Many apps want access to your location data for various reasons, but that doesn’t mean the apps (such as calculator) actually need this data. To better protect your privacy, find out which apps have access to your location on your Android phone and learn how to adjust those permissions to better protect yourself.
Check Which Apps Have Location Permission
You have two ways to see which apps have location on Android. Please note exact menus and steps vary slightly based on phone manufacturer and your version of Android. My examples are based on Android 14.
If you only need to check one or two apps, do the following:
Open Settings on your device and tap Apps. Select any app you want to check the location permissions for. Then, take a look at which permissions are listed in the Permissions section.
You can tap Permissions to view more details and see which permissions were accessed in the last 24 hours. You’ll also see which permissions aren’t allowed at all or only allowed while using the app.
If you want to see every app that has location access at one time, open the Permission Manager instead. Open the Settings on your device. Tap Apps and then tap the three dot menu at the top right. Select Permission manager. Alternately, you can go to Settings -> Security and privacy -> Permission manager.
Scroll down and tap Location. From here, see which apps that have access to your location all the time, only while in use, and not at all.
Adjust Location Access on Android Apps
Just because an app is able to request access to your location doesn’t mean it will need it. If you see any apps that you don’t want to have access, you’re free to change it at any time. Please be aware that some apps won’t work correctly without it, such as navigational apps.
Go to Settings -> Apps and tap the three dot menu at the top right. Tap Permission Manager and select Location. Tap any app that you want to change. Then, select your permission level, which includes:
- Allow all the time – Apps can access your location even when you’re not using the app
- Allow only while using the app – Apps only get access to your location when the app itself is open
- Ask every time – You must allow/deny every time you use the app
- Don’t allow – Blocks location access
Personally, I prefer Allow only while using the app for any apps that do require location access to work properly. This helps reduce background usage and increase battery life.
Repeat the process for all apps you want to change. On some devices, this list may include a toggle to turn location access on/off, but you’ll still need to tap the app to select any of the other options. Also, older versions of Android don’t have as many choices for location access.
Block Location on Android
Having your location turned on all the time does drain the battery faster. However, if you aren’t using any apps that require location access at the moment, just turn your location off completely. Even if apps have the permission, they still can’t access it.
It’s easy to toggle location on and off on Android in just seconds. Pull down the notification tray at the top of your device. Look for Location. If you don’t see it, pull down again to expand the menu. Tap Location to turn it on/off. If it’s not highlighted, it’s off.
Just remember if you turn your location access off completely, some apps that require it may not work correctly until you turn location back on.
Check Which Apps Used Location in the Last 24 Hours
To better manage your Android privacy, keep a check on which apps use location on Android within the last day. You can also check on other permissions, such as a microphone and camera access, at the same time. This helps you to see if any apps are using location access in the background or without your permission.
Go to Settings -> Security and privacy. Tap Permissions used in the last 24 hours.
Only permissions that were used will show up in the list. Tap Last 24 hours and switch to Last 7 days to view access from the last week.
If you see any suspicious, adjust your permissions or uninstall the questionable app.
Manage Android Permissions Carefully
There are a lot of permissions that apps may require during installation. You don’t always have to grant all of those permissions. If you don’t trust an app or can’t see why it needs location on Android or any other permission, just don’t use it. Continue controlling your privacy by using SMS apps that focus on privacy. And, if you’re an iPhone user, learn how to better secure your data.
Image credit: Unsplash, All screenshots by Crystal Crowder
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