Improve Privacy on Apple iPhone’s

Apple iOS 15 Guide

I came across this guide while taking training with Intel Techniques. Very easy guide to follow – recommend check him out for any update versions.

Please read and understand the entire guide before you take any action. First, choose the appropriate option for you (three options).

[ Option One ]

An updated device with same Apple ID.

You may simply want to update your current device to iOS 15 and apply these privacy configurations. This can be beneficial if you do not care about switching to a new Apple ID and want to keep your current app configurations (especially paid apps).

This is not my choice, but I respect it for those who are concerned more about security than privacy from Apple. Conduct the following on your current device. Skip this section if you want to establish a new Apple ID.

  • Settings>General>Software Update
  • Confirm update request
  • Reboot to complete installation
  • Turn on device
  • Click “Continue”
  • Click “Don’t Share” iPhone Analytics
  • Click “Continue” and “Get Started”
  • Check Settings>Apple ID Account>iCloud and confirm it is “Off”

If “On”, consider disabling or the tutorial in Section VI

Continue to Section IV

[ Option Two ]

A formatted device and new Apple ID.

The following steps assume you wish to “start over” with an iPhone which already has an Apple ID, and you want to reset the device and switch to a new Apple ID. All steps assume you will be creating a new Apple ID for your new device and that you do not have any apps which you cannot reinstall easily (consider paid apps and MySudo accounts). Apple will know that the same device was used by the two accounts, but data collection will be isolated between each Apple ID.

Update current device with “old” Apple ID to iOS 15

  • Settings>General>Software Update
  • Continue through prompts and reboot
  • Backup the device to a local computer (Mac or iTunes)
  • Settings>Apple Account>Sign Out
  • Settings>General>Transfer or Reset iPhone> Erase All Content and Settings
  • Allow phone to erase and reboot
  • Select language and region, then click “Set Up Manually”
  • Select and join available Wi-Fi
  • Click “Continue”
  • Set up Touch ID if desired
  • Click “Passcode Options” and choose “Custom Numeric Code”
  • Create a strong passcode and click “Next”
  • Confirm passcode and click “Next”
  • Choose “Don’t transfer data and apps”
  • Click “Forgot password or don’t have an Apple ID”
  • Choose “Set Up later” in Settings
  • Choose “Don’t Use”
  • Agree to the terms of service
  • Click “Continue” or “Customise Settings”
  • Choose “Not Now” for “iMessage and Facetime”
  • Choose “Disable Location Services”
  • Choose “Setup Later in Settings” (Siri)
  • Choose “Setup Later in Settings” (Screen Time)
  • Click “Don’t Share” iPhone Analytics
  • Select desired appearance and zoom
  • Click “Get Started” to exit the menu

Continue to Section IV

[ Option Three ]

A brand new device.

If you purchased a new device, this is a great opportunity to establish a new Apple ID and prepaid cellular account in order to stop the tracking of your old accounts and restart the data collection process with anonymous details. Conduct the following on your new device.

  • Turn on device
  • Select language and region, then click “Set Up Manually”
  • Select and join available Wi-Fi
  • Click “Continue”
  • Set up Touch ID if desired
  • Click “Passcode Options” and choose “Custom Numeric Code”
  • Create a strong passcode and click “Next”
  • Confirm passcode and click “Next”
  • Choose “Don’t transfer data and apps”
  • Click “Forgot password or don’t have an Apple ID”
  • Choose “Set Up later” in Settings
  • Choose “Don’t Use”
  • Agree to the terms of service
  • Click “Continue” or “Customize Settings”
  • Choose “Not Now” for “iMessage and Facetime”
  • Choose “Disable Location Services”
  • Choose “Setup Later in Settings” (Siri)
  • Choose “Setup Later in Settings” (Screen Time)
  • Click “Don’t Share” iPhone Analytics
  • Select desired appearance and zoom
  • Click “Get Started” to exit the menu

Confirm iOS 15 is installed at Settings>General>About>Software Version

If the device has iOS 14 installed, Update to iOS 15 with the following:

  • Settings>General>Software Update
  • Reboot to complete installation
  • Repeat through prompts using the previous instructions

Continue to Section IV

If the device has iOS 15 installed, Continue to Section IV

[ Section IV ]

iOS Configuration

This section should apply to all three options previously presented. Once you have iOS 15 installed and booted, the following configurations should be considered through the Settings menu. Note that some of these settings may disable features which you find desirable, and some options here might not be present within your device.

Research any modifications and apply settings appropriate for you.

  • Settings>Wi-Fi: Off (If not used-preferred)
  • Settings>Bluetooth: Off (If not used-preferred)

Settings>Cellular: Disable access to apps which don’t need data, such as Find My, Contacts, etc.

*If using ONLY cellular data, and not Wi-Fi, you can use this menu as an application firewall.

  • Settings>Notifications>Show previews: Never
  • Settings>Notifications>Scheduled Summary: Off
  • Settings>Notifications>Siri Suggestions: Disable all
  • Settings>Notifications: Disable notifications on desired apps, especially banners on sensitive apps
  • Settings>Notifications: If desired, disable all Government Alerts
  • Settings>General>AirPlay & Handoff: Disable all
  • Settings>General>Picture in Picture: Disable
  • Settings>Siri & Search: Disable all
  • Settings>Siri & Search> (each app): Disable all
  • Settings>Privacy>Location services: Disable all
  • Settings>Privacy>Tracking: Disable all
  • Settings>Privacy>Motion & Fitness: Disable all
  • Settings>Privacy>Analytics & Improvements: Disable all
  • Settings>Privacy>Apple Advertising>Personalized Ads: Disable
  • Settings>App Store>Video Autoplay: Off
  • Settings>App Store>In-App Ratings & Reviews: Disable
  • Settings>Passwords>Security Recommendations>Detect Compromised Passwords: Disable
  • Settings>Messages>iMessage: Disable
  • Settings>Facetime> Facetime: Disable
  • Settings>Safari>Search Engine: DuckDuckGo
  • Settings>Safari>Search Engine Suggestions: Disable
  • Settings>Safari>Safari Suggestions: Disable
  • Settings>Safari>Quick Website Search: Disable
  • Settings>Safari>Preload Top Hit: Disable
  • Settings>Safari>Auto Fill: Disable All
  • Settings>Safari>Prevent Cross-Site Tracking: Enabled
  • Settings>Safari>Fraudulent Website Warning: Disable
  • Settings>Safari>Privacy Preserving Ad Measurement: Disable
  • Settings>Safari>Check for Apple Pay: Disable
  • Settings>Safari>Camera: Deny
  • Settings>Safari>Microphone: Deny
  • Settings>Safari>Location: Deny
  • Settings>Maps>Share ETA: Disable
  • Settings>Maps>Air Quality Index: Disable
  • Settings>Maps>Weather Conditions: Disable
  • Settings>Maps>Ratings and Photos: Disable
  • Settings>Maps>Show Ratings and Photos Suggestion: Disable
  • Settings>Maps>Follow Up by Email> Disable
  • Settings>Shortcuts>iCloud Sync: Disable
  • Settings>Music>Show Apple Music: Disable
  • Settings>Camera>Scan QR Codes: Disable

[ Section V ]

Personalise

Remove any unwanted optional stock apps, such as Home, Translate, Books, iTunes Store, Watch, Tips, Facetime, Calendar, Mail, Notes, Reminders, News, TV, Stocks, etc.

  • Change wallpaper
  • Remove unwanted Widgets from screens
  • Remove unwanted apps from home screen
  • Create new app shortcuts if desired
  • Rearrange desired apps

[ Section VI ]

Apple ID

If you began at sections two (A brand new device) or three (A formatted device), you should now have an iPhone with iOS 15 and several custom configurations. However, you have not connected an Apple ID to your device yet.

You cannot download any apps. I like to establish a new Apple ID at least once a year in order to slightly confuse Apple’s data collection systems. I insist on a new Apple ID and prepaid cellular account any time I switch to a new device. In iOS 15, signing in through the standard Apple ID menu logs you into iCloud without an option to disable overall synchronisation (you can only disable individual services).

This is dangerous, especially after rebooting during an update. The following should bypass the mandatory iCloud option and establish a new Apple ID for your device.

Users who began at Option I can skip this section.

  • Open “App Store”
  • Click “Continue”
  • Click “Turn off Personalized Ads”
  • Click Profile icon in upper right
  • Click “Create New Apple ID”
  • Provide (and document) desired Email and Password
  • Provide (and document) desired Name and DOB
  • Disable Apple Updates > If prompted, choose “None” as payment type
  • Insert desired Street number, City, State, and Zip
  • Provide VOIP number and verify via text
  • Verify email confirmation code if prompted

Note: I was able to create an account by providing a name, new email address, and VOIP number (Google Voice). Your mileage will vary here. Since Apple receives the number assigned to your SIM, I have no objection to providing this number if necessary. If the number is a prepaid account in an alias name, I see no harm. I was able to create two new Apple ID accounts behind a VPN with burner email and VOIP numbers without attaching my true prepaid cell number to Apple ID.

This is optimal for most people, but might not be for you. For most of my clients, I associate their new anonymous iPhone with their new anonymous Apple ID with their new anonymous prepaid cellular number, all of which are registered in alias names. This provides a simple user experience without the need to juggle VOIP accounts. Apple sees all of this data anyway. We are not as secretive as we might believe.

  • Open Settings and notice your new Apple ID is present
  • Click “Finish Setting Up Your iPhone” then “Finish Setting Up” If prompted, enter your PIN
  • Click “Cancel” then “Back” If present, click “Start using iCloud”, then “Not Now”
  • Click your Apple ID account and confirm iCloud is “Off”
  • Settings>Apple ID>Media & Purchases> View Account> Personalized Recommendations: Disable
  • Settings>Apple ID> Rating & Reviews: Remove All
  • Settings>Apple ID> iCloud: Disable all
  • Settings>Apple ID>Find My>Share My Location: Disable
  • Settings>Finish Setting Up Your Phone>Set Up Siri: Setup Later in Settings

After you have successfully signed into the App Store, but not iCloud, open the Find My app and confirm that it prompts you to sign in to an account (but don’t sign in). This indicates that the basic abilities to track your device are disabled.

[ Section VII ]

Cell Access.

If activating a new device, I always encourage people to also activate a new prepaid SIM card with a new prepaid account. Insert a prepaid SIM and follow directions appropriate for that carrier. For this demo, I inserted a new Mint Mobile trial SIM and activated the account through the official Mint Mobile app.

Calling Mint Mobile support would have also activated the SIM, without the need to install the Mint app (which requires an Apple ID), and allowed me to receive SMS messages within the new iOS device. Consider all options based on your ability to activate Apple ID without a true cellular number.

For many of my clients, I activate their new SIM on my clean GrapheneOS device through the Mint Mobile App (Mint does not see my hardware ID); create a new Apple ID within the new iPhone while providing the true prepaid cellular number; confirm a text message to that number on my device; then remove the SIM from my device and place it into the new iPhone.

The iPhone is now active with the true prepaid number provided to it, all of which was registered in alias names.

[ Section VIII ]

App Considerations

(Alphabetical)

pp selection and configuration is a very personal choice. I present my preferences here, which may vary greatly compared to yours.

Blokada:

This firewall has replaced Lockdown for me. It blocks known analytics, trackers within apps, and many ads, but also displays all connections (which can be disabled individually). There is unlimited modifications which could be made, but I take the following actions:

  • Blokada>Advanced>All: Disable all lists
  • Blokada>Advanced>All: Enable “Energized”
  • Blokada>Advanced>All: Click “Energized”
  • Blokada>Advanced>All: Enable “Ultimate” and disable all others
  • *If that is too aggressive, disable “Ulitmate” and enable “Blu”
  • Blokada>Activity: Click any “iCloud” connections.
  • Then “Add to Blocked” (will break ¡Cloud)

The image at the bottom of this post (right) displays Blokada blocking invasive Apple connections.

Firefox Focus:

This is my preferred default browser, and I take the following actions:

  • Settings>Firefox Focus>Default Browser App: Firefox Focus
  • Firefox Focus>Settings>Safari: Enable
  • Firefox Focus>Settings>Send Usage Data: Disable
  • Firefox Focus>Settings>Search Engine: DuckDuckGo
  • Firefox Focus>Settings>Get Search Suggestions: Disable

MySudo:

MySudo users should make sure they have access to their account within a current iOS device if you plan on transferring it to another “new” device. You can then export the account into the new iOS device by going to Settings>Backup & Import/Export>Export To Another Device. If you are resetting your only iOS device, you would need to restore from a good backup. If this is the case, there is little reason to reset your device. You can still create a new Apple ID within your updated device without losing the MySudo accounts currently present. MySudo users should consider all of this and plan appropriately if making any changes. I take the following actions within the app:

  • MySudo>Settings>Privacy: Disable all
  • MySudo>Settings>Team Sudo Updates: Disable all
  • MySudo>Settings>Backup & Import/Export: Set a recovery passwords
  • Backup the device locally

OsmAnd Maps (https://osmand.net/):

Offline maps are vital in scenarios where you do not have internet access or need extreme privacy for a route/location. I take the following actions:

  • OsmAnd>Menu>Maps & Resources>Continent>Country>State: Download maps
  • Confirm street/directions access with internet disabled

Protonmail:

Regardless of your primary settings, the Protonmail iPhone app will add a footer at the end of every email announcing your usage on a mobile iOS device and set your default browser to Safari. I take the following actions:

  • Protonmail>Settings>Account>Mobile Signature> Disable
  • Protonmail>Settings>Default Browser: Firefox Focus

ProtonVPN: if you plan to use both ProtonVPN (or any other VPN) and Blokada simultaneously, you must change the protocol of your VPN. Go to your settings and disable Smart Protocol. This allows you to change your VPN protocol to IKEv2 which will eliminate the conflict with Blokada.

Signal:

  • Signal needs some settings activated and deactivated. I take the following actions:
  • Signal>Settings>Privacy>Default Timer: Set as desired
  • Signal>Settings>Privacy> Hide Screen in App Switcher: Enable
  • Signal>Settings>Privacy>Show Calls in Recents: Disable

Standard Notes:

I prefer to hide previews and note dates, and sort my notes by Title. These can be adjusted within the following:

  • Standard Notes>Settings

Strongbox (https://strongboxsafe.com):

This application opens KeePassXC databases. prefer to keep my mobile version of passwords “Read Only” and only make changes from my laptop when necessary. The bio-metric option to open databases is available with the paid version. I rely on this app daily.

VOIPSuite:

If you use the self-hosted VOIP SMS application [https://inteltechniques.com/sms.html), you may want to create a shortcut with the following steps. Note that a default browser of Firefox Focus may present many undesired login screens. If you rely heavily on this app and do very little web browsing from your device, you may want to leave Safari as your default browser and store your VoipSuite credentials within Keychain for ease of use. Consider this option carefully.

  • Shortcuts>+>Add Action>Web>Open URLs
  • Add your SMS app URL and click “Next”
  • Provide a name for your shortcut
  • Click the icon to choose a custom option
  • Click the three dots in the upper right
  • Click “Add to Home Screen” and “add”
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