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https://github.com/celenityy/ios-settings

My recommendations for the ultimate iOS Configuration :)
https://github.com/celenityy/ios-settings

anti-fingerprinting anti-tracking apple hardened hardening ios ipad ipados iphone metrics privacy privacy-protection safari safari-app-extension safari-extension security security-hardening telemetry tracking

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My recommendations for the ultimate iOS Configuration :)

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# ios-settings



My recommendations for the ultimate iOS Configuration :)



**NOTE:** This project can be found on both [Codeberg](https://codeberg.org/celenity/ios-settings), which will act as the main & preferred way to contribute, and [GitHub](https://github.com/celenityy/ios-settings).



# Apple ID 



Personal Information -> Communication Preferences -> **Announcements** -> ❌



Personal Information -> Communication Preferences -> **Apps, music, TV and more** -> ❌



Sign-In & Security -> **Two-Factor Authentication** -> ✅ *(Use security keys if possible)*



Subscriptions -> **Renewal Receipts** -> ✅



iCloud: 



**I would not recommend using iCloud if possible, you should instead use i.e. [Proton Drive](https://proton.me/drive).**



Apps using iCloud -> Show All:



* Photos -> **Sync this iPhone/iPad** -> ❌



* Photos -> **Shared Albums** -> ❌



* iCloud Drive -> **Sync this iPhone/iPad** -> ❌



* Passwords and Keychain -> **Sync this iPhone/iPad** -> ❌



* Messages in iCloud -> **Use on this iPhone/iPad** -> ❌



* Health -> **Sync this iPhone/iPad** -> ❌



* iCloud Calendar -> **Use on this iPhone/iPad** -> ❌



* **Contacts** -> ❌



* **Reminders** -> ❌



* **Safari** -> ❌



* **Home** -> ❌



* **Wallet** -> ❌



* **Game Center** -> ❌



* **Siri** -> ❌



* **Maps** -> ❌



* **Shortcuts** -> ❌







Device Backups -> iCloud Backup -> **Back Up This iPhone/iPad** -> ❌



**Advanced Data Protection** -> `Turn On Advanced Data Protection`



**Access iCloud Data on the Web** -> ❌







Media & Purchases -> Password Settings -> **When Purchasing** -> `Require After 15 Minutes`



Media & Purchases -> Password Settings -> Free Downloads -> **Require Password** -> ❌



Media & Purchases -> View Account -> **Personalized Recommendations** -> ❌



Find My -> **Find My iPhone/iPad** -> ❌



Find My -> **Share My Location** -> ❌



Contact Key Verification -> **Verification in iMessage** -> ✅



# Airplane Mode



**Airplane Mode** -> ✅ *when not using cell data*



# Wi-Fi



**Wi-Fi** -> ❌ *when not using*



Wi-Fi -> **Auto-Join Hotspot** -> `Never`



# Bluetooth



**Bluetooth** -> ❌ *when not using*



# Notifications



**Show Previews** -> `When Unlocked`



**Screen Sharing** -> `Notifications Off`



Siri Suggestions -> **Allow Notifications** -> ❌



Now, go through and disable notifications for any apps that don't need it.



# Focus



**Share Across Devices** -> ❌



Focus Status -> **Share Focus Status** -> ❌



# Screen Time



**Content & Privacy Restrictions** -> ✅



Allowed Apps:



* **Safari** -> ❌ *unless you use it*



* **SharePlay** -> ❌



* **Siri & Dictation** -> ❌



* **AirDrop** -> ❌



* **CarPlay** -> ❌



* **News** -> ❌



* **Health** -> ❌







Content Restrictions:



* Siri -> **Web Search Content** -> `Don't Allow`



Content Restrictions -> Game Center:



* **Multiplayer Games** -> `Don't Allow` (if you don't play any games online through Game Center)



* **Adding Friends** -> `Don't Allow`



* **Connect with Friends** -> `Don't Allow`



* **Private Messaging** -> `Don't Allow`







Privacy:



* **Calendars** -> `Don't Allow` (if you don't need to give any apps Calendar permission)



* **Reminders** -> `Don't Allow` (if you don't need to give any apps Reminders permission)



* **Share My Location** -> `Don't Allow`



* **Bluetooth Sharing** -> `Don't Allow`



* **Speech Recognition** -> `Don't Allow`



* **Apple Advertising** -> `Don't Allow`



* **Allow Apps to Request to Track** -> `Don't Allow`



*Disallow anything else here you don't need/use as well*







**Share Across Devices** -> ❌



# General



About -> **Name** -> Keep this generic, I recommend setting it to `Device`



Software Update -> Automatic Updates:



* Automatically install -> **iOS/iPadOS Updates** -> ✅



* Automatically install -> **Security Responses & System Files** -> ✅



* Automatically download -> **iOS/iPadOS Updates** -> ✅







**AirDrop** -> `Receiving Off` *(This won't appear if you disabled AirDrop in `Screen Time` above)*



AirDrop -> **Use Cellular Data** -> ❌ *(This won't appear if you disabled AirDrop in `Screen Time` above)*



AirPlay & Handoff:



* **Automatically AirPlay** -> `Never`



* **Handoff** -> ❌



* **Continuity Camera** -> ❌



* **AirPlay Receiver** -> ❌







Background App Refresh -> Go through and disable any apps here that don't actually need to run in the background



Background App Refresh -> **Siri** -> ❌



Date & Time -> **24-Hour Time** -> ❌



Date & Time -> **Show AM/PM in Status Bar** -> ✅



Date & Time -> **Show Date in Status Bar** -> ✅



Date & Time -> **Set Automatically** -> ✅ *This is very important for security*



Keyboard -> **Auto-Capitalization** -> ❌



**VPN & Device Management** -> Remove any profiles here you don't need/use



# Control Center



**Screen Recording** -> ✅



# Display & Brightness



**Appearance** -> `Dark`



Brightness -> **True Tone** -> ✅



Night Shift -> **Scheduled** -> ✅



Night Shift -> **From To** -> I usually set to `Turn On 9:00PM` & `Turn Off 6:00AM`



Night Shift -> Color Temperature -> Set to the middle *(Should be default)*



**Auto-Lock** -> Your choice, the lower the better, I usually set to `2 minutes`



# Home Screen & App Library



**Show Suggested and Recent Apps in Dock** -> ❌



# Accessibility



Display & Text Size -> **Reduce Transparency** -> ✅ *(Optional but recommended for lower-end or older devices to improve performance and battery)*



Display & Text Size -> **Auto-Brightness** -> ❌ *(Annoying and better for battery)*



Motion -> **Reduce Motion** -> ✅ *(Optional but recommended for lower-end or older devices to improve performance and battery)*



Motion -> **Auto-Play Message Effects** -> ❌ *(Optional but recommended for lower-end or older devices to improve performance and battery)*



Motion -> **Auto-Play Animated Images** -> ❌ *(Optional but recommended for lower-end or older devices to improve performance and battery)*



Motion -> **Auto-Play Video Previews** -> ❌



Touch -> Call Audio Routing -> **Auto-Answer Calls** -> ❌ *(Should be default)*



**Voice Control** -> ❌ (if you don't use/need it)



Home Button -> **Press and hold to speak** -> `Off`



Keyboards -> **Sticky Keys** -> ❌ *(Important for gaming)*



Keyboards -> Sticky Keys -> **Toggle With Shift Key** -> ❌ *(Important for gaming)*



Keyboards -> **Slow Keys** -> ❌



**Sound Recognition** -> ❌ *(Should be default)*



# Siri & Search



*This won't appear if you disabled Siri in Screen Time above*



Ask Siri -> **Listen for** -> `Off`



Ask Siri -> **Press Home for Siri** -> ❌



Ask Siri -> Messaging with Siri -> **Automatically Send Messages** -> ❌



Before Searching -> **Show Suggestions** -> ❌



Before Searching -> **Show Recents** -> ❌



Content from Apple -> **Show in Look Up** -> ❌



Content from Apple -> **Show in Spotlight** -> ❌



Suggestions from Apple -> **Allow Notifications** -> ❌



Suggestions from Apple -> **Show in App Library** -> ❌



Suggestions from Apple -> **Show When Sharing** -> ❌



Suggestions from Apple -> **Show When Listening** -> ❌



# Touch/Face ID & Passcode



I would recomend setting a strong `passcode` here and avoiding using Touch ID, Face ID, and a PIN if possible.



Use Touch/Face ID For:



*(Ignore these 4 settings if you wish to use Touch/Face ID)*



* **iPhone/iPad Unlock** -> ❌



* **Wallet & Apple Pay** -> ❌



* **iTunes & App Store** -> ❌



* **Password AutoFill** -> ❌







**Require Passcode** -> Your choice, the lower the better, I usually set to `Immediately`



Allow Access when locked:



You should disable anything here you don't need/use



* **Today View and Search** -> ❌



* **Notification Center** -> ❌



* **Control Center** -> ❌



* **Live Activities** -> ❌



* **Home Control** -> ❌



* **Return Missed Calls** -> ❌



* **Accessories** -> ❌







**Erase Data** -> ✅



# Battery



**Battery Percentage** -> ✅



*(You could also enable `Low Power Mode` if you need to save battery)*



# Privacy & Security



**Location Services** -> ❌ *(if you don't use/need it)*



Location Services:



* Share My Location -> **Find My iPhone/iPad** -> ❌



* **Share My Location** -> ❌



* **Siri & Dictation** -> `Never`



Disable location access for any apps that don't need it here



System Services:



* **Alerts & Shortcuts Automations** -> ❌



* **Apple Pay Merchant Identification** -> ❌ *(Unless you use Apple Pay)*



* **Device Management** -> ❌



* **Find My iPhone/iPad** -> ❌



* **HomeKit** -> ❌



* **Share My Location** -> ❌



* **Suggestions & Search** -> ❌



* **System Customization** -> ❌



* **Significant Locations** -> ❌



* **Significant Locations** -> `Clear History`



* **iPhone/iPad Analytics** -> ❌



* **Routing & Traffic** -> ❌



* **Improve Maps** -> ❌



* **Status Bar Icon** -> ✅







Tracking -> **Allow Apps to Request to Track** -> ❌



Go through all permissions here and remove permissions for any apps that don't need them



Motion & Fitness -> **Fitness Tracking** -> ❌ *(if you don't need/use it)*



**Sensitive Content Warning** -> ❌



Analytics & Improvements -> **Share iPhone/iPad Analytics** -> ❌



Analytics & Improvements -> **Share iCloud Analytics** -> ❌



Analytics & Improvements -> **Improve Siri & Dictation** -> ❌



Apple Advertising -> **Personalized Ads** -> ❌



**Lockdown Mode** -> `Turn On Lockdown Mode`



Lockdown Mode -> **2G Cellular Connectivity** -> ❌



# App Store



Siri & Search:



* **Learn from this App** -> ❌



* Suggestions -> **Show on Home Screen** -> ❌



* Suggestions -> **Suggest App** -> ❌







Automatic Downloads -> **App Downloads** -> ❌



Automatic Downloads -> **App Updates** -> ✅



Automatic Downloads -> **In-App Content** -> ✅



Cellular Data -> **Automatic Downloads** -> ✅



Cellular Data -> **App Downloads** -> `Always Allow`



**Video Autoplay** -> `Off`



**In-App Ratings & Reviews** -> ❌



**Offload Unused Apps** -> ❌



# Wallet & Apple Pay



**Compatbile Cards** -> ❌



# Passwords



Security Recommendations -> **Detect Compromised Passwords** -> ✅ *(This is done locally on device through a list of passwords, Apple doesn't get sent your passwords)*



Password Options -> **AutoFill Passwords and Passkeys** -> ❌



Password Options -> **Delete After Use** -> ✅



# Contacts



**Share Name and Photo** -> `Off`



# Calendar



**Location Suggestions** -> ❌



# Reminders



**Show Suggestions** -> ❌



# Messages



**iMessage** -> ❌ *(if you don't need/use it)*



# Safari



Siri & Search:



* **Learn from this App** -> ❌



* Suggestions -> **Show in App** -> ❌



* Suggestions -> **Show on Home Screen** -> ❌



* Suggestions -> **Suggest App** -> ❌







**Default Browser App** -> Set to you preferred browser of choice



Search -> **Search Engine** -> `DuckDuckGo`



Search -> **Also Use in Private Browsing** -> ✅



Search -> **Search Engine Suggestions** -> ❌



Search -> **Safari Suggestions** -> ❌



Search -> **Preload Top Hit** -> ❌



General -> AutoFill:



*You should not save info in your browser like this for security reasons, use a dedicated password manager like Bitwarden or Proton Pass instead*



* **Use Contact Info** -> ❌



* **Credit Cards** -> ❌







General -> **Show Links on Hover** -> ❌



General -> **Block Pop-ups** -> ✅



General -> **Downloads** -> `On My iPhone/iPad`



General -> Downloads -> **Remove Download List Items** -> `Upon successful download`



Tabs -> **Close Tabs** -> `After One Day`



Privacy & Security -> **Prevent Cross-Site Tracking** -> ✅



Privacy & Security -> **Hide IP Address** - `From Trackers`



Privacy & Security -> **Fraudulent Website Warning** -> ✅



Settings for websites -> **Camera** -> `Deny` *(Obviously don't set if you use sites that need camera access, but you can still set exceptions for sites if needed)*



Settings for websites -> **Microphone** -> `Deny` *(Obviously don't set if you use sites that need microphone access, but you can still set exceptions for sites if needed)*



Settings for websites -> **Location** -> `Deny`



Advanced:



**Advanced Tracking and Fingerprinting Protection** -> `All Browsing`



**Privacy Preserving Ad Measurement** -> ❌



**Check for Apple Pay** -> ❌



**JavaScript** -> ✅ *(Should be default, disabling this WILL cause breakage and doesn't appear to be toggable per-site, not worth the trouble IMO)*



# Translate



**Cellular Data** -> ❌



**On-Device Mode** -> ✅



# Maps



Siri & Search:



* **Learn from this App** -> ❌



* Suggestions -> **Show in App** -> ❌



* Suggestions -> **Show on Home Screen** -> ❌



* Suggestions -> **Suggest App** -> ❌







Contribute to Maps -> **Ratings and Photos** -> ❌



Contribute to Maps -> **Show Ratings and Photos Suggestions** -> ❌



Photo Use -> **Allow Photo Providers to Use Your Photos** -> ❌



# Shortcuts



**iCloud Sync** -> ❌



**Private Sharing** -> ❌



Advanced -> **Allow Running Scripts** -> ❌



Advanced -> **Allow Sharing Large Amounts of Data** -> ❌



# Health Data



Siri & Search:



* **Learn from this App** -> ❌



* Suggestions -> **Show on Home Screen** -> ❌



* Suggestions -> **Suggest App** -> ❌



# TV



**Cellular Data** -> ❌ *(if not needed)*



Streaming options -> **Wi-Fi** -> `High Quality`



Streaming options -> **Wi-Fi** -> `High Quality`



Device preferences -> **Use Play History** -> ❌



**Auto-Play Next Video** -> ❌



Purchases and Rentals -> **Video Definition** -> `High Definition`



# Photos



Siri & Search:



* **Learn from this App** -> ❌



* Suggestions -> **Show on Home Screen** -> ❌



* Suggestions -> **Suggest App** -> ❌







**iCloud Photos** -> ❌



**Shared Albums** -> ❌



**Use Passcode** -> ✅



**Show Hidden Album** -> ✅



**Cellular Data** -> ❌



Cellular Data -> **Unlimited Updates** -> ❌



**Auto-Play Videos and Live Photos** -> ❌



Memories & Featured Photos -> **Show Featured Content** -> ❌



# Camera



**Record Video** -> Choose highest quality & highest frame rate available



Preserve Settings -> **Camera Mode** -> ✅



Preserve Settings -> **Live Photo** -> ✅



HDR (High Dynamic Range) -> **Smart HDR** -> ✅



# Podcasts



**Cellular Data** -> ❌



**Sync Library** -> ❌



**Automatically download** -> `Off`



**Continuous Playback** -> ❌



From here, I would recommend going through all of your apps and removing any unnecessary permissions. For every app, I would also recommend setting:



Siri & Search:



* **Learn from this App** -> ❌



* Suggestions -> **Show in App** -> ❌ *(if it appears)*



* Suggestions -> **Show on Home Screen** -> ❌



* Suggestions -> **Suggest App** -> ❌



# Additional Recommendations:



* I would recommend using [Brave](https://apps.apple.com/app/brave-private-web-browser-vpn/id1052879175) as your browser of choice. *(See recommended settings [here](https://codeberg.org/celenity/better-brave-ios))*.



* Use a content blocking extension like [AdGuard](https://apps.apple.com/app/adguard-for-safari/id1440147259) if you use Safari. *(See recommended settings [here](https://codeberg.org/celenity/adguard-safari-settings-ios))*



* Use a private, secure, & reputable DNS provider of your choice. I would recommend setting up your own [NextDNS](https://nextdns.io/) configuration if you are able to (See my recommendations for NextDNS [here](https://codeberg.org/celenity/nextdns-settings)), otherwise I would recommend [Quad9](https://quad9.net/).



* Use a (reputable) VPN. I would recommend either [Mullvad](https://mullvad.net/) or [ProtonVPN](https://protonvpn.com/).