If you own an iPhone, there are several privacy concerns you should be aware of. Let's look at the most unnecessary iPhone settings and how to turn them off.
Significant Locations
Significant Locations is an entirely unnecessary iPhone setting you can turn off quickly.
If your phone has this turned on, your iPhone will use Maps and Pictures to provide information about the places you visit.
That means your phone is using GPS to track your frequent location. This feature is also a battery killer.
You should turn this setting off. Here are the steps:
- Go to Settings and then Privacy.
- Tap Location Services.
- Scroll down to Significant Locations.
- Tap to turn off.
Ad Tracking
According to Apple, ad tracking is a service that helps you by sending ads catered to your interests. Advertisers track your behavior on different web pages and apps to see what you like.
You can't turn off this feature completely, but you can limit it. Ads will still be there, they just won't be specific to your interests.
This feature may be disabled already, but if not:
- Go to Settings and then Privacy.
- Scroll to the bottom and tap Advertising.
- Tap Personalized Ads to turn it off.
System Services
With System Services, there are a lot of built-in features that use your location and kill battery life. Some are useful like Find My iPhone, Emergency Calls, and SOS, but there are a few you can turn off.
For example:
- Compass Calibration
- HomeKit
- Location-Based Alerts
- Location-Based Suggestions
- Setting Time Zone
If you're traveling a lot, you can turn these back on once you get to your destination, then turn them off again.
Here's how to do that:
- Go to Settings then click Location Services.
- Tap System Services.
- You should see a long list of System Services running. Tap to turn them off.
Wrapping Up
Disable Significant Locations to keep Apple out of your everyday business.
You can slow down targeted ads by turning off personalized ads.
And there are several system services that are unnecessary. Removing them shouldn't disrupt your day-to-day.
There are a lot more unnecessary iPhone settings you turn off. But you might be sick and tired of Apple's tricks. Consider a switch to a private phone.
