9 Privacy Features of iOS 14 Users Need to Know

Over the years, Apple has been providing ways for its users to manage and customize their Privacy Settings on an iPhone or iPad. However, the iOS 14 and iPadOS 14 launch brought more features designed to keep you safe and secure. The update to version 14 includes new features such as Apple’s latest subscription workout service, Fitness Plus, and a hidden camera feature (only limited to iPhone 12 Pro and Pro Max users). Meanwhile, there’s more to see the privacy features of iOS 14 as a whole.

To start with, Apple introduced a new interface for iPhone users to interact with their home screens including the ability to create app icond, add widgets, and lots more. These amazing upgrades will surely enhance your iOS experience. We found iOS 14 and iPadOS 14 tricks more amazing. For instance, Safari and Apple Mail can now be fully ditched with a redesigned default apps setting.

Below, we’ll work you through the best 9 privacy features of iOS 14 users need to know. Here’s how to use them.

Tracking Permissions for App Developers

Of course, app developers can track you while using their websites and apps by sending you targeted ads. As a way to control which apps or websites that can and cannot track your actions, you can control it by choosing certain trusted apps you want to track you. Unfortunately, apps that don’t ask for permissions before sending ads can still track you, but it still gives you a chance to mitigate some.

To set this, go to Settings > Privacy > Tracking > Allow Apps to Request to Track and turn it on. In this section, you can click on “Learn more” to know more about how tracking works.

Sharing Approximate Locations

Sometimes, you just have to share your location with some certain apps or websites before using them. However, you might be wary of sharing your exact location with some of them. Fortunately, with iOS 14, you can share just your approximate location if an app request for it. Also, you can manually set this feature for each specific app or website.

To set this feature, click Settings > Privacy > Location Services. Before that, make sure your phone’s Location Service is switched On, then swipe down to the list of apps. Click a specific app to share your location with select Always or While Using. On the next page, turn off the switch for Precise Location, and that specific app will now have to use only your approximate location.

Access to your Local Network

Sometimes, after launching a new specific app, they’ll request local network access initially after an update. Most of these apps will need this permission to communicate with Wi-Fi or Bluetooth devices, but some don’t. After launching such an app, a message will pop-up saying the app would like to find and connect to devices on your local network. Click “Don’t Allow” to deny this access.

Also, you can enable or disable this feature for each specific app. Go to Settings > Privacy > Location Services and check the switch to allow this access or uncheck it to disallow access.

Get a privacy report for every webpage you visit

Sometimes you might wonder how many ad trackers you come across on each webpage or app, well the new Safari can tell you. However, you can check and know how many ad trackers you come across on all of your browsing activity. Open Safari web browser on your iPad or iPhone and visit a website.

Click on the Aa button in the address field at the top corner of your screen. At the bottom of the options list is a new Privacy Report for each page. Just below the label iOS will display the number of trackers that have been blocked by Safari preventing them from tracking you. Also, you can view a detailed 30-day log of ad trackers blocked by Safari on the Privacy Report button. If not for anything, you’ll be aware of numerous prominent ad trackers that are online, with almost every website using them.

Detect Camera or Microphone Access

If you’re fluent with iOS, you’ll notice some apps or websites will try to use your microphone or camera even when they don’t need that access. On older versions, it’s very difficult to tell which apps you permitted to use certain phone features. However, iOS 14 can notify you when your camera or mic is being used.

To know when these features are being in use, an Amber dot appears when the microphone is on while green will show on top of the screen when the camera is active. From these notifications, you can then judge for yourself if you think these apps needs that kind of access.

Limit Photo Access

Some apps will request for access to your photo gallery, a reasonable ask for a photo editing app or camera. However, if you’ve sensitive photos you won’t like to share with people, you can now limit access to those specific photos with iOS 14.

With iOS 14, if you ever receive such a request while trying to launch an app, tap the option for Select Photos. At your phone’s photo gallery, select the specific photos you wish to grant access, then tap done. To make this setting applies to all apps, go to Settings > Privacy > Photos. Meanwhile, choose any app, change the setting to Selected Photos, and then select the specific photos you want the app to access.

Clipboard Access Notification

It’s no longer news that many malicious apps like to spy around on your phone’s activities. One common method they use is to monitor and capture every detail you copy and paste on your phone’s clipboard. One new smart feature is a notification that shows up whenever you paste something via the dashboard.

The notification recognizes the apps or other sources used in both copy and paste. Fortunately, this security feature is already enabled automatically, so you don’t have to do anything settings. However, each time you copy and paste content to your device’s clipboard, search for the notification at the top of the screen.

Detect Problematic Passwords

Using a strong and one unique password for every app or website account is a bit difficult, but using one single password across all platform exposes you to security risks. With iOS 14, you can see which of your passwords are potentially insecure, either because you’ve used it on more than one site or they’re weak.

To try this tweak, go to Settings > Passwords > Security Recommendations. Meanwhile, remember to check the switch for Detect Compromised Passwords. Thereafter, your phone will indicate any weak or risky password that you need to change.

Safari’s Privacy Report

One of the best privacy features of iOS 14 is Safari which will try to protect you by preventing cross-site trackers from hunting you. To set this privacy feature, go to Settings > Safari. Thereafter, swipe down to Privacy & Security, then check the place for Prevent Cross-Site Tracking.

Now you can safely use Safari and browse like normal. To get the report on trackers blocked by Safari, tap the AA icon in the address field and select Privacy Report. This dashboard will show you the number of trackers prevented by Safari and that of websites that contacted trackers. Scroll down the screen to see how many trackers were blocked for each site. Tap the “Trackers” to see the actual names of blocked trackers.

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Conclusion

There’s more to this iOS 14 than a merely redesigned interface. Before upgrading your Mac to the latest version, ensure to do some housekeeping on your device to make sure the installation process goes smoothly. Your device’s privacy is as precious as your life. Ensure you take the necessary steps to prevent your Mac from malicious activities. Fortunately, we’ve outlined a top 9 Privacy Features every iOS 14 user need to know. Read along and follow up our page for the latest computer tech reviews and news.