Apple Enhances Privacy with Limited Location Data Sharing on iPhones and iPads

02.02.2026

Apple has introduced a new security feature to select models of its latest iPhones and iPads, aiming to enhance user privacy by limiting precise location data collection by cellular networks. This move is designed to make it more challenging for law enforcement, spies, and cybercriminals to track individuals' precise locations via their phone providers.

According to Apple, once activated, this feature restricts the precision of location data shared with the user's cell carrier. Instead of sharing exact street-level locations, the devices will provide a broader area, such as the general neighborhood, thus better protecting user privacy. Critically, this adjustment does not impact the accuracy of location information shared with apps or during emergency calls.

The 'Limit Precise Location' feature is available on devices such as the iPhone Air, iPhone 16e, and iPad Pro (M5) Wi-Fi + Cellular running iOS 26.3. It is supported by several global carriers, including Telekom in Germany, AIS and True Thailand, EE and BT in the United Kingdom, and Boost Mobile in the United States.

This update arrives amid increasing efforts by law enforcement to access real-time location data from cell carriers and ongoing cyber threats targeting these networks. Over the past year, major U.S. telecom companies like AT&T and Verizon have acknowledged repeated intrusions by China-backed hackers, known as Salt Typhoon, who have sought phone call logs and messages of high-profile American officials.

Gary Miller, a mobile security expert and Citizen Lab researcher, emphasized the importance of this feature, stating that most people are unaware that their devices can transmit location data beyond app usage. While apps can limit GPS data sharing, precise location disclosure to the network has been harder to control. Apple's new feature, though limited to specific networks, marks a significant step forward in affording users greater privacy controls.

Tags: privacy Apple location data iOS security Cellular Networks

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