Apple Has Added a New Setting to Protect Your Location Data, but It’s Not Available to Everyone.
Some iOS users are getting an additional layer of privacy regarding how their location data is shared. The new“Restrict Precise Location” setting prevents certain location data from being shared with cellular carriers on some Apple devices.
In some cases, sharing precise location data is useful and sometimes even necessary, such as when navigating with the Maps app. However, you might not want to constantly send your exact address to your carrier, where it could be used for malicious purposes. If you enable the “Limit Precise Location Sharing” feature, your iOS device will share data about your approximate location.
Sharing precise location data carries privacy risks.
As TechCrunch notes , the precise transmission of location data carries numerous privacy and security risks. Mobile phone carriers have been targeted by hackers, leading to the compromise of sensitive customer data. Video surveillance providers and law enforcement agencies can also use location information transmitted over cellular networks for real-time and ongoing tracking.
Users already have the option to disable precise location sharing at the app level on both iOS and Android for apps that don’t require GPS coordinates to function—which is the majority. This prevents companies from collecting (and selling) your precise location when an approximate location is sufficient. The “Limit Precise Location” feature will not change these app-specific settings.
This feature is currently only available on select Apple models—iPhone Air, iPhone 16e, and iPad Pro (M5) Wi-Fi + Cellular—running iOS 26.3 and on a limited number of global carriers:
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USA: Boost Mobile
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UK: EE, BT
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Germany: Telekom
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Thailand: AIS, True
Apple says that even with this setting enabled, emergency responders will still be able to pinpoint your location during an emergency call.
How to disable precise location sharing
If you have a device supported by a partner carrier, go to Settings > Cellular and tap Cellular Data Options (you may need to select a specific line under SIM cards if you have multiple SIM cards). Scroll down and turn off Restrict precise location sharing .