Smartphones are the best companions that hold our entire lives. From connecting with a distant friend to planning a year or booking a ride, everything is just a phone call away.
However, this convenience comes at the cost of constant data collection, including our location.
While it becomes important to share locations to enjoy features like maps and navigation, it is also increasing privacy concerns and cybercrime.
But fear not, my dear! With a few modifications, you can limit your phone’s location tracking and get back control over your digital footprint.
This article will delve into different effective ways to stop phones from tracking locations with a few tweaks and changes.
How to stop the phone from tracking its location?
The easiest and most effective way to disable location services entirely will differ for Android and iOS. It will essentially shut down the GPS radio and other technologies that keep track of your whereabouts.
Steps To Restrict Apps From Tracking Location On Android
STEP 1: Go to settings
STEP 2: Scroll down to ‘Apps and notifications’
STEP 3: Now, click on ‘App Permissions’
STEP 4: Search for ‘Location’ and click on it
On your screen, you will see a list of apps that access your location. You can put them in any of the four categories: allowed to access your location all the time, allowed to access when in use, allowed only after it asks for permission, and not allowed.
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Steps To Restrict Apps From Tracking Location On iOS
STEP 1: Go to ‘Settings’
STEP 2: Toggle to the ‘Privacy’ section
STEP 3: Tap on the ‘Location Services’
The process is similar to Android. You just need to choose between Complete Location Service OFF or select apps that can have your location.
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Some Other Important Ways To Stop Location Sharing
Disable Location History: The apps on your phone require different permissions and data to create a detailed timeline of movements. So, you can choose what to share and what not to share to tighten the security knot.
Apply Privacy Modes: Smartphones are really smart; they offer various privacy modes to restrict app access to different data, including location. Also, this mode can reduce tracking, leading to better and more efficient phone usage.
VPN Usage: Virtual Private Networks (VPN) encrypt internet traffic and line it through a remote server, putting a mask over your IP address and making it harder to track location. However, VPNs are not a permanent solution and can be risky at times.
Third-Party Apps: You can take the help of different third-party apps for a tight grip over security and manage app permissions, block location tracking, and also create an illusion to keep your personal information safe and secure. But make sure to research and choose the apps wisely and with clear policies.
In conclusion, be mindful of your digital footprint and be conscious of the privacy settings on all your online accounts and services. The level of location sharing is completely a personal decision. But by implementing all the above measures and understanding the phone’s privacy settings, you can bridge the gap between convenience and control, ensuring the complete safety and security of your location data.
