Every new iOS update brings useful features. But many iPhone users only discover this months later, or not at all. It’s a shame, because it’s often small adjustments that can make your daily life just a little smarter, faster or even safer.
From new privacy options to surprisingly useful settings in Safari, some tricks make so much sense that you’ll wonder why you didn’t use them before. In this article we list some of those lesser-known features for you, including tips to better protect your digital data. Because your iPhone may be smart, but it’s not smart enough for you against all tricks of clever internet criminals to protect. High time to take a closer look at the privacy of your iPhone!
Keep an eye on apps with App Privacy Report
If you want to know which apps are watching your phone, then we have good news for you. Since iOS 15.2, you can use App Privacy Report to see exactly how often apps request access to your location, microphone or contacts. You will find this overview in the settings under ‘Privacy and security’.
What you see there is often surprising. Some apps use your camera in the background or continuously ping external servers. This insight allows you to determine in a much more targeted manner which apps you want to continue using and which apps you would rather delete. Came recently TEMU in disrepute for violating privacy. So it’s not such a bad idea to take a look at what apps are running on your phone.
Use public networks smarter
Public WiFi networks are convenient, but often also a risk. Especially if you quickly open an email at an airport or check your banking app in a coffee shop. You never know who is watching when you are on an open network.
That’s why it’s wise to have one VPN on your Mac or iPhone. Your internet traffic is encrypted, your location is protected and you prevent sensitive data from being intercepted. Moreover, a VPN protects your IP address. Normally this is visible to third parties, making it easier to trace you.
Do you want to know what your IP address is and what others can find out about you with it? You can easily check this using tools such as ‘What is my IP address’. Quite useful if you want to understand how visible – or invisible – you are online.
Your passwords neatly and securely in one place
iPhones have had a built-in password manager for years, but it has improved considerably since iOS 17. You can now also add notes per account (e.g. security questions or recovery instructions), clean up old passwords and check whether you are reusing passwords.
Everything is automatically synced with iCloud, so you also have direct access on your Mac or iPad. And you can easily share codes with family members, without having to send them via WhatsApp or email. In our opinion, that is what makes the iOS ecosystem so great. Everything works intuitively and easily.
Open email without being tracked
In the standard Mail app, you can set your IP address not to be shared when you open an email. For example, senders cannot see exactly when you read the email, where you were or what device you were using.
This function is not always enabled automatically, so it is wise to check this. You will find this option under ‘Mail > Privacy Protection’. Especially if you often receive newsletters or offers, this prevents a lot of invisible tracking.
Harness the power of your iPhone
The power of the iPhone lies not only in its design or speed, but especially in the smart details that make your daily tasks easier. Often it is precisely those small adjustments or new apps that provide more peace of mind, overview and extra security. At a time when online data is becoming increasingly important, this is essential. By regularly checking what’s new or what you may have missed, you can get the most out of your device.