To turn off GPS on an iPhone, turn off Location Services. Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services and switch the top-level control off. iPhone has no separate GPS switch. Location Services is the setting that decides whether apps can use the phone’s location, and it draws on GPS along with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and cellular network information.
What the Location Services switch controls
Apple states that Location Services can use available information from GPS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and cellular networks to determine your location. That is why “GPS off” is a shorthand for a broader control. Switching Location Services off stops apps from using your location through that service.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
It does not make you invisible to everything. Apple’s Personal Safety guidance notes that third-party apps and websites may still determine location in other ways. Apple’s privacy documentation for iOS, iPadOS, and watchOS, published by Apple Support, puts the effect this way:
“When Location Services are off, apps can’t use your location from Location Services in the foreground or background.”
#1 Best Overall
- 【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
Turn off Location Services on iPhone
- Open Settings.
- Tap Privacy & Security.
- Tap Location Services.
- Switch Location Services off. If the iPhone asks you to confirm, confirm.
Menu labels can differ slightly between iOS versions and regions. If your screen doesn’t match these names, check your installed version under Settings > General > About.
What you lose when it is off
Apple cautions that turning off Location Services can limit the performance of both Apple and third-party features. Location-dependent features may not work as expected, including:
Rank #2
- Protects chip technology "smart-cards" from hackers' RFID readers in the range of 10 MHz - 3 GHz
- Convenient and portable - inner silver layer blocks signals, outer Oxford cloth black layer can be used as a normal case - a modern and fashionable design
- Block Cell Phone Signal - If you don't want to answer the phone, you can put the phone in the silver layer pocket of the bag and close it, then the phone will be disconnected; this bag can also block Cell Phone GPS Signal to prevent tracking, protect your privacy
- Block Car-key FOB Signal - Keep your car's security system from getting hacked
- Compatible Size: 7-1/2" x 3-1/2" (19 x 8.9 cm) - Fit Car key FOB and Smart Phones
- Maps and directions
- Weather and other location-based information
- Any app feature that relies on your position through Location Services
If you only want to stop some apps, the narrower options below usually cost less.
Narrower options that may meet your goal
Change location access for one app
Leave the global switch on and control access app by app:
Rank #3
- Created by a Concerned Father to Protect His Kids and Family: WaveBlock was born from a father's determination to protect his children. Driven by concern over their extended use of electronic devices, he developed electromagnetic wave blockers designed to help reduce exposure to electronic signals.
- Smarter Alternative to Common Options: WaveBlock offers a thoughtfully designed solution made with premium materials and exceptional attention to detail.
- Thoughtfully Developed and Patented Design: WaveBlock has invested over $1 million into the research and development of its patented stickers, which have been tested in professional lab settings to evaluate their performance.
- Designed and Assembled in the USA: WaveBlock stickers are designed and assembled in the USA. We aim for consistent quality in every product.
- Satisfaction Commitment: WaveBlock stickers are the result of extensive design and development efforts aimed at delivering reliable performance. If your product arrives damaged, we’re happy to assist with a prompt replacement.
- Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services.
- Scroll the list to the app and tap it.
- Choose an access option. Apple documents Never, Ask Next Time or When I Share, While Using the App, and Always. The options available depend on the app.
Keep approximate location and withhold precise location
If an app needs to know roughly where you are but not exactly where, open that app’s Location Services settings and switch Precise Location off. Apple describes this as sharing your approximate rather than specific location.
System Services is a separate list
Built-in iPhone features have their own location controls at Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services > System Services. One example is Significant Locations & Routes, which Apple lists as an item you can turn off there. Change only the system items that match your goal, since each one controls a different feature.
Rank #4
- 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.
Find My is controlled separately
Turning off Location Services and changing Find My are two different actions. Turning one off does not change the other.
Stop sharing your location with a person
Use the People controls in the Find My app and stop sharing with that specific person. This ends their view of your location through Find My and leaves other sharing alone.
Best Value
- UPGRADED ROOMY FIT FOR PHONE AND CAR KEY - This horizontal faraday bag is designed with more usable space, so your phone and car key can fit together more comfortably. Compared with tighter narrow pouches, it offers a less cramped fit and a smoother everyday experience.
- MULTI-SIGNAL BLOCKING PROTECTION - Built with 3 layers of shielding fabric, this faraday bag helps block RFID, cellular, WiFi, GPS, and Bluetooth signals for better privacy and device isolation. Ideal for reducing tracking risks, limiting wireless access, and helping protect key fobs from relay theft concerns.
- DESIGNED FOR EVERYDAY CARRY - Comes with a practical wrist strap for convenient carrying whether you are at home, commuting, traveling, or parking your vehicle. A simple way to keep your phone and key fob together in one portable pouch.
- DURABLE FIRE-RESISTANT AND WATER-RESISTANT MATERIAL - The outer material is made for everyday durability and added protection. Built to handle regular use while offering an extra layer of confidence in different environments.
- MADE FOR PRIVACY, TRAVEL, AND CAR KEY SECURITY - This faraday pouch combines signal blocking protection with a more practical shape for daily use. Great for privacy-conscious users who want a pouch that is easier to use, easier to carry, and better suited for both phone and car key storage.
Turn off Find My iPhone
- Open Settings and tap your name at the top.
- Tap Find My, then Find My iPhone.
- Turn the feature off and authenticate with your Apple Account password when asked.
Find My controls whether your device can be located through that service. Location Services controls which apps can use location through iOS permissions. Switching one does not switch the other.
Emergency calls
Apple says location information may be used during emergency calls to help response efforts, even when Location Services is turned off. A global switch therefore does not guarantee that no location information can ever be used or obtained.
Choosing the right control
Compare three things: the scope of the change (all apps, one app, one person, or device finding), the precision of location shared, and the trade-off in features you lose.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute| Goal | Control and path | Scope | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stop all apps and location-based features from using location | Location Services off: Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services | All apps and features that use Location Services | Maps, directions, weather, and other location features may not work as expected |
| Limit a single app | App’s access option in Location Services (Never, Ask Next Time or When I Share, While Using the App, Always) | One app | Available options vary by app |
| Share approximate location only | Precise Location switched off in the app’s Location Services settings | One app, precision only | App receives approximate rather than specific location |
| Stop sharing with one person | People controls in the Find My app | One person | Not stated by Apple for other sharing |
| Turn off device finding | Settings > [your name] > Find My > Find My iPhone | Find My device finding | Device can no longer be located through Find My |
For most people trying to limit tracking by apps, a per-app change is the first step. Switch Location Services off only when you want no app access at all and accept the feature losses above.
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.
