Lock the phone
Use a strong passcode or PIN plus Face ID, Touch ID, fingerprint, or face unlock.
TNEJC practical resource
A safer smartphone in about 15 minutes.
Use this step-by-step checkup to reduce unwanted calls and messages, protect personal information, and make account takeover or phone theft more difficult.
Before changing call settings:Save important family, medical, pharmacy, financial, and service-provider numbers in Contacts. Unknown-call screening can also affect legitimate callers.
Start here
Your six-part safety checkup.
Complete these categories on any smartphone. The exact menu wording may vary by phone model, carrier, and software version.
Install updates
Keep the operating system, security patches, and apps current.
Screen unknown contact
Use built-in call screening and unknown-message filtering.
Protect browsing and apps
Keep unsafe-site warnings, spam protection, and app scanning turned on.
Secure the account
Use two-factor authentication or a passkey for your Apple or Google Account.
Prepare for theft
Turn on the phone's theft-protection and device-finding features before they are needed.
Turn on automatic security updates
Settings → General → Software Update → Automatic Updates
Choose Automatically Install. Your iPhone can install updates overnight while charging and connected to Wi-Fi.
Use a strong passcode and Face ID or Touch ID
Settings → Face ID & Passcode (or Touch ID & Passcode)
Use at least a six-digit passcode and enroll only your own face or fingerprints. Never give the passcode to someone who contacts you.
Turn on Stolen Device Protection
Settings → Face ID & Passcode → Stolen Device Protection
Turn it on. For stronger protection, choose Always under Require Security Delay. This makes critical account changes harder if someone steals the phone and knows the passcode.
Screen calls from numbers you do not recognize
Settings → Apps → Phone → Screen Unknown Callers
Choose Ask Reason for Calling when available. The caller must identify themselves before the phone rings. Silence sends unknown callers directly to voicemail.
Keep in mind: First save important numbers—family, doctors, pharmacies, banks, and service providers—in Contacts. Silencing unknown calls can also silence legitimate calls.
Separate messages from unknown senders
Settings → Apps → Messages → Unknown Senders
Turn on Screen Unknown Senders. Unknown messages move to a separate area instead of mixing with familiar conversations.
Keep in mind: On some older iPhones, this setting is called Filter Unknown Senders.
Keep Safari's website warnings on
Settings → Apps → Safari → Privacy & Security
Turn on Fraudulent Website Warning and Block Pop-ups. If Safari displays a security warning, stop and leave the page.
Hide sensitive information on the Lock Screen
Settings → Notifications → Show Previews
Choose When Unlocked. Message text, account alerts, and verification codes will not be readable while the phone is locked.
Confirm Apple Account two-factor authentication
Settings → your name → Sign-In & Security
Make sure Two-Factor Authentication is on and that your trusted phone number is current. Never read a verification code to an unexpected caller.
Complete the Security & privacy checkup
Settings → Security & privacy
Review every warning or recommendation. Android places device lock, account security, app protection, and system updates in this area on many phones.
Use a strong screen lock and biometrics
Settings → Security & privacy → Device lock → Screen lock
Use a PIN of at least six digits, then add fingerprint or face unlock if supported. Avoid birthdays, addresses, and repeating digits.
Install Android and security updates
Settings → System → Software updates
Install available operating-system, security, and Google Play system updates. Menu names can vary by manufacturer.
Turn on caller ID and spam filtering
Phone app → More options (⋮) → Settings → Caller ID & spam
Turn on See caller ID & spam. If available, also turn on Filter spam calls or choose a Call Screen protection level.
Keep in mind: Filtered calls may not produce a missed-call notification, but they remain in call history and voicemail.
Confirm message spam protection
Google Messages → profile picture → Messages settings → Protection & Safety → Spam protection
Keep Enable spam protection on. If the option is not shown, it may not be available on that device or messaging app.
Keep Google Play Protect on
Play Store → profile picture → Play Protect → Settings
Turn on Scan apps with Play Protect and Improve harmful app detection. Install apps only from a store you trust—not because a caller or message directs you to do it.
Turn on supported theft protections
Settings → Google → All services → Theft protection
Turn on Theft Detection Lock, Offline Device Lock, Failed Authentication Lock, and Remote Lock when available. Some phones also offer Identity Check.
Run Chrome Safety Check
Chrome → More options (⋮) → Settings → Safety check
Correct any issue Chrome identifies. Under Privacy and security, also turn on Always use secure connections and password-breach warnings when available.
Hide sensitive Lock Screen notifications
Settings → Notifications → Notifications on lock screen
Choose Hide sensitive notification content or turn off Sensitive notifications so messages and codes are not visible on a locked phone.
Turn on Google 2-Step Verification
Google Account → Security & sign-in → 2-Step Verification
Follow the setup steps and consider adding a passkey. Never approve a sign-in prompt or share a code unless you initiated the sign-in yourself.
If something suspicious gets through
Open Check Before You ActSettings are a safety net—not proof that a contact is legitimate.
- Do not click the link, reply, install an app, or share a passcode or verification code.
- Hang up and contact the organization using a number you find independently.
- Never move money to “protect” it or follow instructions to keep a transaction secret.
- Use Check Before You Act for immediate, plain-language next steps.
Source transparency
Verified against official guidance.
Instructions were reviewed in October 2026 using current Apple Support, Android Help, Google Phone, Google Messages, Google Play, and Google Account guidance. Settings and availability may change with software updates, phone models, carriers, and regions.
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