How to Protect Your Privacy on Android

Content created in partnership with DuckDuckGo

Please note that these instructions may not apply to all Android devices and operating systems.

Follow these easy steps to protect the personal data on your Android devices, and don't forget that can include TVs and other dedicated devices as well as phones and tablets. Also note that the instructions below may differ slightly depending on your version of Android.

1. Minimize Google’s data collection.

On most Android devices you don’t have to sign in with your Google account, although some services may be limited. Also make sure you review your Google activity profile at https://myactivity.google.com/myactivity.

2. Lock down your device.

Use a PIN or ideally an alphanumeric password to lock your device.

How: Settings > Security > Screen lock

3. Encrypt the device to protect the data stored on it.

Note that a PIN or password needs to be set to do this, and the device needs to be plugged in.

How: Settings > Security > Encrypt phone/tablet

4. Keep the device’s software up-to-date.

This is good advice for any device, not just Android

How: Settings > About phone/tablet > System Update

5. Be wary of third-party app stores.

Also, don’t allow installation of apps from “unknown sources” unless you’re very confident in the source.

How: Settings > Security > Unknown sources

6. When installing an app, check its permissions first.

Think carefully about whether to continue installation if it’s requesting access to sensitive data. Seek out apps that require the minimum permissions necessary.

7. Review permissions for installed apps.

You may have missed changes during updates or perhaps changed your opinion of what’s acceptable. Remove apps you no longer use and consider replacing some with ones that request the minimum permissions necessary to do their jobs.

How: Settings > Apps > [app name]

8. Consider which apps you want to sync with the cloud.

Not syncing apps will limit the data they send to the cloud.

How: Settings > Accounts section > [app name]

9. Hide private notifications.

Stop apps from showing notification content in the lock screen (newer versions of Android only).

How: Settings > Sound & notifications

10. Review default apps.

Assess your default applications, making sure you trust critical communication apps like email, SMS, and browser (newer versions of Android only).

How: Settings > Apps > ⚙ icon > Default

11. Don’t share your location with apps.

Stop individual apps accessing your location (newer versions of Android only).

How: Settings > Apps > ⚙ icon > App permissions > Location

12. Install a privacy-focused browser like DuckDuckGo.

DuckDuckGo’s Private browser has built-in tracker network blocking, smarter
encryption, and, of course, private search, all designed to operate seamlessly
together while you search and browse the web.

How: Get the extension for popular browsers from https://duckduckgo.com/app

General note

When using Google services and apps on Android and elsewhere, you can control your data by:

Reviewing and limiting Google’s tracking of your activity in your My Activity page.
Disabling Google’s ad profiling and tracking. See DuckDuckGo's post on changing Google ad targeting settings.

Congratulations! You’ve just taken a big step to increasing mobile privacy and protecting the data on your Android device. You may also be interested in the Tor community's efforts to harden Android further, or our privacy tips for iPhone.

You can also find privacy content from Google in the below links:

Content created in partnership with DuckDuckGo. Content for informational purposes only. References to third party services are informational only, have not necessarily been vetted by, and are not explicity endorsed by, Visa.