Apple Introduces New Carrier-level Location Privacy Feature

Apple has quietly rolled out a new privacy feature that gives iPhone and iPad users more control over how precisely their mobile carrier can track their location.

The new setting, called “Limit Precise Location,” is available on select devices running iOS 26.3 or later. This feature reduces the amount of detailed location data shared with cellular networks, helping prevent unnecessary tracking while leaving everyday phone functions unaffected.

Reducing Location Precision Shared With Carriers

Cellular networks typically estimate a device’s location based on nearby cell towers, often with help from data provided by the device itself. With the new setting enabled, carriers receive only a broader estimate of a user’s location — such as the general neighbourhood — instead of a precise street-level position.

“The limit precise location setting doesn’t impact the precision of the location data that is shared with emergency responders during an emergency call,” Apple said in a support document published last week.

“This setting affects only the location data available to cellular networks. It doesn’t impact the location data that you share with apps through Location Services. For example, it has no impact on sharing your location with friends and family with Find My.”

Apple says this change helps protect users from unnecessary tracking without affecting network performance or connectivity.

No Impact On Apps Or Emergency Calls

Apple emphasized that the feature does not affect how apps access location data through Apple’s Location Services. In other words, location access for apps remains unchanged, which means Apps like Maps, ride-hailing services, or Apple’s own Find My feature continue to work as usual.

Emergency services are also excluded from the restriction. During an emergency call, precise location information is still shared with first responders when it matters most.

Supported Devices And Networks

The “Limit Precise Location” setting is currently restricted to a small set of devices — the iPhone Air, iPhone 16e, and iPad Pro (M5) Wi-Fi + Cellular models — running iOS 26.3 or later. Availability also depends on carrier support.

At launch, compatible networks include Telekom in Germany, EE and BT in the United Kingdom; Boost Mobile in the United States, and AIS and True in Thailand. Apple has not announced when broader carrier support may arrive.

How To Enable The Feature

Users can turn on the feature by heading to Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Options and toggling on Limit Precise Location. In some cases, a device restart may be required to complete activation.

Why The Change Matters

Apple has not publicly explained why it introduced the feature now. However, the move comes amid growing concerns over how telecom companies collect, share, and secure location data of customers.

In April 2024, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission fined major wireless carriers nearly $200 million for improperly sharing location data. Hackers have increasingly targeted telecom networks for sensitive customer information, with recent breaches exposing how valuable and vulnerable telecom-held information can be.

Security researchers note that many users are unaware their devices share location data not just with apps, but also directly with cellular networks. By giving users control at the carrier level, Apple is adding a new layer of protection to address a long-standing gap in mobile privacy.

Bottomline

Although the rollout is currently narrow, the feature signals Apple’s continued push to move privacy controls closer to the user. This could put pressure on more mobile carriers to support similar protections in the future, setting a new standard for how much location data they are able — or allowed — to collect from users.