7 simple things I always do on Android to protect my privacy – and why you should too

Android is the most-used operating system on the planet. In this era of constant security attacks, that means Google’s mobile OS has a target on its back. Without taking a few measures of your own, your Android phone could be vulnerable, and your privacy could be the first thing to go.

Also: 6 hidden Android features every user should knowand how they make life easier

It doesn’t have to be that way. There are steps you can take to protect your privacy on your Android phone. Better yet, those steps are simple enough that anyone can take care of them. Let me show you what you need to do to improve your privacy game on Android.

1. Use privacy-focused apps

Some of the default apps on Android are good, but they aren’t exactly bastions of privacy and security. For instance, Chrome is one of the least secure browsers available. Although Gmail has fairly decent security, it doesn’t allow for encryption (such as PGP). Here’s a short list of apps you should use and what they replace:

That short list alone will help you considerably.

2. Change app permissions

For some time, it’s been possible to manage what apps have permissions for certain features. This became necessary as more and more apps were requiring permissions for things they didn’t (or shouldn’t) need. For example, that Happy Family Maze game (which isn’t a real thing) shouldn’t need access to your phone’s camera. 

Also: How to clear your Android phone’s cache and make it feel like new

You can manage those permissions in Settings > Security & Privacy > “Privacy controls” > “Permission manager.” Within that Settings page, you can revoke unnecessary access to location, microphone, camera, contacts, body sensors, nearby devices, SMS, and more.

3. Check your privacy dashboard

Android has a Privacy Dashboard that informs you what apps have used specific services over the past 24 hours. 

Also: How to use the Private Space feature in Android- and secure your sensitive data

With this feature, you can quickly see what apps are using location, camera, microphone, body sensors, calendar, call logs, contacts, and more. Tap an entry and you’ll see a list of apps that have accessed the feature. The Privacy Dashboard is found in Settings > “Security & privacy” > Privacy Dashboard. It’s a good idea to check this dashboard regularly.

4. Harden account security

For every account you use via your phone (or your desktop, for that matter), you should consider two very important things: two-factor authentication and strong/unique passwords. Two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security to your accounts, and strong/unique passwords make those accounts considerably harder to hack. 

Also: Android 15 has a new requirement that could leave your phone behind

If your accounts are easily hacked, not only is your privacy at risk, but so is your identity. One other thing to consider (which you might think is reserved for fiction) is that if you’re very serious about your privacy, you might avoid using biometric logins. You could be fast asleep when someone grabs your phone, holds it in front of your face, or presses your finger against the sensor — and your phone is unlocked.

5. Disable ad tracking

Ad tracking was added to Android some time ago so Google could employ targeted ads. This is one of the first things I disable when I get a new phone. Why? I don’t want Google creating any sort of profile of me to be used for ad targeting or sold to the highest bidder.

Also: Cookie pop-ups don’t have to be a fact of life online – how I block them and why

Go to Settings > “Security & privacy” > “Privacy controls” > Ads > “Ad privacy.” On that page, you can opt out of ad topics, app-suggested ads, and ad measurement. I would suggest disabling all three. You can also go back one page (to Ads) and delete your advertising ID. Yes, you’ll be assigned another, but for a while, apps can no longer use the ID to show you personalized ads. I go back and delete this regularly.

6. Use the included security features

Google has added some pretty solid security features to Android over the past couple of releases, and some have been around for a while. One feature you should be using is the new Private Space feature, which can isolate sensitive apps with separate encryption. Once you’ve enabled Private Space, you can install apps in the isolated space and trust that they can only be accessed by way of a PIN. 

Also: How to factory reset your Android phone without unlocking it first

Another feature you should enable is Find My Device. With this feature enabled, you can play a sound (to help locate the device), secure the device, and even factory reset it. This is all done via the Find My Device website, but your phone has to have the feature enabled.

7. Install apps made for privacy

Finally, you can install apps that are geared specifically for privacy, such as a VPN (like Proton), a password manager (like Bitwarden), and encryption tools (like OpenKeyChain). These apps can help mask your location/IP address, help you use very strong passwords, and encrypt data (such as using OpenKeyChain with K-9 Mail).

Also: The best Android VPN services: Expert tested and reviewed

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