A practical comparison of iPhone and Android privacy features, data collection, and security in 2026 to help you decide which platform protects you better.
“The biggest factor: Your behavior matters more than your platform. An iPhone user who installs every app and accepts all permissions isn’t more private than an Android user who carefully manages their digital footprint.”
fantastic takeaway. really liked the analysis and real down. also, it’s definitely true in my experience. how you use the device is the most important part.
Excellent comparison. Just for fun log onto Google and check what they collect on you: location history, contacts, calendar, calls&SMS, passwords - a spy heaven. For privacy empty&delete your Google account, and seek alternatives for contacts/calendar/Google Drive. Nextcloud or Proton offer this. Next choose an alternative ROM giving you also IP spoof, GPS spoof and tracker blocking : GrapheneOS is a good choice but restrictive and only runs on Pixel phones. An excellent alternative is /e/os which is supported on such wider range of phones. And as a small bonus, also set your phone to use dynamic MAC addresses (set in settings).
And final point: maintain your normal life on 1 phone, and a 'must keep this quiet' life on a separate phone. The 2nd phone gets no SIM card. This also helps you focus which identity does what.
Really appreciate this breakdown avoiding the usual fanboy takes on both sides. The section about ecosystem lock-in really hit home because it highlights how platform choice almost doesnt matter if youre all-in on Google services anyway. I spent 6 months trying to de-Google and realized the friction cost was way higher than I expected. Ended up keeping Maps and Photos cause the alternatives just werent there yet, which kinda proves your point about behaivor being more important than the device you own.
“The biggest factor: Your behavior matters more than your platform. An iPhone user who installs every app and accepts all permissions isn’t more private than an Android user who carefully manages their digital footprint.”
fantastic takeaway. really liked the analysis and real down. also, it’s definitely true in my experience. how you use the device is the most important part.
Yeah, that probably is the top takeaway from the entire post.
Yes: as I currently use Google services A LOT. I need to do the advised tips at the end of the piece.
If I deGoogle my life, I would really miss Google maps every day.
Google maps is the hardest app to ditch. You can still de-google even if you need Google Maps. Not a perfect setup, but close.
FairPhone 6 out of the box with "/e/OS", is De-Guwgled Android ✨
You like /e/OS okay? We tried it a while back and it was okay, but not great.
I was used to an iPhone before and migrated all accounts away from you-know-who already. I have everything working, no complaints.
Excellent comparison. Just for fun log onto Google and check what they collect on you: location history, contacts, calendar, calls&SMS, passwords - a spy heaven. For privacy empty&delete your Google account, and seek alternatives for contacts/calendar/Google Drive. Nextcloud or Proton offer this. Next choose an alternative ROM giving you also IP spoof, GPS spoof and tracker blocking : GrapheneOS is a good choice but restrictive and only runs on Pixel phones. An excellent alternative is /e/os which is supported on such wider range of phones. And as a small bonus, also set your phone to use dynamic MAC addresses (set in settings).
And final point: maintain your normal life on 1 phone, and a 'must keep this quiet' life on a separate phone. The 2nd phone gets no SIM card. This also helps you focus which identity does what.
Stay safe. The rough part is coming.
the moment one goes online you are gone - very little one can do --- But I thank author for effort done My best wishes
Thanks for this comprehensive piece.
Any time - this was a fun one to write.
Really appreciate this breakdown avoiding the usual fanboy takes on both sides. The section about ecosystem lock-in really hit home because it highlights how platform choice almost doesnt matter if youre all-in on Google services anyway. I spent 6 months trying to de-Google and realized the friction cost was way higher than I expected. Ended up keeping Maps and Photos cause the alternatives just werent there yet, which kinda proves your point about behaivor being more important than the device you own.
Google maps is the hardest Google service to kick. No great alternatives out there.
If we were the chief regular, we'd require Google to make 4 google maps clones and then auction them off. legit competition is required.