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25 tips to secure your iPhone (2021)


We’ll give you here many tips, and recommend great tweaks to secure your iPhone.

Protect from lost / thief

Define a strong password

Don’t be satisfied with a 4-digit code, that could be broken in a few minutes. Define password at least 7 characters long.

Enable screen lock settings

Enable the screen lock after a few minutes inactivity.

Limit information displayed on the screen lock

Don’t popup messages on lock screen through the lock screen privacy options.

Turn on USB Restricted Mode

Prevent unauthorized connection of USB accessories to the iOS devices.

Disable Siri voice control

Disable ‘Siri’ trusted voice, especially on lock screen.

Receive AirDrop Only From Contacts

Receiving files from unknown contacts is not recommended as you never know what kind of files you will receive from strangers.

Back up your data

Prefer app which back up or synchronise data on the cloud, so if you lose your phone, or need to erase it remotely, you’ll still have your data (especially your passwords, and your pictures).

Enable ‘find my mobile’

Enable “Find my mobile” and make sure you can erase your mobile remotely if needed.

Protect from trackers

Disable location services

Unless you are using it, disable location services.

Disable personalised advertising

Don’t serve Google all your personal information on a platter.

Disable telemetry

Don’t share any data with developers.

Turn off automatic sync to iCloud

Almost all celeb pics leaked on the net because of this function. Manually sync the pics you select.

Review and revoke permissions of apps

When not absolutely needed, don’t authorise apps to access your pictures, your location, etc…

Use progressive Web apps instead of apps

Native apps can just help themselves in your phone, which is not the case when you use a browser to access their content (ex newspapers, twitter…).

Use a VPN to hide your IP address

Use a VPN like iCloud+ (free) to hide your IP address and secure data transfers.

Use a browser respectful of you privacy

Use Firefox Focus (free) which block trackers and javascript, or even a browser that include a VPN like Opera (free).

Use a respectful search engine

Search the web with an engine that doesn’t log all you behaviour. Replace Google Search by DuckDuckGo (free).

Use a secure encrypted mailbox

Use a secure mailbox like ProtonMail or CTemplar (free)

Use secure encrypted messenger

Use a secure encrypted app to chat, like Signal (free)

Protect from hackers

Don’t jailbreak your system

Don’t jailbreak your system. And only install apps from official stores like Apple Store.  Make sure automatic download and install are deactivated in the setup.

Discard automatic WiFi connections

This small effort will avoid you to connect on a fake wireless network established by a cybercriminal with the same name as a trusted public hotspot.

Update the OS and the apps

Enable auto updates for your operating system. These updates often include critical patches and protections against security threats. Make sure your apps also auto-update to mitigate vulnerabilities.

Use a password manager

Disable Smart Lock for Passwords and Auto Sign-in. And use a vault like Bitwarden (free) to generate and remember complex and different password for each account you have. It will also synchronise you passwords on all you devices.

Activate TOTP everywhere

Activate two factor authentication (2FA) through TOTP, and use an authenticator app like Authy (free).

Good to know

No need of antivirus

Unlike Android, and because of how iOS is structured and the permissions Apple lets apps have, you don’t need to worry about viruses on your iPhone.

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