iPhone has the best security features  when compared with other OS in the world but despite the high level of security provided in the iPhone, there are some loopholes by which your data can be at stake. Data can be compromised by various methods like giving unauthenticated apps permissions to access your iPhone’s hardware and software which collect your data and can sell it to another vendor.

Apart from this, your browsing history is collected by search engines and based on that you get to see relevant ads-based on your search history.

These are some minor-looking, major loopholes by which your data can be compromised. In this blog, we will tell you 7 ways to add an extra layer of security to your iPhone so that you never compromise on your data.

Add Double-Layer Security in iPhone

1. Set up Face ID and Passcode

Setting up Face ID is the first layer of protection that needs to be enabled to secure your iPhone, iPad’s data. You will be required to set up the Face ID when you first switch on the phone.

Note:- Set up Touch ID in iPhones and iPads with Home button

Similarly, Passcode is another layer of security that can be enabled in place of Face ID or Touch ID. A passcode needs to be very strong so that no one can crack it.

Steps to set up Face ID and Passcode:-

• Select Settings on the home screen
• Navigate to Face ID and Passcode
  
• Enter current Passcode
• Tap Change Passcode
  
• Again enter the existing Passcode
• Tap on Passcode options to choose from the type of Passcode you want to set up from:-

Custom Alphanumeric Code (Contains mix of alphabets, numbers, and symbols)

Custom Numeric Code (6 Digits long numeric Passcode)

6-Digit Numeric Code

4-Digit Numeric Code

• Enter new Passcode

Note:- If you forget the Passcode and fail to unlock the device, then you will first have to restore the device. Make sure that you have the backup on iTunes or any other third-party app.

Also Read: How to Change iPhone Passcode to a Four-digit Passcode

Steps to setup Passcode:-

• Select Settings on the home screen
• Navigate to Face ID and Passcode
• Enter Passcode and select Set up Face ID or Add a Fingerprint if you have an iPhone or iPad with a home button.

2. Turn On Find My

Apple’s Find My app is used to find Apple devices and items that have Apple’s AirTags attached to them. Find My app is used with all Apple devices like iPhones, iPads, Mac, Apple Watch, Airpods. If your device is lost or stolen, then by using the Find My app you will get the exact location of your device. The best part about the app is that it is not mandatory to have a stable internet connection to use the app as the app works without the internet also.

Apart from tracking the device you can play a sound on it or can erase the data.

How to turn on Find My app:-

• Open Find My app and log in with Apple ID credentials.
• Now you will be able to see the location of the device with the options like Play sound, Direction, etc.

3. Enable two-factor authentication

Two-factor authentication is a process in which you require a one-time use code along with your password to log in if you log in from an unfamiliar device. Once you have set up two-factor authentication anyone having your password will not be able to access your account.

Steps to set up two-factor authentication:-

• Navigate to Settings
• Password & Security
• Tap on Turn on two-factor authentication

4. Enable automatic updates

Whenever there is an update either for the OS or for the apps then is important to download and install those updates. These updates contain security and privacy fixes that help you protect your data and provide you with overall security.

 Steps to enable automatic updates for apps:-

• Navigate to Settings
• App store> Enable App Updates
• Also, enable automatic downloads

Steps to enable automatic updates for OS:-

• Navigate to Settings
• General> Software Update (Make sure that you have all the latest updates installed)

5. Disable Ad Tracking

Apps gather information about you based on your searches and you get ads. Companies that have your information can also sell your data to some unreliable source which can be a threat to your privacy. Therefore it is advised to stop ad tracking so that the data can be protected.

Steps to disable ad tracking:-

• Navigate to Settings
• Privacy> Apple Advertising
• Toggle Personalized Ads off

6. Block mail tracking

Some emails like newsletters or marketing emails track your location with the help of tracking technology and inform the sender if you have opened their mail or not by giving them an opaque sense of your location. By using the Apple mail app, you can get rid of this tracking to some extent. By enabling Protect mail activity the sender will not be able to track your IP Address.

Steps to block mail tracking:-

• Open Settings
• Mail> Privacy Protection> Enable Protect Mail Activity

7. Audit app permissions

Whenever you install a new app on your device, then it seeks permission to access system services and hardware like microphone, camera, location, etc. By using all these services, you could miss some indicators of problematic behavior. For example, there are many apps on iPhone that do not require you to trace your location but still they trace it so that they can sell it.

What to do:-

• Navigate to Settings> Privacy
• Toggle off location service and only activate when needed.
• Open tracking and toggle off Allow Apps to request to Track. Select Ask Apps to Stop Tracking

Conclusion:-

Data is very sensitive and if data is passed on to someone else without your concern, then it can lead to a major privacy breach. In this blog, we have seen various ways by which we can set up some additional security settings to give an additional layer of security on our iPhone so that data can be protected.

Apply these settings in your iPhone so that you can track everything that is going on in your device and can take advantage of the less known security features.