Tech companies don’t want you to turn off these settings
Our devices are packed full of settings that keep us safe and secure. You just need to know which ones to adjust.
Default settings are often much better for the company behind them than for you. Grab your phone and computer, then take a few minutes to improve your digital life.
1. Apple, stop tracking my location
Apple keeps track of where you go and how often you visit. It can then make suggestions based on what it calls Significant Locations. You might see these as calendar events or map directions/alerts.
Sure, it’s helpful, but not everyone likes it. You can clear this list.
On your iPhone, go to Settings > Privacy h
> Location Services > System Services.
Tap Significant Locations. h
Hit the Clear History button. h
2. Alexa, don’t read my mind
The Amazon Echo monitors and learns your behavior based on requests you make through the Hunches feature. Here’s an example. You say, “Alexa, good night,” and your smart speaker says, “You left the kitchen light on. Would you like me to turn it off?”
If you don’t like it, there’s an easy fix. Just say, “Alexa, disable Hunches,” and you’re good to go.
You can disable Hunches through the app if you’re not near your Alexa.
Open the Amazon Alexa app > tap More h at the bottom of the screen to open the menu.
Tap on Settings, then scroll down and select h Hunches.
Use the toggle to turn off Hunches. h
3. Google, don’t track everywhere I go
If you use Google Maps, you know Google sees where you go. Beyond that, Google may save where you go even when you aren’t using a specific Google service. You don’t have to let that info sit around in perpetuity.
Sign in to your Google account. Click on h your profile picture, then Manage your Google Account or go to your Google Account page.
On the left, click on Data & privacy. h
Under History settings, click on Location h
History.
You can toggle this off. h
Switching this off stops tracking in the future, but it will retain a copy of your history.
To completely delete your location history data, click on the Auto-delete option. You can choose to auto-delete the data older than three months, older than 18 months, or older than 36 months. You can still manually delete anything before that.
4. Apple, stop bugging me for reviews
Whether you love or hate an app, you can rate and review it – but there should be no pressure or obligation. In-app review prompts are annoying, period.
To turn these off:
On your iPhone, go to Settings > App h
Store.
Turn off In-App Ratings & Reviews. h
5. Samsung, I’m saying goodbye to Bixby
If you have a Samsung phone, you also have access to Bixby. This virtual assistant is not as popular as Alexa, Google Assistant or Siri.
The bad news is you can’t delete Bixby altogether, but you can disable it and reassign the Bixby side button on your phone to do something else, like launching the camera app.
Here’s how:
Go to Settings > Advanced features. h
Switch off Bixby Routines. h
Tap the Side key. h
You can now change the function of the h side button.
6. Windows, stop showing me ads
Microsoft places ads and suggested apps in the Start menu. There are enough ads online without seeing them in your Start menu too.
Here’s how to turn them off:
Go to the Start menu and open Settings. h
Choose Personalization. h
Select Start from the left pane. h
Toggle off Show suggestions occasionally h in Start.
7. Android, I don’t want to share everything I do
Usage and diagnostic data are one of Big Tech’s clever ways of getting its hands on everything you do. Everything from the apps you use to your battery’s lifespan is considered.
You don’t have to send out all this personal info. Opting out is easy. Follow these steps to turn off Usage and diagnostics on your Android:
Open h
Tap > h
Toggle the switch h
Learn about all the latest technology on the Kim Komando Show, the nation’s largest weekend radio talk show. Kim takes calls and dispenses advice on today’s digital lifestyle, from smartphones and tablets to online privacy and data hacks. For her daily tips, free newsletters and more, visit her website at Komando.com.
The views and opinions expressed in this column are the author’s and do not necessarily reflect those of USA TODAY.