Many apps ask for location permission when you install or open them.
Some apps genuinely need your location to work properly. For example, maps, weather apps, ride apps, and delivery apps often need location access.
But not every app needs to know where you are.
Some apps may use location data for ads, analytics, recommendations, nearby features, or background tracking. If too many apps have location access, your privacy can be affected and your battery may also drain faster.
In this guide, I will explain how to stop apps from tracking your location on Android and iPhone.
Why Apps Track Your Location
Apps may request location access for different reasons.
Common reasons include:
- showing nearby places
- navigation
- delivery tracking
- ride booking
- weather updates
- social media tagging
- targeted ads
- local recommendations
- security verification
- background activity
Some location use is helpful. But if a simple app asks for location without a clear reason, you should be careful.
For example, a map app needs location access. But a calculator app, wallpaper app, or simple game usually does not need your exact location.
1. Check Which Apps Have Location Permission
The first step is checking which apps can access your location.
On Android
Go to:
Settings → Location → App Location Permissions
You may see options like:
Allowed all the time
Allowed only while in use
Ask every time
Not allowed
On iPhone
Go to:
Settings → Privacy & Security → Location Services
Then check each app one by one.
This helps you find apps that may be tracking your location unnecessarily.
2. Change “Always Allow” to “While Using”
Some apps may have location access all the time.
This means they can use your location even when you are not actively using the app.
For most apps, change location permission from:
Always
to:
While Using the App
This is useful for apps like:
- food delivery apps
- ride apps
- shopping apps
- weather apps
- social media apps
Only allow “Always” if the app truly needs it.
3. Turn Off Precise Location
Modern phones allow you to share approximate location instead of exact location.
This is useful for privacy.
On iPhone
Go to:
Settings → Privacy & Security → Location Services → Select App → Precise Location
Turn off Precise Location for apps that do not need exact GPS.
On Android
When choosing app location permission, some phones allow you to select:
Approximate Location
instead of:
Precise Location
Use approximate location for apps like weather, shopping, and general recommendations.
4. Block Location Access for Unnecessary Apps
Some apps do not need location at all.
Examples may include:
- calculator apps
- flashlight apps
- wallpaper apps
- simple games
- photo editors
- file manager apps
- video players
- random cleaner apps
For these apps, set location permission to:
Not Allowed
or:
Deny
This improves privacy and may also reduce battery usage.
5. Check Social Media Location Settings
Social media apps often use location for:
- nearby content
- location tags
- ads
- friend suggestions
- local recommendations
Check location settings for:
- TikTok
- Snapchat
- X
- Threads
If you do not use location features, disable location access or allow it only while using the app.
Also avoid posting your live location publicly.
6. Turn Off Location History
Some services save location history.
If you do not want your past locations stored, check location history settings.
Google Location History
On Android or Google account:
Google Account → Data & Privacy → Location History
You can pause or manage saved location history.
iPhone Significant Locations
On iPhone:
Settings → Privacy & Security → Location Services → System Services → Significant Locations
You can turn it off or clear history if you prefer more privacy.
7. Disable Location for Camera If Not Needed
Your phone camera can save location data inside photos.
This is called geotagging.
It can be useful for organizing photos, but it may reveal where a photo was taken.
If you share photos online, location data may become a privacy risk.
On Android
Check camera settings and turn off:
Location Tags
On iPhone
Go to:
Settings → Privacy & Security → Location Services → Camera
Set it to:
Never
if you do not want location saved in photos.
8. Be Careful With Weather Apps
Weather apps often ask for location access.
They do need location to show local weather, but they do not always need exact GPS all the time.
Better option:
- use approximate location
- manually enter your city
- allow location only while using the app
This gives weather updates without constant tracking.
9. Check Maps and Ride Apps
Maps, ride apps, and delivery apps need location to work properly.
Examples:
- Google Maps
- Apple Maps
- Uber
- PickMe
- food delivery apps
- courier tracking apps
For these apps, “While Using” is usually enough.
Only allow background location if you need live tracking features.
10. Turn Off Bluetooth and Wi-Fi Scanning
Some phones use Wi-Fi and Bluetooth scanning to improve location accuracy.
This can help maps work better, but it may also use background scanning.
On Android
Go to:
Settings → Location → Location Services
Look for:
Wi-Fi Scanning
Bluetooth Scanning
Turn them off if you do not need high location accuracy.
11. Check App Permissions After Updates
Sometimes apps request new permissions after updates.
After installing app updates, check permissions again.
This is especially important for:
- social apps
- shopping apps
- free tools
- games
- photo editors
- unknown apps
If an app suddenly asks for location without reason, deny it.
12. Use “Ask Every Time” When Available
Some Android phones allow:
Ask Every Time
This means the app must ask before using your location.
This is useful for apps you use occasionally.
For example:
- shopping apps
- travel apps
- coupon apps
- event apps
- food apps
It gives you more control.
Quick Location Privacy Checklist
| Setting | Best Choice |
|---|---|
| Maps | While Using |
| Weather | Approximate location |
| Camera | Off if privacy matters |
| Social media | While Using or Deny |
| Games | Deny |
| Calculator/tools | Deny |
| Ride apps | While Using |
| Delivery apps | While Using |
| Unknown apps | Deny |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Allowing Location for Every App
Do not tap “Allow” automatically. Check whether the app really needs it.
Keeping “Always Allow” On
Most apps do not need location all the time.
Sharing Live Location Publicly
Avoid sharing live location in public posts or unknown groups.
Ignoring Camera Location Tags
Photos may include hidden location information if camera location is enabled.
Installing Suspicious Apps
Some unsafe apps may request location and other sensitive permissions.
My Personal Recommendation
For most users, the safest location setup is:
Maps and delivery apps: While Using
Weather apps: Approximate Location
Social media: While Using or Deny
Camera: Deny if privacy is important
Unknown apps: Deny
This gives a good balance between convenience and privacy.
You do not need to turn off location completely. You just need to control which apps can access it.
Final Thoughts
Location privacy is important because your phone can reveal where you live, work, study, travel, and spend time.
Not every app needs access to your location.
To protect your privacy:
- review app location permissions
- change “Always” to “While Using”
- disable precise location when possible
- turn off camera location tags
- check location history
- deny location for unnecessary apps
A few small changes can make your phone more private and safer to use.