Here is what I change every time I start fresh.<\/p>\n
Restrict app permissions aggressively<\/p>\n
Lock down unwanted app access<\/p>\n
![\"Screenshot](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/permission-manager-1.jpg\")
![\"Screenshot](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/permission-manager-2.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
One of the first things I fix on any new phone is the mess of default app permissions. Android has improved over the years, but many apps still request access to unnecessary features, such as your location, contacts, sensors, or files.<\/p>\n
I go to Settings > Privacy > Permission manager and check the categories one by one. Viewing them by permission type makes it obvious when something looks out of place.<\/p>\n
If a utility or note-taking app is allowed to use my location, I change it immediately. The same goes for storage, microphone, or call logs.<\/p>\n
For most apps, I switch the permission to Allow only while using the app or Don\u2019t allow. Anything that does not require constant background access, such as maps, cab apps, shopping apps, or social apps, is downgraded immediately.<\/p>\n
Doing this early keeps my phone quieter, reduces battery drain, and prevents random apps from building a profile of me in the background.<\/p>\n
Android automatically resets permissions for apps you haven\u2019t used in a while. I always make sure it is turned on since it keeps your device clean effortlessly.<\/p>\n
The steps may vary depending on your phone model. You can use the search box in your phone\u2019s Settings app to locate these features.<\/p>\n
Use a privacy-friendly browser and search engine<\/p>\n
Protect your searches from data profiling<\/p>\n
![\"Illustration](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/illustration-of-the-firefox-logo-surrounded-by-extension-icons.jpg\"){kind=icon}
\n Credit:\u00a0Lucas Gouveia\/Android Police<\/p>\n
One of the easiest security upgrades on a new Android phone is switching your default browser and search engine. Chrome is fast and convenient, but it\u2019s deeply tied to Google\u2019s tracking and ad ecosystem.<\/p>\n
For everyday browsing, I prefer using a privacy-first browser like Firefox. You can also try Brave or DuckDuckGo. All three block trackers by default, offer tighter cookie controls, and make it harder for websites to build long-term profiles of you.<\/p>\n
I also switched my search engine to something less data-hungry. DuckDuckGo and Brave Search don\u2019t log your queries or tie them to your identity.<\/p>\n
Audit connected devices and accounts<\/p>\n
Clean up old logins and forgotten devices<\/p>\n
![\"Screeenshot](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/android-connecteed-device-1.jpg\")
![\"Screeenshot](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/android-connecteed-device-2.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
When I set up a new phone, I make it a point to review every device and account linked to my Google profile.<\/p>\n
Over the years, old phones, tablets, and random smart displays tend to stay connected long after I\u2019ve stopped using them. That can become a security risk.<\/p>\n
I go to https:\/\/myaccount.google.com\/security<\/a> from a browser, scroll down to Your devices, and remove anything I don\u2019t recognize or no longer own.<\/p>\n I also check the section Your connections to third-party apps & services, where older services sometimes still have permission to read my emails, contacts, or Drive files.<\/p>\n This quick audit ensures that only the devices I actually trust can access my Google data.<\/p>\n It also reduces the chance of someone using an old login token or forgotten integration to hack my account.<\/p>\n Turn on SIM card lock<\/p>\n Prevent account takeovers<\/p>\n It is one of those old-school security settings people forget exists, but it can save you from a major headache if your phone is ever lost or stolen.<\/p>\n A SIM card lock<\/a> adds a PIN code to your SIM. So, even if someone removes your SIM and puts it onto another device, they can\u2019t use your number. No calls, no texts, and most importantly, no OTP hijacking, which is one of the easiest ways thieves break into your accounts.<\/p>\n On a new phone, I immediately go to Settings > Security > SIM card lock and activate it. Your carrier usually provides a default PIN, but you can (and should) change it to something new. When this is enabled, your phone will ask for the SIM PIN every time it restarts.<\/p>\n It adds one extra step during boot, but the payoff is significant. Your number becomes useless to anyone who tries to exploit it.<\/p>\n With how many banking, email, and 2FA systems depend on SMS, locking the SIM is the closest thing to shutting the front door before anything bad happens.<\/p>\n Turn on two-factor authentication everywhere<\/p>\n Don\u2019t rely on passwords alone<\/p>\n Most new phones urge you to turn on 2FA for your Google account, but that\u2019s where most people stop.<\/p>\n When I set up a new phone, I go through my most important apps and turn on 2FA for each one: banking, email, password manager, cloud storage, and social media.<\/p>\n After activating it, even if someone gets your password, they still can\u2019t get in without the second verification step.<\/p>\n On a new device, I usually start with my Google account. I go to Settings > Google > Manage your Google Account > Security & sign-in > 2-Step Verification and turn it on.<\/p>\n Then, I turn on 2FA on apps that handle money, identity, or personal files. To activate it, you must go to the security settings of each app and search for the security or 2FA section.<\/p>\n When possible, I prefer using an authenticator app<\/a> like Google Authenticator instead of SMS because it\u2019s harder to intercept.<\/p>\n After a few minutes of setup, everything I care about becomes tougher to break into.<\/p>\n Lock down screen notifications<\/p>\n Keep previews hidden<\/p>\n It is one of the most critical security vulnerabilities that people often overlook. Your lock screen can show OTPs, bank alerts, email previews, and messages without requiring a single authentication step.<\/p>\n By default, many phones display full message previews. While that\u2019s great for convenience, it\u2019s terrible for privacy.<\/p>\n That\u2019s why one of the first things I tweak on a new Android device is how much information notifications are allowed to show when the screen is off.<\/p>\n On Android, you\u2019ll find this under Settings > Notifications > Notifications on lock screen. I switch it to Hide silent conversations and notifications or, when I\u2019m traveling or working in shared spaces, Don\u2019t show any notifications.<\/p>\n You still get vibrations, sound alerts, and icons; just not the personal details.<\/p>\n It takes a few seconds to change, but it closes off one of the biggest real-world privacy leaks.<\/p>\n Limit microphone and camera access<\/p>\n Keep apps from quietly listening or watching<\/p>\n Another thing I do with any new phone is review which apps can access my microphone and camera.<\/p>\n I start by checking Settings > Privacy > Permission manager and going straight to Camera and Microphone. Most apps don\u2019t need either of them.<\/p>\n If an app\u2019s main function has nothing to do with photos, recording, or voice input, I switch it to Don\u2019t allow or Allow only while using the app.<\/p>\n It blocks background access, meaning apps can\u2019t quietly activate the mic or camera in the background. If an app needs access to the camera or microphone, it will request permission.<\/p>\n I also review the system-wide toggles under Privacy > Microphone access and Camera access. Turning either of these off shuts down those sensors for every app at once, which is perfect when I\u2019m traveling or using public Wi-Fi.<\/p>\n A few tweaks that make a big difference<\/p>\n For many, ensuring phone security can feel like an unpleasant task. It\u2019s usually something to think about only after something goes wrong.<\/p>\n However, on Android, a handful of early tweaks<\/a> can prevent most of the problems that lead to account theft, data loss, or identity fraud.<\/p>\n![\"Screenshot](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/sim-lock-1.jpg\")
![\"Screenshot](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/sim-lock-2.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Screenshot](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/google-2fa-1.jpg\")
![\"Screenshot](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/google-2fa-2.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Illustration](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/illustration-of-android-s-notification-panel-showing-alerts-with-bell-icons-with-the-android-mascot-.jpeg\"){kind=icon}
\n Credit:\u00a0Lucas Gouveia \/ Android Police<\/p>\n![\"Illustration](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/illustration-of-a-smartphone-with-the-android-logo-on-a-shield-and-privacy-icons-around-it.png\"){kind=icon}
\n Credit:\u00a0Lucas Gouveia \/ Android Police | Marynova \/ Shutterstock<\/p>\n