Our phones have a knack for sharing more about our lives, even when we think we asked it not to, especially tracking your exact location. There’s a lot to share about your location, and there’s still a lot to think about even if you want to disable this feature.
It’s common for people to think they’ve turned off and blocked location sharing only to find out that they’re still being tracked somehow. That’s why we’re going through all the ways to make sure you don’t accidentally share information you don’t want.
However, before you turn off location sharing for everything on your devices, you should understand the implications. That’s because various applications use your location services, such as location-based apps, including your map, navigation, photo, weather, and fitness apps.
Your browser also uses your location to provide relevant search results. In addition, emergency services may be affected if you disable location sharing. Your location may not even be automatically shared with emergency services, which could slow down response times or make it difficult for emergency services to find you.
MICROSOFT SETS BORDERS ON BING CHATBOT AFTER MULTIPLE INCIDENTS OF INAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR
How is my location tracked?
Even if you think you’ve turned off your location sharing settings, there’s still a chance you’re being tracked.
This is because you are not only tracked by your devices themselves. You may also be tracked by the apps you use and the websites you visit.
You can also still be tracked if you turned off location sharing on your smartphone but forgot to turn it off on your iPad. You have to consider all the different ways your devices have to keep track of where you are.
Where do I begin?
One way you can start is if you have a Google account. This account may have a history of the devices that track you.
Follow these steps on your Mac or PC to check your Location History using your Google Account.
Here’s how to check your location history with your Google account. (CyberGuy.com)
google account
- How to check your location history in your Google account on Mac or PC
- Sign in to your Google account
- Click the profile picture icon in the upper right corner
- Click Manage your Google account
- Click DataPrivacy in the menu bar on the left
- Scroll down and select Location History
All devices that track you are listed. If you don’t want this, choose Switch off
Note: Your location may still be recorded by your mobile devices by the Find My Device service that helps you recover lost hardware and by Google Maps when you navigate or search the area you are in.
HOW TO STOP GOOGLE FROM ITS CREEPY WAY OF USING YOU FOR FACIAL RECOGNITION
Disable location data Google Maps and other apps and websites on Mac or PC
You can still navigate to other places where your location is recorded and shared on Google as well. Turn off location data stored by Google Maps and other apps and websites:
- Sign in to your Google account on your Mac or PC
- Click the profile picture icon in the upper right corner
- Click Manage your Google account
- Click DataPrivacy in the menu bar on the left
- Scroll down and select Web and app activity
- Select Switch off
And if you want stop sharing your location with contacts from you via Google:
- Sign in to your Google account on your Mac or PC
- Click the profile picture icon in the upper right corner
- Click Manage your Google account
- Click DataPrivacy in the menu bar on the left
- Scroll down and select Information you can share with others
- Crane Share location to see if you’re sharing your location with anyone, and disable the feature if you want to stop
EX-GOOGLE AI EXPERT SAYS ‘UNHINGED’ AI IS THE ‘MOST POWERFUL TECHNOLOGY’ SINCE ‘THE ATOMIC BOMB’
How to Check Your Location History in Your Google Account on iPhone or Android
Once you see how Google tracks all your movements and locations, consider disabling this feature. If you have an iPhone or Android and want to check your location history through your Google account:
- Sign in to your Google account on Chrome (Android) or Google app (iPhone)
- Click the profile picture icon in the top corner
- Tap your email (on Android)
- Click Manage your Google account or just google account
- Click DataPrivacy in the menu bar at the top
- Scroll down and select Location History
- All devices that track you are listed. If you don’t want this, choose Switch off
Turn off location data stored by Google Maps and other apps and websites on your iPhone or Android:
- Sign in to your Google account
- Click the profile picture icon in the upper right corner
- Click Manage your Google account
- Click DataPrivacy in the menu bar at the top
- Scroll down and select Web and app activity
- Select Switch off
And if you want stop sharing your location with contacts from you via Google to you iPhone or Android:
- Sign in to your Google account
- Click the profile picture icon in the upper right corner
- Click Manage your Google account
- Click DataPrivacy in the menu bar at the top
- Scroll down and select Information you can share with others
Crane Share location to see if you’re sharing your location with anyone, and disable the feature if you want to stop
HOW TO KEEP YOUR BROWSHIP HISTORY PRIVATE AND SECURE
What you need to know about location settings on your iPhone. (CyberGuy.com)
What about other location settings on my iPhone?
There are multiple ways to get your iPhone to stop tracking your location.
Start with these steps:
- Go to you Settings app
- Scroll down and click Privacy and security
- Select Location Services
- Turn off Location Services
- Then go back by pressing the back button in the top left, then tap Location Services and select Share my location
- Switch off Share my location by turning off if you no longer want to share with contacts
You also notice one list of apps under the Share my location option. Each app indicates how often it tracks your location, with options Never, ask next time when I share, or while using the app. Click on each app and select Never if you don’t want the app to track you. Also make sure that the Precise location within each app switched off
You can also control which apps track you using your iPhone.
- Go to you Settings app
- Scroll down and click Privacy and security
- Select To follow
a list of apps that you have given permission for your activity to be tracked is displayed here. You can turn off those who don’t feel like following you by turning off, for example Twitter or Instagram. However, apps that actively use location services such as Uber and Door Dash must remain on so that you can be located when using them.
Read on to learn more about location settings on a Mac computer. (CyberGuy.com)
MOST CREEPY IPHONE SETTING NEEDS TO BE ADJUSTED
How to disable location settings on a Mac
- Click the apple in the top right corner of your computer
- Scroll down and click system settings
- Scroll down and click Privacy and security
- Click Location Services
- Turn off Location services at the top and enter your passwordto confirm
Here’s how to disable your Android location settings. (CyberGuy.com)
How do I disable location settings on my Android?
- Swipe down from the top of the screen twice to reveal quick settings
- Touch and hold Place
- Crane App permission
- Find the apps that use your phone’s location (e.g. Facebook or Instagram) under:
- Always allowed
- Only allowed during use
- Ask every time
- Tap the relevant app to change the permissions
To disable location tracking completely, do the following:
- Click Institutions
- Then click Place
- On the next screen, click Disable location.
Follow these steps to disable location settings on your Windows PC. (CyberGuy.com)
How to disable location settings on a PC
- Go to Get started> Institutions> Privacy and security
- CranePlace
- To expandAllow apps to access your location
- Go toLocation historyand selectClearlyto clear the location history on that device
Why would you not want to disable location services on your devices?
Be aware of some limitations when you turn off location services:
- You cannot use navigation apps such as Waze, Apple and Google maps.
- Your device’s location cannot be used to help locate you in an emergency.
- If you use social media, you can’t tag your location when you share a post.
- Many apps use your location to deliver personalized content to you, preventing your device from making recommendations such as nearby restaurants, local news, weather updates, etc.
What is your decision to turn off location sharing? Let us know your opinion. We’d love to hear from you.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
For more of my tips, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report newsletter by clicking the “Free Newsletter” link at the top of my website.
Copyright 2023 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved. CyberGuy.com articles and content may contain affiliate links that earn a commission when purchases are made.
