In today’s digital world, privacy has become a significant concern for many iPhone users and for good reason. With the many technological advances, it’s easier than ever for third parties to track our every move. If you want to regain control of your privacy, then you need to learn how to turn off app tracking on an iPhone.
In this quick guide, we’ll show you how to do just that! We’ll not only cover the specifics of how to block tracking on iPhone, but we’ll also highlight the significance of this step regarding data privacy.
Why learn how to stop tracking on iPhone?
Before all else, let’s address the elephant in the room — why try to stop tracking on iPhone in the first place? After all, isn’t iOS the most secure mobile operating system on the market? While that’s true, that doesn’t mean iPhones are impervious to tracking.
The truth is that regardless of whether you’re using an iPhone or not, some apps or websites can track your activities and collect information without permission. Big tech companies use this data for generating targeted ads, often selling your data to advertising companies.
If you learn how to turn off tracking on iPhone, you take an important step towards regaining control of your data and preventing its potential abuse. After all, increased privacy is always a good thing in this digital age of constant surveillance.
Consider a study published by Pew Research that states more than 80% of Americans felt that they have no control over how their data is being collected and used (by the government and big companies). While some might argue that this isn’t a big deal, since they have nothing to hide, that’s not the point — it’s about having control over what information you share and with whom.
How to block app tracking on iPhone?
If you’re concerned about being tracked on your iPhone, then you should know that advertisers and big tech companies primarily use one method to collect user data — apps! Most iPhone users have many apps downloaded on their devices, without realizing the privacy risks.
Granted, Apple has taken steps to mitigate tracking concerns by launching a feature called App Tracking Transparency (ATT). This was first launched in iOS14 and requires apps to ask users for permission before they’re allowed to track any activity.
Here’s what you need to do to turn off app tracking on iPhone:
- First of all, ensure your iPhone is running the latest version of iOS. You can do that by going to Settings > General > Software Update.
- Next, navigate to Settings > Privacy & Security > Tracking.
- Look for the option that says “Allow Apps To Request To Track“, and disable it. This will stop apps from asking for permission to track your activity.
- Check your list of installed apps and ensure tracking is only enabled on services that need it — maps, weather, or fitness apps, for example.
Even after completing the steps above, some apps may still have a way to get around this restriction. That’s why it’s essential to review the apps you have installed regularly and only keep those that respect your privacy settings.
How to disable website tracking on iPhone?
Now, while the ATT feature on iOS is certainly helpful, its effectiveness is only limited to apps. iPhone users must keep in mind that there are other means through which tracking can be accomplished. One good example is through websites.
Here’s how to stop this tracking on your iPhone:
- Go to Settings > Safari.
- Navigate to the bottom of the page and select “Privacy & Security.” From there, you can enable the option called “Prevent Cross-Site Tracking.”
Remember that the steps above might cause issues with your browsing experience. However, that’s a small price if you’re concerned about tracking on your iPhone.
How to turn off location tracking on iPhone?
Unfortunately, apps and websites aren’t the only tracking channels on an iPhone. The device itself is capable of collecting and uploading user information to Apple’s servers. If you’re not comfortable sharing this data and want to completely stop data tracking on your iPhone, then you need to disable this built-in tracking feature.
Here’s how to do it:
- Navigate to Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services.
- Next, you’ll see a list of apps requesting access to your location data. You can disable location tracking for each app as you see fit.
- If you want to stop sending location data to Apple altogether, look for “Location Services” at the top of the page and disable that option.
As you might imagine, several Apple services need location data to work correctly. In this case, you must weigh this potential downside against your privacy concerns. You can then decide whether or not you can get through the day without location tracking on your iPhone.
How to find hidden tracking apps on your iPhone?
One thing to keep in mind is that even with the steps mentioned above, there are still apps that could be secretly tracking you. For instance, certain apps hide their tracking methods in the background, which makes them very difficult to detect.
To see if there are any hidden tracking apps on your iPhone, follow these steps:
- Navigate to Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services.
- Next, go to Location Services > System Services.
- Check the list of active services on your iPhone that are currently using your location data. Toggle off anything that seems suspicious or unnecessary.
FAQs
Can you track app usage on iPhone?
Yes, the iPhone has a feature called “Screen Time” that allows you to monitor your app usage. You can find that feature under the settings menu.
Why is my iPhone always tracking me?
Tracking is a widespread practice and not necessarily limited to iPhones. The good news is that Apple has better privacy measures compared to other tech companies which means that users have more control over their data. If you’re concerned about privacy, then we recommend carefully reviewing permissions before installing any app.
Can apps track your browsing history on your iPhone?
Yes, they can—if they have the necessary permissions. Fortunately, Apple requires their apps to ask permission before they can start tracking anything from your iPhone. You can also disable website tracking on Safari by turning on the “Prevent Cross-Site tracking” feature.