Location Tracking: How Your Phone Reveals Where You Are

Your phone can estimate your location using several signals, and many apps and services collect it.

How location is determined

• GPS satellites for precise outdoor positions.
• Wi-Fi networks and Bluetooth beacons.
• Mobile tower data.
• IP address for approximate location.

Where it leaks

• Photo metadata.
• Social media check-ins and posts.
• Weather, shopping and game apps.
• Advertising identifiers.

Protect yourself

• Set apps to “while using” or “never”.
• Disable precise location for apps that do not need it.
• Remove location data from photos before sharing.
• Turn off location history and review stored data.