When you first boot up an iOS device, it asks if you’d like to enable location services, which can be helpful within apps like Google Maps or when tagging your location on social networks.
Many hit enable and never look back. Customizing location settings to protect your privacy can be confusing and complicated for the average user. While there are very detailed options for the apps and services that utilize location services, determining what you can or can’t disable may be confusing.
What is location tracking? Many apps and iOS system services require location tracking in order to help customize the user’s experience and provide the most helpful information possible. All of these apps and system services ask permission before they start to track an iPhone or iPad, but some apps won’t function if you disable location tracking. You can tell if location services are active if a black or white arrow icon appears in the status bar at the top of the device.
Disable Location for iOS System Services
Tap Settings > Privacy > Location Services. Scroll to the bottom and select System Services.
We recommend not disabling location services on all system services on your iOS devices. While a lot of services can be utilized without tracking your location, it’s best to go through the list individually.
Here’s how system services use location tracking:
- Apple Pay Merchant Information uses your current location to help provide more accurate merchant names when you use your physical Apple Card.
- Cell Network Search tracks cell tower usage and sends data to Apple.
- Compass Calibration uses location tracking to help calibrate the electronic compass.
- Device Management allows you to wirelessly configure devices, like an app for gig workers or a VPN for a school or business.
- Emergency Calls & SOS allows users to discreetly call 911 and uses location data to help assist in the event of an emergency.
- Find My iPhone is a service provided by Apple that will enable you to track an iOS device remotely.
- HomeKit helps make smart homes smarter by using location tracking to open your garage door or turn on lights automatically.
- Location-Based Alerts permit Apple to use your location to give geographically related alerts or news.
- Location-Based Suggestions enable location-specific suggestions for Safari and Spotlight.
- Motion Calibration & Distance are used by fitness or activity apps to track activity accurately.
- Setting Time Zone uses location tracking to automatically adjust the time when changing time zones.
- Share My Location lets you share your current location with individuals through iMessage or other apps like Find My Friends.
- Wi-Fi Calling lets you make a call when cellular service is unavailable, and it uses the location of your device to aid in emergency response efforts if needed.
- Wi-Fi Networking finds nearby Wi-Fi networks using location services.
- Significant Locations tracks and remembers the places that you are most often and sends alerts based on calendar events or map directions.
- iPhone Analytics helps Apple by occasionally providing them with information about how a specific iOS device is used.
- Popular Near Me periodically sends the places you’ve purchased or used apps to Apple to assist them in approving their suggestions to all Apple customers.
- Routing & Traffic shares current traffic patterns and mph with Apple to improve Maps.
- Improve Maps allows apple to use current location to alert iOS users the estimated time to get to user’s frequent locations.
Disable Location for Apps
Click Settings > Privacy > Location Services.
It’s good to look over this page often, mainly if you have downloaded apps recently, to make sure the location settings are set to what you’re comfortable with. Luckily, Apple makes it very simple to adjust location permissions to individual apps on all iOS devices. As of iOS 14, there are four options for location services for apps:
- Never — This option ensures that location services will never be tracked while using the app.
- Ask Next Time — Choose Always While Using App, Allow Once, or Don’t Allow the next time you open this app.
- While Using —The app only utilizes location tracking while actively using the app. This includes if the app is not completely closed; completely close an app by swiping up from the bottom or double-clicking on the home button to view the app switcher, finding the app that needs to be closed, and swiping it up and away.
- Always — The app can always track an iOS device’s location
Usually there’s an app explanation when choosing what location access you want to allow. That explanation will help you decide if you should disable location services because it informs you how that specific app uses location tracking. It’s a safe bet to set location tracking to the “while using” option to avoid background tracking without your knowledge.
Disable Location Services Completely
Tap Settings > Privacy > Location Services and toggle the location services button at the top to the left or off position.
Be careful about doing this. That location services toggle is kind of the master switch to all location permissions. If an iOS user decides to turn off location services completely, a lot of the features that users use every day will no longer work.
For example, photos won’t attach a location when you take them, mapping applications won’t be able to direct you anywhere, and other third-party apps will be unusable. Disabling location services may help you preserve your device’s battery life and maintain the highest level of smart device privacy, but it will diminish your overall experience.
