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Your phone knows way too much about where you go. Apps are basically spying on you all day, collecting data about every place you visit. Most people have no idea this is even happening. This is why you should know How to Stop Apps From Tracking Your Location.
Here’s the thing – when you download an app and it asks for location access, you probably just hit “OK” without thinking about it. Big mistake. That app is now recording everywhere you go, 24/7. Not just when you’re using it, but constantly.
Why do they want this info? Money. Pure and simple. Your location data gets sold to advertisers who want to bombard you with targeted ads. They know you went to Target yesterday, so now you’re getting furniture ads. Creepy, right?
Fix Your iPhone Settings to Stop Apps From Tracking Your Location
Go to Settings and find Privacy & Security. Tap Location Services and prepare to be shocked at how many apps are tracking you.
See all those apps that say “Always” next to them? That means they’re watching you even when the app isn’t open. Go through each one and change it to “While Using App” instead. Takes forever but it’s worth it.
There’s another sneaky setting called “Precise Location” buried in each app. Turn this off unless you really need the app to know your exact address. Your weather app doesn’t care if you’re at 123 Main Street or just somewhere in downtown.
Don’t forget Apple is tracking you too. Scroll down to System Services and you’ll find “Significant Locations” – Apple’s fancy name for “places you go all the time.” Turn it off. Also kill “iPhone Analytics” because who wants to share their location with Apple’s number crunchers?
Android Phones Are more Difficult to Stop Apps From Tracking Your Location
Android settings are all over the place depending on who made your phone. Samsung hides stuff differently than Google phones. Hunt around for “Location” in your Settings.
Change apps from “Allow all the time” to “Allow only while using app” wherever possible. Sounds simple but Google makes it confusing on purpose.
The real problem is Google itself. Even if you turn off location for individual apps, Google Play Services can still track you. You have to dig into your actual Google account to stop this madness.
Open the Google app to tap your profile picture, then go into Manage your Google Account. In the Data & privacy section, hunt for location settings. Turn off Location History and Web & App Activity—settings that Google often buries deep in menus.
The Sneaky Tracking Methods
GPS isn’t the only way apps track you. Your phone is constantly scanning for WiFi networks, even when you’re not connecting to any. Stores use this to track customers.
Ever wonder how Target knows you spent 20 minutes in the electronics section? WiFi tracking. Turn off WiFi scanning in your advanced settings.
Bluetooth does the same thing. Those little beacons in stores track which aisles you visit and how long you browse. Turn off Bluetooth unless you’re actually using headphones.
Social media apps are the worst offenders. Facebook tracks your location about six different ways. Instagram does it too. They read your photos for location data, track your check-ins, and monitor your friends’ activities to figure out where you are.
What Actually Helps in Stopping Apps From Tracking Your Location
You can’t stop all location tracking unless you ditch your phone completely. Your cell carrier always knows roughly where you are – that’s how cell towers work.
But you can stop the worst tracking. Go through your apps every month and revoke location access for anything that doesn’t absolutely need it. Most apps work fine without knowing where you are.
Be ruthless about it. That coupon app that promised great deals? If you haven’t used it in months, delete it. Chances are it’s been tracking you this whole time for no good reason.
Companies are making billions off your location data. Don’t make it easy for them.