Updated: 1/27/24
I've been an Android user for over a decade long, however, I just recently purchased an Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max, mainly due to the fact that my entire family uses iPhones. I also bought it, in order to educate myself and become more proficient on Apple devices & products, while comparing it to my beloved Android Galaxy products.
I will detail what to enable and disable on your iPhones, to help you "stay secure". The uninformed general public needs to understand that ANY smartphone is basically a "Mobile Computer" in your hand. Its a very powerful device with the ability to get "hacked", like any other File-Server, Computer or Laptop.
Here's a List of things to do to secure your iPhone, in the event that its either "stolen or lost".
1 - Disabling your "Accounts Center" in Settings.
Click "Settings"
Click "Screen Time"
Click "Content & Privacy Restrictions"
Choose to enable "Content Privacy Restrictions", and create a 4-digit Passcode.
(Ensure that your "Screen Time" password is different than your passcode for your iPhone).
Scroll down to the section called "Allow Changes".
Click on "Account Changes", enter Passcode, choose "Don't Allow" and click "Back".
Click on "Passcode Changes", enter Passcode, choose "Don't Allow", click "Back".
Back out of "Settings" and go back into it and you'll see that your Account Section is
now "grayed out" and unable to access it.
2 - Enable & Setup "Face ID" (Biometric Security) on your iPhone.
Click "Settings"
Click "Face ID & Passcode"
If you happen to have a "Screen Time" Password set, then type that in, if not,
it will take you directly to the "Set up Face ID", then follow the onscreen instructions.
3 - Removing your "Control Center" from the screen.
Click "Settings"
Click "Face ID & Passcode"
Enter your Passcode
Scroll down to "Allow Access When Locked"
Choose "Control Center" and whatever else you want to disable in this section.
Backout until you get back to the "Settings" screen and close Settings.
Now lock your phone (press the button on the right-side of the iPhone)
VERY IMPORTANT: Make sure to NOT look at your phone while swiping down on the
right-hand side of the phone to view your "Control Center", because it will pickup
your FACE ID and allow you to see the Control Center, that you just disabled.
Instead, Turn the iPhone away from your Face and try to SWIPE down and you will see
that the Control Center will NOT be available to view.
4 - Removing your "Account Settings & Face ID & Passcode" Option from Settings.
Click "Settings"
Click "Screen Time"
Click "Content & Privacy Restrictions"
Scroll down to the "Allow Changes" Section
Click on "Account Changes" and choose "Don't Allow" and click BACK button
Click on "Passcode Changes" and choose "Don't Allow" and click BACK button
Navigate out of your "Settings" and go back into it and you'll see that your Account Section,
at the very top of your Setting is now "grayed out" and unable to click on.
You will also notice that he "Face ID & Passcode" Option is NO LONGER AVAILABLE !!
5 - Disabling "Location Services".
Click "Settings"
Click "Privacy & Security"
Click "Location Services"
Choose to toggle to enable or disable.
Done.