6 Android phone settings you should change immediately to avoid being tracked.

Not all Android apps need access to your location, microphone, or contacts, but many apps still silently grant themselves permissions.

If it's been a while since you checked your privacy settings, now is the perfect time to act. Proactively tightening access permissions now will help you prevent the risk of being tracked before it even begins.

1. Control application access permissions.

When installing a new Android app, you might be surprised to find that it immediately requests access to your camera, microphone, or location, even before you open the app for the first time.

However, in reality, very few apps actually need all those permissions to function. A photo editing app doesn't need to know your location. A note-taking app doesn't need access to the microphone.

The problem is, without strict access control, you're inadvertently leaving the door open for silent background tracking, consuming resources and threatening personal privacy. However, you can absolutely control this and should do so from the moment the application is installed.

With just a few simple steps, such as pressing and holding the app icon on the home screen or in the app drawer, selectApplication information, then go to the sectionRightsHere, you can view each permission granted to the application and adjust it as desired.RefuseorAsk each timeIf you are unsure whether or not to grant permission.

To manage all access permissions on the device centrally, go toSettingnewsSecurity and privacynewsOther privacy settingsnewsRights ManagerHere, you'll see permission groups such as camera, location, microphone, etc. Tap on each item to check which app is accessing it, and reconsider whether it's really necessary.

Setting boundaries only takes a few minutes, but the benefits are long-term control over your personal data. Being proactive early on is the best way to keep your device and yourself safe.

2Turn off precise location services.

Most apps don't need to know your exact location. While some services like maps or ride-hailing do use location, even those rarely require absolute precision down to the meter.

Fortunately, Android lets you choose between sharing your exact or approximate location, and in many cases, the latter is sufficient for the app to function smoothly.

When an app requests location access, you'll often see a "Use precise location" switch, which is usually on by default. Turning this switch off will cause the app to only identify the area around you instead of your specific location, reducing the risk of being constantly tracked in the background.

If you've ever granted precise location permissions to certain apps, you can change it at any time. Just go toSettingnewsLocationnewsApplication permissionsSelect the application you want to adjust, then turn off the option.Use precise location.

The apps will still work, but they can no longer track your every step. A small change, but one that offers significant privacy protection.

3. Limit battery usage in the background.

Closing an app doesn't mean it's stopped working. In fact, many apps continue to run in the background, silently connecting to servers and collecting data, draining battery power and posing privacy risks.

You can prevent that by limiting background activity. Go toSettingnewsApplicationSelect the application you want to manage, then tap the item.Battery, then switch to background modeLimitWhen configured in this way, the app will only run when you actively open it, saving battery power and reducing the risk of unwanted data collection.

However, it's important to note that this option shouldn't be applied to apps that need to send real-time notifications, such as messaging or email apps. Restricting background activity can cause notifications to arrive later or not at all. Therefore, choose wisely to balance performance, privacy, and user experience.

4Turn off nearby device scanning and Bluetooth.

You may not always have Bluetooth turned on, but that doesn't mean apps will leave you alone. Some apps can still silently use Bluetooth scanning to detect nearby devices, thereby inferring your location or movement patterns. This is how many services collect ambient data without the user's knowledge.

To stop this covert tracking, go toSettingnewsLocationnewsLocation servicesnewsScan Bluetoothand turn this option off.

While you're at it, consider turning off Wi-Fi Scan altogether. While intended to improve location accuracy and alert you to open Wi-Fi networks, this feature can also make your device vulnerable to tracking, especially as it automatically scans and connects to nearby networks without your control.

Turning off these two scanning features won't diminish your everyday user experience, but it will help you minimize passive monitoring. A simple step, but one that significantly enhances your personal privacy.

5. Turn off ad personalization.

While advertising tracking may not be as obvious as accessing your camera or location, it's one of the most common forms of data collection on Android.

Every time you search, open an app, or simply use your device, you're contributing to the creation of a personalized advertising profile. That profile is then used to display targeted ads to the right people at the right time, whether you give your permission or not.

If you feel this goes beyond your privacy limits, you can proactively turn off ad personalization and remove your Ad ID. AccessSettingnewsGooglenewsAll servicesnewsAdvertisementnewsRemove Ad IDThen confirm the operation.

Turning this feature off won't reduce the number of ads, but it will prevent apps and websites from tailoring their ads to your personal behavior. You'll still see ads, but they'll be less intrusive.

If you still want to receive personalized ads but want to start over, you can also reset your Ad ID in the same menu. During this process, don't forget to take some time to check what Google is storing about you; you might be surprised by the level of detail in that profile.

6. Put unused apps into sleep mode.

Over time, your Android phone may become cluttered with apps you once "tried out for fun" and then forgot about. But just because you don't open an app doesn't mean it's "dormant." Many apps still silently run in the background, using data and access you granted long ago, sometimes without you even remembering why.

To prevent this, go toSettingnewsBatterynewsPlatform usage limits, then turn on the featurePut unused apps into sleep mode.Here, Android divides applications into 3 groups:

Sleep app:Background activity can still be limited.

Deep sleep app:Completely frozen, no background refresh, no notifications, until you actively try to open it.

The app that never sleeps:They were removed from the control list and were allowed to operate as normal.

To enhance control, go to the sectionDeep sleep appTap the plus (+) icon and add apps you rarely use. Once added to this list, those apps will be "completely frozen," unable to consume resources or silently collect data unless you open them.

Now that you know where these settings are located, take some time to clean up your system and lock down permissions for apps you no longer need. Android provides you with the tools, but you are the one who decides how much access your device is allowed and how your personal data is protected.

Phan Van Hoa