Nowadays we always carry our mobile phones with us and many apps want to know where we are at all times. Control precise location by app on Android It has become almost as important as choosing a good password: it affects your privacy, your battery life, and even the amount of advertising you see.
Although GPS and location services have clear advantages (maps, locating lost mobile phones, emergency alerts), it is also true that sometimes we prefer to go a little more unnoticed. The good news is that Android allows you to remove or limit precise location access app by app.without having to turn off location services on the entire device or leave the apps you actually need in the dark.
What are precise location and approximate location on Android?
In modern versions of Android (especially since Android 12), the system distinguishes between two types of access: precise location and approximate locationThis is key to understanding exactly what you're disabling in each app.
La precise location It allows an app to know almost exactly where you are, within a margin of a few meters. This is achieved by combining GPS, Wi-Fi networks, mobile data, and sensors such as the accelerometer or gyroscope.so that your street and even your building entrance can be identified with considerable accuracy.
La approximate locationIn contrast, it only provides a general area, such as the neighborhood or a large area of the city. The app knows the area you're in, but it can't pinpoint the exact location.which helps you maintain a bit more anonymity in your day-to-day life.
In Android 12 and later versions, You can decide whether an app accesses your precise location or just your approximate location.This adjustment is made independently for each app and is different from the device's global location accuracy setting, which determines which sources the mobile phone uses to calculate your position.
Difference between disabling device location and disabling precise location by app
The first thing to be clear about is that Turning off location services on the entire phone is not the same as limiting accuracy to a single application.These are two different types of control and can be combined depending on your needs.
When You disable device location services from Settings > LocationAndroid stops sharing your location with system apps and services. However, some services may still use data like your IP address to display very general local results, such as your country or approximate city.
Instead, when You only disable precise location for a specific app.That app still has access to your location, but only approximately. It can show you, for example, nearby restaurants in your area, but it won't know the exact door you're at or be able to track your route to the subway step by step.
Additionally, there is a setting called location accuracy (or Google Location Services)This setting determines how many sources your phone uses to calculate your location. You can enable or disable it globally, and then decide whether each app obtains your location precisely or approximately.
How to disable precise location tracking for an app on Android (Android 12 and later)?
If you want an app to only keep approximate data about your area, You can remove precise location permission while still allowing basic location accessThis is done through the Android permission settings.
The general process is very similar in most recent Android phones, although the name of some menus may vary slightly depending on the manufacturer's interface. The idea is always to go to Settings, enter the Location section, and from there manage permissions by app..
In Android 12 and later versions, the standard path would look something like this: Settings > Location > App location permissionsInside you will see a list with all the installed apps and the type of access they currently have.
You'll see applications classified by groups, of the type “Always allow”, “Allow only while in use”, “Always ask” or “Do not allow”In some cases, it also indicates whether they are currently using precise or approximate location. That's where the fine-tuning you're interested in comes in.
To change the precision, Tap on the specific app whose location you want to crop.When you access its location permissions tab, the system will show you the available options: allow or block location access. On Android 12+, there's a specific toggle switch to indicate whether the app can use your location. “Precise location”.
On that screen, all you need to do is disable the “Use precise location” optionAndroid will automatically limit the data that app receives to an approximate location, so it can no longer pinpoint your exact location on the map.
Note that It's not a good idea to do this with map or navigation apps, or with services where you depend heavily on precise location. (For example, apps for ordering a ride-hailing service or locating a lost device). In those cases, if you remove the accuracy, the experience can worsen considerably.
Turn Android device location on or off
Beyond app-based accuracy, Android has a master switch for location. If you turn off this global setting, no app or system service will be able to directly use your phone's location.regardless of the individual permit they have.
To access this setting on most modern devices, the typical path is: Open the Settings app, go to “Location” and turn the “Use location” switch on or off.When you disable it, Android stops sharing your geolocation with apps.
If you want quick access to this control, You can add the Location icon to the quick settings panelThis is usually done by swiping down twice from the top of the notification bar, tapping "Edit" or the pencil icon, and dragging the "Location" icon to the visible quick access area.
From then on, every time you slide the panel you will be able to activate or deactivate location services with a single tapIt's very useful if you want to save battery temporarily or prevent any app from tracking your movements for a while.
Available location settings and behavior when location is disabled
When global location setting is turned off, Apps and services cannot obtain your location directly from the system.Even so, online services can still make a basic estimate using your IP address, so you may continue to see very generic "local" results.
Google offers several location-based servicesThese include nearby search results, transportation information, travel predictions, and suggestions for nearby restaurants. All of these depend to a greater or lesser extent on knowing your location, although sometimes an approximate area is sufficient.
It's important to understand that each application has its own permission management. Even if you grant location permission to an app, you can restrict it to approximate location or prevent it from using it in the background., depending on the options offered by your version of Android.
What is location accuracy (Google Location Services)?
In addition to the global location switch, Android phones with Google Play Services include a feature called “Location accuracy” or “Google Location Services”. This feature does not grant or revoke permissions for apps, but rather It improves how the device calculates your position..
When location accuracy is enabled, The mobile phone combines wireless signals (Wi-Fi access points, cell phone towers, GPS) along with data from internal sensors (accelerometer, barometer, gyroscope, etc.) to estimate your location more quickly and accurately.
This system is especially notable indoors, in urban areas with many tall buildings, or in places where the GPS signal fails.In those scenarios, the phone relies more on Wi-Fi, mobile networks, and sensors to calculate your location with considerable accuracy.
In order to offer this improvement, Google periodically collects information about wireless signals and nearby sensors.This data is associated with temporary and rotating identifiers, generated randomly and not linked to a specific person or account, precisely to reduce the possibility of identifying you from them.
This mechanism also works in devices such as Fitbit Ace LTE, which use those same precision services to better position themselves on the map and offer functions related to physical activity or safety.
How to enable or disable location accuracy depending on your Android version?
The way to change this setting varies slightly depending on whether you have a newer or older version of Android. The option will always be within the Location section in Settings, but the menu may be called “Location Services”, “Advanced Settings” or something similar.
Android 12 and later versions (and Fitbit Ace LTE)
On devices with Android 12 or higher, the usual process is as follows: Settings > Location > Location services > Location accuracyInside you'll find the switch called "Improve location accuracy".
If you activate it, The phone will use all possible sources (GPS, Wi-Fi, mobile networks and sensors) to pinpoint your position with maximum accuracyIf you disable it, it will limit those sources and the estimate may be less accurate or slower.
Android 11 and earlier versions
In Android 11 and earlier versions that still include this option, the path is usually very similar, but with a different name in the menu: Settings > Location > Advanced settings > Location accuracyInside, you'll also find the switch to "Improve location accuracy".
By turning this option off, The device stops collecting wireless signals and sensor data in order to refine your locationEven so, it can continue to use only GPS and some basic sensors, which sometimes means less accuracy and higher battery consumption.
What happens when location accuracy is turned on or off?
If you have location accuracy enabled, Your device combines wireless signals and sensors to obtain the most accurate position possible., both in terms of floor and height (for example, what approximate floor you are on in a multi-level building).
In this mode, the mobile phone uses GPS, Wi-Fi networks, mobile networks and sensors such as the accelerometer, barometer or gyroscopeApplications and services with the appropriate permission can leverage that precision for features such as turn-by-turn navigation, location-based reminders, or route tracking.
When you disable this feature, The phone is limited to using only GPS and some basic device sensors to determine your location. This can result in less precise positions, longer lock-on times, and some crashes in apps that rely heavily on knowing exactly where you are.
Even with precision disabled, Emergency services and your mobile operator can continue to send an enhanced location to emergency services. If you make a call or send a message to an emergency number, Google does not collect data for its own accuracy service; it's a feature focused solely on safety.
Location management in older versions of Android
If you use a mobile phone with a relatively old version of Android, The menu names and location options change quite a bitEven so, you still have some control over the accuracy and the sources used.
Android 9.0: Security and location settings
In Android 9, many of these settings are centralized in Settings > Security & location > LocationFrom there you can activate or deactivate the location using the main switch.
Within the same section, if you go into “Advanced settings”, You can manage the search for Wi-Fi networks and Bluetooth devicesBy activating these searches, the mobile phone can use these signals to improve the determination of your position, even when Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connectivity is turned off from the user.
That menu also includes the Google's emergency location servicesFrom there you can turn on or off the option that allows your location to be automatically sent to emergency services when you call an emergency number.
Android 4.4 to Android 8.1: Location mode
In versions between Android 4.4 and Android 8.1, the system organizes the options by "location modes". You can access it from Settings > Security and location > Location (or just “Location” on some devices), and then you enter the “Mode” section.
At this point, you can choose three different modes, which in practice equate to different levels of precision and battery consumption: “High precision”, “Battery saving” and “On-device only”.
Mode “High precision” It uses GPS, Wi-Fi, mobile networks and sensors, also relying on Google's location services to determine the position as quickly and accurately as possible. Ideal when you want your phone to be almost accurate to the meter, at the cost of using a little more battery power..
Mode "Battery saving" It does without GPS and relies mainly on Wi-Fi and mobile networks, as well as Google services, to estimate location. The position isn't as precise, but energy consumption is lower.This is useful for older phones or days when you're running low on battery.
Mode “Only on device” It relies solely on GPS and internal sensors, without using Google's location services. It may take longer to get a position, especially indoors, and sometimes battery consumption may be higher. because the GPS chip has to work longer.
Android 4.1 to Android 4.3: Location access
In older versions, what appears is a "Location Access" menu. Access it from Settings > Personal > Location accesswhere there is a master switch to allow or block that access.
With access enabled, You could choose between using “GPS satellites” and/or “Mobile network and Wi-Fi location”The normal practice was to leave both options selected to obtain a reasonably accurate location by combining both sources.
If you completely disable location access, The device can no longer determine your precise location and does not share it with any application.This increases your privacy, but at the cost of significantly limiting the functionality of navigation, time, transportation apps, etc.
Location permissions per app on iOS and iPadOS (useful comparison)
Although the question focuses on Android, It might be helpful to take a look at how Apple does it on iPhone and iPadbecause the logic of permissions per app is similar and helps to understand the overall approach.
On iOS and iPadOS, the first time an app wants to access your location, The system displays a notification asking for permission.You can choose from several options: “Allow”, “Do not allow” or “Ask next time or when sharing”.
If you select the last option, you can decide in the following requests: “Always”, “Allow when using the app”, “Allow once” or “Do not allow”This way, you control when and how each app obtains your location, reducing unnecessary tracking.
Apple devices can use Wi-Fi and Bluetooth to estimate your positioneven when you're not actively connected to a network or device. GPS and cellular location services are only available on iPhone models and iPads with Wi-Fi + Cellular connectivity.
Advantages and risks of enabling or disabling location services on Android
Location management goes far beyond following a route on the map. Having location services active provides benefits in security, convenience, and service personalization.But it also means giving up some of your privacy.
Among the most important advantages is to be able to find precise addresses, locate your device if it is lost or stolen, and facilitate assistance in case of emergency by allowing emergency services to receive your location.
At the same time, many applications use location to offer personalized content, show ads targeted to your area, or suggest nearby placesThis can be very practical, but it can also become overwhelming if you feel that your phone "knows too much" about your movements.
On the downside, disabling location services completely or partially means that Some apps will stop working properly or lose key featuresClear examples include maps, hyperlocal weather, real-time public transport, and car-sharing services.
Often, the point of equilibrium is at Leave global location enabled, but reduce the accuracy or permission of those apps that don't really need to know exactly where you are.This way you get the most out of the system without opening the door to excessive tracking.
How to completely disable location services to gain privacy (and its consequences)?
If you feel overwhelmed by so much targeted advertising or simply don't want to leave a trace of your movements, You can choose to completely disable the device's location services. from the settings or the quick panel.
This measure is quite drastic: By turning off global location services, all apps lose direct access to your location.This increases the feeling of anonymity, but complicates locating the device if you lose it, and reduces the effectiveness of emergency services in some situations.
Additionally, some devices (such as certain Wi-Fi-only tablets) They do not have GPS or location services for emergencies.Therefore, its ability to determine the position is already limited from the start, regardless of what you do with the adjustments.
Another less radical option is Lower the accuracy level in older versions of Android by choosing modes such as "Battery saving" or "On-device only"This reduces the level of detail in the location without completely eliminating any functions that might require basic positioning.
Take control: combine precise, approximate location and global settings
The key to managing location effectively on Android lies in combining several levels of control: the global location switch, device-level location accuracy, and per-app precise location permissionBy using them wisely, you can adjust the system almost to your liking.
A very practical strategy consists of Keep global location and location accuracy enabled to benefit from the best experiencebut limit precise location only to those apps where you really need it.
For the other applications that only require knowing roughly what area you are in, You can disable “Use precise location” in your permissionsThus, they continue to function (displaying generic local content, for example), but without such precise tracking of your position.
Working this way allows you to Balancing functionality, battery life, and privacy without sacrificing the essentialsIt's not about living with your GPS always turned off, but about you deciding which apps can know your exact location and which ones are content with a simple "more or less around here".
Mastering all these settings—from the classic modes of older Android to the finer controls of Android 12 and beyond—gives you a distinct advantage: You can enjoy location-based services when you want them and reduce their reach when you prefer to be more discreet.without relying on rigid configurations or completely sacrificing comfort. Share this tutorial and more people will know how to disable precise location services in their apps.
