Turn off location services entirely, or control which apps can see where you are
You can disable location on your iPhone in two ways: turn off Location Services completely so no app can track your position, or keep Location Services on but block specific apps from accessing it. Most people choose the second option because some apps genuinely need your location to work — Maps needs it to give directions, Weather needs it to show your local forecast. But you control which apps get that access, and you can revoke it anytime.
Location data is valuable to advertisers and data brokers. Turning it off for apps that don't need it reduces the amount of information collected about your movements and habits. This guide covers both approaches: the full shutdown and the selective blocking.
Key Takeaways
- Go to Settings, then Privacy, then Location Services to see which apps have permission to track your position.
- You can turn Location Services off entirely, or set individual apps to "Never", "While Using", or "Always".
- Apps set to "Always" can track you even when you are not actively using them — this is the most invasive setting.
- Some apps will ask for location permission the first time they need it; you can deny the request or change your mind later in Settings.
- Turning off location does not affect your ability to use most apps, but Maps and weather apps will lose their location-based features.
How to block location for individual apps
This is the most common choice because it lets you keep location on for apps that need it while blocking it everywhere else. Open Settings on your iPhone. Tap Privacy. Tap Location Services.
You will see a list of every app that has ever asked for location permission. Next to each app name, you will see one of three settings: "Never", "While Using", or "Always". Tap any app name to change its setting. Choose "Never" to block that app from seeing your location. Choose "While Using" to let the app see your location only when you have it open. Choose "Always" to let the app track you in the background.
Start by setting location to "Never" for apps that do not need your position: social media apps, messaging apps, email, games, and shopping apps are common examples. Keep "While Using" for Maps, Weather, and any other app that genuinely needs to know where you are right now. Avoid "Always" unless an app specifically requires it and you trust the company — very few apps actually need background location access.
Turn off Location Services completely
If you want to disable location tracking across your entire phone, go to Settings, tap Privacy, tap Location Services, then toggle the switch at the top to off. This stops all apps from accessing your location, even if they have permission.
The downside is that Maps will not work, Weather will not show your local forecast, and any app that relies on location will either fail or ask you to enter your location manually. Most people find this too restrictive. The selective blocking approach in the previous section usually works better because you get privacy where you need it without breaking apps that depend on location.
What "Always" location access means
When an app is set to "Always", it can see your location even when you are not using it. Your phone is constantly sending that app your GPS coordinates, and that data is being sent to the company's servers. This is how apps build detailed maps of your movements over time — where you go, how often, what time of day, and for how long.
Very few apps actually need this. Navigation apps like Maps use it while you are actively navigating, but they do not need it when you are not using them. Fitness apps might use it to track a run, but they do not need it to track your location all day. If you see an app set to "Always" and you did not deliberately choose that, change it to "While Using" or "Never". You can always change it back if the app stops working.
How to respond when an app asks for location permission
The first time an app needs your location, it will ask for permission with a popup. You will see three options: "Allow Once", "Allow While Using", or "Don't Allow". Choose "Don't Allow" for any app that does not genuinely need your location. Choose "Allow While Using" if the app needs it but only while you are actively using it. Avoid "Allow Always" unless you have a specific reason.
If you choose "Don't Allow" and later change your mind, you can go back to Settings, Privacy, Location Services and change the app's permission. You can also change your answer if you chose "Allow While Using" but want to block it entirely. The permission does not lock in — you control it.
Check which apps are using location right now
At the top of the Location Services list in Settings, you will see a purple or gray arrow icon next to some app names. A purple arrow means that app used your location in the last 24 hours. A gray arrow means it used your location within the last few days. This helps you spot apps that are accessing location more often than you expect.
If you see an app with a purple arrow that you did not knowingly use, tap it and change the setting to "Never". This is a quick way to find apps that are tracking you in the background without your active knowledge.
Location services and system features
At the top of the Location Services list, you will see a section called "System Services". This controls whether your iPhone uses location for features like Find My iPhone, emergency services, and location-based reminders. You can tap System Services to see each one and toggle them individually.
Most of these are safe to leave on. Find My iPhone is useful if your phone is stolen. Emergency services uses your location to help first responders find you if you call 911. Location-based reminders let you set a reminder to trigger when you arrive at a place. The only one worth considering turning off is "Significant Locations" — this feature keeps a log of everywhere you go. If you want to prevent Apple from storing that history, toggle it off.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will turning off location break my iPhone?
No. Turning off Location Services or blocking it for individual apps will not damage your phone or cause errors. Some apps will simply not work as designed — Maps will not show your position, Weather will not show your local forecast — but the phone itself will function normally. You can turn location back on anytime.
Can apps still track me if I turn off location?
Apps cannot use GPS to pinpoint your location, but they can still estimate your location from your IP address or WiFi network. Turning off location removes one tracking method, not all of them. For stronger privacy, also consider using a VPN or disabling WiFi when you are not using it.
Does turning off location affect my phone bill or data usage?
No. Location Services uses very little data and does not affect your cellular plan. Turning it off will not save you money on your phone bill or reduce your data usage in any meaningful way.
What if an app says it needs location to work but I do not want to give it?
You can deny the request. The app may show a warning or ask again, but you are not required to grant location access. If the app truly cannot function without it, you can choose not to use that app, or you can use it in limited ways without location.
Can I set location to different settings for different times of day?
No. iPhone does not have a built-in scheduling feature for location permissions. You would need to manually change the settings in Settings, Privacy, Location Services whenever you want to adjust them. Some third-party apps claim to automate this, but they require full device access and are not recommended for privacy reasons.