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Privacy Tips: Protect Your Privacy During Text Messages & Phone Calls

Improving the Privacy of Your Everyday Communication

Standard SMS text messages and traditional phone calls are not end‑to‑end encrypted. This means that service providers may store metadata such as the time a message was sent, how long a call lasted, and who communicated with whom. Adjusting your device settings can help reduce unnecessary storage of this information and improve your overall privacy.

Author(s):
Kayla Young

Why Text and Call Settings Matter 

Even though messaging apps may offer encryption, many default phone and SMS features do not. This can leave parts of your communication accessible to carriers or visible on your device. Making small adjustments gives you more control over how much information is stored or displayed. 

How to Adjust Text Message and Call Settings 

iPhone 

  1. Open Settings and select Apps, then Messages. 

  1. Turn on iMessage so messages between Apple users are encrypted. 

Messages may be saved in iCloud. To prevent this: 

  1. Open Settings, select Apps, choose your name, select iCloud, then Messages. 

  1. Turn off Use on this iPhone if you do not want messages stored in iCloud. 

  1. To keep iMessages encrypted in iCloud, go to Settings, Apps, your name, and iCloud. 

  1. Tap Advanced Data Protection and follow the prompts. 

iPhone to Android (RCS) 

Apple supports end‑to‑end encrypted RCS messaging in beta with compatible carriers. 

  1. Open Settings and select Apps, then Messages. 

  1. Tap RCS Messaging. 

  1. Turn on End‑to‑End Encryption. 
    Note that both users and their carriers must support this feature. 

Call Settings on iPhone 

  1. Open Settings and select Phone. 

  1. Review Call Blocking and Identification and disable services you do not need. 

  1. Open Settings, then Siri and Search. 

  1. Turn off Allow Siri When Locked to limit call and message details on the lock screen. 

Android 

  1. Open Settings and select Apps, then Messages or your default SMS app. 

  1. Turn off message previews on the lock screen. 

  1. Open Settings, select Notifications, then Phone. 

  1. Turn off call details on the lock screen. 

  1. For stronger privacy, consider apps that use end‑to‑end encryption for both messaging and calling. 

Standard SMS and carrier call logs cannot be fully disabled, but you can reduce how much information is shown or stored on your device. 

Summary 

SMS messages and regular phone calls offer limited privacy by default. By adjusting your text, call, and lock screen settings, you can reduce unnecessary exposure and ensure more of your communication stays private.