Apple iOS 17
What the default settings do
iOS 17 builds on Apple’s existing privacy framework. App Tracking Transparency continues to require apps to ask permission before tracking you, Siri processes many requests on-device, and Safari blocks known cross-site trackers by default.
Several defaults still share data with Apple unless you opt out. Analytics and diagnostics are sent by default, personalized ads are enabled in Apple apps, and Significant Locations records the places you visit frequently. iOS 17 introduced Link Tracking Protection in Safari, Mail, and Messages, which strips tracking parameters from URLs when sharing links.
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. Apps receive a zeroed-out advertising identifier and will not prompt you with tracking permission dialogs.
Analytics & Improvements → Share iPhone Analytics → Off
Stops sending daily diagnostics and usage data to Apple. This includes device configuration, app usage patterns, and crash logs.
Analytics & Improvements → Improve Siri & Dictation → Off
Prevents audio recordings and transcripts of Siri interactions from being stored by Apple for quality review.
Analytics & Improvements → Share with App Developers → Off
Stops sending crash data and usage statistics from third-party apps to their developers through Apple's analytics platform.
Apple Advertising → Personalized Ads → Off
Apple shows ads in the App Store, Apple News, and Stocks. Turning this off means those ads are not based on your activity or App Store behavior.
Location Services
Location Services → System Services → Significant Locations → Off
Stops your iPhone from recording places you visit frequently. The data is encrypted and stored on-device, but disabling it prevents the log from being created.
Location Services → System Services → iPhone Analytics → Off
Prevents location data from being included in analytics reports sent to Apple.
Location Services → System Services → Product Improvement → Off
Stops Apple from using your location data to improve Maps, routing, and other location-based services.
Per-app location access → Review and set to "While Using the App" instead of "Always" where practical
Most apps work correctly with location access only while they are open. Review the list under Privacy & Security → Location Services and adjust apps individually.
Siri
Siri & Search → Siri & Dictation History → Delete Siri & Dictation History
Removes any Siri interaction data currently stored on Apple's servers. This is a one-time action.
Siri & Search → per-app "Learn from this App" toggles → Review and disable for apps you consider sensitive
Siri indexes content from apps to power suggestions and search results. Consider turning this off for banking, health, or messaging apps.
Safari
Safari → Prevent Cross-Site Tracking → On (on by default)
Blocks third-party cookies and cross-site tracking using Intelligent Tracking Prevention.
Safari → Hide IP Address → From Trackers
Hides your IP address from known tracking domains. With an iCloud+ subscription, this uses Private Relay. Otherwise it uses local processing.
Safari → Advanced → Advanced Tracking and Fingerprinting Protection → All Browsing
iOS 17 introduced this setting, which extends Link Tracking Protection and fingerprinting mitigations to all Safari browsing, not just private browsing.
Safari → Privacy Preserving Ad Measurement → Off
This lets websites measure ad effectiveness without identifying you. Turning it off prevents any ad attribution data from being shared.
Lockdown Mode
Privacy & Security → Lockdown Mode → Off (leave at default for most people)
Lockdown Mode restricts device functionality to protect against targeted spyware. It blocks most message attachment types, disables many web technologies, and restricts incoming connections. This setting is designed for people who face targeted surveillance threats. Most people should leave it off.
Trade-offs
- Turning off Significant Locations means predictive routing, commute estimates, and some Siri location suggestions will not work.
- Disabling personalized ads does not reduce the number of ads in Apple apps - only their relevance to you.
- Setting all apps to “While Using” for location may prevent background location alerts from weather, fitness, and navigation apps.
- Disabling analytics means Apple receives less data to identify and fix bugs that may affect your device model.
- Enabling Advanced Tracking and Fingerprinting Protection for all browsing may cause occasional issues on websites that rely on techniques this feature blocks.
- Turning off “Learn from this App” for specific apps means Siri will not include content from those apps in search or suggestions.
Who should not change these settings
- If you find Siri location-based suggestions and commute estimates valuable, keeping Significant Locations on is reasonable. The data stays encrypted on your device.
- If you use apps that need continuous location access (such as fitness trackers, family location sharing, or smart home automation), keeping “Always” for those specific apps makes sense.
- If you want to help Apple improve its products, leaving analytics on is a valid choice.
- If you prefer to support privacy-friendly ad measurement over traditional tracking, keeping Privacy Preserving Ad Measurement on is reasonable.
- If you face credible threats of targeted surveillance, Lockdown Mode may be worth enabling despite its usability trade-offs.