Your smartphone is no longer just a device for making calls or scrolling through social media. It stores personal photos, messages, banking information, passwords, location data and access to numerous online accounts. As smartphones become more AI-powered, they are also handling more personal information.

The good news is that you don't need to be a technology expert to improve your phone's security. A few changes in your settings can significantly reduce the amount of information unnecessarily accessible to apps and other people.

1. Check which apps can access your location

Many apps request location access even when they don't need it to perform their basic functions. Go through your phone's location permissions and check which apps have access.

For apps that don't require continuous tracking, choose an option such as "Only while using the app" or disable location access completely where appropriate.

Newer Android versions are also adding more granular controls for temporary precise-location sharing, giving users greater control over when an app can access their exact location.

2. Stop unnecessary access to your photos and camera

Your photos can contain considerably more information than you realize, while camera and microphone permissions can expose sensitive aspects of your daily life.

Review the permissions for every installed app. If a calculator, shopping app or simple game has access to your camera, microphone or entire photo library without a clear reason, consider removing that permission.

3. Turn on two-factor authentication

A strong password is important, but it shouldn't be your only line of defence.

Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on important accounts such as email, social media and financial services. This creates an additional security layer if someone manages to obtain your password. Security experts continue to recommend strong passwords, biometrics and two-factor authentication as basic smartphone protections.

4. Don't install apps from unknown sources

One of the easiest ways to put your phone at risk is downloading applications from unfamiliar websites or unofficial sources.

Android is also strengthening its ability to detect suspicious applications and scan APK downloads for known malware. Its newer security systems use AI and other signals to identify potentially harmful app behaviour.

Whenever possible, install apps through your phone's official app store and avoid modified or pirated applications.

5. Protect your phone if it gets stolen

A stolen smartphone can be more than a financial loss. If someone gains access to the device, they could potentially reach email, social-media accounts, photos and other sensitive information.

Use a strong screen lock and enable the device's theft-protection and remote-lock features where available. Android 17 is introducing additional protections designed to make stolen devices harder to access and to help owners secure them remotely.

6. Be careful with AI features

AI assistants are becoming deeply integrated into smartphones. They can potentially work with messages, photos, calendars, location information and other personal data.

Before enabling an AI feature, check what information it can access and whether you can restrict or disable individual permissions. Recent research into smartphone AI highlights privacy, transparency and user control as increasingly important as AI agents gain access to more personal data.

7. Keep your phone updated

Software updates aren't only about new features or a redesigned interface. They can also include important security fixes.

Whenever your phone manufacturer releases a trusted system or security update, install it rather than postponing it indefinitely. Also keep frequently used apps updated, particularly browsers, messaging apps and financial applications.

A few minutes today can make a big difference

You don't need to completely change the way you use your smartphone to improve security. Start by reviewing location, camera, microphone, photo and app permissions, then enable 2FA and theft protection.

The smartphone of 2026 is becoming increasingly intelligent, but that also means it is becoming more closely connected to our personal lives. The smartest approach isn't to avoid useful technology—it's to make sure you remain in control of what your phone and its apps can access.