Last updated: April 10th, 2026 at 15:13 UTC+02:00
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Reading time: 6 minutes
Your phone holds an incredible amount of personal information, from your photos and messages to your location and browsing habits. While smartphones make life more convenient, they also create new ways for your private data to be collected and shared without your knowledge. The good news is that your Samsung device comes with built-in privacy controls that put you back in charge of your personal information.
Understanding which phone settings to adjust can feel overwhelming, especially when technical terms make it hard to know what each option actually does. This guide breaks down the most important privacy protections in simple terms, helping you secure your device without needing a technology degree.
The most important privacy settings on your Samsung phone are location services, app permissions, advertising controls, and automatic data-sharing options. These four areas control how much personal information your device collects and shares with apps, advertisers, and Samsung's own services.
Start by reviewing your location settings, which you can find in Settings > Location. Turn off location access for apps that don't actually need it to function. For example, a flashlight app has no reason to know where you are, but a weather app does need your location to show accurate forecasts.
Next, check your privacy dashboard in Settings > Privacy. This section shows you which apps have accessed sensitive information recently, such as your camera, microphone, or contacts. You can revoke permissions for any app that seems suspicious or unnecessary.
Your advertising settings also deserve attention. Go to Settings > Google > Ads and turn on “Opt out of Ads Personalization” to stop Google from building an advertising profile based on your activity. Samsung has similar controls under Settings > Privacy > Customization Service.
You can stop apps from tracking your location by going to Settings > Location > App permissions and reviewing which apps have access to your whereabouts. Change unnecessary apps from “Allow all the time” or “Allow only while using app” to “Don't allow.”
Most apps request location access during installation, but many don't actually need it to work properly. Social media apps, shopping apps, and games often ask for location data to build advertising profiles rather than provide better service. Be selective about which apps you grant location access to.
For apps you do want to share your location with, choose “Allow only while using app” instead of “Allow all the time” whenever possible. This prevents apps from tracking your movements when you're not actively using them. Only navigation apps, weather apps, and security apps typically need constant location access.
You can also turn off location history entirely by going to Settings > Location > Google Location History and turning it off. This stops Google from creating a detailed timeline of everywhere you've been with your phone.
The app permissions you should be most concerned about are camera, microphone, contacts, call logs, and SMS access. These permissions give apps access to your most personal information and could be misused by malicious or poorly designed applications.
Camera and microphone permissions are particularly sensitive because they allow apps to record you without obvious signs. Only grant these permissions to apps that clearly need them, such as video-calling apps or camera apps. If a simple game or utility app requests camera access, that's a red flag.
Contacts and call log permissions let apps see everyone in your phone book and your call history. This information can be valuable to data brokers and advertisers. Be especially careful with social media apps that request contact access, as they often use this data to suggest friends or target ads.
SMS permissions allow apps to read your text messages, which might contain verification codes, personal conversations, or sensitive information. Very few apps legitimately need SMS access, so consider denying this permission unless it's absolutely necessary for the app's core function.
To review and change app permissions, go to Settings > Apps, select an app, then tap Permissions. You can turn off individual permissions without uninstalling the app entirely.
You can control advertising data sharing by turning off ad personalization in both Google and Samsung settings, resetting your advertising ID regularly, and limiting data collection by individual apps through their privacy settings.
Start with Google's advertising controls by going to Settings > Google > Ads. Turn on “Opt out of Ads Personalization” and “Delete advertising ID” to reset your profile. This prevents Google from using your app usage, search history, and other data to target ads.
Samsung has its own advertising controls under Settings > Privacy > Customization Service. Turn off “Customization Service” to stop Samsung from personalizing ads and content based on your device usage patterns.
Many individual apps also collect data for advertising purposes. Check the privacy settings within apps you use frequently, especially social media, shopping, and entertainment apps. Look for options such as “Ad preferences,” “Privacy settings,” or “Data usage” in the app's settings menu.
Consider using the Samsung Internet browser instead of other browsers, as it includes built-in tracking protection and ad-blocking features. You can find these privacy tools in the browser's settings under “Privacy and security.”
You can use public Wi-Fi safely by avoiding sensitive activities like banking, using your phone's hotspot feature when possible, and enabling automatic network security features on your Samsung device.
When you must use public Wi-Fi, stick to browsing and avoid logging in to important accounts. Public networks are often unsecured, meaning other users on the same network could potentially see your data. Save banking, shopping, and work-related activities for when you're on a trusted network.
Your Samsung phone includes several features that make public Wi-Fi safer. Go to Settings > Connections > Wi-Fi > Advanced and turn on “Switch to mobile data” to automatically use your cellular connection when Wi-Fi is weak or insecure. This feature helps protect you from compromised networks.
Consider using your phone as a mobile hotspot instead of connecting to public Wi-Fi when you need internet access for other devices. This uses your cellular data but provides a much more secure connection. You can enable hotspot mode in Settings > Connections > Mobile Hotspot and Tethering.
If you regularly work from coffee shops or travel frequently, consider enabling Samsung's built-in VPN service, Samsung Max, or using a reputable third-party VPN app to encrypt your internet traffic on public networks.
Taking control of your phone's privacy settings doesn't require technical expertise—just a few minutes to review and adjust the options that matter most. At SamMobile, we believe everyone deserves to understand how their device works and feel confident about their digital privacy. Start with these basic settings, and you'll have a much more secure and private smartphone experience.
Daniel is the proud co-founder of SamMobile. He joined the SamMobile team in 2011. Most of his spare time is spent enjoying nature (and life in general) with his wife & dog, friends, and family.
