Google doesn’t have the best reputation when it comes to privacy, but that doesn’t mean it’s all bad. Pixel phones actually have some of the best privacy-focused features you can find in the Android world. You just have to make sure to enable them.
Before I get started with the list, I should mention that the absolute best privacy feature that Pixel phones offer is the ability to avoid Google’s software entirely. Graphene OS is a de-Googled privacy-first custom ROM, and it’s easily installable on Pixel phones—almost exclusively. If that sounds like a lot, keep reading.
Call Screen
When I get a call from an unknown number, my first instinct is to ignore the call and hang up. Part of me is curious, too, but what if they don’t leave a voicemail? Call Screen allows you to put Google’s on-device AI to work and answer the call on your behalf. You can sit back and watch the call play out with a real-time transcript of the conversation. If you want to answer the call, you can at any time, or you can simply let it go, and the caller will know nothing about you.
To make sure Call Screen is enabled, open the Phone app and tap the menu icon in the top corner, then select “Settings.” From there, select “Call Screen” under the “Call Assist” section. You can choose to automatically screen at various protection levels, get suggested AI replies, and save an audio recording of the call.
Private Space
Private Space is a little-known, but incredibly cool Pixel feature. It allows you to essentially create a separate phone on your Pixel. This can be used in a couple of ways. You can sign in with your same Google account and use the space for private apps, or you can sign in with a secondary Google account and keep your work-related apps sequestered. When the space is locked, these apps are hidden from your app drawer and notifications, making them invisible to anyone who happens to be holding your unlocked device.
You can set up the Private Space by heading to Settings > Security & Privacy > Private Space. You’ll be guided through creating a new Google account or signing in with an existing one. You will then choose a separate PIN or biometric lock, and from that point on, you can hide the entire space by scrolling to the bottom of your app drawer and tapping the lock icon.
VPN by Google
Using public Wi-Fi at a coffee shop or airport is often a necessity, but it’s infamously not the greatest for privacy. Your Pixel can help with this with the built-in VPN that encrypts your internet traffic so that neither the network provider or potential bad actors can see what you’re doing. VPN by Google used to be reserved for Google One customers, but it’s completely free now, and it works for mobile data connections as well as Wi-Fi.
To enable VPN by Google, navigate to Settings > Network & Internet > VPN. You’ll see “VPN by Google” under “Built-in.”Select it and then select “Use VPN”—toggle on “Use VPN on mobile network” if you’d like. Once enabled, you’ll see options to pause it on specific networks and exclude certain apps. There’s also a Quick Settings toggle to turn it on and off.
Lockdown Mode
Biometric security methods like fingerprints and face recognition are convenient, but they’re not as secure as a PIN, password, or pattern. Lockdown Mode is a feature that instantly disables all biometrics, disables Extend Unlock, and hides notifications from your lock screen. This ensures that the only way to get into your phone is with those more secure methods, preventing someone from forcing your phone open by holding it up to your face.
Lockdown Mode is accessed from the power menu. There are two ways to pull up the power menu. You can hold down the power button (you’ll have to customize it first) or tap the power icon when full expanding the Quick Settings. Just tap the big “Lockdown” button and your phone will need a PIN, password, or pattern to unlock. Technically, some other Android phones have this, but it needs to be enabled in the settings. On a Pixel, it’s a stock feature that can’t be added or removed.
Advanced Protection
Your Pixel phone’s most advanced security and privacy tools are combined under a section aptly called “Advanced Protection.” There are six categories of protection here:
Device Safety: Protecting your personal information if your phone is lost or stolen.
Apps: Protects you against malicious apps or apps that are negatively impacting your device’s performance.
Networks: Currently, just blocks 2G network access.
Web: Blocks harmful web pages, warns you of unsafe websites, and more.
Phone by Google: Automatically enables caller ID, spam protection, and the aforementioned Call Screen feature.
Google Messages: Enables spam protections and warns you of suspicious links.
Now, most Android phones have at least a few of these individual settings, but Pixel phones have all of them and one easy way to enable them all in one go. Go to Settings > Security & Privacy > Advanced Protection. Toggle on “Device Protection” and then confirm by tapping “Turn on.” Restart your phone, and you’re all set.
Google tries to be privacy-friendly
Look, using a phone with deep Google integration is inherently not great for privacy. The convenience of using Google’s apps often means giving up your personal information. Everyone has to decide for themselves what they’re comfortable with, but you can at least take steps to mitigate it.
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