How to Turn Off Location Services on iPhone.
Want to stop your iPhone from tracking your location? Whether you’re looking to save battery life or protect your privacy, turning off location services is quick and easy. Here’s how to do it completely or just for specific apps.
Tested on iOS 18.4.1 (iPhone 16 Pro Max, Global Model A3296)
Why Turn Off Location Services?
Your iPhone uses location data for maps, weather, social media, and more. But if you don’t need it, turning it off can:
- Save battery life (GPS uses extra power).
- Improve privacy (stop apps from tracking you).
- Prevent unwanted location sharing (like in Find My iPhone).
You can disable location for all apps or just pick which ones can access it.
How to Turn Off Location Services Completely
How to Turn Off Location Services on iPhone.
If you want to stop all location tracking:
- Open Settings (the gear icon on your home screen).
- Scroll down and tap Privacy & Security.
- Select Location Services.
- Toggle off Location Services at the top.
Note: This will disable GPS for all apps, including Maps, Find My iPhone, and weather apps.
How to Disable Location for Specific Apps
How to Disable Location for Specific Apps on iPhone Precise Location On vs Off.
Don’t want to turn it off completely? You can control which apps have access:
- Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services.
- Scroll through the list of apps.
- Tap an app and choose:
- Never (no location access).
- Ask Next Time (prompts you each time).
- While Using the App (only when open).
- Always (full access, even in background).
Tip: Social media and weather apps often don’t need “Always” access—set them to “While Using the App” or “Never.”
How to Stop Sharing Location in Find My iPhone
Find My iPhone will still track your location even if Location Services are off—unless you disable it separately.
- Open Settings > (Your Name) > Find My.
- Tap Find My iPhone.
- Toggle off Find My iPhone.
Warning: If you turn this off, you won’t be able to locate your phone if it’s lost or stolen.
Temporarily Disable Find My iPhone
If you just want to pause location sharing for a short time:
- Open Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services.
- Scroll down and tap System Services.
- Toggle off Find My iPhone.
This stops location updates without fully disabling Find My iPhone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Will turning off Location Services break any apps?
Some apps (like Maps or Uber) won’t work properly without location access. You’ll need to enable it when needed.
Q: Can I still use emergency services (like 911) with Location Services off?
Yes, iPhones can still send your location to emergency services even if Location Services are disabled.
Q: Why does my iPhone still show location after turning it off?
Some system services (like Find My iPhone) may still track you unless you disable them separately.
Final Thoughts
Disabling location services is a great way to take control of your privacy and battery life. You can turn it off completely or just limit access for certain apps, it’s up to you!
Need help? Drop a comment below, and I’ll get back to you.
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