The new iPhone and Android security settings you should know about

Printer friendly 🖨

After months of rumors, Apple’s unveiled its new iPhone 14, Apple Watch 8 and AirPods Pro this month. All four iPhone 14 models get better crash detection and satellite communication in an emergency. Tap or click here for details on everything Apple revealed.

Google’s not far behind. The company will unveil the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro, along with a Pixel Watch and other goodies, on Oct. 6. Stay tuned for our coverage.

Apple and Google recently released their new mobile operating systems: iOS 16 and Android 13. Whether you’re team Apple or team Android, here are the latest security features you need to turn on now.

iOS 16

Apple’s latest operating system comes with a slew of new features, such as the ability to unsend and edit text messages and lock screen customization.

More importantly, Apple added more security features to protect your privacy and information.

Bad news if you have an older iPhone. Regarding iOS 16, the Cupertino company is leaving more devices out than usual. Tap or click here to see which iPhone models are not compatible with the new iOS.

Passkey

Passkeys are unique digital keys that are more secure than 2FA, never stored on a web server and stay on your device. They replace passwords and use Touch ID or Face ID for verification. They are end-to-end encrypted and work across apps and the web to let you sign into websites or apps on a non-Apple device using your iPhone, too.

You must have iCloud Keychain turned on and two-factor authentication enabled to use passkeys.

Depending on the website, browser, or app you’re using, saving a passkey to your iPhone and iCloud Keychain usually consists of these steps:

For a new account: Enter an account name on the sign-up screen.
For an existing account: Sign in with your password, then go to the account management screen.
When you see the option to save a passkey for the account, tap Continue.

Safety Check

Safety Check is aimed at users at risk of domestic violence. If your safety is at risk, you can use Safety Check on your iPhone (running iOS 16 or later) to quickly stop sharing your information or to review and update sharing with individual people and apps.

Safety Check can be used to modify information associated with your Apple ID. You can use Safety Check to:

Review and remove devices signed into your account.
Review and update trusted phone numbers.
Change your Apple ID password.
Update your emergency contacts.
Update your device passcode and your Face ID or Touch ID information.

Emergency Reset is a tool with Safety Check. Use it to stop sharing the items listed above immediately. It also allows you to review and reset settings associated with your Apple ID.

Here’s how to use Emergency Reset:

Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Safety Check.
Tap Emergency Reset, then follow the onscreen instructions. Progress is saved as you go.
When you’ve finished, make sure you stopped all sharing and reset specific settings. See verify you’ve stopped sharing.

Another helpful Safety Check tool is Manage Sharing & Access. Use it when you want to examine sharing in more detail. It helps you review and reset information you’re sharing with people, review and reset the information apps have access to and update your device and Apple ID security.

Here’s how to use it:

Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Safety Check.
Tap Manage Sharing & Access. Progress is saved as you go.
Do one of the following to stop sharing information with other people:
- Tap People, select people in the list, review the information shared with people, then decide which information you want to stop sharing with selected people.
- Tap Information, select apps in the list, review the information shared with people, then decide which information you want to stop sharing with selected people.
Do one of the following to stop sharing information with other apps:
- Tap Apps, select apps in the list, review the information shared with them, then decide which information you want to stop sharing with the selected apps.
- Tap Information, select the information being shared in the list, review the information shared with apps, then decide which information you want to stop sharing with the selected apps.
Tap Continue, then do any of the following:
- Review and remove devices signed into your account.
- Review and update trusted phone numbers.
- Change your Apple ID password.
- Update your emergency contacts.
- Update your device passcode or Face ID or Touch ID information.
Click Done.
When you’ve finished, make sure you stopped certain sharing and reset specific settings. See verify you’ve stopped sharing.

If you want to restart sharing with someone after using Safety Check, open the app or service from which you’d like to share information and share that content again.

Android 13

Android 13 focuses on privacy and security, personalization and large-screen devices. Want to know if your phone is compatible with the latest version of Android? Tap or click here for a complete list of eligible devices.

Let’s review the new features that keep you and your device safe.

Updated Privacy dashboard

Android’s Privacy dashboard has been updated to show you which apps have used permissions over the past seven days. This is a big step up from the previous limit of just 24 hours.

Go to Settings > Privacy to check out the permissions you have given to apps.

Photo Picker

When you want to share an image on your social media profile or with a friend, your Android uses Photo Picker. You get a screen showing all your photos and the option to use them. With Android 13, apps don’t get access to all your photos and videos — just the ones you allow.

Notification permissions

The apps you download now need your permission to send notifications. When you open up an app for the first time or use it for the first time in a while, you’ll have to confirm if you want it to send you notifications.

Cleared Clipboard history

When an app accesses your clipboard, you’ll get an alert and your clipboard history will also be cleared after a period to prevent unwanted access.

If you copy sensitive data to your clipboard (email, phone number, login credentials), Android will automatically delete the information after some time.