How to Protect Your Privacy on Android
Please note that these instructions may not apply to all Android devices and operating systems.
Follow these easy steps to protect the personal data on your Android devices, and don't forget that can include TVs and other dedicated devices as well as phones and tablets. Also note that the instructions below may differ slightly depending on your version of Android.
1. Minimize Google’s data collection.
On most Android devices you don’t have to sign in with your Google account, although some services may be limited. Also make sure you review your Google activity profile at https://myactivity.google.com/myactivity.
7. Review permissions for installed apps.
You may have missed changes during updates or perhaps changed your opinion of what’s acceptable. Remove apps you no longer use and consider replacing some with ones that request the minimum permissions necessary to do their jobs.
How: Settings > Apps > [app name]
12. Install a privacy-focused browser like DuckDuckGo.
DuckDuckGo’s Private browser has built-in tracker network blocking, smarter
encryption, and, of course, private search, all designed to operate seamlessly
together while you search and browse the web.
How: Get the extension for popular browsers from https://duckduckgo.com/app
General note
When using Google services and apps on Android and elsewhere, you can control your data by:
- Reviewing and limiting Google’s tracking of your activity in your My Activity page.
- Disabling Google’s ad profiling and tracking. See DuckDuckGo's post on changing Google ad targeting settings.
Congratulations! You’ve just taken a big step to increasing mobile privacy and protecting the data on your Android device. You may also be interested in the Tor community's efforts to harden Android further, or our privacy tips for iPhone.
You can also find privacy content from Google in the below links: