How to Control iPhone App Permissions

Manage app privacy permissions

An iPhone has so many different iPhone app permissions that it can be a little confusing where to start. To make it easier for you, we will start with the basics and help you launch the permissions menu so you can learn how to turn off app permissions on iPhone:

1. Press the Settings app
2. Tap Privacy & Security

3. Tap any of the headings to see what permissions are currently enabled

4. Toggle app permissions on or off (Remember, these permissions on iPhone can be reenabled at any time).

Troubleshooting

Here are some common questions you might have before you start disabling certain permissions on your iPhone:

Will disabling app permissions affect how my device works?

Disabling certain iOS app permissions can affect the way your app, or phone can work. Some apps require full access to work at their full capacity. For example, Bolt or Uber need your location enabled for you to use the ‘my location’ pick-up features.

How do I see a summary of how apps are using my data?

Here’s a quick list of how to access your App Privacy Report:

1. Enter Settings
2. Tap Privacy & Security
3. Scroll to the bottom of the list and press App Privacy Report

4. Turn on the App Privacy Report if prompted to

5. This screen will now load any activity when an app uses your personal data.

Control Location Services

Not every privilege is as black and white as disabled or enabled. Some privileges come with options in between to limit how much access is granted to the iPhone. Location Services is a great example of having layers to the amount of access you grant your device to store. The different options that are available for Location services are:

1. Never - No access to your location.
2. While using the App - Access is only available when the App is open.
3. Ask Next Time - App must ask for permission every time it wants to gain access.
4. Always - App always has access to your location and doesn’t need to ask.

iOS 14 introduced a new Precise Location setting which now pinpoints your exact location to your iPhone. This extra precision can be very helpful on certain apps such as Taxi apps, Weather apps, and your camera. However, this function is not necessarily useful for video streaming or Games.

Manage App privacy settings

Going through your entire iPhone’s permissions can be a little time-consuming so don’t be afraid to split it into sections and tackle it day by day. As there are so many permissions you can customize it may take you a few tries of disabling and reenabling to find the right formula for you. Here are some of the main Apps you might want to review:

Location Data

Choose whether to grant access to an App to use your location data all the time, when the app is open, or no access at all.

Apple Health

You can decide whether to grant access to certain data which will impact what health data can be recorded inside the App.

News and Apple TV

Take advantage of Siri & Search to Learn from this App and your device will make suggestions for preferences based on your previous usage to maximize your viewing experience.

Notifications

Tapping individual Apps will give you access to notification settings. This is a great way to customize your experience by disabling certain types of annoying notifications and sounds that certain apps give you.

Cellular Data

Choosing whether an app has access to your mobile data or not is a great way to stop draining your data usage in case you have limited amounts of data each month. You will be surprised at how much data some small apps can drain from your monthly allowance, and by disabling the app when disconnected from Wi-Fi, you will save yourself huge amounts of data.  

Parental Controls

If you have a shared device and want to use the wide array of parental permissions to limit the usage of any other users, then you can follow this full-guide on how to set parental controls on an iPhone or iPad. These features can block certain content, limit the time a user can spend on the device, and disable certain features within the Game Center.

Manage Apple data and analytics

iOS gives you full control over what analytical data is collected and sent to Apple. This can impact the experience that Apple gives you when using your device as preferences such as Targeted Ads can be tailored to your previous searches to present you with a specific set of ads based on your interests. To access these menu options follow these steps:

1. Launch the Settings App
2. Scroll down and press Privacy & Security
3. Scroll down and press Analytics & Improvements or Apple Advertising depending on which section you wish to explore

4. Toggle the options On or Off to suit your individual needs.

Control App Tracking

A new feature that was launched as part of the iOS 14.5 update is a feature called App Tracking Transparency. This feature allows you to choose whether or not certain apps are allowed to track your data across other apps and services on your device. Many apps such as Facebook and Google will collect your data across other apps to help tailor their services to your preferences and trends established on other applications.

How do these Apps track your data?

Facebook automatically has access to its other owned applications like Messenger, Instagram, and WhatsApp. While it doesn’t need to ask permission to track your data and usage across its co-owned apps, it does require your permission to track your data on external sites and applications. To enable or disable this permission at any time, follow these simple steps:

1. Launch Settings
2. Press Privacy & Security
3. Click Tracking
4. The apps that need your permission to track you will be listed on this page
5. Simply toggle On or Off on any individual apps that you want to have access to or not.

Why do you need to control your app permissions?

As stated before, your iPhone has many different functions and uses. As everyone uses their iPhones differently, there are hundreds of combinations for app permissions that can be set up to maximize your user experience. The one-size-fits-all method doesn’t apply to your phone and it’s important to understand exactly how your data is being processed, stored, and sometimes harvested.

What data is at risk?

Your iPhone can be home to very sensitive and private data. You wouldn’t let a stranger look at your bank statements in real life. So, you must apply the same logic on your mobile device when private apps such as banking, health, and social media platforms are concerned. These apps can store sensitive data about you, and while your iPhone has legitimate uses for the information it is storing, you may prefer to turn it off if you are not benefitting from or making use of these offered services.

Disable unnecessary tracking features

Your privacy becomes increasingly more at risk, the more data that your apps save. Don’t leave yourself vulnerable to privacy breaches and minimize the potential damage that a security breach can cause you by disabling any unnecessary tracking on your device. Don’t be afraid to disable access to programs you aren’t currently using, as you can reinstate the access later, as and when you need it.

Stay safe online with Clario

If you want to maximize your safety when using your mobile device online, you should consider downloading and installing antivirus software such as Clario. With Clario in your corner, you will gain access to important security features such as Data Breach Monitor. Clario has a data breach service that will detect and alert you if your data has been breached and is being sold on thie Dark Web. It will then give you the instructions to re-secure your account before it’s too late.

Follow these steps to check if your passwords have been leaked online:

1. Download and Launch the Clario App
2. Press Identity
3. Press Add email

4. Type in the email address you want to check and click Check

5. Press Verify and fix

6. Enter the verification code sent to your email address

7. Follow the instructions on how to resecure your accounts.