Did you know that at least some of the apps on your phone are probably tracking your location even if the app doesn’t need location data in order to perform the task it was intended for.
Of course a Maps app has a legitimate need to track your location, for obvious reasons.
So does an app that keeps you up-to-date on where to buy the cheapest gasoline in the area you happen to be driving through.
Ditto for a weather app.
But truth be told, there’s no reason why the vast majority of apps available today should ever need to collect any location data on you via your device.
If they are collecting it, what are they doing with it? Just a little food for thought…
Luckily, it’s very easy to revoke an app’s access to your location with just a few quick taps. Just follow the steps below for the type of phone you’re using.
Note: The actual steps required to revoke an app’s access to location data might vary a bit depending on the device and the app. Therefore, just use the procedures detailed below as general guides.
If you’re using an iPhone:
1 – Tap your phone’s Settings icon (it looks like a “gear“).
2 – Scroll down and tap Privacy & Security.
3 – Tap Location Services.
4 – Scroll down to list of apps in the “Share My Location” section and tap the name of the first app you want to prevent from accessing your location.
5 – Select Never.
6 – Repeat the steps above for every other app that doesn’t have a legitimate need to track your location.
If you’re using an Android phone:
1 – Tap your phone’s “gear” shaped Settings icon.
2 – Depending on your phone’s Android version, tap either Apps or Apps & notifications.
3 – Tap See all [XX] apps.
4 – Scroll down to the apps list and tap the name of the first app you want to prevent from accessing your location.
5 – Tap Permissions.
6 – Tap Location.
Note: If “Location” is either grayed out or not included on the list, that means this particular app doesn’t track location data at all (and that’s a good thing)..
7 – Depending on your phone’s Android version, tap either Don’t allow or Deny.
8 – Repeat the steps above for every other app that doesn’t have a legitimate need to track your location.
That’s all there is to it. Every app that you denied location access for will no longer be able to track your location and potentially send it back to the app’s developer or to some third party entity.