8 Android Settings You Need To Turn Off Now [2023]
Android smartphones are incredibly powerful, customizable, and versatile. But out of the box, many of them come with settings that actually do more harm than good. These settings can slow down your phone, drain your battery, invade your privacy, and even waste mobile data.
Whether you're using a Samsung Galaxy, OnePlus, Pixel, Xiaomi, or any Android phone in 2025, tweaking a few options can drastically improve your device's performance and security.
In this blog post, we'll cover 8 Android settings you need to turn off now. Let’s make your smartphone smarter, safer, and longer-lasting.
1. Turn Off “Usage & Diagnostics”
What it does: This setting sends device data to Google for performance tracking, crashes, and more.
Why you should turn it off: While it helps Google improve Android, it also consumes background resources and compromises your privacy.
How to turn it off:
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Go to Settings > Google > Settings for Google apps > Usage & diagnostics
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Toggle Off
Result: Less background activity and better privacy.
2. Turn Off “Location Access” for Unused Apps
What it does: Many apps request location access even if they don’t need it.
Why you should turn it off: Constant GPS usage drains the battery and risks privacy leaks.
How to manage it:
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Go to Settings > Location > App location permissions
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Set most apps to “Allow only while using the app” or “Don’t allow”
Result: Significant battery savings and location privacy.
3. Turn Off “Background App Refresh” (Adaptive Battery / App Power Monitor)
What it does: Apps continue to refresh in the background, updating content.
Why you should turn it off: It uses up mobile data and battery unnecessarily.
How to turn it off:
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Go to Settings > Battery > Adaptive Battery or App Power Management
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Enable Put unused apps to sleep
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Manually put apps in Deep sleep if needed (Samsung phones)
Result: Smoother performance, less lag, and extended battery life.
4. Turn Off “Ads Personalization”
What it does: Google tailors ads based on your activity.
Why you should turn it off: It invades your digital privacy by tracking your habits.
How to turn it off:
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Go to Settings > Google > Ads
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Toggle on Opt out of Ads Personalization
Result: You’ll still see ads, but they won’t be based on your data.
5. Turn Off “Auto-sync for All Accounts”
What it does: Constantly syncs your email, contacts, calendar, and more in the background.
Why you should turn it off: It eats up battery and data, especially with multiple accounts.
How to turn it off:
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Go to Settings > Accounts > Auto-sync data
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Toggle Off (or manage individual app sync)
Note: You can manually sync your email or contacts when needed.
Result: Major battery savings, especially on older phones.
6. Turn Off “Bluetooth & Wi-Fi Scanning”
What it does: These features let apps scan for Bluetooth or Wi-Fi even when disabled.
Why you should turn it off: Hidden background scanning wastes battery and may pose privacy issues.
How to turn it off:
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Go to Settings > Location > Wi-Fi and Bluetooth scanning
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Turn both off
Result: Less background activity, improved privacy, and longer battery life.
7. Turn Off “Nearby Device Scanning”
What it does: Constantly searches for nearby devices to connect to.
Why you should turn it off: Unnecessary if you're not using it and drains resources.
How to turn it off:
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Go to Settings > Connections > More connection settings > Nearby device scanning
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Toggle Off
Result: Better performance and reduced battery drain.
8. Turn Off “Google Assistant Voice Activation” (Hey Google)
What it does: Keeps your mic active, listening for "Hey Google."
Why you should turn it off: Battery-hungry and raises privacy concerns.
How to turn it off:
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Open the Google app
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Tap your Profile icon > Settings > Google Assistant > Hey Google & Voice Match
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Turn off Hey Google
Result: Improved battery life and less background listening.
Bonus: Other Settings Worth Reviewing
While the 8 settings above are top priorities, here are a few more you might want to review:
• Auto-Brightness
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Consumes more power if the sensor is overactive
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Use manual brightness at a comfortable level.
• Motion Gestures (Palm Swipe, Shake to Wake)
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Not essential and consume sensors’ battery.
• Unused App Notifications
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Go to Settings > Notifications > Recently Sent and disable unnecessary alerts.
• Auto-download in WhatsApp / Telegram
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Go to App settings > Data and Storage Usage to limit media auto-download.
Benefits of Turning Off These Settings
✅ Battery Optimization: By disabling hidden resource hogs like background sync and scanning, your battery life improves dramatically.
✅ Enhanced Privacy: You take back control over your personal data, especially location and voice activity.
✅ Better Performance: Less background processing means smoother app loading and multitasking.
✅ Data Savings: Stop wasting mobile data on auto-sync, updates, and unnecessary refreshes.
✅ Peace of Mind: Knowing your phone isn’t spying on you or draining its own resources for no reason.
Final Thoughts
Android gives users incredible control—but only if you know where to look. Most people use their phones without ever digging into settings. However, by turning off just these 8 settings, you’ll notice a real difference in battery life, speed, and overall privacy.
Whether you’re using Android 14 or the upcoming Android 15 or 16, these tips remain relevant across brands like Samsung, Pixel, Xiaomi, Motorola, OnePlus, and others.
These quick changes take just 5 minutes, but the impact lasts for the life of your phone. So grab your phone and start tweaking. Your Android will thank you!
Share Your Experience
Which of these settings had the biggest effect on your phone?
Comment below or share this blog with your fellow Android users.