By With every update, iOS 18 introduces new features designed to improve user experience. However, some default settings may collect more data than you realize. If privacy is important to you, reviewing and adjusting certain options can significantly reduce how much personal information your iPhone shares.
Below are three key iPhone settings you should consider turning off right away to strengthen your privacy.
1. Disable Significant Locations
Your iPhone keeps a detailed record of places you frequently visit. This feature, called Significant Locations, helps provide personalized services such as improved Maps suggestions and calendar predictions. While convenient, it also means your device stores a history of your movements.
To turn it off:
- Go to Settings
- Tap Privacy & Security
- Select Location Services
- Scroll to System Services
- Tap Significant Locations
- Toggle it off
Although Apple states that this data is end-to-end encrypted and cannot be read by the company, some users may still feel uncomfortable knowing their device tracks location history. Disabling it prevents your iPhone from continuously learning and storing your most visited places.
If you value minimal data collection over convenience, this is one of the most important settings to adjust.
2. Turn Off iPhone Analytics & Improvements
By default, your iPhone may share device analytics with Apple to help improve products and services. While the data is typically anonymized, it can include usage patterns, diagnostics, and performance information.
To disable analytics sharing:
- Open Settings
- Tap Privacy & Security
- Select Analytics & Improvements
- Turn off:
- Share iPhone Analytics
- Share iCloud Analytics
- Improve Siri & Dictation
This step limits how much behavioral and performance data your device sends externally. Even though analytics programs are designed to enhance system performance and fix bugs, privacy-focused users often prefer to opt out.
Reducing analytics sharing ensures your usage habits stay on your device rather than contributing to broader data analysis programs.
3. Limit App Tracking Requests
App tracking allows third-party apps to follow your activity across other apps and websites for advertising purposes. Apple introduced App Tracking Transparency in earlier updates, and Apple continues to strengthen these controls in iOS 18.
Even if you’ve previously responded to tracking prompts, it’s wise to double-check your settings.
To limit tracking:
- Go to Settings
- Tap Privacy & Security
- Select Tracking
- Turn off Allow Apps to Request to Track
When this setting is disabled, apps cannot ask for permission to track your activity across other companies’ apps and websites. This reduces targeted advertising and minimizes the sharing of behavioral data with third parties.
While you may still see ads, they will be less personalized and less reliant on cross-app monitoring.
Why These Settings Matter
Privacy today is about reducing unnecessary data exposure. Your smartphone contains sensitive information — location history, browsing habits, communication patterns, and personal preferences. Even if companies claim to anonymize data, limiting collection at the source gives you stronger control.
Turning off these three settings does not affect core functionality. Your iPhone will still operate normally, and you likely won’t notice major changes beyond fewer personalized suggestions and ads.
For users who prioritize privacy, small adjustments like these create meaningful improvements in digital security.
Final Thoughts
iOS 18 offers powerful tools and privacy controls, but some features are enabled by default in ways that prioritize convenience and system improvement over strict data minimization. By disabling Significant Locations, turning off Analytics sharing, and limiting App Tracking requests, you immediately reduce how much personal information your device collects and shares.
Taking a few minutes to review your privacy settings can make a significant difference. In a world where digital data is constantly gathered and analyzed, proactive control is the best way to protect your personal information.
