Apple Adds a New Privacy Layer to Limit Location Tracking by Carriers

Apple is taking another step toward stronger user privacy with a new feature that limits how precisely cellular networks can track device locations. Available on select iPhone and iPad models after upgrading to iOS 26.3, this setting allows users to reduce the amount of location data shared with mobile carriers without affecting everyday app usage.

The update reflects Apple’s broader push to give users more control over who can see their data and how detailed that information can be.

What “Limit Precise Location” Actually Does

The new Limit Precise Location setting restricts how accurately cellular networks can determine a device’s location through cell tower connections. When enabled, carriers can only see an approximate area, such as a neighborhood or district, instead of a precise street-level location.

According to Apple, this setting applies only to data shared with cellular networks. It does not affect:

• Emergency location data shared during emergency calls

• App-based location access through Location Services

• Location sharing through Find My with friends and family

In short, users gain more privacy from carriers while keeping full functionality elsewhere.

How to Enable the New Location Privacy Feature

Users can turn on the feature by following these steps:

1. Open Settings

2. Tap Cellular

3. Select Cellular Data Options

4. Toggle Limit Precise Location

In some cases, the device may prompt a restart to fully activate the setting.

Device and Carrier Availability

Currently, the feature is supported only on:

• iPhone Air

• iPhone 16e

• iPad Pro (M5) Wi-Fi + Cellular

All devices must be running iOS 26.3 or later. Carrier support is also required, and availability varies by region. Supported networks include Telekom in Germany, EE and BT in the UK, Boost Mobile in the US, and AIS and True in Thailand.

Why Apple Is Tightening Carrier Location Access

While Apple has not officially explained the motivation behind this change, recent regulatory actions provide context. In April 2024, the Federal Communications Commission fined major US wireless carriers nearly $200 million for mishandling customer location data.

Since cellular networks can inherently track devices through tower connections, Apple’s decision to limit this data represents a meaningful shift toward reducing unnecessary exposure of user movement patterns and habits.

Managing Your Data Beyond Location Privacy

Location privacy is only one part of protecting personal data. Over time, phones accumulate outdated contacts, repeated entries, and unnecessary information that can also pose privacy risks.

Using tools that eliminate duplicate contacts helps keep address books clean and reduces accidental data exposure. Similarly, understanding how your device connects to networks through a my network info app can give you better visibility into connectivity and potential vulnerabilities.

Together, these habits create a stronger overall privacy foundation.

Privacy-focused updates often encourage users to upgrade their devices, especially when new hardware supports advanced protections. When switching phones or tablets, securely moving personal data becomes critical.

This is where Smart Transfer, a trusted third-party file sharing app, fits naturally into the process. Smart Transfer allows users to move photos, videos, documents, and even eliminates duplicate contacts. After cleaning up contacts and reviewing network settings with a my network info app, Smart Transfer helps ensure your data transitions smoothly to a new device without unnecessary exposure.

A Small Setting with a Big Impact

Although the Limit Precise Location feature currently supports only a limited number of devices and carriers, it signals an important shift. By reducing how much location data carriers can access by default, Apple is reinforcing its stance that privacy should be built into the system, not treated as an afterthought.