The following post about iPhone security features is excerpted from the book iPhone 6 & iPhone 6S In 30 Minutes by author Ian Lamont. It is not intended to be a comprehensive list.
iPhones have loads of security features built into the operating system as well as individual apps and services. The devices are so secure that U.S. law enforcement officials have complained that they can’t easily bypass their encryption and other security features.
List of iPhone security features
Here is a list of general iPhone security features, as well as privacy features:
- Apps are forced to ask for permission before accessing your location data, photos, or contacts.
- All photos, documents, and other data stored on iCloud is encrypted using the same technology used by major financial institutions
- Mail is encrypted, and Apple won’t scan it to display advertisements.
- Maps does not require users to sign in, and trip data is segmented to prevent Apple or other parties from tracking your travel.
- The Safari browser on the phone turns off third-party cookies by default, and prevents suspicious sites from loading. Private browsing mode can hide your identity from websites and does not save your browsing history.
- Voice-related data used for Siri and Dictation are not associated with your Apple ID.
- Apple Pay does not store credit card numbers, and does not pass them to merchants.
- Data collected by the Health app is encrypted, and app developers are restricted how they can use it.
The list of iPhone security safeguards goes on, from encrypted FaceTime calls to randomized Wi-Fi access. While many of the features are obscure and you may never directly interact with them, you will probably want to activate basic security options, such as a passcode, Touch ID, and Find My iPhone.
For more information on how to do these steps, go the Settings app on your iPhone and follow the instructions. My book, iPhone 6 & iPhone 6S In 30 Minutes also covers basic iPhone security settings.