Today, the smartphone has become an essential part of our lives, but it also comes with a problem that many people aren’t even aware of. Many mobile apps don’t just check your location when you are using them; they can also continuously monitor your activities in the background. This not only allows companies to access your private information but can also increase your battery and mobile data usage. The good news is that by changing a few simple settings, you can control this tracking in just a few minutes.

Why do apps need your location in the first place?
For some apps, location access is essential. For example, map apps need it to show directions, cab booking apps need it to know your pickup point, and weather apps need it to provide local forecasts. However, many social media, shopping, and ad-based apps also collect location data. Through this, companies can analyze your travel habits, favorite places, and shopping behaviour. This information is later used to show you targeted advertisements.

How to stop location tracking on Android phones
If you use an Android smartphone, first go to Settings and open the Location section. Here you will find the “App location permissions” option, where you can see which apps are accessing your location. For apps that don’t need constant location access, change their permission to “Only while using the app” or turn it off completely. Additionally, you can go to the Privacy Dashboard to see which apps have recently accessed your location.

iPhone users must check these settings
iPhone users should go to Settings and open the “Privacy & Security” section. Here, inside “Location Services,” you will see a list of all apps. If an app is set to “Always,” you can change it to “While Using the App” or “Never.” Furthermore, Apple offers another option called “Precise Location.” Turning this off gives apps your approximate area instead of your exact location.

Check your permissions every few months
Cybersecurity experts believe you should review location permissions after installing new apps or software updates. If a flashlight app, a simple game, or a shopping app repeatedly asks for your location, it’s important to ask why it needs it. Often, users quickly approve all permissions during setup and then forget about them. This is why regularly checking your settings has become an important part of digital safety.

Save battery life, not just privacy
The benefit of limiting location tracking isn’t limited to just privacy. Location services running continuously in the background drain your battery and, in some cases, can also increase your mobile data usage. If you want your smartphone to use less data, have longer battery life, and keep your personal information under your control, then checking your location settings today is a smart move.

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Views expressed above are the author's own.

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