’s important to review and modify these settings if they are not essential for your device usage.

To enhance the security of your phone, it’s crucial to review the following Android privacy settings.

1. Review apps with notification access

Have you ever noticed that when you receive a notification on your phone, it also appears on your smartwatch? Android allows certain apps to mirror notifications on other devices.

This feature is commonly used by companion apps for smartwatches, fitness bands, and car infotainment systems.

However, these apps are not restricted to accessing only app-specific notifications; they can view all notifications as they come in.

It’s important to review which apps have this access, as notifications can contain sensitive information like messages, emails, and banking alerts. It is advisable to disable notification access for apps that are not regularly used.

You can manage notification access in the Settings under Apps and Special app access, where you can revoke permissions for individual apps.

2. Disable nearby device scanning (Wi-Fi & Bluetooth scanning)

Nikhil Azza

Google Maps can be frustrating to use with a weak GPS signal. Android employs nearby device scanning to enhance location accuracy by searching for available networks in the vicinity.

Even if you turn off Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, your phone may continue scanning for networks to improve GPS accuracy.

While this feature is beneficial in remote areas, it results in frequent background scans on your device. If highly accurate location services are not necessary, disabling this feature can help conserve battery life.

You can turn off nearby device scanning by accessing Location Services in Android’s Location settings. Both Wi-Fi scanning and Bluetooth scanning can be disabled from this section.

3. Erase your advertising ID to reduce ad tracking

On Android devices, targeted ads are displayed frequently. This targeting is achieved by assigning a unique advertising ID to users, which Google utilizes to personalize ads based on app activity.

The advertising ID helps advertisers display more relevant ads and allows them to recognize the same device across various apps.

Ad networks utilize this ID to present interest-based ads. Deleting the advertising ID can restrict how apps and ad networks utilize this identifier.

Even after deleting the ID, ads will still be visible but may be less relevant.

Without the advertising ID, apps find it challenging to create an advertising profile based on your activity. You can delete the ID by navigating to Privacy in Android Settings, selecting Ads, and opting to delete the advertising ID.

4. Disable usage & diagnostics data sharing with Google

Nikhil Azza / Foundry

Android offers an option to share usage and diagnostics data with Google, which is used to enhance Android stability and performance, as well as to address bugs. This data may include device logs, crash reports, and performance data.

The data sharing option is typically enabled by default on many devices. However, your device can function without sharing this information.

Disabling this feature does not impact your Android device or its functionalities but may limit the diagnostic information Google receives in case of bugs or crashes.

You can turn off usage and diagnostics data sharing in the Privacy section under More security and privacy in your phone’s Settings.

5. Review apps with “Display over other apps” permission

Certain apps on Android have the ability to overlay their screens over other apps, allowing them to appear on top of your current activity. This feature is commonly used by apps with floating chat heads, screen recorders, and accessibility tools.

While this functionality is useful, not all apps require this permission. It’s advisable to check which apps have this permission enabled.

You can revoke the overlay permission for apps that do not genuinely require the floating features. This can be managed in the Special app access section of your phone’s Settings.

6. Determine apps that need unrestricted battery usage

Nikhil Azza / Foundry

Navigation, fitness tracking, and messaging apps require background activity to collect necessary information and stay active. Unrestricted battery usage is crucial for their operation.

While background activity is essential for specific apps, it may not be necessary for most. It’s recommended to review and prevent unnecessary apps from running in the background, allowing only essential apps to have unrestricted battery access.

Apps like browsers or YouTube do not need to remain active in the background. You can manage background activity in the battery section of your phone’s Settings. Review apps without restrictions and opt for the optimize option for those deemed unnecessary to be constantly active.

7. Verify an app’s permissions

Related Topics:AndroidEnhancedMustCheckPhonePrivacySecuritySettings

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