【Osawa Yuka Archives】

Sometimes it feels real freaky to open your Maps app and Osawa Yuka Archivessee a list of the latest locations you've been at. You don't want that falling into the wrong hands.

It's even freakier to think about the myriad apps that are tracking your location pretty much constantly, and doing who-knows-what with that information.

Location services use WiFi, Bluetooth, and GPS to figure out your whereabouts. They can really amp up the iPhone experience, especially if you're an avid Find My app user or use Maps to get around everywhere. But having your location super accessible to every app might not be the best move, privacy-wise.

You should do a semi-regular checkup on which apps you may have absentmindedly enabled location services on, and turn off any you don't want tracking your every move. Here's how:

Location services for the iOS system

There are built-in iPhone mechanisms that either rely on location access to function, or are greatly enhanced by location access, like Find My iPhone, Emergency Calls, and Cell Network Search. But if you don't actively use every built-in service that taps into your location, you can turn them off.

1. Find your Settings, and scroll down to Privacy.

Of course, everything mysterious about the iPhone resides in Settings. Location service settings will be housed under Privacy.

Mashable Light Speed Want more out-of-this world tech, space and science stories? Sign up for Mashable's weekly Light Speed newsletter. By clicking Sign Me Up, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Thanks for signing up!

2. Find the System Services

At the very top... Credit: screenshot: apple ...and at the very bottom. Credit: screenshot: apple

Tap "Location Services" right at the very top. then scroll down to "System Services" right at the very bottom.

3. Peruse the list, and make your pickings.

The full list of iOS systems that use location services will display, and you can toggle on or off whatever you choose. Your choices should depend on what phone services you use daily. But generally, services that may tap into calling, texting, data browsing, or phone setup (like Setting Time Zone, Emergency Calls & SOS, and Cell Network Search) should probably stay on, while more customized iOS services (like HomeKit, Location-Based Suggestions, and Apple Pay) can be turned off if you don't use them.

SEE ALSO: How to turn off location history in Google Maps

Location services by app

Deciding which apps can access your location follows the same process, minus one step. Instead of going into System Services, stop at the list displayed after you go into Location Services in your Privacy Settings.

Your list of apps with location access. Credit: screenshot: apple

Tap on any app to change its location access between "Never," "Always," "While Using," and "Ask Next Time," which are pretty self-explanatory options. Not all apps will have all options, depending on how they operate.

Chipotle doesn't need to know my location at all times. Credit: screenshot: apple

When you click on the app, you'll also see a toggle button for "Precise Location." Turn this off if you'd rather the app only have access to an approximate location when using its location access.

SEE ALSO: Romantic, practical, or creepy: Should you share your location with your partner?

You can also turn off location services completely simply by toggling off "Location Services" at the very top of the menu of apps. We don't recommend this, because as we said, there are definitely some iPhone services that tap into location services that we can't live without.

But if you're trying to live a really off-the-grid, private lifestyle – at least, as much as you can while still owning an iPhone – going completely location-less is your best bet. So go ahead, hit that toggle, and rest easy knowing that no part of your iPhone is tracking you...even if other people still could.

Topics iPhone

• Shopping
• Entertainment
• Digital Culture
• Deals
• Social Good
• Life
• Tech
• Science

• Q&A with tendercare founder and CEO Shauna Sweeney
• In praise of going back to bed after taking a shower
• We love you J.K. Rowling, but this time you're wrong about Trump
• New Samsonite backpack uses Google tech to connect with your phone
• Is 'Sing Sing' streaming? How to watch the A24 drama at home.
• Why the next presidential debate could totally be on Zoom
• J.K. Rowling tears apart sexist, anti
• Little girl and her giant pet poodle are the best of friends
• The best day to book your flight, according to Google
• This tortoise called Herman is BFFs with a bread version of himself

• World's most excited tiny surfer is freakin' stoked to be back on 'Ellen'
• Google will kill its beloved Android launcher
• This app connects refugees to volunteer translators via Facebook Messenger
• How to use Google Calendar’s smart meeting scheduler
• While the top teams compete in the Super Bowl, everyone else eats
• The Enemy Is a Bowl of Soup: On Quino’s Mafalda by Julia Kornberg
• 7 meaningful ways to celebrate Black History Month
• Amazon Prime Air drone makes an appearance during the Super Bowl
• 'Stranger Things' Season 2 headed to Netflix in fall
• Weird Yellow Tail wine Super Bowl ad embarrasses a nation of Twitter users

• U.N. aims to make carbon emissions cost money at COP 25 climate talks
• 'Cadence of Hyrule' developers reflect on making a Zelda rhythm game
• 'Song Exploder' review: Netflix series is for passionate superfans
• 5 questions Americans asked Google about the election this week
• U.N. aims to make carbon emissions cost money at COP 25 climate talks
• These six headphones could make the perfect holiday gift
• Macaulay Culkin wore a 'Home Alone' screaming mask and it was kind of creepy
• When you want to cause a political scandal but you play yourself
• NYT Connections Sports Edition hints and answers for May 18: Tips to solve Connections #237
• Florida's voter registration website failed miserably on night of deadline

• Amazon Spring Sale 2025: Best deals on cleaning supplies
• Trump's White House feuds are even better reimagined as a pro
• John McCain is the Severus Snape of Washington now, apparently
• How to parent without perpetuating gender stereotypes
• Time to Unite
• Apple announces date of iPhone 12 event. Here's what to expect.
• The Hubble telescope stared at this magnificent galaxy for nine hours
• Apple kicks third party speakers and headphones out of its store
• The fat bears are already extremely fat
• The Hubble telescope stared at this magnificent galaxy for nine hours