Annoyed by the apps tracking you down on an iPhone? Follow the guide to know how you can fix this problem in a few steps. Let’s get started and understand how this works.
Can apps track one’s location on an iPhone?
Yes, it’s true that apps can track your location, though your iPhone acts as a strict gatekeeper. To pinpoint your coordinates, your phone usually uses a mix of GPS satellites, Bluetooth signals, Wi-Fi hotspots, and nearby cell towers. While some of the apps, like maps or weather, need this data to function, others might use it for targeted advertising. This is a common tactic these days for sending you personalized ads to increase their sales. But you can try to control it considerably. Apps are legally required to ask for your permission before accessing this data. It’s true! The apps won’t access your data until and unless you agree to share your location with them. You can decide if an app sees your precise “pinpoint” location or just a general “approximate” area, and whether it can track you constantly or only while the app is actually open on your screen. Similarly, there can be more setting threads, which we shall cover later.
Steps to stop an app from tracking on iPhone
If you want to stop an app from tracking your iPhone, follow the steps inside to get going.
Block All Tracking Requests
This can be a go-to method! And if you’re tired of those “Allow to Track” pop-ups, you can simply go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Tracking. Here you can toggle off Allow Apps to Request to Track. This tells all the apps on your phone to stop tracking your activity across other companies’ apps and websites automatically. This fixes the problem at the root, and you don’t have to worry beyond.
Revoke Existing Permissions
In that same Tracking menu that we have just seen, you’ll see a list of apps you previously said “Yes” to. You can now make up your mind about specific apps and then choose to toggle the setting off for the specific ones.
Control Your Location
One thing that alarms most people correctly is that it is not just about ads. It’s also about where you are. To fix this, head to Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services. You can turn it off entirely or set specific apps to While Using so they aren’t making your GPS run in the background.
Stop “Precise” Tracking
For apps that only need a general idea of where you are, tap on the app name in the Location menu and toggle off Precise Location. This can help in most cases and let you have your peace. The coordinates stay private so you can relax.
And that is simply how you can stop an app from tracking your iPhone’s location.
