How do I open location settings?

iPhone: Settings then Privacy and Security then Location Services. Android: Settings then Location. You will see the master toggle and a list of apps.

How do I review each app individually?

Go through the list and change each app's location access. Most apps work fine with "While Using" or "Never." Only maps and navigation truly need "Always."

How do I turn off location for apps that do not need it?

Games, shopping apps, news apps, and social media rarely need your location. Set them to "Never" and see if they still work as expected.

How do I iphone: disable significant locations?

Settings then Privacy and Security then Location Services then System Services: turn off "Significant Locations" and "Location-Based Apple Ads."

How do I android: check recent location access?

Settings then Location then "App location permissions." See which apps recently accessed your location. Revoke access from any you do not recognize or trust.

How do I revisit after installing new apps?

New apps often request location access during setup. Deny it initially and only grant access if the app genuinely needs it to function.

TekSure — Free Tech Help for Beginners & Seniors

Your phone tracks your location throughout the day, and many apps request access to that information. Some apps need your location to work (like maps and weather), but others (like games, shopping apps, and social media) collect it for advertising purposes. Taking control of which apps can see your location is one of the most important privacy steps you can take.

On iPhone: Go to Settings then Privacy and Security then Location Services. At the top, you see the master toggle — turning this off disables all location tracking for all apps. But a better approach is to go app by app. Tap each app in the list and choose: "Never" (the app cannot access your location), "Ask Next Time or When I Share" (the app asks each time), "While Using the App" (only when the app is open), or "Always" (the app can track your location even when it is not open).

For most apps, "While Using the App" or "Never" is the right choice. The only apps that genuinely need "Always" are navigation apps you use for driving, family location-sharing apps, and fitness apps that track outdoor workouts.

Also on iPhone: scroll down in Location Services and tap "System Services." Turn off "Significant Locations" to stop Apple from tracking the places you visit frequently. Turn off "Location-Based Apple Ads" to stop location-targeted advertising.

On Android: Go to Settings then Location. The master toggle at the top turns all location tracking on or off. For per-app control, tap "App location permissions" (or Settings then Apps, select an app, then Permissions then Location). For each app, choose: "Allow all the time," "Allow only while using the app," "Ask every time," or "Don't allow."

Android also lets you see which apps recently accessed your location: Settings then Location then "App location permissions" shows a list with recent usage. This helps you identify apps that are tracking you without your awareness.

Review these settings periodically. When you install new apps, they often ask for location permission during setup. It is fine to deny location access and see if the app works without it — many apps request location but do not actually need it.