Android Privacy Settings

Overview

Configure basic privacy settings on an Android device.

Settings

Navigate to the Settings application and complete the following sections.

DOT Setup

Configure Android to encrypt DNS queries by configuring a Private DNS Mode in settings. This will prevent the device from using the DNS server defined by the local network or ISP, and will prevent third-party DNS filtering and monitoring.

Network & internet

From Network & internet select Private DNS.

Private DNS

Select Private DNS provider hostname and configure a DNS provider of choice, then Save.

Cloudflare

security.cloudflare-dns.com

Mullvad

dns.mullvad.net

OpenDNS

dns.opendns.com

Quad 9

dns.quad9.net

Delete Advertising ID

From Settings, select Google to modify Google services. Switch to the All Services tab and select Ads.

Select Delete advertising ID. A warning prompt with more information will be displayed, select Delete advertising ID again to complete deletion. The only option after deletion will be Get new advertising ID.

Disable Special App Access

From Settings, select Apps. Select Special app access; all settings in this category are worth reviewing, notable changes are as follows.

Device Admin Apps

From Special app access, select Device admin apps. Review the apps with administrative permissions and revoke permissions. Some apps may require this to function, adjust accordingly.

Modify System Settings

From Special app access, select Modify system settings. Review the list of apps and revoke permissions. Very few apps actually require this to function.

Usage Access

From Special app access, select Usage access. Select each app and revoke this permission. The only apps that truly require this are scheduling apps like ‘Digital Wellbeing’.

Security & Privacy

From Settings, select Security & privacy. The settings in this section are all worth reviewing.

More Security & Privacy

From Security & privacy, select More security & privacy. Consider disabling Personalize using app data, Android System Intelligence, Autofill service from Google, and Usage & diagnostics.

References

^{1 2 3 4 5}