When you go to the Google Play Store to download an app, every installation process requires you to approve permissions before downloading. However, most app users do not bother reading these permissions and what they mean, their importance, or benefits. Simply put, you cannot benefit from the app without agreeing to these permissions.
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These permissions may include accessing your photos, location, contacts, or call logs, depending on the type and purpose of the app. There are many apps that have permissions unrelated to their functions. For example, a photo editing app requesting access to your location and contacts. If you are concerned about your privacy, you should be aware of which apps track your location. In this article, we will show you how to prevent apps on your Android device from accessing your location.
In the same context, it is reasonable to prefer keeping information about your location to yourself. Some apps like navigation and maps may require access to your location, while others may not need this information. Therefore, there are two ways to stop this tracking. The first is by using the default Android settings, or by using a custom app permission monitor.
For Android 6.0 and above, for all apps:
In the general section of your smartphone’s settings, you will find the location settings option. Simply tap on it or swipe to toggle the switch at the top to enable or disable location. Keep in mind that this option will disable all apps from accessing your location, including those that rely on location services like Google Maps. If this is a problem for you, consider the next option:
You can change the location mode between three options to customize things like:
- High accuracy: Uses all options including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, mobile networks, and GPS.
- Battery saving: Uses Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and mobile networks only.
- Device only: Uses GPS services only without Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or mobile networks.
Preventing individual apps from accessing your location:
In this case, go to settings, then apps, and then app settings or app permissions, where you will see a list of sensitive features from your phone like microphone, camera, contacts, etc. Here, you can select apps that have the right to access your location.
Click on your location to select the apps you want to grant permission to access your actual device location. For apps like Google Maps or Google Search, it may be useful to give them permission to access your location, but other apps may not need your location or be from reliable sources. In this case, stop location permission for these apps.
How to prevent apps from accessing your location in Android 4.3 – 5.1:
Similar to newer Android versions, you can change location settings for all apps using a toggle switch by heading to settings, then more, and finally tapping on the switch next to location. By turning the switch off, your phone will stop collecting location data.
You can also change the location reporting mode that is being used by clicking on the location and then choosing between three different modes according to your preferences, as shown in the image below.
When scrolling down through the list of apps that have requested information about your location, you can check individual app settings to see if there is a way to disable location tracking. The location history section also allows you to delete any collected data.
How to customize permissions for individual apps:
While it’s possible to disable location tracking in these older Android versions through third-party alternatives, you can use an app like AppOps, available for free on the Google Play Store, to control location permissions for any app.
When you install the app or a similar app within the same domain, you will see a list of apps that are actually using your location data. You can easily select the app and switch the location setting to prevent that app from accessing it.
Conclusion:
These were the effective ways on how to prevent apps from accessing and using your location. For those who prioritize their privacy, they always seek guides to protect themselves, and we always encourage every user to take all possible measures to protect their privacy and personal information.
