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There are certain phone settings that should always remain on because in doing so you ensure your phone functions as best as possible. Even more importantly, some settings allow for better privacy and security measures that protect your data and keep you safer from hackers. And some settings are simply there to help boost your storage capabilities, which means your phone’s battery will last longer and your device will be more of a pleasure to use. But these settings are only as good as your knowledge of them — which is why we asked security experts to weigh in on the one iPhone setting they say should always be on.
A Connected VPN
According to Camille Stewart, Cybersecurity Expert and Harvard Fellow, the most important setting to keep on involves your VPN.
"I always have a VPN connected and switched on when using public or unsecured wifi,” Stewart says. “Using a VPN prevents unwanted access to your device from malicious actors. When you’re browsing through a VPN, your traffic is encrypted protecting your data and your privacy.”
A connected VPN may boost your privacy measures, but there are other experts who suggest paying attention to setting that will boost your storage space and increase the longevity of your phone.
Yana Trihub, a UX scientist, says turning off the ‘Keep Normal Photo’ setting in your phone’s camera is the way to go.
“This feature is generally enabled in all iPhones,” Trihub explains. “It keeps the photo which is clicked in normal exposure along with the one which is taken in HDR. If you love clicking pictures in HDR settings, then you may end up with lots of duplicate photos which will fill up the storage of your phone. You can adjust this setting by going to the Settings app > Photos & Camera> Scroll to the very bottom where it says > Disable the 'Keep Normal Photo' setting.”
Try updating both of these settings to instantly boost your privacy measures and storage capabilities in just minutes.
