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Before installing everyday apps, review five Android controls: Usage & diagnostics, ad privacy, app permissions, camera and microphone access, and lock-screen notification content. You do not have to turn off every control; choose based on how you use the phone. Android menus vary by version and manufacturer, so treat the paths below as guides rather than universal instructions.
Find the controls on your Android phone
Start in Settings and use its search box if a menu name does not match. Google notes that settings can differ on customized versions of Android; for device-specific steps, consult your phone maker’s help. Google’s Android security and privacy settings guide provides a general orientation, but the exact menu path may vary.
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1. Usage & diagnostics
Turn off Usage & diagnostics if you do not want your device to send Google information about its use and performance. Google says this may include battery level, how often apps are used, and the quality and length of network connections. The information can be used to improve products and services, including battery life and reliability.
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On many phones, look under Settings > Google. On Pixel phones, Google documents a path under Security & privacy > More security & privacy. Find Usage & diagnostics and switch it off if that suits your preference. Google’s instructions for sharing usage and diagnostics information explain the control and its scope.
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This is not an app-tracking switch: “Turning off usage and diagnostics won’t affect info that apps might collect.” It also does not disable essential services such as Android updates.
2. Android ad privacy controls
Android’s ad privacy area has three separate controls to review: Ad topics, App suggested ads, and Ad measurement. If you prefer not to participate in these features, switch off the controls where they are available.
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- Open Settings > Google > All services > Privacy & security > Ads > Ads privacy.
- Review Ad topics, App suggested ads, and Ad measurement individually, and change the ones you do not want enabled.
Google documents this path in its Android ad privacy settings guide; labels and availability can vary. Turning off these controls does not guarantee an ad-free experience or prevent all ads related to your interests. Apps and their own settings also affect what ads you see.
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Review sensitive permissions app by app rather than disabling location across the whole phone. Permission Manager and the Privacy Dashboard can show which apps have access and, on supported versions, when a permission was used. The dashboard’s available history and details differ by Android version.
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For location, remove “All the time” access from apps that do not need it. If an app works with less precision, consider allowing approximate rather than precise location. Google explains how to change app permissions and how to review permissions in the Privacy Dashboard.
Location is also what enables features such as local search, nearby services, finding a lost device, location sharing, and earthquake alerts. Check the impact on the features you rely on before changing an app’s access. Google’s Android location settings guide describes the available location controls.
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4. Camera and microphone access
Check which apps can use the camera and microphone, then remove permission from apps that do not need those sensors. You can manage access app by app in Settings, typically under Privacy or Permission Manager; use Settings search if the path differs on your phone.
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On Android 12 and later, Google documents system-wide camera and microphone controls, along with indicators that show when either sensor is active. Device implementation can differ. A global block is useful when you want to stop access temporarily, but apps that legitimately need the camera or microphone will not work normally until you restore access. See Google’s camera and microphone access guidance.
5. Lock-screen notification content
If other people might see your phone while it is locked, consider hiding sensitive notification content on the lock screen. You can still choose to show notifications while keeping their details private; the exact options and labels depend on the device. Look in Settings for Lock screen or Notifications. Google’s Pixel guidance for managing security and privacy settings includes lock-screen notifications; on other Android phones, look for the equivalent setting from the manufacturer.
Quick Recap
How the five controls differ
| Control | What it affects | Scope | Trade-off to consider |
|---|---|---|---|
| Usage & diagnostics | Device-use and performance information sent to Google | Device-level control | Disabling it does not affect information apps may collect, and does not stop Android updates |
| Ad privacy | Ad topics, app-suggested ads, and ad measurement | Feature controls in Android’s ad privacy settings | Does not guarantee fewer ads or prevent all interest-related ads |
| App permissions | Access to sensitive data and features, including location | App by app | Restricting location can affect services that depend on it |
| Camera and microphone | App access to the camera and microphone | App permissions; system-wide controls are documented for Android 12 and later | A global block can interrupt apps that need either sensor |
| Lock-screen notifications | Whether notification details are visible while the phone is locked | Device-level display choice | Hiding details makes private content less visible but may reduce at-a-glance information |
A practical setup order
- Use Settings search to locate Usage & diagnostics and the ad privacy controls.
- Open the Privacy Dashboard or Permission Manager and check location, camera, and microphone access for individual apps.
- Set lock-screen notification visibility to match where and how you use the phone.
- After changing permissions, open apps you rely on and restore access only when a feature you want requires it.
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