Every iPhone user needs to change THREE settings for 2022 right now
IT'S 2022, so it's time to upgrade your iPhone privacy and security.
There are three must-activate tricks you should enable right now.
iCloud Keychain
We're constantly told to choose complicated passwords – but that's difficult with so many accounts.
iCloud Keychain remembers the passwords you type on your phone, encrypts them, and stores them in the cloud.
So you can choose very strong passwords without having to remember them – your phone will simply enter them for you at log in.
This is one of the best defences against hackers.
"iCloud Keychain remembers things so that you don't have to," Apple explains.
"It auto-fills your information – like your Safari usernames and passwords, credit cards, Wi-Fi networks and social log-ins – on any device that you approve.
"iCloud Keychain stores your passwords and credit card information in such a way that Apple cannot read or access them."
And the Safari web browser now has a special feature called Strong Passwords.
When you sign up to a service on Safari, you'll get an option to use an auto-generated password that's very difficult for hackers to crack.
This password is automatically saved in your iCloud Keychain so you don't even have to remember it.
On your iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch, follow these steps:
- Tap Settings > [your name] > iCloud (on iOS 10.2 or earlier, it's just Settings > iCloud)
- Tap Keychain
- Tap the slider to turn on iCloud Keychain
Turn off app tracking
A simple change to your iPhone settings so advertisements stop tracking you across the web.
One way is to use passcodes, hoping that you've chosen an easy number like 000000 or 123456.
These simple passcodes are a go-to option for crooks trying to gain access to your mobile.
You can turn a special Erase Data function on so that your iPhone wipes itself when there are too many failed passcode attempts.
Activating the setting means that your iPhone will be wiped after 10 passcode attempts.
This will remove all of your personal data from the device.
Importantly, even though your data will be erased from your iPhone, you shouldn't lose it completely.
That's because the data isn't deleted from your iCloud.
So as long as you have regular backups on iCloud, you should be safe.
That means the person who has hijacked your iPhone won't be able to get their hands on your private photos, texts and more.
And when you replace your iPhone, you'll be able to restore it to nearly the same state as your previous model using iCloud.
So how do you do it?
Go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode and then enter your passcode.
Then scroll all the way to the bottom and set the toggle for Erase Data to the On position.
But be wary of using this feature if you have young children who regularly get access to your iPhone – because they may accidentally wipe it.
- Read all the latest Phones & Gadgets news
- Keep up-to-date on Apple stories
- Get the latest on Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram
Best Phone and Gadget tips and hacks
Looking for tips and hacks for your phone? Want to find those secret features within social media apps? We have you covered...
- How to get your deleted Instagram photos back
- How to track someone on Google Maps
- How can I increase my Snapchat score?
- How can I change my Facebook password?
- How can I do a duet on TikTok?
- Here's how to see if your Gmail has been hacked
- How can I change my Amazon Alexa voice in seconds?
- What is dating app Bumble?
- How can I test my broadband internet speed?
- Here's how to find your Sky TV remote in SECONDS
In other news, Google Chrome users have been urged to delete their browser.
Facebook recently rebranded to Meta.
Check out the best iPhone 13 deals.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
And take a look at your hidden Facebook rejection folder.
We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online Tech & Science team? Email us at tech@the-sun.co.uk