To reduce location tracking, review app permissions, live location sharing, saved location history, and advertising-tracking settings separately. No single switch makes an iPhone or Android phone untraceable: location can be inferred from several signals, and different settings control different kinds of access.
Start with app location permissions
Grant location access only when an app needs it for a feature you use. Prefer access only while using the app, a one-time or ask-each-time option, or an approximate location when that is enough. Review apps individually rather than disabling a useful feature without checking what depends on it.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
On iPhone
- Open Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services.
- Select each app and remove access it does not need. Choose While Using the App or a one-time option where available and appropriate.
- Review whether an app needs precise location or background access. Turn-by-turn navigation may need greater accuracy than a weather forecast.
Apple says Location Services can use cellular, Wi-Fi, GPS, and Bluetooth information to determine location, with permission. See Apple Support’s explanation of Location Services privacy. You can change an app’s permission later.
On Android
- Open Settings > Location > App location permissions. If your phone uses different labels, search Settings for “app location permissions” or “location.” Menus vary by Android version and manufacturer.
- Check apps allowed to access location all the time. Change each to Allow only while using, Ask every time, or Don’t allow according to how you use it.
- For apps that need only a general area, turn off Use precise location if that choice is available.
Android’s app-level precise-location permission and Google’s Location Accuracy setting are separate controls. Android 12 and later can offer a per-app precise-location choice. See Google’s Android location-permission instructions.
#1 Best Overall
![XIAODUN Faraday Bags for Phones [5G/Bluetooth/WiFi/GPS] Signal Blocker, Fireproof Waterproof Anti-Scratch | Detachable Wrist Strap, RFID Blocking Anti-Tracking Pouch](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/412rKmGFZcL._SL160_.jpg)
- 【Military-Grade Full-Band Signal Shielding】Experience absolute signal isolation with our military-grade faraday bag! Blocks 5G, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, GPS & RFID instantly. Your device becomes untrackable in this faraday pouch, ensuring military-grade privacy for sensitive data, meetings, or travel
- 【Fireproof, Waterproof and Scratch-resistant】Made of high-quality military-grade materials, it is waterproof, flame-retardant (fireproof) and scratch-resistant. It not only protects your phone digitally, but also physically protects your phone from the effects of harsh weather and daily wear and tear.
- 【Secure Theft Prevention & anti-location】Prevent unauthorized access, hacking, location tracking, or remote wiping. Essential for protecting sensitive data, secure meetings, travel safety, digital detox, or exam integrity. Insert your phone and vanish from the grid instantly
- 【Detachable Durable Wrist Strap】- The faraday pouch is equipped with a sturdy and durable detachable wrist strap, which brings ultimate portability and convenience. Carry your Faraday phone bag safely and free your hands during commuting, traveling or outdoor activities
- 【Faraday Bags for Phones】The Faraday bag measures 4.7 inches × 7.5 inches and is designed specifically for mobile phones and car keys.
Understand what each control changes
Location tracking is not one setting. The controls below cover distinct channels, and changing one does not automatically change the others.
| Control | What it changes | What it does not change | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| App location permission | Whether a particular app can use device location, and in some cases whether it can use precise location or access it in the background. | Other apps’ permissions, account history, live sharing, or all location estimation. | Maps, nearby results, or other app features may work less well without access. |
| Device Location or Location Accuracy | Whether device location features or certain sources used to estimate location are available. | Every account-based record or every possible location signal. | Location-dependent services may be less effective. |
| Live location sharing | Whether selected people can see your shared location through a sharing service. | Saved Timeline history or app permissions. | People you choose may no longer be able to coordinate or check your location. |
| Timeline | Whether Google saves new Timeline location history under that setting; existing data can be managed separately. | Live Location Sharing, Find Hub, or location-related data saved by other Google services. | You lose access to the location-history record you chose not to keep. |
| App Tracking Transparency | On iPhone, whether apps can request permission for tracking across other companies’ apps and websites for advertising or measurement, including data-broker sharing. | Location Services permissions. | Some cross-company advertising or measurement tracking is restricted; location access remains a separate choice. |
Turning off a single location source does not necessarily stop location-related services. Android Location Accuracy, for example, can combine wireless signals and device sensors. Google warns that turning it off can make some location-dependent services less effective; read Google’s Location Accuracy guidance.
Rank #2
- SECURE YOUR WALLET FROM e-PICKPOCKETING: Prevent potential identity and financial theft through your contactless cards. This is the simplest and most effective prevention solution! Block RFID and NFC signals, protect your personal information, and enjoy peace of mind wherever your travels or business take you.
- JAMMING CHIP: An antenna and jamming chip makes up the main components of the card. The antenna will sense incoming radio waves and draw power for the chip to create a jamming signal. Lifetime usage as the card does not require battery.
- BROAD WORKING DISTANCE: With a 2.4” working distance, your entire wallet stays protected. The premium RFID blocking card helps secure cards within 1.2” on either side, providing reliable protection against electronic pickpocketing.
- ULTRA-THIN & COMPACT: At the size of a standard credit card and at only 0.03” thick, the card will fit into any wallet, purse or card case. Keep your wallet compact with no added bulk from this card. Best for travel, business, and everyday use.
- TEST THE CARD: Test the card is working at your local supermarket. At the self-service checkout machines, combine the card and a contactless card on the payment reader. Payment with the contactless card will be blocked and an error message should occur on the reader.
Review who can see your live location
Live sharing is separate from app access and location history. In Google Location Sharing, inspect the people listed and stop any individual share you no longer want. The feature is specific to the account and device. Depending on the sharing setup, selected people may see your real-time location, name, profile picture, battery status, and sometimes recent locations. Use Google’s Location Sharing settings to review or stop a share.
Recommended Free Tools
Review saved location history separately
If you do not want Google Timeline to save new location history, turn Timeline off in your Google Account settings and review or delete stored Timeline data if desired. Google says precise device locations may be regularly saved to the device when Timeline is enabled. Turning Timeline off does not turn off Location Sharing, Find Hub, or every location-related record from other Google services; other Google services may still save location-related data when Web & App Activity is on. See Google’s Timeline controls.
Rank #3
- Protect Your Privacy: Keep your personal information safe from hackers with our faraday bag. The faraday phone bag protects your "smart-cards and credit cards" from hackers' RFID readers in the range of 10 kHz-30 GHz.
- Signal Blocking Bag: Our faraday bag for phone features an inner layer that blocks signals and an outer normal layer that looks stylish and can be used as a normal faraday phone case or rfid bag.
- Convenient To Use: Easily store your ID card, credit card, smart card, nfc card, car key fob and other magnetism-sensitive items in our faraday bag to avoid magnetism loss and information theft by the data hackers. Our cell phone signal blocking bag measures 19.7*10.1*1.5cm / 7.8*3.9*0.6inches.
- Faraday Bag Key Fob: Protect your privacy and your car's security system from getting hacked with our cell phone faraday bag, which blocks GPS and car-key signals. It is also a key fob signal blocking pouch used to keep your car in security.
- What You Get: You'll receive 1 faraday bag, an 18-month worry-free warranty, and 24-hour email contact service. If you have any questions or concerns, our team is always here to help.
Turn off cross-company ad tracking on iPhone
For a separate privacy control, open Settings > Privacy & Security > Tracking and turn off requests or deny an app’s request if you do not want apps tracking you across other companies’ apps and websites for advertising or measurement. This is not a location-permission setting: review Location Services separately. Apple explains the control in About App Tracking Transparency.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Know the limits of turning off device location
On Android, turning off device Location can affect Maps, Find Hub and device finding, location sharing, local results, time-zone features, and other functions. Emergency location services or a carrier may still provide location to emergency responders when you call or text an emergency number. Review Google’s Android location settings guidance before changing the device-wide setting.
Rank #4
- MILITARY-GRADE SIGNAL BLOCKING❓Constructed with upgraded double-layer reinforced metal fiber shielding fabric, the OMKHE Faraday pouch delivers powerful multi-spectrum signal isolation. It effectively blocks 5G, WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS, NFC, cellular signals and car key fob signals to stop wireless interception and remote tracking.
- Full Range Size Options For All Devices‼️ Choose from various sizes to fit different gadgets. Besides this phone pouch, larger styles for tablets, laptops and oversized bucket-shaped Faraday bags are available below. Value combo sets are also offered for greater cost-effectiveness.
- UNIVERSAL FIT⭕ Measuring 8in x 4.8in (approximately 21cm x 12.5cm), Anti-Theft Faraday Cage fits 99% of smartphones available today. Beyond phones, it can also carry AirPods, Apple Watches, credit cards, keychains, GPS devices, walkie-talkies, and other small electronics.
- DOUBLE FOLD MAGNETIC CLOSURE🧲 Featuring advanced magnetic double-fold design, OMKHE faraday bags for phones offers enhanced convenience and security compared to traditional Velcro closures, while allowing quicker access to your device. The transparent pocket adds extra storage space for items like business cards, credit cards, and other small essentials.
- VERSATILE FOR ALL SCENARIOS💯 Whether you need privacy protection(such as shielding pregnant women from radiation, preventing tracking, or blocking hacking attempts)or work in specialized fields, or simply enjoy outdoor activities, faraday bag is designed to meet your needs. Let it become a part of your daily life, delivering both safety and convenience.
Google Search may estimate a general area even without precise device-location permission; if you grant device permission, it may use precise location for results. Google says Search settings are being updated, so the exact controls can change. See Google’s information about location in Search.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Location settings reduce particular ways information is accessed or saved; they cannot promise complete anonymity or prevent every location inference. A VPN does not prevent GPS, app-permission, account-history, or carrier location collection.
Best Value
- 【Premium Double-layer Shielding Material】 Adopted upgraded double-layer reinforced metal fiber shielding fabric, this faraday blocking pouch delivers powerful multi-spectrum signal isolation with shielding effectiveness over 80dB. It effectively shields WiFi, Bluetooth, RFID, GPS, NFC, mobile phone cellular signal and car key fob signal, greatly reducing the risk of wireless signal interception and tracking
- 【Comprehensive Privacy Protection】 Designed for modern anti-surveillance and anti-hacking needs, the signal blocking pouch cuts off external signal connection instantly. It avoids telecom fraud, data leakage and illegal tracking, and also protects precision measuring instruments from external signal interference to keep accurate working performance for business and outdoor use
- 【Spacious & Portable Size】 Measured at 8.2 inches in length and 4.7 inches in width, this extended-size faraday pouch is wider and longer than ordinary storage bags. It easily fits most smartphones, car key fobs, GPS devices, walkie-talkies and small electronic gadgets. Lightweight, durable and pocketable for daily carrying
- 【Simple Self-test Operation】 You can complete a quick signal test at home in seconds. Just put your phone into the faraday bag and make a call from another device. It cuts off all incoming calls and messages, offering stable and reliable shielding performance for daily use
- 【Versatile for Daily Scenarios】This durable multi-functional shielding pouch features fireproof, waterproof and shockproof performance. It prevents car key relay attacks and location tracking, suitable for commuting, business trips and outdoor activities. Reliable after-sales support ensures your satisfying shopping experience
If location monitoring may put you at risk
If you are concerned that someone is monitoring you without consent, changing sharing or device settings could alert that person or affect your safety. Consider using a safer device and seeking support from a specialist organization before making changes. There is no universal technical setting that guarantees safety from coercive monitoring.
Also consider where sensitive information is stored. HHS notes that HIPAA generally does not protect information entered into ordinary consumer apps unless a covered entity or business associate provides the app. See HHS guidance on mobile-device privacy and security.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →
