Don’t just visit your Google account to change your password:5 hidden settings you should change today for better security and easier account recovery

Your Google Account isn’t just for Gmail. It’s connected to almost everything you use every day: Google Photos, Maps, Drive, YouTube, Chrome, and even your Android phone. Because of this, it stores a huge amount of your personal information. Most people only visit their account settings when they forget a password or need to change their phone number. However, Google includes several useful privacy and security features that often go unnoticed. Spending just 10 minutes reviewing these settings can help protect your account, reduce the amount of information shared online, and even make it easier to recover your account if something goes wrong. Here are five Google Account settings that are worth checking today. 1. Set up recovery contacts before you lose access Most people add a recovery phone number or backup email, but Google also allows you to set trusted recovery contacts who can help if you’re locked out of your account. This can be extremely useful if you lose your phone, forget your password, or can’t verify your identity. To add them, follow the infographic below:
Choose someone you trust, such as a close family member or friend. Google may contact them if additional verification is needed. Think of this as creating a backup plan before an emergency happens instead of scrambling after you’ve already lost access. 2. Check what others can see on your Google profile Many users don’t realise that some details from their Google profile may be visible to other people. For example, if someone receives an email from you through Gmail, views one of your Google Maps reviews, or interacts with you on certain Google services, they may be able to see parts of your public profile. Follow the infographic below: You can choose whether to display or hide details like: Keeping only the necessary information public helps reduce your digital footprint while still allowing you to use Google’s services normally. 3. Remove devices you no longer use Every device connected to your Google Account has the potential to access your information. That’s why it’s a good idea to regularly review all signed-in devices. Follow the infographic below: If you notice an old smartphone, work laptop, or tablet you no longer own or use, sign it out immediately. Doing this regularly lowers the chances of someone accessing your account from a forgotten device. Also read: Samsung Galaxy Unpacked 2026 is on July 22:From new foldables to next-gen watches, what to expect from Samsung’s biggest event

4. Take control of the ads Google shows you Google uses your activity to personalise advertisements across many of its services. While you can’t remove ads completely, you can decide what kinds of ads you want to see, or avoid seeing altogether. Follow the infographic below: Here you can: Changing these settings won’t reduce the number of advertisements, but it can make them feel much less intrusive. 5. Let Google automatically delete your activity Google stores information like web searches, Chrome activity, App usage, Google Maps history, and Assistant interactions. This helps Google personalise recommendations and improve its services. But if you don’t want years of personal activity stored forever, you can ask Google to delete it automatically. Follow the infographic below: You can choose to remove activity every 3 months, 18 months, and 36 months. Your recommendations may become slightly less personalised, but you’ll also reduce the amount of personal data stored over time. Run Google’s Security Checkup If it’s been a while since you reviewed your account, it’s worth running Google’s built-in Security Checkup. It quickly reviews: Also read: SEBI warns of ‘Boss Scam’ that could cost you money: Fraudsters using fake WhatsApp messages to trick employees into transferring company funds

Why these small changes matter Cyber threats and online privacy risks are increasing, making it more important than ever to secure your Google Account. Simple changes like reviewing your profile, removing old devices, updating recovery options, and enabling auto-delete can improve your privacy and security without affecting your daily Google experience.
Taking a few minutes could help protect your personal data and make account recovery easier in the future.