There are many reasons Google has the location feature enabled by default on your Android phone. It ensures that your device works properly, and with your location enabled, it can make accurate recommendations. In addition, security concerns, as it will be easy to track and find your whereabouts in an emergency. Some apps can take advantage of this, but you can see apps with access to your exact location on Android and turn it off.
Why should you see apps with access to your exact location on Android?
Google created the location section on Android phones for many reasons. Because your location data is very sensitive and might pose a threat if it falls into the wrong hands, you must check this section on your phone often to see app access to your location.
Security concerns: If a spy app gets permission to your location, it will be easy to monitor your whereabouts. Denying such apps access means their operation remains useless.
Brain drains: Most apps with access to your precise location continuously work in the background. Aside from taking a chunk of your memory, they will drain your battery.
Taking charge: Aside from draining your battery, you should know all the app access to your exact location. Check and disable the ones that do not need access.
How to see and turn off apps with access to your exact location
Before disabling an app from having access to your location, ensure it does not need it to function. For instance, if you share your location with someone, Google Maps needs access to your location, otherwise it will stop updating. Below is how you can check for apps.
- Head over to the Settings app and click on Location.
- You can toggle the “Use Location” off, but that means you may not be able to locate your device. Instead, check for individual apps and disable their location access or limit it.
- From the list of apps, tap on any of them to manage the location access they have
- You can allow them access to your location based on:
- Allow all the time
- Allow only while using the app
- Ask every time
- Don’t Allow
- You also have an option toggle off this app using your precise location.
- Meanwhile, if you want to adjust other permissions granted to the app, click “All permissions” below, and you can manage them on the next screen.
- Repeat for all the apps listed under Location. You can disable it completely or manage when they can access it or the amount of access they get.
If your phone does not have the Location tab in the Settings app, follow the procedure below to manage or disable location access for individual apps.
- Head to Settings and type “location” on the search bar.
- Tap on Location to see all the apps with access to your exact or approximate location.
- You can click each one to manage the access they have.
You can also manage app location by:
- Heading to Settings and tapping on Apps.
- Click on any app and then permissions.
- Click on location, and from there, you can manage their location access.
Conclusion
While disabling apps with access to your exact location, ensure only the apps that do not need access are disabled. Some apps rely on location to function, and if turned off, they might start misbehaving.
