Best Privacy Tips for Your Android Device – Top Practices

The day you picked up a phone and started to use it that day you bid farewell to your privacy. Every action we take and all the places we go, everything is getting recorded and used as data for commercial use. But all is not doomed if you follow the best privacy tips for your Android device.

Starting from the locations we commute between and visit to the search history and apps that we use, there are many companies that know what we are doing. Though this does not necessarily mean it is all done with bad intentions, but still there is a potential for subconscious manipulation.

This is why taking care of our privacy has become more significant than it was ever. But the bad news is we cannot be foolproof in this endeavor. Yet, there are some ways that would put us in a better position compared to the larger chunk of the population not aware of this issue.

Best Privacy Tips for Your Android Device

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Here we will share the best practices that you can follow to minimize data exposure. However, there is a tradeoff. Thus, choose the best suitable options for yourself considering the pros and cons of the steps you will take here. However, we will make it as simple as possible to help you in the decision-making.

Let’s explore the best privacy tips together in the following sections curated by XperimentalHamid for you.

2 Factor Authentication

This is one of the most secure and working options for Android devices. Since you are going to sign-up with a Gmail account on your mobile, make sure you have enabled this option. It doubles the layer of security in addition to the password.

Once enabled, the users get a one-time code on their device when they log in from an unfamiliar or new device. Even if your password is compromised, you still have this extra layer of protection to save your data from getting into evil hands.

Prefer a Strong Password over a Fingerprint/Face lock

Do you know in an unwanted situation people can use your fingerprint and face lock to unlock your phone against your will? Think of them as both legal enforcers as well as robbers. Once they get access to your phone, your data is no more yours.

But with a strong password, until you tell them or put it in yourself, there is no chance of your Android device getting opened in front of your eyes. Thus, it is better to use a strong string of numerals and alphabets, and special characters instead of an easy-to-use face or finger lock.

Change App Permissions

Your data was in the hands of random app developers some time ago. But thanks to some updates in the Android Operating System, this is somehow settled now. Otherwise, every other app was asking for access to your location, contacts, and other personal information without any logical connection or requirement.

Now you can manage all of this. Simply go to Settings and locate ‘Privacy’ and find ‘Permission Manager’ and audit the apps for the permissions they are using. If you think a certain app does not need permission, get it off the list. For example, a game you are playing has no reason to access your contacts.

Don’t Display Notification on the Screen

We receive notifications for many things from emails, and WhatsApp messages to banking codes, etc. If they are displayed on the screen by default, one looking at the screen can read the information. The best way is to hide it when the screen is locked.

For this simply go to Settings and find ‘Privacy’. Once here, locate the ‘Notifications on the Lock Screen’ now you can tap the ‘Show Sensitive Content only when Unlocked’ option. Now your data is safer than before.

Turn Auto Updates On

Well, the best thing about having an up-to-date Android mobile phone or a tablet is not just that we have a good user experience and access to the latest features brought to us by an update. It is important for many other reasons too.

One of them is that most of the time when our OS or an app is updated it contains a security fix or a privacy update. For this simply open the Google Play Store on your mobile phone and locate ‘Menu’ go to ‘Settings’ and find ‘Network Preferences’, here you should enable the ‘Auto-update apps’ option.

Conclusion

These are some of the best privacy tips for your Android device that you can implement now and make sure your personal data is safe or it gets minimum exposure. Some additional options include enabling find my device, turning off personalized ads, and going through a proper privacy check on your Google account. If you have anything to add, our comments are always open.

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