Your phone's location data is one of the most valuable pieces of personal information you produce. It reveals where you live, where you work, who you visit, and where you worship. Data brokers and ad networks pay billions of dollars a year for it. Here's how to take control of location tracking on iPhone and Android in 2026.
Why Location Data Matters
Precise location data can identify you even when it's "anonymized." Researchers have repeatedly shown that just four location data points are enough to uniquely identify 95% of people in a dataset. Location traces reveal medical visits, political activity, religious practices, relationships, and daily routines that many people would consider private.
That's why location data is classified as sensitive personal information under most 2026 state privacy laws, including California, Texas, Colorado, Virginia, and Florida. Collection requires opt-in consent, and you have the right to opt out at any time. But the defaults on most phones still leak a lot of data unless you change them.
Turn Off Location Tracking on iPhone
System Location Services
- Open Settings and tap Privacy & Security.
- Tap Location Services.
- To disable location for every app at once, toggle Location Services off at the top. Note that this also disables Find My iPhone, so consider whether you want that trade-off.
- To manage per-app access, scroll through the app list and tap each one. Choose Never, Ask Next Time Or When I Share, While Using the App, or Always.
- For each app, toggle off Precise Location unless the app genuinely needs it. Weather, shopping, and social apps almost never need precise GPS coordinates.
System Services
Scroll to the bottom of the Location Services page and tap System Services. This is where Apple stores the location uses most people never see. Consider disabling:
- Significant Locations — tracks places you visit frequently to "learn" about you. Turning this off does not remove any existing features you rely on.
- iPhone Analytics — sends diagnostic location data to Apple.
- Routing & Traffic — uses your location to improve Apple Maps.
- Product Improvement — multiple subcategories you can turn off.
Advertiser Tracking
Go to Settings → Privacy & Security → Tracking and turn off Allow Apps to Request to Track. This is Apple's App Tracking Transparency framework and blocks third-party tracking at the device level. Then go to Settings → Privacy & Security → Apple Advertising and turn off Personalized Ads.
Turn Off Location Tracking on Android
System Location
- Open Settings and tap Location.
- Toggle Use location off at the top to disable location for every app at once.
- Tap App permissions (or App location permissions on some versions) to manage each app individually. Options are Allow all the time, Allow only while using the app, Ask every time, and Don't allow.
- Tap Location services and disable Google Location Accuracy if you don't want your phone to use Wi-Fi and Bluetooth scanning to refine location. Also consider disabling Earthquake alerts, Emergency Location Service, and Google Location History depending on your preferences.
Google Account Activity Controls
Android location data is tied to your Google account, so you also need to configure controls at myactivity.google.com. Go to Activity controls and:
- Turn off Timeline (the rebranded Location History)
- Turn off Web & App Activity or set it to auto-delete every 3 months
- Turn off YouTube History or set it to auto-delete
If you've been a Google user for years, delete your existing Timeline data while you're there. Google keeps it indefinitely by default.
Advertising ID
Go to Settings → Privacy → Ads and tap Delete advertising ID. This removes the unique identifier Android ad networks use to track you across apps. On newer Android versions, you can do this in one tap.
Don't Forget to Restart Apps
Changes to location permissions typically take effect immediately, but some apps cache your location and will still use it until you force-quit and reopen them. After making changes, restart any app you want to confirm the new settings are applied.
Advanced: Lock Down Your Phone's Radios
Even with location services off, your phone can still be located using Wi-Fi networks and Bluetooth beacons. If you want extra privacy in a specific situation:
- Turn off Wi-Fi scanning (Android) or keep Wi-Fi off when you're not connected.
- Turn off Bluetooth scanning unless you're actively pairing a device.
- Use Airplane Mode for maximum privacy when you don't need connectivity.
Carrier-Level Location Tracking Is a Separate Problem
Your phone's settings only control what apps and Apple or Google collect. Your cellular carrier still knows which tower you're connected to, and that data has historically been sold to data brokers. The FCC has cracked down on carrier location sales, but you should still review your carrier account settings and opt out of any marketing-based location uses.
Apps That Deserve a Second Look
These categories of apps are the biggest culprits for excessive location tracking:
- Social media apps — Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat rarely need your precise location. Switch them to "Never" or "Ask Next Time".
- Weather apps — These almost always request precise location, but ZIP-code-level data is fine. Turn off Precise Location.
- Free flashlight, games, and utility apps — If a free game wants your location, uninstall it. That's how they make money.
- Shopping apps — Most retailers use location for in-store tracking. Turn it off unless you genuinely want store-level notifications.
Remove Location Data That's Already Out There
Even if you lock down your phone today, data brokers already have years of your location history from previous app permissions, loyalty programs, and public records. Opting out of data brokers is essential to reducing your long-term exposure. PrivacyOn sends removal requests to more than 100 data brokers, including location-data aggregators, and monitors them continuously so your information stays gone. Combined with tight phone settings, it's the most effective way to reduce your location footprint in 2026.
The Bottom Line
Turning off location tracking isn't all-or-nothing. Most people want navigation, weather, and Find My, but don't want retailers tracking their every move. With a few minutes of configuration on both your phone and your Google or Apple account, you can get the features you need while dramatically reducing the data you leak. Combine that with data broker opt-outs and you've taken back real control over one of the most sensitive categories of personal information you produce.