Your phone can quietly track where you go using things like GPS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and mobile networks. This helps with apps like ride-hailing and maps, but it can also put your privacy at risk.
If you want to stop your phone from tracking your location, here are some easy steps to follow.
Check App Permissions
On iPhones
Go to Settings, then Privacy & Security, then Location Services.
You’ll see a list of apps. Click on each app and choose:
- Never
- Ask Next Time
- While Using the App
Don’t let apps track you all the time. Also, small arrows show which apps have used your location—purple means recently, grey means in the last 24 hours.
On Android phones
Go to Settings, then tap Location. From there, tap App Location Permissions.
You’ll see options like:
- Allow only while using the app
- Ask every time
- Don’t allow
Choose what works best for you.
Turn Off Precise Location
Some apps can tell your exact location. You can change that.
On iPhones
Go to Location Services, choose an app, then turn off “Precise Location.”
On Android
Go to Settings > Location > Location Services > Google Location Accuracy. Turn it off to stop apps from knowing exactly where you are.
Change Google Account Settings
Google sometimes keeps your location history, even if you turn it off on your phone.
- Go to myaccount. google.com
- Tap Data & Privacy
- Find Location History and turn it off
- You can also delete your old location data or set it to delete every 3 months.
Stop Ads from Tracking You
Your phone has an ad ID that lets advertisers follow you.
On iPhones
Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Apple Advertising. Turn off Personalized Ads.
On Android phones
Go to Settings > Privacy > Ads. Tap Delete Advertising ID.
Use Safer Web Browsers
Browsers like Chrome and Safari may also track your location. Use browsers that don’t store your data, like DuckDuckGo, Firefox Focus, or Ecosia. These browsers ask before using your location and let you delete browsing data easily.
Turn Off Find My Device
Phones come with features like Find My iPhone or Find My Device for Android. They help when you lose your phone, but also track your location.
On iPhones
Go to Settings > Apple ID > Find My. Turn it off if you don’t want to be tracked.
On Android
Go to Settings > Security > Find My Device. Turn it off.
Only do this if you’re sure no one else has access to your phone account.
Block the Signal
Airplane mode doesn’t always block everything. If you want to stop all signals, use a Faraday bag. This pouch blocks all wireless signals. But you can’t use your phone while it’s inside.
Think About the Trade-offs
Turning off location tracking may stop some apps from working properly. You might have to type your location into ride apps or maps. But if privacy is important to you, these steps help you stay safe.
Ukpono Nsima
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