> Updated iOS 26 Settings

Much like the macOS guide, Extreme Privacy, 5th Edition also offered many privacy and security considerations for previous versions of iOS. That content is also pushing two years old now, so I am again overdue for an update.  This article revisits that entire section for the recent changes within iOS 26. The following assumes you are on iOS 26.1, which was the latest version at the time of writing. Now that we have let Apple offer the first major update to that OS, the menu settings should be fairly locked in. I always prefer to wait for a ".1" update before documenting specific menu settings. This guide also assumes you have already purchased and booted the mobile device, created your Apple ID, and configuring any personal customizations as explained in the book. The purpose of this article is to revisit all of the System Settings for optimal iOS privacy and security. While everything here will work if you logged in to an iCloud account, which is different than an Apple account, some menus may appear differently. Consider it a supplement to the content within the book. Once you can access the system on the device, 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 which are most appropriate for your usage. Never blindly accept my opinions, understand why you want the change. Settings > Apple Account > Personal Information > Name and Photo Sharing > Disabled Settings > Apple Account > Personal Information > Communication Preferences > Disable all Settings > Apple Account > Media & Purchases > View Account > Personalized... > Disabled Settings > Bluetooth > Off (If not used) Settings > Cellular > Disable as desired Settings > General > Software Update > Automatic Updates > Off Settings > General > AirDrop > Receiving Off Settings > General > AirDrop > Bringing Devices Together > Disabled Settings > General > AirDrop > Use Cellular Data > Disabled Settings > General > AirPlay & Continuity > Disable all Settings > General > Picture in Picture > Disabled Settings > General > AutoFill & Passwords > Disable all Settings > General > Background App Refresh > Apple Store > Disabled Settings > General > Background App Refresh > Shortcuts > Disabled Settings > General > Background App Refresh > Voice Memos > Disabled Settings > General > Keyboard > Auto-Correction > Disabled Settings > General > Keyboard > Enable Dictation > Disabled Settings > General > Keyboard > Stickers > Disabled Settings > Battery > Battery Percentage > Enabled Settings > Passwords > Password Options > Autofill Passwords > Disabled Settings > Camera > Scan QR Codes > Disabled Settings > Search > Show Recent Searches > Disabled Settings > Search > Show Recent Searches > Show Related Content > Disabled Settings > Search > Show Recent Searches > Help Improve Search > Disabled Settings > Search > Each App > Disable all Settings > Siri > Disable all Settings > Standby > Standby > Disabled Settings > Notifications > Scheduled Summary > Off Settings > Notifications > Show previews > Never Settings > Notifications > Screen Sharing > Notifications Off Settings > Notifications > Siri Suggestions > Disable all Settings > Notifications > Disable notifications on sensitive apps Settings > Notifications > If desired, disable all Government Alerts Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Keyboard Feedback > Sound > Disabled Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Keyboard Feedback > Haptic > Enabled Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Lock Sound > Disabled Settings > Face ID & Passcode > Password AutoFill > Disabled Settings > Face ID & Passcode > Allow Access When Locked > Disable undesired Settings > Privacy & Security > Location services > Disable all Settings > Privacy & Security > Tracking > Disable all Settings > Privacy & Security > Motion & Fitness > Disable all Settings > Privacy & Security > Nearby Interactions > Disable all Settings > Privacy & Security > Paired Devices > Disable all Settings > Privacy & Security > Research Sensor & Usage Data > Disable all Settings > Privacy & Security > Journaling Suggestions > Disable all Settings > Privacy & Security > Sensitive Content Warning > Disabled Settings > Privacy & Security > Analytics & Improvements > Disable all Settings > Privacy & Security > Apple Advertising > Personalized Ads > Disabled Settings > Privacy & Security > App Privacy Report > Off Settings > Privacy & Security > Wired Accessories > Automatically Allow When Unlocked Settings > Game Center > Disabled Settings > Apps > App Store > Automatic Downloads > Disable all Settings > Apps > App Store > Video Autoplay > Off Settings > Apps > App Store > In-App Ratings & Reviews > Disabled Settings > Apps > App Store > Offload Unused Apps > Disabled Settings > Apps > Apple Store > Video Autoplay > Off Settings > Apps > Maps > Share ETA > Disabled Settings > Apps > Maps > Air Quality Index > Disabled Settings > Apps > Maps > Weather Conditions > Disabled Settings > Apps > Maps > Ratings and Photos > Disabled (If Present) Settings > Apps > Maps > Show Ratings and Photos Suggestion > Disabled (If present) Settings > Apps > Maps > Follow Up by Email > Disabled (If Present) Settings > Apps > Photos > Shared Albums > Disabled Settings > Apps > Photos > Show Hidden Album > Disabled Settings > Apps > Photos > Show Recently Viewed & Shared > Disabled Settings > Apps > Photos > Show Featured Content > Disabled Settings > Apps > Photos > Enhanced Visual Search > Disabled Settings > Apps > Safari > Siri & Search > Disable All Settings > Apps > Safari > Search Engine > DuckDuckGo Settings > Apps > Safari > Search Engine Suggestions > Disabled Settings > Apps > Safari > Safari Suggestions > Disabled Settings > Apps > Safari > Show Recent Searches > Disabled Settings > Apps > Safari > Quick Website Search > Disabled Settings > Apps > Safari > Preload Top Hit > Disabled Settings > Apps > Safari > AutoFill > Disable All Settings > Apps > Safari > Prevent Cross-Site Tracking > Enabled Settings > Apps > Safari > Fraudulent Website Warning > Disabled Settings > Apps > Safari > Highlights > Disabled Settings > Apps > Safari > Camera > Deny Settings > Apps > Safari > Microphone > Deny Settings > Apps > Safari > Location > Deny Settings > Apps > Safari > Advanced > Privacy Preserving Ad... > Disabled Settings > Apps > Safari > Advanced > Check for Apple Pay > Disabled Settings > Apps > Shortcuts > iCloud Sync > Disabled Settings > Apps > Shortcuts > Private Sharing > Disabled These settings provide more privacy from Apple while taking advantage of their secure mobile operating system. Modify your device as needed and never let our fascination with privacy completely break the functionality of technology.