Does it ever feel like someone is always keeping track of what you’re doing? If that’s what it feels like, then you’re probably right.
Multiple applications on your Android and iOS smartphones track your activities, including where you’re going and what activities you’re performing.
However, like all other hacks, there’s also a way to avoid being tracked by your smartphone apps. This guide will tell you what apps track your location and how you can bypass this.
How to Prevent Your Location From Being Tracked on iPhones
Turning your location off and preventing tracking on your iOS device is easier than on Android. All you need to do is follow the steps mentioned below:
- Visit the Settings of your iPhone.
- After this, visit Privacy > Location Services. From there, disable location services.
While this seems quite an easy thing to do, it impacts the functioning of other applications of your iPhone, such as Find My Phone, Maps, and more. You can also put your phone on Lost Mode through iCloud to avoid location tracking.
Furthermore, in the Location Services toggle, you will find a list of all the applications having access to your location. You can click on each and update their location accessing status by choosing one of the three options below:
- Never
- While using the app
- Always
Another great option for location prevention on iPhone is using a VPN service. These services encrypt your data and protect you from being tracked by apps, your ISP, and the government.
You must be curious about which VPNs are the best for iPhones. Just a few VPNs work well with iOS devices and protect you from location tracking. So, you should always opt for one that’s been recommended by the experts.
How can you prevent applications from tracking your location on Android?
Turning your location off on Android is relatively easier, but the process differs from phone to phone.
For Google Pixel 4, you’ll need to:
- Visit Settings. Then, go to Location and disable the toggle of Use Location.
For Samsung Galaxy S20 Plus, you’ll require:
- Head over to Settings and then Location.
For Huawei P40 Pro, please:
- Go to Settings and then turn the Location toggle off.
These settings would completely shut down location tracking on your Android device. Your phone company and Google would not be able to track it; even there have been various proofs that they’d still be able to do it anyway.
The sad part is that if you completely turn your location off, you’d never be able to track your phone if it gets lost at some point. Some apps would not function properly, and you won’t be able to share your location through Google Maps at all.
Web & App Activity is another part of the settings that you can look into for disabling Google’s tracking.
How Can I Restrict a Few Targeted Apps on Android from Location Tracking?
If you believe that completely shunning down all the applications from accessing your location is an extreme step, you can always turn off the location of some specific applications.
Let’s use the same devices mentioned above for this.
On Google Pixel 4, you need to visit Settings, then go to Location and App Permissions.
On Samsung Galaxy S20 Plus, visit the Settings > click on Apps > press Menu > App Permissions, and then Location.
On Huawei P40 Pro, go to Settings, then tap on Apps & notifications. After this, click on Permissions and Your Location.
Which Smartphone Applications Access Your Location Data?
A study has revealed that some smartphone apps collect a scary amount of user data. There are a variety of legitimate explanations for why applications would do that. Also, please note that some applications stop working properly when denied location access.
For example, Google Maps would become completely useless if denied access to location data. There are a few apps that you need to look out for regarding location tracking. These include:
1. Weather apps:
These applications access your location and track your data to provide you with precisely targeted information about the weather even though they do not require doing so for operating.
2. Ride-booking apps:
Ride-sharing applications like Uber require access to your location for tracking drivers. But, they might also continue tracking you even when you haven’t booked a ride.
3. Streaming apps:
Streaming platforms like Netflix are also found tracking your location even when they do not have a significant reason to do so.
4. Coupons/deals apps:
Coupon apps try to obtain as much information as possible for advertisements. This information includes your location as well.
5. Car insurance applications:
These apps use sensors that allow them to monitor your location, how fast you’re driving, and much more.
Bottom Line
There is no method to avoid location data tracking on iOS and Android completely. Some apps would continue tracking you unless you completely shut down all data tracking.
And while you try your best doing that, we suggest you boost your privacy on your smartphone devices and opt for a virtual private network.
Multiple VPNs are offering reliable services on both iOS and Android. One only requires selecting the right one for themselves to enjoy the private connection.
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