Permission Fit
Review camera, mic, precise location, contacts, and files for your top apps. Prefer “allow only while using the app.” Hide sensitive previews on the lock screen.
Practical Privacy & Stability Controls
Good security is boring in the best way—clear defaults, tiny surface area, and habits you can run in minutes. This panel groups the work: match permissions to intent, keep special access small, use channel-level notifications, maintain storage headroom, sanity-check the network path, and verify that backups restore. No scare tactics, no add-ons—just calm routines that hold up over time.
Special Access Trim
Keep overlays, accessibility, device admin, and install-unknown-apps granted to a tiny, trusted set. Audit quarterly and after major app changes.
Startup Policy
Disable nonessential auto-start entries. Re-enable one by one while testing so you can pinpoint impact instead of guessing.
Channel-Level Control
Silence promo and nonessential channels while keeping important alerts visible. A tidy alert surface helps you notice the things that matter.
Storage Headroom
Installs and caching need space. Keep 10–20% free; move large media to dated folders (YYYY/MM) and clear stale exports and installers.
Browser Profile Sanity
Many “site issues” are profile issues. Test with a private window or a clean profile to skip extensions and stale cache. After major updates, sign out/in to refresh tokens.
Network Path A/B
Repeat a failing action on the other path (Wi-Fi vs cellular). If the alternate path works, focus on local rules, DNS, or congestion—not app reinstalls.
Backups That Restore
Backups matter when they restore. Keep two copies—cloud + local—and do a tiny restore monthly (one photo or document). If encryption is enabled, confirm you can unlock the backup before you need it.
Quick Secured Checklist
- Permissions narrowed; special access tiny
- Channel-level notifications tuned
- 10–20% free storage; dated archives
- Private window & clean profile ready
- Network A/B for path-specific issues
- Two backups • monthly mini-restore
FAQs & Myths
Does safe mode erase data? No. It only changes startup behavior for testing.
Is a factory reset required often? No. Reset is a last resort; most issues settle before that.
Are “cleaner” apps necessary? Generally no. Built-in options and these routines cover most needs.
Reminder: stop when stable—extra steps aren’t required if the symptom is gone.