Android vs iOS Data Collection: 10x More?

Updated 6 November 2026 · Standard formula, shown below

Android does not collect 10 times more data than iOS in every category, but a 2020 study by a security firm found that Android sends about 10 times more data to Google than iOS sends to Apple. The exact ratio depends on what you measure, how you use the phone, and which apps you install, so the real answer is more nuanced than a simple multiplier.

Background: Where the 10x Claim Comes From

The claim that Android collects 10 times more data than iOS originated from a 2020 study by Vanderbilt University researcher Douglas Schmidt and privacy company Digital Content Next. The study tracked background data transmissions from a Google Pixel phone running Android and an iPhone running iOS under identical conditions. It found that Android sent about 1.3 MB of data to Google every 12 hours, while iOS sent about 0.13 MB to Apple in the same period. That 10-to-1 ratio quickly became a headline, but it measured only default background traffic to the OS maker, not all data collection across every app and service.

The study also noted that even when the phones were idle, Android was transmitting data for reasons like cloud messaging, location checks, and automatic updates. iOS, by contrast, was more conservative with background network activity. However, the study did not measure data sent to third-party apps, which often far exceeds what the OS itself sends, and it used a specific phone model and software version. So the 10x figure is a useful benchmark, not a universal law.

How Data Collection Works on Both Platforms

Both Android and iOS collect data for similar reasons: to deliver updates, sync accounts, improve services, and show ads. The key difference is how much and how often they do it in the background.

Android relies on Google Play Services, a background system that handles push notifications, location, app updates, and security scanning. It frequently connects to Google servers, even when you are not using your phone.
iOS uses Apple Push Notification Service and iCloud for similar tasks, but Apple tends to batch data and delay non-urgent transmissions to reduce network activity. Apple also has a privacy feature called App Tracking Transparency that requires apps to ask before tracking you across other apps and websites.
Location data: Android has a setting called “Location History” (now “Timeline”) that stores your frequent places, and it is on by default unless you turn it off. iOS also stores Significant Locations, but it is off by default and stored only on your device, not synced to Apple’s servers.
Advertising ID: Both platforms give each phone a unique advertising ID. Android lets you reset it, but you cannot delete it entirely. iOS lets you delete the advertising ID entirely, which stops cross-app tracking.

In practice, Android’s data collection is more frequent and more comprehensive because Google’s business model depends on advertising. Apple’s business model relies on selling hardware, so it has less incentive to collect personal data for ad targeting.

What the 10x Figure Actually Measures

The 10x figure applies only to data sent to the operating system maker (Google vs. Apple) in the background. It does not include:

Data sent to third-party apps you install (social media, browsers, games).
Data sent when you actively use apps or services.
Data collected by the phone manufacturer (Samsung, Xiaomi, etc.) on Android devices.
Data collected by cellular carriers.

If you compare total data sent by all apps on both platforms, the difference narrows significantly. A 2018 study by the same researcher found that both Android and iOS phones sent similar amounts of data to third parties, with some apps sending more on one platform and less on the other. The 10x figure is therefore best understood as a measure of default OS behavior, not total privacy exposure.

How to Reduce Data Collection on Both Platforms

You can reduce data collection on either platform by adjusting settings, but the process differs.

On Android

Go to Settings > Google > Ads and enable Opt out of Ads Personalization.
Go to Settings > Location and turn off Location History (or delete it from your Google account).
Go to Settings > Privacy and review Permission manager to revoke unnecessary app permissions.
Disable Usage & diagnostics under Settings > Privacy.
Consider using a custom ROM like GrapheneOS or CalyxOS, which removes Google Play Services entirely, but this is advanced and not for most users.

On iOS

Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Tracking and disable Allow Apps to Request to Track.
Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services and turn off Significant Locations.
Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Analytics & Improvements and turn off Share iPhone Analytics.
Go to Settings > Apple ID > iCloud and turn off Analytics and Improve Siri & Dictation.
Use App Tracking Transparency prompts to deny tracking on a per-app basis.

Common Misconceptions and Real-World Impact

A common misconception is that Android is inherently insecure or that iOS collects no data at all. Both are false. Android has more malware because it is more open, but Google’s Play Protect and regular security updates mitigate that. iOS is more locked down, but Apple still collects data for Siri, iCloud, and App Store analytics. The real-world impact of the 10x difference is often minimal for the average user because most data is anonymized and used for advertising or service improvement. However, if you value privacy, the difference can matter, especially if you use Google services heavily on Android.

Another misconception is that you can turn off all data collection on either platform. You cannot. Both OSes require some data to function, such as push notifications and security updates. You can reduce it, but not eliminate it.

How to Choose Based on Privacy Needs

If data collection is your primary concern, iOS generally offers more privacy controls and collects less default data. However, Android gives you more control over the operating system itself, including the ability to install custom ROMs and use open-source apps. For most users, the practical difference is smaller than the 10x headline suggests. Consider your ecosystem: if you already use Google apps (Gmail, Maps, Search), Android will integrate them better, but iOS also works well with Google apps. If you use Apple services (iCloud, iMessage), iOS is the obvious choice. The best approach is to review your privacy settings on whichever phone you own and adjust them to your comfort level.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Android really collect 10 times more data than iOS?

Yes, in a specific 2020 study measuring background data sent to the OS maker, Android sent about 10 times more than iOS. But this does not include third-party app data, and the ratio varies by usage and settings.

Can I make Android collect as little data as iOS?

Not exactly, but you can get close by disabling Google services, using a custom ROM, or switching to a de-Googled phone. For most users, it is easier to reduce data collection on iOS than on Android.

Is iOS completely private?

No. Apple still collects data for Siri, iCloud, and app analytics, but it collects less than Google and gives you more control over it. No phone is completely private.

Does using a VPN stop data collection?

A VPN hides your IP address and encrypts traffic, but it does not stop the OS from sending data to the manufacturer. It can help with third-party tracking, but not with OS-level data collection.

Which phone is better for privacy, Android or iPhone?

For most people, iPhone is better out of the box because it collects less data and has stricter app tracking rules. For advanced users, Android with a custom ROM can offer more privacy, but it requires technical expertise.

Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.