Google collects around 20 times more data from Android users than Apple does from iPhone users. Most people think tweaking a few settings is enough to stay private. It’s not. If you want absolute privacy, you need to go deeper. Let’s learn how.
Stop your phone from leaking data even when idle
Your Android phone talks to Google’s servers all the time, even when you’re not using it. Some of this is necessary, but a lot of it isn’t.
- Go to Settings > Network & internet > Data usage. Look for apps that use data in the background. Some don’t need to. Disable background data for unnecessary apps.
- Next, restrict Google’s tracking. Head to Settings > Google > Ads. Enable Opt-out of Ads Personalization. This won’t stop tracking completely, but it limits ad targeting.
Want to go further? Use a privacy-focused VPN that blocks trackers at the network level.
Remove spyware apps you didn’t even know were there
Pre-installed apps, also called bloatware, collect data without asking for it. Many of these apps cannot be uninstalled easily.
- Check for hidden trackers inside apps. Download Exodus Privacy from F-Droid. It scans apps and shows what trackers they contain. You’ll be surprised how many “harmless” apps collect your data.
- To disable bloatware, go to Settings > Apps > See all apps. If you can’t uninstall an app, select Disable instead. For stubborn apps, use ADB commands to remove them manually.
Hide sensitive apps from prying eyes
Sometimes, you need to keep apps private. Maybe it’s a banking app. Or a personal messenger. Whatever the reason, Android doesn’t make it easy.
The best way is to use a secure app hider. You can store private apps there. They won’t show up on your main screen.
There are several solutions that let you hide apps in Android and help users keep their data private. You may even require a password to access them.
Switch to privacy-respecting DNS for better protection
Your internet provider tracks everything you do online. Even if you use incognito mode, your ISP still sees the sites you visit. The solution? Switch to a private DNS.
- Go to Settings > Network & internet > Private DNS.
- Choose dns.adguard.com or 1.1.1.1 for better privacy.
This stops your ISP from logging your activity. It also blocks some ads and trackers.
Harden your Android against location tracking
Disabling GPS doesn’t stop apps from tracking you. Many apps use Wi-Fi and Bluetooth signals to guess your location.
- To block this, go to Settings > Location > Wi-Fi and Bluetooth scanning. Turn both off. This prevents apps from using nearby networks to track you.
- And if you want to mislead trackers, use a GPS spoofing app.
This lets you set a fake location. It’s useful when an app insists on tracking you but doesn’t actually need to.
Encrypted communication: The missing step most people ignore
Most messaging apps aren’t private. Even if they say they are. WhatsApp, for example, shares metadata with Facebook.
For real privacy, switch to Signal or Session. These apps use end-to-end encryption. Not even the company running them can read your messages.
For emails, try ProtonMail. It encrypts your emails before they leave your device. Even if someone intercepts them, they can’t read them.
Advanced firewall tricks to block silent data transfers
Some apps send data even when you deny permissions. A firewall stops this.
- Try NetGuard or RethinkDNS. These apps block apps from making internet connections without permission.
- Go to the app settings and disable internet access for apps that don’t need it. Many offline apps still try to connect. Cut them off.
Protecting your Android from network-based attacks
Public Wi-Fi is dangerous. Hackers on the same network can see what you’re doing. Even your passwords. Never connect to public Wi-Fi without a VPN. Use a trusted one.
Also, turn off Wi-Fi auto-connect.
- Go to Settings > Network & internet > Wi-Fi preferences.
- Disable Connect to open networks. This stops your phone from connecting to unsafe networks without asking.
Furthermore, follow the security tips given by the Federal Trade Commission when using public Wi-Fi.
Conclusion
Privacy on Android takes effort. If you rely on default settings, your data is an open book. Make these changes, and you’ll be miles ahead of the average user. The more you control your phone, the less it controls you.