Guard: A privacy-focused alternative to app permission monitors
Guard is an iPhone privacy audit app that shows you exactly which permissions your installed apps request, scores each one for risk, and lets you revoke access directly from the app. Unlike call-filtering tools, Guard focuses on data exposure and permission tracking across your phone.
What Guard actually does
Guard shows you how exposed your iPhone is to the apps you've installed. The Free dashboard walks through 12 common apps (social, messaging, maps, camera, location services), displays which permissions each would access, and assigns a privacy risk score to each one. Tap any flagged permission and Guard deep-links you straight into iOS Settings to revoke it without leaving the app. This is permission transparency, not call blocking. If you're comparing tools, understand the distinction: call-filtering apps like Hiya block spam and unwanted calls; Guard audits the data permissions your apps hold. Both solve different privacy problems.
Free vs paid features in Guard
The Free tier includes the 12-app permission dashboard, risk scoring, and one-tap Settings access. Personal Pro adds real-time alerts whenever an app changes its permission requests, a clipboard safety check (apps can quietly read your copied text), detailed tracking data per app, and a full data exposure profile showing which apps collect what. Family tier unlocks a 6-device family hub where parents can monitor children's iOS devices and set permission controls across the household. As of June 2026, all tiers are available on the iOS App Store with pricing visible in-app.
Who should use Guard
Guard is built for privacy-conscious iPhone users aged 25-45 who want to understand their app ecosystem, professionals handling sensitive data and worried about unauthorised app access, parents monitoring what permissions their children's apps request, and anyone unsettled by app surveillance patterns. If you're the kind of person who reads privacy policies or regularly audits your phone's settings, Guard automates that audit and surfaces the riskiest apps first. You don't need to be a security expert to use it; the risk score tells you immediately whether an app's permission requests are reasonable or excessive.
What Guard is not
Guard is not a system-level permission scanner that audits other apps' real permissions without consent. iOS sandbox architecture prevents that; instead, Guard educates with a curated demo set and walks you directly to Settings. It's not an antivirus, not a VPN, and not a surveillance detector for microphones or cameras. iOS does not expose that telemetry to third-party apps. Guard also does not block calls or filter spam messages. If you need call blocking, a dedicated app like Hiya covers that. If you need permission transparency and real-time alerts on what your apps are requesting, Guard fills that gap.
Permission auditing on iOS
Apple's iOS Settings already show app permissions, but they're scattered across dozens of toggles and difficult to review at a glance. Guard centralises that data, flags the riskiest combinations, and makes it easy to spot which apps are requesting location, camera, photos, or clipboard access. The real-time alerts in Personal Pro notify you the moment an installed app changes its permission requests, catching permission creep before it happens. Family tier extends this oversight to six household devices, so parents can see permission risks across children's phones without needing to physically check each device's Settings.
Getting started with Guard
Download Guard for free and you immediately see your 12-app permission audit with risk scores. Spend 2-3 minutes reviewing which apps request what, then tap any permission you want to revoke. The app deep-links you to Settings so you can disable it in one tap, no navigation guesswork. If you want real-time alerts and tracking details, upgrade to Personal Pro in-app. If you're managing a family of iPhone users, the Family tier offers centralised oversight and child controls across six devices.
Start auditing your app permissions in one tap.
Frequently asked questions
Is Guard the same as Hiya?
No. Hiya is a call-filtering and spam-blocking app. Guard audits app permissions and data exposure on iOS. They solve different privacy problems; you could use both.
Can Guard scan all my apps or just 12?
The Free dashboard shows 12 common apps as a demo to teach you how to audit permissions. You use that knowledge to manually review other apps in iOS Settings, or upgrade to Personal Pro for real-time alerts on any installed app's permission changes.
Does Guard block app tracking or ads?
No. Guard shows you which apps request tracking permissions and which have clipboard access. You decide whether to revoke those permissions in Settings; Guard doesn't block them automatically.
Can I use Guard to monitor my child's phone?
Yes, with the Family tier. You can oversee permission requests and controls across up to six iOS devices in one family hub, which is useful for parents managing children's iPhones.
Why does Guard only work on iOS?
iOS sandbox architecture and Apple's privacy model make permission auditing possible on iPhone. Android's permission system is fundamentally different, so Guard is iOS-only.
What happens if I revoke a permission an app needs to function?
The app will prompt you to re-enable the permission next time it needs it. Guard flags risky permissions so you can make an informed choice; if you revoke something critical, you can restore it in Settings anytime.