Your phone gives apps location, microphone and ad data by default. Nine settings take it back, and the last one hides whole apps behind a second lock.
Settings > Security and Privacy > Privacy dashboard. On Android 13 and up it shows every app that touched your camera, mic or location in the last 7 days.
In Privacy > Permission manager, apps are grouped by what they reach. Tap Microphone or Contacts to see every app holding it, and revoke in one pass.
Settings > Location > App location permissions. Move apps off "Allow all the time", then switch off Use precise location so they get a rough area instead.
A green dot at the top right means the camera or mic is live. Swipe down twice for the camera and microphone tiles, which cut access for every app at once.
Settings > Privacy > Ads > Delete Advertising ID. It is the single number that ties your app activity together for advertisers, and it can simply be removed.
In My Activity, turn on auto-delete. Google offers three windows: activity older than 3, 18 or 36 months. Picking 3 keeps the shortest trail on file.
Turn on Pause app activity if unused. Android then revokes an unused app's permissions, stops it running in the background and blocks its notifications.
Settings > Notifications > Notifications on lock screen, then turn off Show sensitive content. Codes and messages stop being readable over your shoulder.
Settings > Security & privacy > Private space. Apps inside get their own lock and vanish from the launcher, recent apps and search until you unlock it.
None of these cost anything or slow your phone down. If you want a stronger lock still, Android's Advanced Protection turns the whole set on at once.