Android 17

Settings → Security & Privacy → Permission manager → Review all categories

Permissions are grouped by type: Location, Camera, Microphone, Contacts, Nearby devices, and so on. Review each one and revoke access for apps that do not need it. On some phones Permission manager sits under a Privacy heading.

Contacts requests → Pick specific contacts when an app offers the picker

When an app uses the new contacts picker, you choose which contacts to share and the app gets only those, rather than your entire address book. Prefer this over granting full Contacts access where an app offers both.

Permission manager → Nearby devices → Allow only apps that need to find devices on your network

On Android 17, apps built for this version need permission to reach devices on your local network, and that permission is part of the Nearby devices group. Smart home, casting, and printer apps have a real reason to ask. A game or shopping app usually does not. If you already granted an app another Nearby devices permission, it will not be asked again, so check the list here.

Location button in apps → Use it when offered, instead of granting ongoing access

Some apps now show a location button for one-time tasks like finding a nearby store or tagging a post. Tapping it gives precise location for that session only, and access ends when you close the app.

Per-app location access → Set to "Allow only while using the app" instead of "Allow all the time" where practical

Most apps work correctly without continuous location access. Apps that need background location, such as navigation or fitness trackers, will prompt you separately. When the location indicator appears, tap it to see which apps recently used your location and change their access from the Recent app use screen.

Settings → Location → Location Services → Location Accuracy → Off

When on, your phone sends Wi-Fi, cell tower, and sensor data to Google to improve location accuracy. Turning it off means the phone relies on GPS only, which is slower but does not send that network data to Google.

Settings → Google → All services → Theft protection → Confirm Theft Detection Lock and Remote Lock are On

Both are on by default for new, reset, or upgraded Android 17 phones, but a phone that was set up earlier may differ. Theft Detection Lock locks the screen if the phone is snatched from your hand. Remote Lock lets you lock it from another device with just your phone number. While you are here, consider turning on Identity Check, which asks for your fingerprint or face before sensitive changes when you are away from trusted places.

Find Hub → Mark as lost → Know where it is before you need it

If your phone goes missing, you can mark it as lost from another device at google.com/android/find. In Android 17, unlocking a phone marked as lost needs your fingerprint or face as well as your PIN, so a thief who saw your PIN still cannot turn off tracking. Marking it as lost also hides Quick Settings and blocks new Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connections.

Settings → Security & Privacy → Other settings → Advanced Protection → Device protection → Off (leave at default for most people)

Advanced Protection is an opt-in hardened mode for people at higher risk of targeted attacks, similar to Lockdown Mode on iPhone. It blocks installing apps from outside trusted stores, restricts USB data connections, and requires Google Play Protect scanning. Most people do not need it. You need a screen lock to turn it on, and your phone may restart.

Settings → Security & Privacy → Privacy → Ads → Delete advertising ID

Deleting your device's advertising ID means apps that ask for it receive a zeroed-out identifier, which is more effective than simply resetting it.

Google Account → Data & privacy → Ad personalization → Off

Stops Google from using your activity to build an ad profile. You will still see ads across Google services, but they will not be based on your browsing, search, or app activity.

myactivity.google.com/search-services/settings → Search Services History → Off, or On with auto-delete

This new setting decides whether Google saves your activity in Search, Maps, Shopping, Flights, Hotels, Translate, and News to your account. It took over that job from Web & App Activity, and it started with whatever you had chosen there before. It also has a Saved Media option that keeps images, audio, and video from voice search, Google Lens, and Search Live. Turn that off if you do not want those files stored. Google is rolling the change out gradually, so you may still see the older Web & App Activity setting for a while.

Google Account → Data & privacy → YouTube History → On with auto-delete set to 3 months

YouTube recommendations depend heavily on watch history. Keeping it on with a short retention period is a practical balance.

Gemini app → profile picture → Gemini Apps Activity → Keep Activity → Turn off, or shorten auto-delete

Gemini is now the assistant on Android phones. Google began removing Google Assistant on September 4, 2026, and once it is gone from your phone you cannot switch back. By default, Gemini keeps your activity for 18 months, with 3 and 36 months as the other options. When Keep Activity is off, conversations are still held for up to 72 hours so Google can provide the service.

Settings → Security & Privacy → More security & privacy → Usage & diagnostics → Off

Stops your phone from sending crash reports, performance data, and usage statistics to Google.

Settings → Security & Privacy → Private space → Set up

Private Space creates a separate area on your phone for apps you want to keep apart, behind an additional lock, with its own data and permissions. It is useful for sensitive apps like banking or health, especially on a shared phone.