iOS privacy settings: Relaxed level

What for: So that only you can unlock your phone.

The safest way to lock your iPhone is to use an alphanumeric password. A four- or six-digit PIN code is easy to crack, and in some cases a Face ID can be spoofed by a photo or 3D mask. Older iPhone models could be unlocked with a fingerprint — this is a reliable and handy way. Unfortunately, Apple has since abandoned that technology.

A strong password complies with the following requirements:

• Is at least 8 characters long;
• Contains lowercase and uppercase letters, numbers, and special characters ($, @, etc.);
• Is not too simple, such as 12345678 or qwerty;
• Is not the same as for any other account, including your Apple ID password;
• Is not an actual word or easy-to-guess phrase;
• Does not consist of information that strangers could easily find out (your name, date of birth, pet's name, and so forth — or those of your friends or relatives).

To set a password:

1. Open Settings;
2. Go to Face ID & Passcode menu;
3. Select Turn Passcode On;
4. Tap Passcode Options;
5. From the available options, select Custom Alphanumeric Code;
6. Enter your new password twice;
7. Confirm with your AppleID password and tap Done.

We recommend using a strong password even if you decide to sign in with your Face ID. This strong combination will remain a backup method for unlocking your phone.

What for: To use applications and features that require Face ID

We recommend using Face ID only where this cannot be avoided: for example, some applications may have security settings that require you to enable it. In other cases, it is better to use password unlock as a more reliable option.

To configure sign in by Face ID:

1. Open Settings;
2. Go to Face ID & Passcode;
3. Enter your password;
4. Tap Set Up Face ID;
5. The system then needs to scan your face. Tap Get Started and follow the on-screen instructions;
6. While in the same menu, turn on Require Attention for Face ID. This makes unlocking possible only while you are looking at the screen.

If you often wear sunglasses or a mask, use Set Up an Alternative Appearance. This lets you add another image of your face to Face ID or give access to someone you trust, such as your spouse or a kid. We do not recommend this, though, as it makes your device less secure.

What for: To prevent strangers from accessing the system if you leave your device unattended.

The system independently can lock your iPhone when you are not using it. This will prevent strangers from accessing your confidential information in your absence.

To select the amount of time to wait before the device is locked:

1. Open Settings;
2. Go to Display & Brightness;
3. Select Auto-Lock and select a length of time that is convenient for you.

It is not recommended to select the Never option; otherwise anyone will be able to access your personal information on the smartphone if you ever lose your device.

Auto-lock tracks your gaze, keeping the screen unlocked as long as you are reading or watching video.

What for: To safeguard your data.

You can configure your iPhone to automatically save important information in iCloud. If you do so and your device is lost or stolen, you can easily restore your passwords, settings, documents, and photos.

To enable iCloud Backup:

1. Open Settings;
2. Tap your Apple ID;
3. Select the iCloud menu;
4. Go to iCloud Backup;
5. Turn on Back Up This iPhone;
6. If you want to immediately save data on the server, tap Back Up Now.

We recommend turning off access to your iCloud data on Apple websites. This would ensure that you can view it on trusted devices only.

1. Open Settings;
2. Tap your Apple ID;
3. Select the iCloud menu;
4. Turn off Access iCloud Data on the Web.

Downside: With a free account, you cannot upload more than 5GB of data to iCloud.

What for: To find your iPhone if it is lost or stolen.

The Find My service will help you find your smartphone in case it is lost. You can use it to determine the location of your device and sound its alarm, and remotely lock it or wipe its memory. This will protect your data from prying eyes even if you are unable to find your iPhone. Even if you have to resort to this option, you can still locate your device with Find My provided it runs on iOS15 or a later version of the operating system.

The device search feature works even without Internet access and if location services are turned off. In this case, your lost phone sends a special signal over Bluetooth that is received by other nearby Apple devices. After receiving the signal, these devices send their location to Apple and the company forwards this data to your account. Using this feature, you will be able to see the approximate location of your iPhone in the Find My app.

To turn on the search service:

1. Open Settings;
2. Tap your Apple ID;
3. Go to the Find My menu;
4. Go to Find My iPhone;
5. Turn on the following features:

• Find My iPhone;
• Find My network;
• Send Last Location.

You can find or lock a lost device by using the Find My app on any Apple device or at iCloud.com.

Activation Lock is also enabled when the Find My service is turned on. This feature prevents someone from signing in to your system with a different Apple ID, turning off the Find My feature, or wiping the memory without password confirmation.

What for: To protect your iMessage chats.

For those who use iMessage, Contact Key Verification helps to add more protection to chats and personal data. This feature helps to make sure that you are talking to the right person. If key verification finishes with an error, you will be alerted during the conversation.

Please note: The error alert will only appear if both you and the other party have Contact Key Verification turned on.

To enable feature:

1. Open Settings;
2. Tap your Apple ID;
3. Tap Contact Key Verification;
4. Turn on Verification in iMessage.

What for: To prevent your data and devices from being hacked.

An Apple ID account lets you synchronize music, photos, and other data across devices. However, if your account is hacked, criminals will gain access to all this data. In addition, access to your Apple ID will enable someone to remotely lock your device and format its hard drive.

Make sure that your account is protected by a strong password that complies with the following requirements:

• Is at least 8 characters long;
• Contains lowercase and uppercase letters, numbers, and special characters ($, @, etc.);
• Is not an actual word or easy-to-guess phrase;
• Is not the same as your passwords for any other accounts;
• Does not consist of information that strangers could easily find out (your name, date of birth, pet's name, and so forth — or those of your friends or relatives).

To change your Apple ID password on your iPhone:

1. Open Settings;
2. Tap your Apple ID;
3. Go to the Sign-In & Security menu;
4. Enter your current password;
5. Tap Change Password;
6. Enter your passcode;
7. Create a new password and confirm it;
8. Tap Change.

What for: To prevent your account from being hacked.

You should enable two-factor authentication to improve the protection of your Apple ID. When this is enabled, the system will additionally require a one-time code any time you or someone else attempts to sign in to your account from a new device. Both the code and the new sign-in alert go to your trusted device. If a different person has entered your user name and password, you can block the sign-in.

If you have already signed in to your Apple ID from a device and then signed out, you will not be prompted for a code the next time you sign in. In iOS 13.4 and later versions, two-factor authentication is automatically enabled when an Apple ID is created. Otherwise you can manually enable it as follows:

1. Open Settings;
2. Tap your Apple ID;
3. Go to the Sign-In & Security menu;
4. Locate Two-Factor Authentication and tap On;
5. Enter your Apple ID password;
6. Specify the phone number where you want to receive a text message or phone call. This can be your primary number or a backup number. This number is required in case you do not have a trusted device nearby or if it is broken;
7. Enter the verification code you received.

There are two ways you can receive a code on a trusted device. View it in a notification (after you tap Allow) or request it. To do that:

1. Open Settings;
2. Tap your Apple ID;
3. Open Sign-In & Security;
4. Go to Two-Factor Authentication;
5. Tap Get Verification Code.

What for: To avoid losing access to your account.

In case you forget your Apple ID password with no way to recover it, Apple provides a way for you to recover access to your account.

1. Open Settings;
2. Tap your Apple ID;
3. Go to the Sign-In & Security menu;
4. Select Account Recovery.

Next, set up a method that suits you by choosing a recovery contact or creating a recovery key.

To choose a person to help you with recovering access:

1. Select Add Recovery Contact;
2. Tap Add Recovery Contact;
3. Verify your identity with your chosen login method;
4. Type in the contact name in the search bar;
5. Tap the contact name;
6. Tap Add. You can add up to five trusted contacts.

Please note: The person you choose must have an Apple device running iOS15 or later, iPadOS 15 or later, or macOS 12 or later. They must be 13 or older and have two-factor authentication and iMessage activated on their device as well as screen lock turned on.

To set up a recovery key:

1. Select Recovery Key;
2. Turn on Recovery Key;
3. Tap Use Recovery Key to confirm;
4. Verify your identity with your chosen login method;
5. The system will display a 28-character recovery key. Write it down or make a screenshot and print it, and then store it somewhere safe;
6. Tap Continue;
7. The system will ask you to verify your recovery key. Enter it manually or scan text;
8. Tap Next.

To turn off the ability to recover access to your account with the key:

1. Tap Recovery Key;
2. Turn off Recovery Key;
3. Tap Turn Off;
4. Verify your identity using your selected login method.

Should you lose your recovery key or suspect that a stranger has found it out, reset it:

1. Select Recovery Key;
2. Tap Create New Recovery Key;
3. Tap Replace Recovery Key to confirm;
4. Verify your identity using your selected login method;
5. Follow the steps above to create a new recovery key.

What for: To ensure all your accounts are securely protected.

The built-in iCloud Keychain app lets you store and automatically insert account credentials and payment card details in forms. Because of synchronization, this data is available on Mac, iPhone and iPad.

If you are using identical passwords on different websites, theft or leak of one of them may result in several of your accounts being hacked. You can use the iCloud Keychain service to check whether your passwords match:

1. Open Settings;
2. Select Passwords menu;
3. Enter iPhone password;
4. Select Security Recommendations;
5. Make sure that Detect Compromised Passwords is enabled;
6. You will see a list of resources with duplicate, weak or leaked passwords and will be able to change these passwords;

If you store your data digitally, there is always a risk of it being leaked, even if the service you store it in is considered a reliable one. To reduce the risk, delete your passwords from your account. To do that:

1. Open Settings;
2. Tap your Apple ID;
3. Go to the iCloud menu;
4. Select Passwords and Keychain;
5. Turn off Sync this iPhone.

Please note that data deleted from iCloud Keychain may remain in other storage, such as the Safari AutoFill list.

Downside: You will have to manually enter your password on websites and in apps each time. You can eliminate this downside by installing a password manager with a reliable data encryption and security system.

What for: To prevent strangers from using your accounts, subscriptions, or money.

iOS lets you create groups to share subscriptions and passwords with, and to allow others to use your payment methods.

If you use Family Sharing, and you are the organiser, you can share your location and many other types of data with the members. To make sure your family group includes only people you trust:

1. Open Settings;
2. Tap your Apple ID;
3. Go to the Family Sharing menu;
4. You will see a list of the family members.

To remove a contact from the family group:

1. Tap the member you want to remove;
2. Tap Remove [contact name] from Family.

Family Sharing also lets you configure the shared services and options that the members are allowed to use.

1. Open Settings;
2. Tap your Apple ID;
3. Go to Family Sharing;
4. Open the Subscriptions menu;
5. Tap Manage Your Subscriptions.

Select subscription you want to share.

Please note: To stop sharing a subscription, you would have to cancel it, leave the family sharing group, or remove the family member.

If you keep your passwords in Keychain, and you are a member of a group with shared access to logins and passwords, we recommend leaving the group or deleting it if you are the organizer, and resetting the compromised passwords. To leave a group:

1. Open Settings;
2. Go to the Passwords menu;
3. Verify your identity with your chosen unlock method;
4. Tap the name of the group with shared access;
5. Tap Leave Group.

If you are the organizer, and you want to delete the group:

1. Open Settings;
2. Go to the Passwords menu;
3. Verify your identity with your chosen unlock method;
4. Tap the name of the group with shared access;
5. Tap Manage;
6. Tap Delete Group.

If you would rather remain a member or the group, and you trust the other members, check what passwords are shared:

1. Open Settings;
2. Go to the Passwords menu;
3. Verify your identity with your chosen unlock method;
4. Tap the group name;
5. You will see a list of passwords you are sharing with the group. Tap the password you want to stop sharing;
6. Tap Group;
7. Move the password to My Passwords;
8. Tap Move to My Passwords to confirm.

Please note: Make sure you reset the password after removing it from the shared group.

What for: To keep your protection up to date.

Even the most advanced system may contain flaws that enable it to be hacked. iOS developers regularly fix vulnerabilities and add new security functions, so it is important to install the latest patches as soon as possible.

You can configure your system to automatically install updates as they are released:

1. Open Settings;
2. Go to the General menu;
3. Select Software update;
4. Tap Automatic Updates;
5. Turn on the following under AUTOMATICALLY INSTALL:
6. iOS Updates;
7. Security Responses & System Files;
8. Turn on iOS Updates under AUTOMATICALLY DOWNLOAD.

Please note that the device will be updated only if it is connected to Wi-Fi and its battery has at least a 50% charge (or above 30% if the device plugged in to a power source).

What for: To avoid communicating with unpleasant people.

You can block any contact: a useful reaction to spam calls or phone fraud, or in case you simply want to restrict calls and messages from a specific person:

1. Open the Phone app;
2. Find the relevant number or name on the Recent or Contacts tab;
3. Tap the "i" next to the entry on the Recents tab, or tap on the contact name on the Contacts tab;
4. Tap Block Caller at the bottom of the screen;
5. In the opened window, tap Block Contact.

The blocked caller will not receive any notifications about being added to your denylist. You will no longer receive notifications regarding the person's messages, phone calls, or FaceTime.

To unblock a user:

1. Open Settings;
2. Go to the Phone menu;
3. Select Blocked Contacts;
4. Swipe left the name of the caller that you want to remove from the denylist.

What for: To keep developers from collecting or sharing your data.

Apps and services on Apple devices can track your activity on websites and in other developers' apps. For instance, Facebook can find out your Google search queries and then use that information for displaying targeted ads.

To provide users with greater control over their data, Apple has introduced the App Tracking Transparency policy. It enables you to stop developers from collecting information about your activities in other apps.

If your device is running iOS, iPadOS or tvOS 14.5 or above, each application, when launched for the first time, should request permission for collecting this data. You can decline by tapping Ask Not to Track. You can also block tracking in the system settings:

1. Open Settings;
2. Go to Privacy & Security;
3. Select Tracking;
4. Find the app in the list and slide the toggle off;
5. To automatically deny requests from apps to track your activity, turn off Allow Apps to Request to Track.

The restriction will not affect the performance of the application. You will keep seeing ads in the app, but they will not be based on your interests any longer.