How to disable location tracking on Android

Prerequisites & Requirements

• •An Android device running version 6.0 (Marshmallow) or later.
• •Access to the device's Settings app.
• •Administrative privileges on the device (most personal devices will have this).
• •Backup important data if you are concerned about losing app functionality.

Method 1: Disabling Location Services Globally

• •Step 1: Open the Settings app by tapping on the gear icon in your app drawer or notification shade.
• •Step 2: Scroll down and select 'Location'. You should see a toggle switch at the top of the screen.
• •Step 3: Tap the toggle switch to turn off location services. The switch will turn gray, indicating that location services are disabled.
• •Step 4: To verify, return to the 'Location' menu. It should indicate 'Location is off'. If it doesn't work, ensure your device is not in a power-saving mode that overrides this setting.

For Android 11 and 12

• •Step 1: After tapping 'Location', you will see a new menu with 'App permissions' and 'Location services'.
• •Step 2: Tap 'Location services' to manage additional settings like Google Location Accuracy.

For Android 10 and earlier

• •Step 1: In Android 10, after accessing 'Location', you may see options like 'Mode' to choose between High accuracy, Battery saving, or Device only.
• •Step 2: Ensure you select 'Device only' if you want to limit location tracking without completely disabling it.

Method 2: Managing App-Specific Location Permissions

• •Step 1: Go to Settings > Location.
• •Step 2: Tap on 'App permissions' or 'App-level permissions' to view a list of apps that have requested location access.
• •Step 3: Select an app from the list (e.g., Google Maps) and choose 'Deny' or 'Allow only while using the app' to restrict its access.
• •Step 4: To verify, return to the app permissions list and check the status of the app's location access.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

• •Error: 'Location services cannot be turned off' - Solution: Check if your device is in 'Power Saving Mode' or if any device administrator apps are enforcing location settings.
• •Issue: Apps still show location access - Fix: Ensure you have denied location permissions for those specific apps in the App permissions menu.
• •Problem: Location services re-enable automatically - Workaround: Check for any third-party apps that may be overriding your settings, such as security or location-based apps.

Advanced Tips & Shortcuts

• •Keyboard shortcut: No specific keyboard shortcuts on Android, but you can quickly access settings by swiping down the notification shade and long-pressing the location icon.
• •Command line: Not applicable for Android devices, but consider using ADB commands for advanced users to manage settings remotely.
• •Hidden feature: Use 'Location History' in Google Account settings to manage and delete past location data.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Expert Tips