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IntelTechniques

Much like the previous article, Extreme Privacy, 5th Edition also offered many privacy and security considerations for previous versions of iOS. That content is also pushing two years old now, so I am again overdue for an update. This article revisits that entire section for the recent changes within iOS 26.

The following assumes you are on iOS 26.1, which was the latest version at the time of writing. Now that we have let Apple offer the first major update to that OS, the menu settings should be fairly locked in. I always prefer to wait for a ".1" update before documenting specific menu settings. This guide also assumes you have already purchased and booted the mobile device, created your Apple ID, and configuring any personal customizations as explained in the book.

The purpose of this article is to revisit all of the System Settings for optimal iOS privacy and security. While everything here will work if you logged in to an iCloud account, which is different than an Apple account, some menus may appear differently. Consider it a supplement to the content within the book.

Once you can access the system on the device, the following configurations should be considered through the Settings menu. Note that some of these settings may disable features which you find desirable, and some options here might not be present within your device. Research any modifications and apply settings which are most appropriate for your usage. Never blindly accept my opinions, understand why you want the change.

• Settings > Apple Account > Personal Information > Name and Photo Sharing > Disabled
  
• Settings > Apple Account > Personal Information > Communication Preferences > Disable all
  
• Settings > Apple Account > Media & Purchases > View Account > Personalized... > Disabled
  
• Settings > Bluetooth > Off (If not used)
  
• Settings > Cellular > Disable as desired
  
• Settings > General > Software Update > Automatic Updates > Off
  
• Settings > General > AirDrop > Receiving Off
  
• Settings > General > AirDrop > Bringing Devices Together > Disabled
  
• Settings > General > AirDrop > Use Cellular Data > Disabled
  
• Settings > General > AirPlay & Continuity > Disable all
  
• Settings > General > Picture in Picture > Disabled
  
• Settings > General > AutoFill & Passwords > Disable all
  
• Settings > General > Background App Refresh > Apple Store > Disabled
  
• Settings > General > Background App Refresh > Shortcuts > Disabled
  
• Settings > General > Background App Refresh > Voice Memos > Disabled
  
• Settings > General > Keyboard > Auto-Correction > Disabled
  
• Settings > General > Keyboard > Enable Dictation > Disabled
  
• Settings > General > Keyboard > Stickers > Disabled
  
• Settings > Battery > Battery Percentage > Enabled
  
• Settings > Passwords > Password Options > Autofill Passwords > Disabled
  
• Settings > Camera > Scan QR Codes > Disabled
  
• Settings > Search > Show Recent Searches > Disabled
  
• Settings > Search > Show Recent Searches > Show Related Content > Disabled
  
• Settings > Search > Show Recent Searches > Help Improve Search > Disabled
  
• Settings > Search > Each App > Disable all
  
• Settings > Siri > Disable all
  
• Settings > Standby > Standby > Disabled
  
• Settings > Notifications > Scheduled Summary > Off
  
• Settings > Notifications > Show previews > Never
  
• Settings > Notifications > Screen Sharing > Notifications Off
  
• Settings > Notifications > Siri Suggestions > Disable all
  
• Settings > Notifications > Disable notifications on sensitive apps
  
• Settings > Notifications > If desired, disable all Government Alerts
  
• Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Keyboard Feedback > Sound > Disabled
  
• Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Keyboard Feedback > Haptic > Enabled
  
• Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Lock Sound > Disabled
  
• Settings > Face ID & Passcode > Password AutoFill > Disabled
  
• Settings > Face ID & Passcode > Allow Access When Locked > Disable undesired
  
• Settings > Privacy & Security > Location services > Disable all
  
• Settings > Privacy & Security > Tracking > Disable all
  
• Settings > Privacy & Security > Motion & Fitness > Disable all
  
• Settings > Privacy & Security > Nearby Interactions > Disable all
  
• Settings > Privacy & Security > Paired Devices > Disable all
  
• Settings > Privacy & Security > Research Sensor & Usage Data > Disable all
  
• Settings > Privacy & Security > Journaling Suggestions > Disable all
  
• Settings > Privacy & Security > Sensitive Content Warning > Disabled
  
• Settings > Privacy & Security > Analytics & Improvements > Disable all
  
• Settings > Privacy & Security > Apple Advertising > Personalized Ads > Disabled
  
• Settings > Privacy & Security > App Privacy Report > Off
  
• Settings > Privacy & Security > Wired Accessories > Automatically Allow When Unlocked
  
• Settings > Game Center > Disabled
  
• Settings > Apps > App Store > Automatic Downloads > Disable all
  
• Settings > Apps > App Store > Video Autoplay > Off
  
• Settings > Apps > App Store > In-App Ratings & Reviews > Disabled
  
• Settings > Apps > App Store > Offload Unused Apps > Disabled
  
• Settings > Apps > Apple Store > Video Autoplay > Off
  
• Settings > Apps > Maps > Share ETA > Disabled
  
• Settings > Apps > Maps > Air Quality Index > Disabled
  
• Settings > Apps > Maps > Weather Conditions > Disabled
  
• Settings > Apps > Maps > Ratings and Photos > Disabled (If Present)
  
• Settings > Apps > Maps > Show Ratings and Photos Suggestion > Disabled (If present)
  
• Settings > Apps > Maps > Follow Up by Email > Disabled (If Present)
  
• Settings > Apps > Photos > Shared Albums > Disabled
  
• Settings > Apps > Photos > Show Hidden Album > Disabled
  
• Settings > Apps > Photos > Show Recently Viewed & Shared > Disabled
  
• Settings > Apps > Photos > Show Featured Content > Disabled
  
• Settings > Apps > Photos > Enhanced Visual Search > Disabled
  
• Settings > Apps > Safari > Siri & Search > Disable All
  
• Settings > Apps > Safari > Search Engine > DuckDuckGo
  
• Settings > Apps > Safari > Search Engine Suggestions > Disabled
  
• Settings > Apps > Safari > Safari Suggestions > Disabled
  
• Settings > Apps > Safari > Show Recent Searches > Disabled
  
• Settings > Apps > Safari > Quick Website Search > Disabled
  
• Settings > Apps > Safari > Preload Top Hit > Disabled
  
• Settings > Apps > Safari > AutoFill > Disable All
  
• Settings > Apps > Safari > Prevent Cross-Site Tracking > Enabled
  
• Settings > Apps > Safari > Fraudulent Website Warning > Disabled
  
• Settings > Apps > Safari > Highlights > Disabled
  
• Settings > Apps > Safari > Camera > Deny
  
• Settings > Apps > Safari > Microphone > Deny
  
• Settings > Apps > Safari > Location > Deny
  
• Settings > Apps > Safari > Advanced > Privacy Preserving Ad... > Disabled
  
• Settings > Apps > Safari > Advanced > Check for Apple Pay > Disabled
  
• Settings > Apps > Shortcuts > iCloud Sync > Disabled
  
• Settings > Apps > Shortcuts > Private Sharing > Disabled
  

These settings provide more privacy from Apple while taking advantage of their secure mobile operating system. Modify your device as needed and never let our fascination with privacy completely break the functionality of technology.

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[nolookshot]

Two settings deserve a different recommendation here. For everyday use, keeping automatic security updates enabled helps avoid leaving known vulnerabilities unpatched; Apple explicitly recommends keeping iOS current to protect against web attacks: https://support.apple.com/en-lk/126776

App Privacy Report is also useful for reviewing which apps access sensors and contact domains. Apple says its report data is encrypted and stored only on the device, so it should not be confused with sending analytics to Apple: https://support.apple.com/en-ie/102188

A privacy checklist should explain each tradeoff individually, rather than assume every switch is safer when turned off.