Your Phone Is Tracking These Things. Here's How to Check

Your phone knows a lot about you. It knows where you go, which apps you open, and sometimes what ads to show you next. That's not a reason to worry. It's a reason to take 15 calm minutes and decide what your phone shares. Here's how, step by step.

Why your phone collects information

Your phone uses information to be helpful. Maps need your location to give directions. Your weather app needs it to show local rain. Your camera needs permission to take pictures.

The trouble is that many apps ask for more than they need. A flashlight app doesn't need your location. A puzzle game doesn't need your contacts. And some apps share information with advertisers. An advertiser is a company that pays to show you ads, and it wants to know your habits so its ads work better.

The good news: you're in charge. Both iPhone and Android phones let you see what each app can reach, and turn off what you don't want. Let's walk through the 6 biggest areas.

A quick note before we start. Menus vary a little by phone model and software version. If a step doesn't match your screen, use the search bar at the top of your Settings app. Type the key word, like location, and your phone will take you there.

1. Location: who knows where you are

Location services use GPS, Wi-Fi, and cell towers to figure out where your phone is. GPS is the satellite system your phone uses to find its spot on a map.

Some apps need location. Most don't need it all the time.

On an iPhone

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap Privacy & Security.
3. Tap Location Services.
4. Look at the list of apps. Tap each one and pick Never, Ask Next Time, or While Using the App.

"While Using the App" is the sweet spot for maps and weather. Choose "Never" for apps that have no reason to know where you are.

On an Android phone

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap Location.
3. Tap App location permissions or App permissions.
4. Tap each app and choose Allow only while using the app, Ask every time, or Don't allow.

Keep this one on: Don't turn off location for your whole phone if you rely on it for maps, or if you want emergency services to find you. Adjust app by app instead.

2. Your location history

Your phone may also keep a history of places you visit often. On iPhone, this is called Significant Locations. It helps your phone suggest things like your drive time home. Some people like it. Some would rather not keep a record.

On an iPhone

1. Go to Settings, then Privacy & Security, then Location Services.
2. Scroll to the bottom and tap System Services.
3. Tap Significant Locations. You may need your passcode or Face ID.
4. Clear the history if you'd like, and turn the switch off if you prefer.

On an Android phone

Google calls this Timeline. Open Settings, search for Timeline or Location history, and review your choices there. You can turn it off or set it to delete older history on its own.

3. Ad tracking: who follows you from app to app

Tracking means an app watches what you do in other apps and websites, then shares that with advertisers. That's why you may look at a pair of shoes once and then see shoe ads everywhere.

On an iPhone

1. Go to Settings, then Privacy & Security.
2. Tap Tracking.
3. Turn off Allow Apps to Request to Track.

With this off, apps can't even ask to track you. It's one of the simplest privacy wins on an iPhone.

On an Android phone

1. Open Settings.
2. Search for Ads, or tap Google, then Ads. On some phones it's under Security & privacy, then More privacy settings, then Ads.
3. Tap Delete advertising ID, then confirm.

An advertising ID is a code that helps advertisers recognize your phone. Deleting it makes it harder for them to build a profile of you.

4. Microphone, camera, and photos

Apps must ask before they use your microphone, camera, or photos. Over the years, you may have tapped "Allow" more times than you remember. Let's check.

On an iPhone

1. Go to Settings, then Privacy & Security.
2. Tap Microphone. Turn off any app that doesn't need it.
3. Go back and tap Camera. Do the same.
4. Go back and tap Photos. For each app, choose None, Limited Access, or Full Access.

"Limited Access" lets an app see only the photos you pick. That's a great middle ground.

On an Android phone

1. Open Settings.
2. Search for Permission manager. On some phones, it's under Security & privacy, then Privacy.
3. Tap Microphone, then Camera, then Photos and videos.
4. Tap any app that doesn't need access and choose Don't allow.

A helpful clue: Both iPhone and Android show a small colored dot or icon near the top of your screen when the camera or microphone is in use. If you see it and you're not on a call or taking a picture, check which app is using it.

5. Contacts and Bluetooth

Some apps ask to see your contacts so you can share or invite friends. That's your friends' information too, so it's worth a look.

Bluetooth is the short range wireless signal your phone uses to connect to things like hearing aids, headphones, or your car. Some apps ask for Bluetooth access to detect nearby devices.

On an iPhone

Go to Settings, then Privacy & Security. Tap Contacts, then Bluetooth. Turn off any app that doesn't need them.

On an Android phone

In the Permission manager, tap Contacts, then Nearby devices. Change any app that doesn't need access to Don't allow.

Keep this one on: Leave Bluetooth access on for hearing aids, medical devices, your car, and headphones.

6. Apps you don't use anymore

Every app on your phone is a little door. The fewer doors, the fewer worries. Old apps you forgot about may still have permissions turned on.

1. Scroll through your home screens and app library.
2. If you haven't opened an app in months, consider deleting it.
3. On iPhone, press and hold the app icon, then tap Remove App, then Delete App.
4. On Android, press and hold the app icon, then tap Uninstall.

Deleting an app doesn't always delete your account with that company. If you had an account, visit the company's official website to close it.

A bonus check: who can find your phone

Here's one setting to keep on, not off. Both iPhone and Android have a free tool that helps you find a lost phone, lock it, or erase it from far away. On iPhone, it's called Find My. On Android, it's called Find My Device or Find Hub, depending on your phone.

On an iPhone

1. Open Settings and tap your name at the top.
2. Tap Find My, then Find My iPhone.
3. Make sure it's turned on.

On an Android phone

1. Open Settings.
2. Search for Find My Device or Find Hub.
3. Make sure it's turned on.

While you're there, check who you share your location with. On iPhone, the Find My app shows a People list. On Android, open Google Maps, tap your picture, then Location sharing. Sharing with a spouse or adult child can bring peace of mind. Make sure every name on the list is someone you chose and still trust.

Make it a twice a year habit

New apps arrive, and old settings drift. A good rhythm is to check these settings twice a year. An easy reminder: do it when the clocks change in spring and fall. That's coming up soon, so this month is a perfect time to start.

Your 15 minute privacy check:

1. Review location access for every app.
2. Clear or turn off location history if you prefer.
3. Turn off ad tracking.
4. Check microphone, camera, and photo access.
5. Check contacts and Bluetooth access.
6. Delete apps you don't use.

Quick checklist

• Location set to "While Using" or "Never" for most apps.
• Location history reviewed.
• App tracking turned off (iPhone) or advertising ID deleted (Android).
• Microphone and camera limited to apps that need them.
• Photos set to "Limited" where it makes sense.
• Old apps deleted.
• A reminder set to check again in 6 months.

FAQ

Will turning these off break my apps?

Usually not. If an app needs a permission to work, it will ask again when you use that feature. You can say yes then, knowing exactly why it needs it.

Is my phone listening to my conversations?

Apps can use the microphone only if you give them permission. Your phone does listen for a wake phrase like "Hey Siri" if you turn that on. If you're worried, review microphone access as shown above, and watch for the colored dot at the top of your screen.

Should I turn off location completely?

Most people shouldn't. Location helps with maps, weather, finding a lost phone, and helping emergency services find you. Adjusting it app by app gives you privacy without losing those benefits.

Want more simple steps to protect your digital life? Grab the free Digital Steady Starter Kit at /free-kit. You have got this. Stay steady out there.