The Basics — iPhone Privacy Setup in 10 Minutes

TL;DR: Eight steps, about 10 minutes, nothing to install. The first three matter most.

1. Set a Real Passcode

In Settings → Face ID & Passcode:

Then set Settings → Display & Brightness → Auto-Lock to 1 Minute.

Face ID data stays on your iPhone, and you type your passcode in public less. Decide based on who can get hold of your phone.

In Settings → Face ID & Passcode:

Setting	Choose
Set Up Face ID	Your call
Use Face ID For → iPhone Unlock	Your call
Use Face ID For → iTunes & App Store, Password AutoFill	On
Require Attention for Face ID	On

Settings → Notifications → Show Previews → When Unlocked or Never.
Settings → Face ID & Passcode → Allow Access When Locked → turn off everything you don’t need.
Remove Lock Screen widgets that show calendar, location, or health data.

It shows every person and app you share with in one place, so you can cut off anything you didn’t mean to keep.

Apple and your apps can send usage and analytics data in the background. These switches stop most of it.

Setting	Choose
`Privacy & Security → Analytics & Improvements`	Everything off
`Privacy & Security → Apple Advertising → Personalized Ads`	Off
`General → Background App Refresh`	`Wi-Fi` only, or Off
`Apps → Maps → Show Parked Location`	Off
`Privacy & Security → Journaling Suggestions`	Turn off categories you don’t use
`Siri → Keep Conversations`	`30 Days`

All paths start in Settings.

Settings → [your name] → Sign-In & Security → Two-Factor Authentication → On.
Settings → [your name] → Sign-In & Security → Account Recovery → add a recovery contact.
Settings → [your name] → scroll to the device list → remove devices you no longer own.
Settings → Face ID & Passcode → Stolen Device Protection → On, with Require Security Delay set to Always.

Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and local network access let apps and nearby devices find you, so keep only what you use.

Setting	Choose
`Wi-Fi → Edit`	Forget networks you no longer use
`Wi-Fi → [network] → Auto-Join`	Off where you don’t want it
`Wi-Fi → [network] → Private Address`	On
`Bluetooth`	Forget unused devices
`Privacy & Security → Wired Accessories`	Never `Always Allow`
`General → AirDrop`	Contacts Only, or Receiving Off
`General → AirDrop → Bring Devices Together`	Off if unused

All paths start in Settings.

Updates fix security holes attackers may already use.

Setting	Choose
`General → Software Update → Automatic Updates`	Everything on
`Privacy & Security → Background Security Improvements`	Automatically Install: On
`General → Software Update → Beta Updates`	Off
`Apps → App Store → App Updates`	On

All paths start in Settings.