The average iPhone user has at least 60 apps installed on their device.
While you might see them to communicate, count calories, or navigate a new city, companies equip them with sneaky permission requests and hidden trackers to generate revenue.
Developers have taken advantage of Apple’s smartphone settings to access the websites you use, where you travel, and the places you visit, creating a user profile that can be sold to the highest bidder.
These tactics are legal because the companies behind the apps give you the choice to opt in or out by clicking a few menus on your smartphone, but most users don’t know what to look for.
I’ll show you how to find the menus you need to disable these options, and what features you’ll miss if you do.
When you stop something like location tracking at the iOS level, all apps you have installed must adhere to the same rules.
That means that in some cases you don’t need to change the setting for each individual app.
Apps use iPhone settings to track users, but there are ways to disable the options
Just a word of caution before we get into the settings
Safety is the biggest concern. Many smartphones use your location data to send information to first responders in an emergency.
When you change settings, you may see an option to allow emergency services to bypass any restrictions.
Some apps, especially those that rely on location or activity data, may not work properly after you turn off tracking features.
Ride logging and fitness tracking apps may not work or may become less accurate.
For apps that you use regularly and that you trust with your data, you can choose to grant location access.
The three settings you might want to change
1. Ad tracking
It goes without saying that developers know what you are doing in their apps.
But they’ve added tactics to track you across websites and while you’re out and about with your phone, using bits of information to create a detailed profile of who you are.
That allows for more targeted advertising – and many share or sell that information to other companies.
You must change this per app. You can decline the request when it first appears, but you’ve probably already declined it for apps you use all the time.
Radio host Kim Komando offers advice to help people navigate the world of technology
Go to Settings > Privacy & security > Tracking to block apps and prevent them from asking.
If you disable it: You won’t see fewer ads from major retailers like Facebook or Amazon.
However, you’ve taken away one source of data that makes them uncannily smart at knowing who you are and what you like.
2. Key locations
Your iPhone keeps track of the places you visit most often.
Apple has said it aims to make navigation to your favorite places faster and map recommendations smarter.
That’s why you’ll see recommendations for where to go in Maps at certain times of the day. It’s all based on your patterns.
To sign out and delete existing data, go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services > System Services > Points of Interest
If you disable it: Your results will be less targeted and specific to your past behavior.
For example, if you search for coffee, your favorite chain will not appear first.
When you start navigation mode at the end of a long office day, your home is not the first suggested destination.
3. Location tracking
These really are the keys to the castle and you are in control.
According to Apple: “Location Services uses device sensors, including GPS and Bluetooth (where available), along with crowdsourced Wi-Fi hotspots and cell towers to determine the location of your device.”
A 2022 study found that Apple collected data about its customers while they used its apps, even if they turned off analytics sharing.
The discovery was made by two developers who discovered that the tech giant is recording your every move in their own pre-installed App Store, Apple Music, Apple TV, Books and Stocks apps.
The investigation came just over a year after Apple released its controversial privacy control, which required iPhone users to give permission for apps to track their activity for advertising purposes. This mapped the income of many companies and developers that were dependent on advertising.
Use your common sense here. Some, like your favorite navigation app, need full location access to show you where to go.
Your latest gaming obsession doesn’t need your location. Many apps fall in between, so use your common sense.
You can always grant authorizations again if you revoke them.
To change location tracking, go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services.
From here you can disable location tracking for your entire iPhone or allow certain apps you trust to log where you are at certain times.
If you disable it: It takes longer to view places on social media because the apps no longer know where you are. You won’t be able to get turn-by-turn directions in your mapping apps if you turn off checking your exact location.
Remember, it’s up to you to make these changes. Determine what is important to you and your privacy and act accordingly.