How to stop apps from tracking your location (2026)
Quick Answer
To stop apps from tracking your location, review location permissions on your phone, change apps to "Never" or "While Using", and turn off precise location where you do not need it. Also check system-level location services, ad and background permissions, and remove apps that keep asking for access without a good reason.
Overview
Most location tracking by apps happens because the app has been given permission by your device, often more permission than it needs. The safest practical approach is not usually to turn location off for everything, but to reduce access app by app so maps, emergency tools and travel apps still work when you want them to. On both Android and iPhone, you can control whether an app can access location all the time, only while in use, ask every time, or never. Many phones also let you switch off precise location so an app only gets an approximate area instead of your exact position. The order matters. Start by checking your phone’s privacy or location settings, then tighten permissions for individual apps, then review background access and system services that may still use location for adverts, nearby devices, weather, photo tagging or automation features. After that, test the apps you still need so you do not break something important without realising it. If an app genuinely cannot function without location, decide whether the benefit is worth it. If not, uninstall it or use the service through a web browser instead. This reduces data collection at the source rather than relying on one setting alone.
Who this is for
Anyone using an Android phone, iPhone or tablet who wants better privacy without completely disabling useful location-based features.
What you’ll need
- Your phone or tablet
- Access to device Settings
- A few minutes to review app permissions
- Your screen lock or account access if settings are protected
Before you start
Make sure your device software is reasonably up to date, because privacy controls can move between versions and newer versions often give better permission options. Think about which apps truly need location, such as maps, ride-hailing, delivery, weather or emergency features, so you do not switch off access blindly.
Step-by-step
- 1
Open your device privacy and location settings
On iPhone, go to Settings, then Privacy & Security, then Location Services. On Android, open Settings and look for Location, Privacy, or Permission Manager, depending on the manufacturer. Find the section that lists which apps can use location.
Why: This is the main control point for app tracking. If you only change settings inside an app, the operating system may still allow broader access than you intend.
- 2
Review location access app by app
Open each app in the location permissions list and choose the most restrictive setting that still lets it work. Use options such as Never, Don’t allow, Ask Next Time, Ask every time, or While Using the App. Reserve always-on access only for apps that clearly need background location, such as some safety, navigation or device-finding tools.
Why: Most unnecessary tracking happens because apps were granted ongoing access during setup and never reviewed afterwards.
- 3
Turn off precise location where it is not needed
If your phone offers a Precise Location or similar setting, disable it for apps that only need a rough area, such as local news, general weather, or shopping apps. Leave precise access on only for apps that genuinely need exact navigation or pickup points.
Why: Approximate location limits how accurately an app can map your movements while still allowing useful local results.
- 4
Restrict background activity and related permissions
Check whether apps can refresh, scan, or access nearby features in the background. On iPhone, review Background App Refresh and app-specific privacy settings. On Android, review app permissions, battery or background activity settings, and any options for all-the-time location. Also check whether the app has permissions for Bluetooth, Wi-Fi scanning, nearby devices or motion data if those are not necessary.
Why: Some apps infer or update location indirectly in the background, even when you are not actively using them.
- 5
Review system services that use location
Look for operating system features that use location, such as significant locations, location-based alerts, device analytics, photo geotagging, weather widgets, or ad personalisation. Turn off any that you do not want. Keep services you rely on, such as Find My or emergency-related features, if they matter to you.
Why: Privacy is not only about apps. Your device itself may use and store location for convenience features unless you change those settings.
- 6
Test essential apps after changing permissions
Open the apps you still need and confirm they work properly. If a maps, taxi, delivery or banking app stops working as expected, change it from Never to While Using, or temporarily allow precise location only when you need that function.
Why: Testing prevents frustration and helps you settle on the minimum permission level that still supports the feature you actually use.
- 7
Remove apps that do not justify location access
If an app repeatedly asks for location without a clear reason, uninstall it, replace it with a less intrusive alternative, or use the service in your browser instead of the app.
Why: The strongest privacy control is to stop unnecessary data collection entirely, not just limit one permission.
Why this works
Apps typically learn your location through operating system permission controls, GPS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and network signals. By reducing permissions to only what is necessary, limiting precision, and cutting background access, you reduce both direct location collection and the amount of movement data an app can build over time.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Turning off location globally without checking what else it breaks, such as maps, emergency features or lost-device tools
- Leaving apps on always-on access when while-in-use would be enough
- Ignoring precise location settings and only changing the main permission
- Trusting an app’s own privacy toggle without checking the phone’s system settings
- Forgetting that photos, widgets, Bluetooth and nearby-device permissions can also reveal location patterns
Troubleshooting
An app keeps asking for location after you denied it
Check whether the app truly needs location for a feature you are trying to use. If not, deny it again and look for an app setting to disable location-based features. If the prompts continue and seem unreasonable, remove the app.
A maps, taxi or delivery app no longer works properly
Set location to While Using the App and, if necessary, temporarily enable precise location only for that app.
You cannot find the location setting on Android
Use Settings search for terms like location, permissions, privacy or permission manager, because menus vary by phone brand and Android version.
Weather or local search results are less accurate
Allow approximate location or enter your town or postcode manually inside the app instead of granting precise access.
Photos still reveal where they were taken
Turn off camera or photo app location access, and review whether existing photos contain location metadata before sharing them.
Compare your options
Turn location off for all apps
Best for: Maximum privacy when you rarely need location features
Pros: Strongest reduction in location tracking; simple to understand
Cons: Breaks or weakens maps, ride-hailing, local search, emergency and device-finding features
Allow location only while using the app
Best for: Most people who want a practical privacy balance
Pros: Keeps essential features working while reducing background tracking
Cons: Some apps may still collect location whenever open
Use approximate rather than precise location
Best for: Users who want local results without sharing exact movements
Pros: Useful compromise for weather, shopping and general local content
Cons: Not accurate enough for navigation, pickups or exact check-ins
Uninstall the app or use the website instead
Best for: Apps with poor privacy behaviour or no good reason to know your location
Pros: Stops most collection from that app at the source
Cons: May be less convenient than the app
| Option | Best for | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turn location off for all apps | Maximum privacy when you rarely need location features | Strongest reduction in location tracking; simple to understand | Breaks or weakens maps, ride-hailing, local search, emergency and device-finding features |
| Allow location only while using the app | Most people who want a practical privacy balance | Keeps essential features working while reducing background tracking | Some apps may still collect location whenever open |
| Use approximate rather than precise location | Users who want local results without sharing exact movements | Useful compromise for weather, shopping and general local content | Not accurate enough for navigation, pickups or exact check-ins |
| Uninstall the app or use the website instead | Apps with poor privacy behaviour or no good reason to know your location | Stops most collection from that app at the source | May be less convenient than the app |
Alternatives
- Use privacy-focused app alternatives that ask for fewer permissions
- Use the service through a web browser instead of the app
- Enter your location manually in apps that allow it
- Keep location off by default and enable it only when needed
Pro tips
- Start with social media, shopping, games and utility apps, because these often do not need exact location to function
- If you are unsure, choose the more restrictive option first and loosen it only if the app stops working
- Review permissions again after major app updates or phone software updates
- Check photo-sharing habits, because images can include location metadata even if you do not post your live location
- If you share location with family or friends through built-in services, review that separately from app permissions
Safety notes
- Be careful not to disable features you rely on for emergencies, personal safety, or finding a lost device
- If someone may be monitoring your device or accounts, changing location settings alone may not stop tracking; check account sharing, family tracking features and installed apps you do not recognise
- When testing stricter settings, make sure you still have another way to navigate or contact help if travelling
Legal & regulatory notes
Privacy rights and app consent rules vary by country. In many regions, apps must request permission before accessing location, but your practical control still depends on your device settings and the app’s design. If you are managing a child’s device, an employee device, or a shared family device, check any applicable workplace, parental or local privacy rules before making broad changes.
What this guide does not cover: This guide covers mainstream iPhone and Android privacy controls. It does not provide brand-specific paths for every device, nor does it fully address network-level location inference, mobile carrier data practices, or advanced anti-stalkerware investigation.
Cost considerations
Changing location permissions costs nothing. The only indirect cost is convenience: some apps may work less smoothly, and you may choose to replace paid or ad-supported apps with privacy-friendlier alternatives.
Frequently asked questions
Will turning off location stop all tracking?+
No. It greatly reduces direct location collection, but apps and services may still infer a rough location from your IP address, mobile network, account activity or nearby connections.
Should I choose Never or While Using the App?+
Choose While Using the App if the feature genuinely needs location while you are using it. Choose Never if location is unnecessary or the app’s reason is unclear.
What is the difference between precise and approximate location?+
Precise location gives a much more exact position. Approximate location gives a broader area, which is often enough for weather, local content or general search.
Can I stop one app without affecting others?+
Yes. Both iPhone and Android let you manage location permission individually for each app.
Why does an app ask again after I already denied location?+
It may ask when you try to use a feature that depends on location, or after an update changes how the app requests permission. Repeated prompting without a clear reason is a good reason to remove the app.
Sources & references
Guidance on this page is traced to documented sources. Last checked 24 September 2026.
- Apple Support · manufacturer
Supports iPhone controls for Location Services, per-app permissions, and precise location settings.
- Google Android Help · manufacturer
Supports Android app permission controls, including location access options and managing permissions by app.
- National Cyber Security Centre · government
Supports the wider principle of reviewing privacy and security settings and limiting unnecessary access on devices.
The basic method stays the same, but menu names and privacy options change regularly with iOS, Android and manufacturer updates.