Your smartphone holds more than photos and messages. It carries your daily routines, shopping habits, saved passwords, work conversations and location information. Taking control of that data starts with understanding which settings affect access, sharing and personalisation.The Samsung Galaxy S26 FE launches with One UI 9, bringing Samsung’s latest software experience to its Fan Edition lineup. This guide focuses on practical privacy controls you can review yourself. Menu names may vary with regional software and updates, so use Settings search whenever an option appears somewhere different. Where should you start your privacy check?Open Settings and look for Security and privacy. Samsung groups controls for screen locks, account security, app protection, updates and privacy here, making it a useful starting point for reviewing your phone. Work through the recommendations rather than assuming a reassuring status means every app matches your preferences. Device security and data sharing are related, but they answer different questions.A secure phone can still have apps with permissions you no longer want. Begin with access to your device, then review access to your information.
Which app permissions should you review first?
Search Settings for Permission manager. Samsung’s guidance explains that this lets you review access to services such as the camera, microphone, location and calendar. Depending on the permission, choices can include allowing access while using the app, asking every time or denying access. Start with apps you rarely use. Ask whether each permission supports something you actually do. A video meeting app needs microphone access during calls; an unrelated shopping app may not.Change permissions gradually and test the app afterwards. If a feature stops working, restore the specific permission it needs instead of approving every request.
Should apps know your precise location?
Location permissions deserve their own review. Android distinguishes between approximate and precise location, and also offers different access choices depending on the app and permission request. A navigation app may need precise positioning to guide you along a route. A weather app might work well enough with an approximate area or a manually selected city.Review background location access particularly carefully. Keep it for features you deliberately use, such as ongoing tracking or location sharing. Restricting an app’s location permission does not automatically delete information previously saved in its account.
How can you keep notifications private?
A locked screen can still reveal personal information through message previews, email subjects and other alerts. Samsung provides notification settings that let you hide content on the lock screen. Search Settings for lock screen notifications and choose the visibility that suits your routine. You might keep alerts visible while hiding their details, allowing you to notice a message without exposing its contents.Test this by locking your phone and sending yourself a message. Check what someone nearby could read. Review individual app settings too, especially for banking, messaging and work notifications.
What should you know about Galaxy AI privacy?
Samsung provides a Process data only on device option within Galaxy AI settings. Its support guidance explains that this restricts cloud processing for covered Galaxy AI features, while available functions vary by device and software version. Look for Settings, then Galaxy AI, and review the option alongside each feature you use. Some functions may become unavailable when their cloud processing is disabled.This switch does not govern every app or online service on your phone. Review separate assistants and third-party AI tools independently, especially before submitting confidential documents, private messages or sensitive photographs.
Can you reduce personalisation and diagnostic sharing?
Search for More privacy settings and review the available Samsung and Google controls. Samsung documents options covering diagnostic sharing, Android personalisation, advertising identifiers and other services, although availability varies. Read each description before changing it. Diagnostic sharing, personalised recommendations and advertising settings serve different purposes, so one switch will not control everything.Also visit your Google Account’s privacy controls. My Activity lets you review saved activity, while My Ad Center provides advertising personalisation controls. Turning off personalised advertising does not remove all advertisements or prevent every service from collecting data.
Is Secure Folder useful for private files?
Secure Folder provides a separate protected area for supported Galaxy devices. Samsung places its setup under Security and privacy, then More security settings, although you can also locate it through Settings search. It can be useful when you occasionally hand your phone to someone else and want certain files or apps kept separately. Choose a strong lock method and understand the recovery options during setup.Check whether you moved or copied a file into the folder. A copy outside it remains accessible through its original location. Separately review any cloud copies and shared links.
Should you enable Auto Blocker?
Auto Blocker helps protect against certain risky installations and device activities. Samsung also offers Maximum restrictions, which adds stronger controls but can interfere with work profiles, some connections and sharing features. Review the options under Security and privacy, and read their descriptions before enabling additional restrictions. Choose protection that fits how you use your phone.Keep software and apps updated, remove applications you no longer need, and revisit permissions after installing something new. Regular, informed adjustments help keep your Galaxy S26 FE aligned with your privacy preferences.
