How to turn off precise location on Instagram Android

Just like every other social media app, Instagram wants to learn as much about its users as possible so that it can more accurately sell advertising based on that information. That's part of the bargain that social media companies have made with consumers who use their services for free, and for the most part, people are OK with it. Occasionally, though, users discover a feature that feels like it crosses a line.

Table of Contents Show

Instagram can track your precise location now.
Plenty of apps can track your location.
How do I turn off exact location on IG?
How do I get rid of precise location?
Why does Instagram use precise location?
How do I turn on precise location on Android?

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Instagram can track your precise location now.

A new feature being rolled out by Instagram allows the app to track your precise location. When users first signed up for Instagram, they likely had to agree to share their location information with the app. More recently, though, Instagram quietly rolled out an update to that functionality that allows them to track where you are with much more precision.

Source: Instagram

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Now, Instagram can essentially track you wherever you are throughout the day. While it doesn't share this information with other users, many are concerned that the information could wind up in the public domain anyway, and could be used by malicious actors as a way to stalk people. Fortunately, users on Twitter have been raising the alarm bell and letting users know that there's a way to turn the setting off.

While there's a way to turn off your precise location, Instagram will still be able to determine your more general location, which is how the app has tracked users throughout its history. If you want to turn off the precise location tracking, it's actually pretty easy.

If you use an iOS device, go to Settings, scroll down to Instagram, tap Location, and toggle off the Precise Location button.

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When you're playing with the Location settings, you can also select whether you want the app to never track your location, whether you want it to ask next time if it can track, or whether you want it to track your location while you use the app. Those with privacy concerns will likely want to turn the feature off, but Instagram is not the only app that can track your precise location.

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Plenty of apps can track your location.

While precise location tracking has gone viral because of its connection to Instagram, that app is far from the only one that can track your location. If you don't want any of your apps to track your precise location, you'll need to go through the same process outlined above for each one individually. At the moment, it looks like Facebook, WhatsApp, and Twitter all track your precise location, but apps like TikTok, Pinterest, and Reddit do not.

If you want to be extra cautious, though, it might be best for you to go through each app individually and check to see if your precise location is being tracked. Keeping your personal information private can be difficult, but thankfully, there are ways to turn these types of settings off.

Don't get me wrong — I throughly enjoy living in the smartphone age. Having an Android makes staying in touch with friends and family more accessible than ever. It helps me complete everyday tasks more easily, and most importantly, it can be highly entertaining, thanks to apps like Instagram. On the flip side, having an app constantly track your every move can be a little bit creepy. And if you find the feeling of being watched a little unnerving, you can disable your location within the settings of most apps. So, here's how to turn off your location on Instagram if you are looking to go totally incognito,

Being tracked all day, everyday can be a little bit much, if you ask me. However, there are a number of benefits to keeping your Instagram location services on. Your location tag will automatically show up for any and all posts and Stories, and your ads will even be better catered to you, based on where you live. If you end up deciding that you want toturn location services off, though, doing so is incredibly easy.

To turn off your IG location settings, according to a company blog post, start out by closing the app and navigating to your smartphone's Settings. Then tap Privacy, scroll down to Location Services, and navigate to Instagram. Choose between "Never" or "While Using the App," depending on whether or not you want IG to track your location. Once you make that choice, you're totally set.

According to Instagram, if you have never changed the location settings in your IG app, the default setting for location is off. If you only want it to track you when you're posting so you cab add locations to your posts and IG Stories, on the other hand, you can turn your location on temporarily by choosing "While Using the App" in your IG location settings in your phone. It's pretty simple, and definitely worth it to up your 'Gram game (and to show off about where you're currently watching that gorgeous sunset, obviously).

If you really want to keep your IG on lock, you can also adjust your activity status on the app, because when it's set to "on," anyone who follows you or with whom you have a Direct Message can see when you were last active on the app. To turn it off, you can go to Settings in the Instagram app, per the IG help page. Next, go to Privacy and Security, and then choose Activity Status. Toggle the little button next to Activity Status to show it is off, and then you'll be good. Although, you should keep in mind that when you turn it off, you won't be able to see other people's activity status either.

There are a number of reasons as to why you might enjoy using the Instagram app. Whether it's because you love sharing photos, it gives you food-spiration, or if you simply want to stay connected with your friends and family, the app is pretty useful. And lucky for you, their location services come in clutch for pinpointing where you are at all times. Now that changing your location services is possible, though, you can choose if you want to be tracked or not. Hopping off the map seriously never felt easier.

How do I turn off exact location on IG?

On most devices, users can go over to the Settings app on their phone, select 'Location,' and then go to 'Location Accuracy. ' Finally, toggle off the 'Improve Location Accuracy' option, thereby ensuring that no app will be able to gain access to the user's exact location.

How do I get rid of precise location?

Navigate to Settings > Privacy > Location Services > tap on the app, and its Location settings > scroll down and tap the Precise Location toggle to switch it off.

Why does Instagram use precise location?

Precise Location may sound scary, but you should be fine in select cases. Apps ask for such permission to function smoothly without glitches. Apps like Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook, etc. may ask for your precise location for better curation of content.