Android "10" List

As a phone owner, you must have a base understanding of what you are getting into when it comes to phones. As a smartphone user, here are ten things that you must know how to do on your journey to becoming a responsible smartphone user.

1. Disable Location Services

• Protection: Remove the ability to most apps to get a precise location of your device.
• How-To:
  • Go to Settings > Location and disable all for optimal security.
  • Alternatively, navigate to Location Services and disable Accuracy, History, Sharing, and both Scanning options.
  • Another option is to go to App Permissions and remove apps with permissions set to “All the Time” & “While in use.”

2. WiFi and Bluetooth

• Protection: Deactivate WiFi and Bluetooth when not in use and remove history.
• How-To:
  • Swipe down from the top of your screen to access quick settings. Tap the WiFi and Bluetooth icons to turn them off.
  • Go to Settings > Wi-Fi > Tri-Dots > Advanced > Manage Networks and remove all unnecessary stored Wi-Fi networks.

3. Browser History

• Protection: Use incognito mode or privacy-focused browsers.
• How-To:
  • In Chrome, tap the three dots in the top right > New Incognito Tab. For enhanced privacy, download browsers like Brave or Mozilla from the Play Store.

4. App Permissions

• Protection: Review and limit app permissions.
• How-To:
  • Go to Settings > Apps & notifications > App permissions. Review each category and deny unnecessary permissions.

5. Keyboard Input

• Protection: Use privacy-centric keyboards or clear keyboard data.
• How-To:
  • Download keyboards like “Signal” from the Play Store. To clear data, go to Settings > System > Languages & input > Virtual keyboard > Your Keyboard > Clear data.

6. Private DNS

• Protection: Use a service that encrypts your requests to a Domain Naming Service.
• How-To:
  • Open Settings > Network & Internet (or Connections) > Advanced > Private DNS
  • Select Private DNS provider hostname. –
  • Enter a DNS address:
    • dot1dot1dot1.cloudflare-dns.com (Cloudflare)
    • dns.google (Google’s DNS)
    • dns.quad9.net (Quad9)
  • Tap Save or go back to apply changes.

6. Privacy from Google Settings

• Protection: Review and limit Google’s access to your data
• How-To:
  • Go to Settings > Google > Ads, delete the Advertising ID. Ensure you see “Get new Advertising ID.”
  • Go to Settings > Google > Account services > Search, Assistant & Voice > Voice. Turn off “Voice & Audio Activity.”
  • Go to Settings > Google > Manage your data & personalization > Activity controls. Pause “Web & App Activity.”
  • Go to Settings > Google > Manage your data & personalization > Location History. Turn Off.
  • Navigate to Settings > Security & Privacy > Privacy > Other Privacy Settings.

• For Android System Intelligence, clear history monthly as it cannot be disabled.
  • Turn off Usage & Diagnostics and all Activity Controls.

• Go to Settings > System > Backup. Turn off “Back up to Google Drive.”
• Activity Controls: Turn off All things.

8. SMS and Call Logs

• Protection: Clear logs periodically.
• How-To: Open your Phone app > Recent > Tap the three dots in the top right > Call history > Clear call history. For SMS, open Messages > Tap the three dots > Settings > More settings > Delete old messages.

9. Developer Mode Data Access

• Protection: Use Developer Quick Tiles, set a Mock Location, and utilize other developer options for enhanced privacy.
• How-To:
  • Activate Developer Mode: Settings > About phone > Tap “Build number” seven times.
  • Mock Location: In Developer options, scroll to “Select mock location app” and choose the app you want to use for this purpose.
  • Block All Sensors Tile: This disables all on-device sensors. To add it to your Quick Settings panel, go to Settings > System > Developer options > Quick settings developer tiles > Sensors off. At the top pull down you will see a button to disable the Accelerometer, Gyroscope, and Barometer from apps collecting your data.
  • Wi-Fi Scan Throttling: This limits background Wi-Fi scans, potentially saving battery. Activate it at Settings > System > Developer options > Wi-Fi scan throttling.

10. Use a VPN -> All the time

• Protection: Ensure your traffic is encrypted.
• Sign up for a top rated one and enable.

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