Do you feel like someone is always watching you and tracking where you are? If you do, then you are probably correct. Apps on your smartphone often include tracking that follows what you do and where you go.
If you want a bit more privacy, there is a way to turn off tracking. We’ll help you find out who is tracking you and how to put an end to it for both Android and iPhone devices.
If you want to know more, you’re able to also check our guide onhow to uninstall Apps in your Andriod.
Find out which apps have location data access
It’s a very good idea to start with a review of the apps on your phonethat have access to location data. There are legitimate reasons for many apps to track your location, so be aware that denying access to location tracking may prevent some apps from working properly. A navigation app like Google Maps, for example, is not going to be anywhere near as useful if it doesn’t know where you are. Common apps to watch for location tracking include:
Rideshare apps: Apps like Uber and Lyft will track your location for their drivers, and they may do it constantly, not just when you need a ride. There isn’t usually a way to turn off location tracking for these apps without disabling them.
Deal and coupon apps: These apps attempt to glean as much information from you as possible for ad purposes, and that tends to include your location data.
News and weather apps: These apps track your data, in part to provide more targeted information based on where you are. But they typically don’t need to do so to operate.
Streaming apps: Yes, even apps like Netflix will track your location, and they don’t really have a good reason for doing so, except potentially dealing with geo-restricted content.
Socialmedia apps: Some of the most infamous location trackers!
Car insurance apps: Many car insurance apps can use the sensors in your phone to not only check on your location but actually calculate how fast you are driving or how sharply you brake, etc.
How to prevent location tracking on an Android phone
If you have an Android device, and you want to turn off location tracking entirely, then it’s easy to do, although the precise instructions may differ slightly from phone to phone. At the moment, most Android phones follow a similar route, though this may change with updates.
On aGoogle Pixel 4, go toSettings > Locationand toggleUse locationoff.
On aSamsung Galaxy S20 Plus, go toSettings > Locationand toggle it off.
On aHuawei P40 Pro, go toSettings > Locationand toggle off it off.
This will turn off all location tracking, so no apps will be able to access your location. It also means that, in theory, Google and the phone manufacturer won’t track or save your location, though there’sevidence it will anyway. You may also still get ads based on your IP address location.
Unfortunately, turning off location altogether also means that you can’ttrack your phone if it goes missing, you can’t see or share your location in Google Maps or other map services, and some other services and apps may not work as well as they otherwise would.
Another setting worth looking at if you want to limit Google’s tracking is yourWeb & App Activity. you’re able to find full instructions on how to control and delete searches and browsing activity, which sometimes also includes location, fromGoogle.
How to just restrict specific apps in Android
If you decide that turning off location tracking altogether is a step too far, you may still toggle off specific apps that you’d prefer not to have location access. Once again, the instructions will vary a little depending on your phone.
For example, on a Pixel, go toSettings app > Location> App permissions.
On a Samsung Galaxy, it’sSettings > Apps > Menu (three dots at top right) > App permissions > Location.
On a Huawei phone, it’sSettings > Apps & notifications > Permissions > Your location.
Review the list and toggle off anything that you’d prefer did not have the ability to track your location.
How to prevent location tracking on an iPhone
Things are a little more straightforward with iOS, so if you want to turn off location tracking on your iPhone, or just restrict certain apps, then you need to go toSettings > Privacy > Location Services, where you’re able to choose to toggleLocation Servicesoff completely.
Bear in mind that this will impact some services and apps, such as Maps and Find My iPhone, so it might be a step too far. Although, it’s worth noting that Location Services can be re-enabled on the device if it’s in Lost Mode. You can put your iPhone into Lost Mode viaiCloud.
InSettings > Privacy > Location Services, you’ll also see a list of apps that have location data access and you may tap on each one and decide whether it should be allowed to access your locationNever,While Using the App, orAlways.
What about the location data already recorded?
Now that you’ve prevented various apps and services from tracking your location going forward, you may be wondering whether you can delete the location data that companies have already collected about your movements.
If you have an Android phone, then you may ask Google todelete your location history. Simply follow that link, make sure you’re signed in to your Google account, and tap theDelete Location Historybutton. Bear in mind that it will delete the information permanently and you won’t be able to get it back. You can sign onto your Google account on any device to delete your history this way.
If you want to permanently stop Google from every using location data again,this visit this webpageafter you are done. Where it saysLocation History, verify the option is toggled off. This is also a menu where you can see any past activities that Google has been tracking in addition to location, so it may be worth perusing.
Apple does things differently: Your iPhone constantly monitors where it is so that Apple can put together a list of Significant Locations, places where you frequently go and spend time (work, home, cafes, bars, parks, and anywhere else). Apple does this to automate destinations on the Maps app and reports that the data is encrypted and cannot be accessed even by Apple, but if you find it invasive then you’re able to stop it.
If you have an iPhone, then go toSettings > Privacy > Location Servicesand scroll down to findSystem Services> Significant Locations.Sign in if you need to, and then look for theClear Historybutton at the bottom. Select this to delete past locations.
If you don’t want Apple to track this info again, make sure the toggle at the top is switched off before you closeSettings.
Third-party companies storing your data
Unfortunately, there’s no straightforward way to pinpoint or remove the data that companies collect while you’re using related apps. If you want to take matters into your own hands, you could contact the specific company that is collecting your data and review their privacy policy. Most likely, though, they’ll have already sold your data by that time. There’s no law legally requiring companies to assist you in the United States.
However, if you’re a European Union resident, there are certain laws that protect you. Legally, you may request a personal copy of all the information a company has stored about you— which includes your location data.
On top of the right to request that data, you also have the right to ask them to delete it. For additional information about how to request your data and your privacy rights, you can explore the U.K.Information Commissioner’s Office guide. Even though it’s your legal right, you may have to jump through some hopes to protect your data. If you want to boost your privacy, there are ways to protect yourself. We recommend using one of thebest Android VPN appsor thebest iPhone VPN appson your device.
