You can let apps use your device's location to take action for you or give you information. For example, apps can use your device's location to display commute traffic or find nearby restaurants.
Important: Some of these steps work only on Android 11 and up. Learn how to check your Android version.
Find which apps use your device's location
- Open Settings
.
- Tap Location
.
- Tap App location permissions.
- Under ”Allowed all the time," “Allowed only while in use,” "Ask every time," and “Not allowed,” find the apps that can use your device's location.
- To change the app's permissions, tap it. Then, choose the location access for the app.
Stop an app from using your device's location
You can control which apps can access and use your device's location and when. For example, you could let Google Maps use your device's location to give you driving directions, but not share your location with a game or social media app.
- On your device's home screen, find the app icon.
- Touch and hold the app icon.
- Tap App info
.
- Tap Permissions
Location.
- Select an option:
- Allow all the time: The app can use your location at any time.
- Allow only while using the app: The app can use your location only when you're using that app.
- Ask every time: Every time you open the app, it’ll ask to use your location. The app can use the setting until you close it.
- Don't allow: The app cannot use your location, even when you’re using the app.
- If you've allowed location access, you can also turn Use precise location on or off.
Tip: To stop all apps from using your device's location, learn how to turn off location settings.
Learn how an app can use your device's location
Important: If an app has permission to use your device's location, it can use your device's approximate location, precise location, or both.
- On your device's home screen, find the app icon.
- Touch and hold the app icon.
- Tap App info
- Tap Permissions
- Under "Location," you can find the type of location the app requested. If you don't find "Location," this app hasn’t asked for your device's location.
Types of location apps can request:
- Approximate location: The app can tell that your device is in an area about 3 square kilometers.
- Precise location: The app can tell your device’s exact location.
- In the foreground: The app can use your location only when the app is open on your screen or when you ask the app to do something.
- In the background: The app can use location info at any time, even if you aren’t using it.
Why apps ask you to change location settings
- “[To continue / For a better experience], your device will need to use Location Accuracy”: Location may be off or already on for an app, but the app can ask you to turn on more settings or sensors to better find your device’s location.
- Wi-Fi connection: An app can ask you to turn on Wi-Fi or let your device look for Wi-Fi networks. Scanning for Wi-Fi when Location Accuracy is on helps find your device's location more accurately.
- Location Accuracy: Let apps find your device’s location more accurately. Learn how Location Accuracy improves your location. Location Accuracy is also known as Google Location Services.
Change other location settings
- Get info based on your device's location:
Learn how to turn on location. -
Remember where you go, and manage your list of where you’ve been:
Learn how to turn on Location History for your Google Account. - Help Google Maps get your device's location:
Learn how to improve your location’s accuracy in Google Maps.