Apple iOS 16

Operating System Reviewed February 2026 May be outdated

These are reasonable defaults - not the only right choices. If your current settings work for you, there is no pressure to change anything.

What the default settings do

iOS 16 ships with many privacy features already enabled, such as App Tracking Transparency prompts and on-device processing for Siri. However, several defaults still share data with Apple and third parties in ways you may not expect - including analytics, personalized ads, and location services.

A reasonable privacy baseline

These settings are found in the Settings app on your iPhone.

Privacy & Security

Tracking → Allow Apps to Request to Track → Off

This automatically denies all tracking requests from apps instead of asking you each time.

Analytics & Improvements → Share iPhone Analytics → Off

Stops sending daily diagnostics and usage data to Apple.

Analytics & Improvements → Improve Siri & Dictation → Off

Prevents audio recordings of Siri interactions from being sent to Apple for review.

Apple Advertising → Personalized Ads → Off

Apple still shows ads in the App Store and other Apple apps, but they will not be based on your activity.

Location Services

Location Services → System Services → Significant Locations → Off

Stops your iPhone from recording places you visit frequently. This data is stored on-device and encrypted, but you may prefer not to collect it at all.

Location Services → System Services → iPhone Analytics → Off

Prevents location data from being included in analytics reports sent to Apple.

Per-app location access → Review and set to "While Using" instead of "Always" where practical

Most apps do not need your location when they are not open.

Safari settings

Safari → Prevent Cross-Site Tracking → On (usually on by default)

Blocks third-party cookies and cross-site tracking in Safari.

Safari → Hide IP Address → From Trackers

Uses iCloud Private Relay (if available) or local processing to hide your IP from known trackers.

Trade-offs

Turning off Significant Locations means features like predictive routing and some Siri suggestions may be less relevant.
Disabling personalized ads does not reduce the number of ads - only their relevance to you.
Setting all apps to “While Using” for location may mean some apps cannot send location-based notifications.
Disabling analytics means Apple receives less data to diagnose bugs that may affect your device.

Who should not change these settings

If you find Siri location-based suggestions valuable, you may want to keep Significant Locations on.
If you use apps that rely on background location access (such as family safety or fitness tracking), setting those specific apps to “Always” is reasonable.
If you want to help Apple improve its products and are comfortable with the data collected, leaving analytics on is a valid choice.