Enhanced Privacy Controls: Apple’s New Measures for Limiting Location Tracking on iPhones and iPads

Apple Introduces New Privacy Feature for Limiting Location Data Sharing

Apple has unveiled a new privacy feature that allows users to control the precision of location data shared with cellular networks on select iPhone and iPad models. This feature, known as “Limit Precise Location,” will be accessible on devices upgraded to iOS 26.3 or above. By activating this setting, mobile carriers will only have access to approximate device locations, such as neighborhoods, rather than specific street addresses.

It is important to note that enabling the “Limit Precise Location” setting does not affect the accuracy of location data shared with emergency responders during emergency calls, as clarified by Apple.

This setting specifically impacts the location data available to cellular networks and does not alter the location data shared with apps via Location Services. For example, it does not affect sharing location information with friends and family through Find My.

To enable this feature, users can navigate to “Settings,” select “Cellular,” then “Cellular Data Options,” and toggle the “Limit Precise Location” setting. Following activation, a device restart may be required to complete the process.

Currently, the privacy enhancement feature is compatible with iPhone Air, iPhone 16e, and iPad Pro (M5) Wi-Fi + Cellular models running iOS 26.3 or newer. Availability is contingent upon carrier support, with compatible networks including Telekom in Germany, EE and BT in the UK, Boost Mobile in the US, and AIS and True in Thailand.

The introduction of this feature by Apple comes in the wake of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) imposing substantial fines on major US wireless carriers, totaling nearly $200 million in April 2024. Notable fines include $80 million for T-Mobile, $12 million for Sprint, over $57 million for AT&T, and close to $47 million for Verizon.

Given that cellular networks have the capability to track device locations through tower connections for operational purposes, Apple’s privacy feature represents a significant advancement in limiting the data that carriers can collect regarding their customers’ movements and behaviors. Despite being supported by a limited number of networks currently, this feature marks a crucial step towards safeguarding user privacy.

Attempts to seek further details from Apple regarding this feature were unsuccessful at the time of reaching out, as confirmed by BleepingComputer.

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