Why you might want to disable location on your iPhone
Location services on your iPhone let apps know where you are in real time. This data gets collected, stored, and sometimes sold to data brokers — the same companies you may be trying to remove yourself from. Turning off location services, or limiting which apps can access your location, reduces the amount of tracking data that gets created in the first place.
You have two main options: disable location services entirely, which stops all apps from knowing where you are, or turn off location for specific apps while keeping it on for others (like Maps or Find My Friends, if you use them). Most people find the second approach more practical, since some apps genuinely need location to work.
Key Takeaways
- You can turn off location services completely in Settings, or disable location for individual apps one at a time.
- Disabling location for data-heavy apps like social media, weather, and advertising networks reduces what gets tracked and sold.
- Some apps will still function without location; others will ask for permission each time they need it.
- Location history stored on your device can be cleared separately from the location services setting itself.
Turn off location services for all apps at once
Open Settings and tap Privacy. Scroll down and tap Location Services. At the top of the screen, toggle Location Services off. This stops every app from accessing your location.
When you do this, apps that rely on location — Maps, Find My, weather apps — will stop working properly. You will get a prompt the next time you open one of these apps asking whether you want to turn location back on. If you change your mind later, you can turn Location Services back on the same way.
Disable location for specific apps instead
If you want to keep location on for some apps but not others, go to Settings, then Privacy, then Location Services. You will see a list of every app that has ever requested your location. Next to each app name, you will see one of three options: Never, While Using, or Always.
Tap an app name to change its setting. Choose Never to block that app from your location entirely. Choose While Using to let the app know where you are only when you have it open. Choose Always to let the app track you even when you are not using it — this is the most privacy-invasive option and is rarely necessary.
Start with apps that collect and sell data: social media apps, weather apps, shopping apps, and anything related to advertising or analytics. Set these to Never. Keep location on for apps you actually use for navigation or finding friends.
Check which apps have location permission
Scroll through the Location Services list to see which apps have permission. You may be surprised — some apps request location even though they do not need it to function. Apps marked with a purple arrow have used your location recently. Apps marked with a gray arrow have location permission but have not used it lately.
Pay special attention to apps you do not recognize or do not use anymore. Tap each one and set it to Never. You can always change it back if an app stops working the way you expect.
Clear location history from your device
Disabling location services stops future tracking, but your iPhone may still have a record of where you have been. This history is stored locally on your device and is separate from the location services setting.
To clear this history, go to Settings, then Privacy, then Location Services. Scroll to the bottom and tap System Services. Scroll down to Significant Locations and tap it. You will see a list of places your phone has recorded. Tap Edit in the top right, then tap the red minus sign next to any location you want to delete. Tap Delete to confirm. You can also toggle Significant Locations off entirely to stop recording new locations.
Understand what disabling location does and does not do
Turning off location services stops apps from using GPS, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi signals to pinpoint where you are. It does not stop your phone from connecting to Wi-Fi networks or cell towers — those functions remain on so you can make calls and use data.
Disabling location also does not prevent data brokers from knowing your address if they already have it from other sources: public records, previous data breaches, or information you entered yourself on websites. It only stops the ongoing collection of location data through your phone's apps.
Disable location in Find My and iCloud settings
Apple's Find My feature and iCloud location sharing are separate from the Location Services setting. If you use Find My to locate a lost device or share your location with family, those features will stop working if you disable Location Services entirely. But you can control them separately if you want to keep Find My on while blocking other apps.
Go to Settings, then tap your name at the top, then Find My. You will see options for Find My iPhone and Find My Friends. Toggle either one off if you do not use it. You can also go to Settings, then Privacy, then Location Services, scroll to System Services at the bottom, and toggle Find My on or off there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my iPhone still work if I turn off location services?
Yes. Your phone will still make calls, send texts, connect to Wi-Fi, and use most apps. Only apps that specifically need to know where you are — Maps, Find My, weather apps, and some fitness trackers — will lose that functionality. Most other apps work fine without location.
Can I turn off location for just one app?
Yes. Go to Settings, Privacy, Location Services, find the app in the list, and tap it. Choose Never to block it completely, or While Using to let it access your location only when the app is open. You do not have to turn off location for all apps.
If I disable location, will data brokers still have my information?
Disabling location stops new location data from being collected through your phone's apps, but it does not remove information data brokers already have. They may still have your address from public records or past data breaches. Disabling location just prevents future tracking through your device.
Does turning off location drain my battery faster or slower?
Turning off location services actually saves battery, since GPS and constant location tracking use power. You may notice your battery lasts slightly longer after disabling location for apps that do not need it.
What is the difference between Never and While Using?
Never means the app cannot access your location at all. While Using means the app can only see your location when you have it open and actively using it. While Using is a middle ground if you want an app to work but do not want it tracking you in the background.