Apple will soon release an iOS 26 feature that will allow you to hide your location a lot better. We’ll show you how this feature works.
This iOS 26 setting allows you to hide your location
From iOS 26.3 it is possible to limit your exact location via mobile networks. With this setting you determine how accurately mobile networks can determine your location. You need an iPhone that supports the function. At the moment this is only the iPhone Air and the iPhone 16e, but more will undoubtedly follow. Providers must also support the function.
That’s how it works
Cellular networks can determine your location based on the cell towers your iPhone connects to. Enabling the iOS 26 feature to restrict your exact location increases your privacy. The function ensures that the location data received by mobile networks becomes less precise.
When the setting is active, some of the information is shielded. Mobile networks can then only determine a general location, such as the neighborhood or district you are in, and no longer an exact location such as a street or address. This does not affect the signal quality of your iPhone. You don’t have to worry about emergencies either. The setting does not affect the location data shared with emergency services during an emergency call.
Furthermore, the restriction only applies to mobile networks. Apps that use Location Services will continue to receive your exact location, provided you have given permission. Sharing your location with friends or family, for example via Find My, still works as you are used to.
This is how you enable the function
Apple announced the feature for users in Germany, Thailand, the United States and the United Kingdom. The Dutch Apple page for the new feature has already been created, so we may not have to wait long for the improvements in iOS 26. We will still show you how to enable the iOS 26 function to hide your location:
- Open the Settings app;
- Tap ‘Mobile network’;
- Tap ‘Mobile data options’;
- Turn on ‘Restrict exact location’.
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