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.

Find which apps use your device's location

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.

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.

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