Skip to main content
    TekSure
    Step 1 of 4
    Safety & Privacy
    Beginner
    2 min read 4 stepsMarch 30, 2026Verified March 2026

    Your Phone Can Still Track Your Location Even With Location Services Off

    Turning off Location Services doesn't make your phone fully invisible. Here's what still tracks you and what you can do about it.

    In this guide (4 steps):

    1. 1.Understand how location tracking still works with Location Services off
    2. 2.Review and restrict app location permissions (iPhone)
    3. 3.Review and restrict app location permissions (Android)
    4. 4.Turn off Wi-Fi and Bluetooth when not in use
    1

    Understand how location tracking still works with Location Services off

    ~18s
    Turning off Location Services stops GPS, but your phone can still estimate your location using Wi-Fi network names nearby (even if you are not connected), Bluetooth signals from nearby devices, and which cell towers your phone connects to. Some apps that were granted system-level permissions may also continue tracking.
    2

    Review and restrict app location permissions (iPhone)

    ~29s
    Go to SettingsPrivacy & SecurityLocation Services. You will see a list of every app that has asked for your location. Tap each app and set it to "Never" if it does not need location, or "While Using the App" for apps like maps that only need it when open. Avoid leaving apps set to "Always" unless absolutely necessary (navigation apps, for example).

    Quick Tip

    Common apps that do not need location access at all: social media apps, games, news apps, shopping apps, and email clients.

    3

    Review and restrict app location permissions (Android)

    ~17s
    Go to SettingsLocationApp permissions. Tap each app and change its setting to "Deny" or "Allow only while using the app." Turn off "Wi-Fi scanning" and "Bluetooth scanning" in SettingsLocationLocation Services — these let apps estimate your location even without GPS.
    4

    Turn off Wi-Fi and Bluetooth when not in use

    ~21s
    Both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth signals reveal your approximate location to companies and advertisers even when you are not actively using them. On iPhone: swipe down from the top-right corner to open Control Center and tap the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth icons to disable them. On Android: swipe down and tap the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth tiles to turn them off.

    You Did It!

    You've completed: Your Phone Can Still Track Your Location Even With Location Services Off

    Need more help? Get Expert Help from a TekSure Tech

    Even with Location Services turned off, your phone can still be tracked via Wi-Fi network scanning, Bluetooth signals, cell tower triangulation, and apps that have been granted location access at the system level. For stronger privacy: turn on Airplane Mode (disables all radios), disable Wi-Fi and Bluetooth separately, and review which apps have location permission (Settings > Privacy > Location Services on iPhone, or Settings > Location on Android) — set non-essential apps to "Never" or "Only While Using."

    Rate this guide

    How helpful was this guide?

    privacy
    location
    tracking

    Official Resources

    FTC Consumer ProtectionCISA — Cybersecurity TipsAARP Fraud Watch Network

    Sources used to create and verify this guide. View all sources →

    ← Previous

    Your Phone Number Is Probably Listed on Hundreds of Data Broker Websites

    Next →

    How to Reset Your Smartphone's Ad Tracking ID for More Privacy

    Still stuck? Let a pro handle it.

    Our verified technicians can fix this issue for you — remotely or in person.

    Book a Verified Tech How It Works

    Related Guides

    How to Secure Your Home Wi-Fi Network

    Simple steps to lock down your home router, keep strangers off your network, and protect every device in your house.

    3 min read

    Setting Up Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) on Any Account

    Add a second layer of security to your most important accounts. This one change stops most account takeovers cold.

    3 min read

    Staying Safe on Social Media

    How to protect your privacy on Facebook and Instagram, spot fake accounts, and avoid the most common social media traps.

    3 min read

    Your Phone Can Still Track Your Location Even With Location Services Off — Step-by-Step Guide | TekSure