The complete guide to locking down your iPhone and protecting all of your sensitive data and images

During the height of the COVID pandemic, unsubstantiated rumours were flying around that the vaccine contained micro chips that could be used to track us once they were injected into our bodies. This was complete nonsense, of course, but if unscrupulous companies and organisations did want to track us, then they could do it far more effectively through the everyday use of our iPhones, rather than resorting to anything more sinister.

We unwittingly beam out vast quantities of information about ourselves simply by using our iPhones, but there are numerous features built into iOS that allow us to limit what data is accessed and how. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll show you how to lock down your devices virtually to the point of being totally off-grid, to ensure that your privacy is upheld and those evil corporations can no longer build profiles of you.

Essential security checks

Depending on the model of iPhone you own, Face ID or Touch ID should be activated as a given, but you should also go to Settings>Face ID & Passcode and review the following settings.

Create a stronger passcode

In the event of our Face or Touch ID not working, for whatever reason, we’re required to enter a code. It’s best to opt against a four-digit code and go for something that is harder to crack.

1 Open settings

Go to Settings>Face ID & Passcode and tap on the ‘Change Passcode’ option. You will first need to enter your old passcode to access this feature.

2 Create new passcode

You will now be prompted to enter a new passcode, but before you do that, tap on the blue ‘Passcode Options’ text above the numeric keypad for more options.