How To Fully Disable Location Services On Mobile

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When y'all first boot up an iOS device, it asks if y'all'd like to plow on location services, which can exist helpful for apps similar Google Maps or when tagging your location on social media.

Many hit enable and never wait dorsum. Who has time to drill down and customize location settings? You do. It may seem daunting, but with a few elementary taps, y'all tin can accept control of your location data to simply give Apple and its app developers the information they actually need to run their apps and services.

Turn Off Location Services

To turn off location services completely, navigate toSettings > Privacy > Location Services and toggle off Location Services at the meridian of the screen. Exist careful about doing this, though, because most services y'all apply every mean solar day volition be disabled.

For example, photos won't adhere a location when you take them, map apps won't be able to direct yous anywhere, and Uber or Lyft won't be able to pinpoint your location. Disabling location services may help you preserve your device'southward bombardment life and maintain the highest level of smart device privacy, simply it will diminish your overall experience.

Disable Location for Specific Apps

Instead of the nuclear selection, adjust location permissions for individual apps under Settings > Privacy > Location Services. Select an app from the listing and set the permission to match your comfort level. As of iOS 14, in that location are iv options for location services for apps:

Never ensures that location services will never be tracked while using the app.
Ask Next Time will ask how you want to proceed each time you open up the app: Allow one time, Allow while using, or Don't allow.
While Using tells the app to simply utilise location tracking while information technology is actively in apply on the screen, either in the app or via the on-screen widgets that iOS now supports.
Always will permit the app to always track an iOS device'south location even when the app is non actively existence used.

If you're ok with apps using location data but feel uneasy about them knowing exactly where you lot are, plough off Precise Location and the app will only know your approximate location, which should be sufficient for most apps and services.

Disable Location for iOS Organisation Services

You can likewise disable certain backend location-tracking features inside iOS System Services. Go to Settings > Privacy > Location Services, scroll to the lesser of the listing, and select System Services. You're presented with a list of items y'all can toggle on and off. Here's how they use location tracking:

Apple Pay Merchant Data uses your current location to aid provide more accurate merchant names when you use your concrete Apple Card.
Cell Network Search tracks prison cell tower usage and sends data to Apple tree.
Compass Scale uses location tracking to help calibrate the electronic compass.
Device Management allows you to wirelessly configure(Opens in a new window) devices, like an app for gig workers or a VPN for a school or business.
Emergency Calls & SOS allows users to discreetly telephone call 911 and uses location information to assist assist in the event of an emergency.
Find My iPhone is a service provided by Apple that will enable y'all to runway an iOS device remotely.
HomeKit helps make smart homes smarter past using location tracking to do things like opening your garage door or turning on lights automatically.
Location-Based Alerts permit Apple to use your location to give geographically related alerts or news, like Bister Alerts or severe weather warnings.
Location-Based Suggestions enable location-specific suggestions for Safari and Spotlight.
Motion Scale & Distance are used past fitness or action apps to track action accurately.
Networking & Wireless tracks Wi-Fi usage and sends data to Apple.
Setting Time Zone uses location tracking to automatically adjust the fourth dimension when irresolute time zones.
Share My Location lets you share your current location with individuals through iMessage or other apps like Find My.
System Customization changes system advent, behaviors, and settings using location data.
Significant Locations tracks and remembers the places that you are at most often and sends alerts based on calendar events or map directions.
iPhone Analytics helps Apple by occasionally providing the company with information nearly how a specific iOS device is used.
Routing & Traffic shares current traffic patterns and speed with Apple to improve Maps.
Ameliorate Maps allows Apple to use current location to alert iOS users to the estimated time to get to their frequent locations.

Many of the items on this list are rubber to disable. Features similar Prison cell Network Search and Networking & Wireless are not necessary to your everyday usage. Others, like HomeKit or Move Scale & Distance, are only useful if you use home automation or fettle tracking.

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How to Get Google to Quit Tracking You

If you're worried nearly when your telephone is using location data, turn on Status Bar Icon nether Organization Services. This will bear witness a black arrow icon in the condition bar any fourth dimension system services access your location.

The Find My app tracks the location of your Apple devices so you can observe it if it'due south lost or stolen. It also allows you to share your location with friends. Nosotros recommend y'all go on this activated; y'all never know when an iPhone volition be swiped or go missing. Only if you have privacy concerns (or you demand to disable Find My earlier selling an older device), go to Settings > [your proper name] > Find My > Notice My iPhone. Toggle it off and enter your Apple ID password to confirm.

If you lot don't want friends and family to know your location, turn off location sharing in the standalone Discover My app. Tap the Me tab and toggleShare My Location to off. For individual people, open thePeopletab, select a specific contact, and either hide your location from them or remove them from the app completely.

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