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Secure your phone and computer

Set up updates, a screen lock, backups and app permissions on your phone or computer.

Print a task checklist on paper or save as PDF. Tick off completed tasks and cross out device options that do not apply. Print all guides.

Name ____________________   Started __________   Finished __________

At a glance

TIME
About 30 minutes to start; updates and backups may take longer
COST
Built-in settings are free; backup storage may cost extra
NEED
Your phone or computer, its unlock code, and access to your backup
UPDATED
November 2026

Start with the device you use most

Choose your main phone or computer and work through the steps below. You can repeat them on other personal devices later. For equipment managed by your employer or school, use its IT support for changes you cannot make yourself.

The steps

Install updates and turn on automatic updates

If your backup is out of date, complete the backup step below first. Connect to power, then open the instructions for your device.

iPhone or iPad
  1. Open Settings → General → Software Update.
  2. Install the available update and follow any restart prompts.
  3. Open Automatic Updates and enable automatic installation.

Apple update instructions

Android
  1. Open Settings → System → Software updates. Menu names vary by manufacturer.
  2. Check the security update status and install available updates.
  3. Follow any restart prompts.

Android update instructions

Windows
  1. Open Settings → Windows Update.
  2. Check for updates and install those available.
  3. Complete any required restart.

Windows Update help

Mac
  1. Open System Settings → General → Software Update.
  2. Install available updates and follow any restart prompts.
  3. Enable automatic updates.

Open your phone’s app store and install pending app updates. On a computer, open the browser’s Help → About page to trigger its update check and relaunch when prompted. If your device no longer receives security updates, look up its model on the manufacturer’s support website and check the supported replacement or upgrade options.

Set a screen lock and check it works

Use a PIN or password you can remember without using a birthday or a simple sequence. Turn on fingerprint or face unlock if it helps you use the lock consistently. Choose a short automatic lock delay, such as one or two minutes.

iPhone or iPad
  1. Open Settings → Face ID & Passcode or Touch ID & Passcode to set or change your passcode.
  2. Open Display & Brightness → Auto-Lock to set the automatic lock delay.

Apple passcode instructions

Android
  1. Search Settings for Screen lock to set or change your PIN or password.
  2. Search for Screen timeout to choose the automatic lock delay.
Windows
  1. Open Settings → Accounts → Sign-in options.
  2. Set up a Windows Hello PIN, fingerprint or face sign-in from the options your device supports.
  3. Press Windows key + L, then check that unlocking requires your sign-in method.

Windows sign-in settings

Mac
  1. Open System Settings → Lock Screen.
  2. Set Require password after screen saver begins or display is turned off to Immediately.
  3. Choose Apple menu → Lock Screen, then check that unlocking requires your password or Touch ID.

Mac lock-screen settings

Check it works. On a phone, press the side or power button to lock it. Wake it and confirm that unlocking requires your PIN, password or biometrics.

Make a backup and check its date

Choose your device below. Check which information is included and allow the first backup to finish.

iPhone or iPad
  1. Open Settings → your name → iCloud → iCloud Backup.
  2. Enable backup and choose Back Up Now.
  3. Check the latest successful backup time and separately check that important photos are backed up.

Apple backup instructions

Android
  1. Open Settings → Google → All services → Backup.
  2. Review device data and photos separately, then start a backup.
  3. Check the backup details and confirm that important photos are backed up.

Android backup instructions

Windows
  1. Connect an external backup drive.
  2. Open Control Panel → System and Security → File History and turn it on.
  3. Check that the folders you need are included.
  4. Restore a small test file to a different location and open it.

File History instructions

Mac
  1. Connect your backup drive.
  2. Open System Settings → General → Time Machine and follow the setup prompts.
  3. Save the encryption password in your password manager if you encrypt the backup.
  4. Restore a small test file to a different location and open it.

Time Machine instructions

Keep the account recovery information you would need if the device were lost.

Remove unused apps and review permissions

Pick three apps you rarely use. Uninstall the ones you no longer need. For those you keep, open the permission settings below and remove access to information the app does not need for a feature you use.

iPhone or iPad

Open Settings → Privacy & Security. Choose a permission category, then review the apps that have access.

Android

Open Settings → Apps, select an app, then open Permissions.

Android permission instructions

Windows

Open Settings → Privacy & security, then select Camera, Microphone or another app-permission category. Turn off access for apps that do not need it. Some desktop apps are managed outside these lists, so check the app’s own settings too.

Windows app permissions

Mac

Open System Settings → Privacy & Security. Select Camera, Microphone, Location Services or another category, then turn off access for apps that do not need it.

Mac privacy settings

For a navigation app, choose location access While Using if offered. For an app you never use to take photos or record sound, turn off camera and microphone access. Open the app and test your usual task. Restore a permission only when a feature you want needs it.

Make it a monthly check

Create a calendar event called “Device check,” repeat it monthly, and add three tasks to its notes. Check for pending updates, confirm the latest backup date, and remove unused apps. If an account is already being misused, use the Emergency checklist for immediate steps.

Protect your accounts and spot scams

For suspicious links and QR codes, use the scams guide. To check whether your email appears in a known breach, use the breach-check steps in the password-manager guide.

Common questions

Where should I start with passwords?

Use the password-manager guide to save a different password for each account. Then use the two-step sign-in guide to protect your primary email.

What about tax-related identity theft?

Review the optional IRS Identity Protection PIN in the government-accounts guide. It includes the official enrollment link and explains how to get the current PIN before filing.

You’re done when

Your device locks, available updates are installed, you have checked a recent backup, and app permissions match the features you use.

Sources and review

Reviewed November 11, 2026. Official device instructions are linked alongside the steps. Menu names and available features vary by device and software version.

Install updates

  • Confirm you have a recent backup, then connect the device to power.
  • iPhone/iPad — Settings → General → Software Update. Install updates and enable automatic installation.
  • Android — Settings → System → Software updates. Install available updates and restart when prompted.
  • Windows — Settings → Windows Update. Check for updates, install and restart.
  • Mac — System Settings → General → Software Update. Install updates and enable automatic updates.
  • Install pending app updates and complete the browser’s update check.

Set and test the screen lock

  • Choose a PIN or password with no birthday or simple sequence.
  • iPhone/iPad — set the passcode in Face ID & Passcode or Touch ID & Passcode. Set a short delay in Display & Brightness → Auto-Lock.
  • Android — search Settings for Screen lock and Screen timeout.
  • Windows — Settings → Accounts → Sign-in options. Set up a supported Windows Hello method and test Windows key + L.
  • Mac — System Settings → Lock Screen. Require the password immediately after the screen saver or display turns off.
  • Lock and wake the device. Confirm that unlocking requires your sign-in method.

Make and check a backup

  • iPhone/iPad — Settings → your name → iCloud → iCloud Backup. Enable backup and choose Back Up Now.
  • Android — Settings → Google → All services → Backup. Review device data and photos and start a backup.
  • Check the phone’s successful backup date and confirm important photos are backed up.
  • Windows — connect a backup drive, open Control Panel → System and Security → File History, and turn it on.
  • Mac — connect a backup drive and set it up in System Settings → General → Time Machine.
  • Check included folders. Restore a small test file to a different location and open it.
  • Keep backup-account recovery information and any backup-encryption password accessible separately.

Review app access

  • Remove unused apps.
  • iPhone/iPad — Settings → Privacy & Security.
  • Android — Settings → Apps → select an app → Permissions.
  • Windows — Settings → Privacy & security → select a permission category.
  • Mac — System Settings → Privacy & Security → select a permission category.
  • Remove camera, microphone, location or other access that a feature you use does not need.
  • Test the app’s usual task after changing permissions.
  • Add a monthly “Device check” calendar reminder for updates, backup dates and unused apps.

Notes and follow-up

Next action ______________________________   Date __________