How to Avoid Being Tracked on the Internet from Your Phone

Every time you open an app or visit a website on your phone, you leave a trail of data that companies, advertisers, and in some cases malicious actors can exploit. If you care about your privacy, knowing how to avoid being tracked on the internet from your phone is essential. In this article I’ll show you the most effective methods I personally use to minimize my digital footprint on my smartphone.

Table of contents

Configure your operating system’s privacy settings

The first and most important step is to adjust your phone’s privacy settings. Both Android and iOS offer granular options that most users never touch.

On Android: Go to Settings > Privacy and review app permissions. Disable access to location, camera, microphone, and contacts for apps that don’t need them. You can also enable “Ads privacy” from Settings > Privacy > Ads.

On iOS: Go to Settings > Privacy & Security. Apple provides a very comprehensive overview of which apps have accessed each permission. Enable App Tracking Transparency (ATT), which forces apps to ask for your permission before tracking you across apps.

Pro-tip: Periodically review the permissions of your installed apps. Many apps request access to data they don’t need to function, and updates can change permissions without you noticing.

Use privacy-focused browsers

Your default browser can be a massive source of data leakage. Google Chrome, for instance, is deeply integrated with Google’s advertising ecosystem.

Recommended browsers:

I use Brave as my main browser on my phone. From the start it blocks ads, third-party cookies, and tracking scripts without needing any configuration. Firefox with enhanced tracking protection is also an excellent and highly customizable option.

Disable location and localization services

Location is one of the most sensitive pieces of data your smartphone constantly collects. Many apps send your location to third-party servers even when you’re not using them.

Recommended steps:

1. Enable location only when you need it, not permanently.
2. Use “approximate location” instead of precise when it’s sufficient.
3. Disable Google’s location history from myactivity.google.com.
4. Delete frequent locations stored by your phone.

On Android, go to Settings > Location > Location services and disable “Improve accuracy” if it’s not essential, since this feature uses Wi-Fi and Bluetooth to refine your position and shares that data with Google.

Pro-tip: If you need location for navigation but don’t want Google recording it, download offline maps in Google Maps and use navigation without a connection. Alternatively, browsers like OsmAnd use OpenStreetMap maps without sending data to third-party servers.

Use a VPN on your phone

A VPN (Virtual Private Network) encrypts all internet traffic from your phone and hides your real IP address. It’s one of the most powerful tools against tracking, especially when using public Wi-Fi networks.

Benefits of using a VPN:

• Hides your real IP from websites and apps.
• Encrypts traffic on public Wi-Fi networks.
• Prevents your mobile carrier from seeing which sites you visit.
• Allows you to bypass geographical restrictions.

Recommended VPN services:

• ProtonVPN — decent free version, based in Switzerland.
• Mullvad — privacy-focused, accepts cash payment.
• NordVPN — good speed and wide server coverage.

However, not all VPNs are equal. Some free ones log your data and sell it, which is exactly the opposite of what you want. Always research the no-logs policy before choosing one.

Manage permissions of installed apps

Apps are, by far, the main source of tracking on a phone. Many collect data aggressively: contact lists, call history, phone sensors, and of course location.

Apps that tend to track more than necessary:

• Social media (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok).
• Delivery and ride-sharing apps (Uber, DoorDash, Lyft).
• Free games (they live on targeted advertising).
• Fitness and health apps.

What to do: Review each app from Settings > Apps and disable permissions that aren’t strictly necessary. For example, a flashlight app doesn’t need access to your contacts or location. If an app doesn’t work without excessive permissions, consider finding a more privacy-respecting alternative.

Protect your DNS: block trackers before they reach your browser

A little-known but very effective technique is changing your phone’s DNS. DNS (Domain Name System) is the service that translates web addresses you type into IP addresses. By using a DNS that blocks trackers, you can prevent your phone from connecting to tracking servers even before opening your browser.

Privacy-focused DNS providers:

To change DNS on Android, go to Settings > Network & Internet > Private DNS and type the provider’s address. You don’t need root or additional apps.

Pro-tip: NextDNS lets you create a custom profile where you choose exactly what to block. You can see in real time which domains are connecting from your phone and block the ones you don’t want. It’s a tool I discovered recently that changed how I think about mobile privacy.

Browser fingerprinting: the invisible tracking

Even without cookies, websites can identify you through your browser’s “fingerprint.” This technique collects information like browser type, screen resolution, installed fonts, time zone, language, and plugins to create a unique profile of you.

It’s a very difficult tracking method to avoid because it doesn’t depend on cookies or your IP. In fact, studies have shown that browser fingerprinting can uniquely identify over 90% of regular users. However, there are several ways to reduce it:

• Use Brave or Firefox with tracking protection enabled, which include fingerprinting protections.
• Avoid installing unnecessary extensions, as each one adds information to your fingerprint.
• Use FPI (First Party Isolation) mode in Firefox to isolate cookies per site.
• Consider using Tor Browser if privacy is your top priority, though you’ll sacrifice speed and convenience.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions

Does incognito mode prevent tracking?

Not entirely. Incognito mode only prevents the browser from saving history locally. Websites, your internet provider, and advertisers can still track your activity through session cookies, browser fingerprinting, and your IP address.

Is it legal for companies to track me?

In many cases yes, as long as you’ve accepted the terms of service. However, GDPR in Europe and similar laws in other countries require companies to inform you and give you the option to refuse. The problem is that most users accept without reading.

Can I use my phone without being tracked at all?

Achieving total anonymity is practically impossible without sacrificing convenience. But you can drastically reduce the amount of data you share. With the steps in this article you can eliminate a very high percentage of routine tracking.

Are free VPNs safe?

Not all of them. Some free VPNs collect and sell your data, which completely defeats the purpose of using one. Always read the privacy policy and look for services with independent audits of their no-logs policy. ProtonVPN free is one of the few reliable options.

Conclusion

Avoiding being tracked on the internet from your phone requires a combination of habits and tools, not a single magic solution. Configuring your OS privacy, using a browser that blocks trackers, disabling unnecessary location services, installing a reliable VPN, and managing app permissions will take you a long way toward greater digital privacy. None of these steps is complex, and together they form a solid barrier against the mass tracking we’re exposed to every day.