Your iPhone ships with settings designed for convenience, but many of them quietly drain your battery, eat your data, and share more information than you realize. The good news is that you can fix most of them in a few minutes.
Here are the iPhone settings to turn off right now, why each one matters, and exactly where to find it. Menu names can differ slightly between iOS versions, so use the search bar at the top of Settings if you can’t spot one.
1. Location Services for Apps That Don’t Need It
Many apps ask for your location, but few actually need it. Constant GPS use drains your battery and builds a detailed profile of where you go.
How to fix it: Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services. Review each app and choose Never or While Using the App. Avoid Always unless the app truly needs it, such as a navigation or family-safety app. Turn off Precise Location for apps that only need your general area, like weather or shopping apps.
2. Significant Locations
Your iPhone can log the places you visit most often to personalize features. The data is encrypted, but many people prefer not to keep a record of their routines.
How to fix it: Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services > System Services > Significant Locations, clear your history, and turn the feature off.
3. Background App Refresh
This lets apps update content in the background even when you aren’t using them. It is one of the biggest hidden causes of poor iPhone battery life.
How to fix it: Go to Settings > General > Background App Refresh. Turn it off completely, or disable it for individual apps that don’t need to update in the background. Messaging, mail, and navigation apps are usually worth keeping on.
4. App Tracking and Personalized Ads
Advertisers track your activity across apps and websites to build targeted ads. You can limit this without losing any functionality.
How to fix it:
- Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Tracking and turn off Allow Apps to Request to Track.
- Then go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Apple Advertising and turn off Personalized Ads.
This won’t remove ads, but it makes them less tailored to your behavior.
5. Share iPhone Analytics
Your phone can send diagnostic and usage data to Apple and to app developers. It mostly serves improvement purposes, but it also uses a bit of battery and data.
How to fix it: Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Analytics & Improvements and turn off Share iPhone Analytics and related toggles.
Want an extra layer of protection on public Wi-Fi? Consider a trusted VPN service to encrypt your connection and keep your browsing private.
6. AirDrop Set to “Everyone”
Leaving AirDrop open to everyone invites unwanted files and photos from strangers in crowded places like trains, airports, and events.
How to fix it: Go to Settings > General > AirDrop and choose Contacts Only or Receiving Off. Switch to a wider setting only when you need to share something temporarily.
7. Lock Screen Access You Don’t Need
By default, some features work even when your phone is locked. If your phone is lost or stolen, that can expose more than you want.
How to fix it: Go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode (or Touch ID & Passcode), enter your passcode, and scroll to Allow Access When Locked. Turn off items you don’t need on the lock screen, such as Control Center, Notification Center, Wallet, and Siri access.
Also go to Settings > Notifications > Show Previews and choose When Unlocked. That keeps message content, bank alerts, and verification codes hidden from anyone who glances at your screen.
8. Wi-Fi Assist
When your Wi-Fi is weak, Wi-Fi Assist automatically switches to cellular data. That is handy, but it can quietly use up your mobile data allowance and raise your bill, especially if you’re on a limited plan or roaming abroad.
How to fix it: Go to Settings > Cellular (or Mobile Data), scroll to the bottom, and turn off Wi-Fi Assist. While you’re there, review which apps are allowed to use cellular data and switch off heavy users like video and streaming apps.
9. Always-On Display and Raise to Wake
Newer iPhone models can keep the screen faintly lit all day, and many models wake the display whenever you pick the phone up. Both features are convenient, but they add up in battery use.
How to fix it: Go to Settings > Display & Brightness. Turn off Always On Display if your model has it, and turn off Raise to Wake if you prefer to tap the screen yourself. You can also shorten the Auto-Lock time to 30 seconds or one minute.
Tip: Even after all these changes, an aging battery can still hold you back. Check Settings > Battery > Battery Health & Charging. If maximum capacity has dropped well below 80%, a battery replacement or an extended protection plan may be worth comparing.
Bonus Settings Worth Checking
- Automatic Downloads: Turn off automatic app updates if storage or data is tight, but update manually and regularly for security patches.
- Low Power Mode: Switch it on when your battery runs low to reduce background activity.
- Notification overload: Disable alerts and badges for apps that don’t deserve your attention. It improves focus and saves battery.
- iCloud storage: Review Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud to see what is backing up. If you’re running out of space, compare iCloud+ storage plans before deleting precious photos.
Quick Security Checklist
- Update iOS. Software updates fix security vulnerabilities.
- Use a strong passcode, not a simple four-digit PIN.
- Turn on Find My iPhone so you can locate or lock a lost device.
- Enable two-factor authentication on your Apple Account.
- Use a password manager instead of reusing passwords.
If your phone holds banking apps, work email, and personal photos, consider device protection insurance and identity theft protection for extra peace of mind.
Want to protect your iPhone and your data? Compare phone protection plans, VPN services, and cloud backup options today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will turning off these settings break my iPhone?
No. All of them are optional and reversible. You can switch any setting back on at any time.
Does turning off Background App Refresh stop notifications?
Not usually. Push notifications still arrive for most apps. You may notice that some apps take a moment to refresh content when you open them.
Which setting saves the most battery?
For most people, limiting Location Services and Background App Refresh makes the biggest difference. Screen brightness and Always-On Display also matter.
Are these changes safe for older iPhones?
Yes. Older devices often benefit the most, since lower battery capacity makes every bit of background activity more noticeable.
Do I need a VPN on my iPhone?
It isn’t essential for everyone, but a reputable VPN is useful on public Wi-Fi or if you want extra privacy. Avoid free VPNs with unclear privacy policies.
The Bottom Line
The best iPhone settings to turn off are the ones you don’t need: unnecessary location access, background refresh, ad tracking, open AirDrop, lock screen shortcuts, and battery-hungry display features. Spend five minutes adjusting them today and you will likely notice longer battery life, lower data use, and stronger privacy.
Take two minutes now to open Settings and switch off the first three items on this list. Then explore device protection, VPN, and backup options to keep your iPhone safe for the long run.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. Menu names and available features vary by iPhone model and iOS version. Check Apple’s official support pages for the latest instructions.
