When you install apps on your phone, you must have noticed that many of them ask for location access within seconds when you open them for the first time. Navigation apps obviously need it, ride-hailing apps can’t function without it, and weather apps also make a decent case. But somehow, location access has become a routine, even for apps that don’t genuinely need it.
Like most users, I also have the habit of hitting the Allow button without thinking too much. That was until I realized how much of my daily life is tied to my phone, and how much of my location data is being accessed unnecessarily. So, I decided to check which apps had location access, and I found something really surprising.
I checked which apps could access my location
Closely inspected my app permissions
I decided to dig into security and privacy settings on my phone. It felt like visiting a section that I hadn’t looked into for years. Whether you’re using Android or iOS, you can easily check which apps have your location access and whether it’s set to Always or While using the app.
I started to review my app permissions, and the list was longer than I expected. Some apps like maps and food delivery made perfect sense. However, I also discovered several apps that had no reason to be there in the list. I haven’t even used some of those apps for months now.
The apps that didn’t need my location
It’s none of their business
While checking apps that could access my location, I noticed a pattern. On my phone, the biggest offenders were the convenience apps. Shopping apps were the most surprising entries. Some of them may require location access to show estimated delivery times and nearby stores. However, they don’t need my location all the time. Yes, many of these apps had Always access enabled. When I occasionally use some apps to browse or place an order, I don’t feel it makes sense to give them constant location access.
Mobile games were another unexpected category. I noticed that even some casual games, none of which have any location-based features, were also allowed to access my location. When they don’t offer map integration and real gameplay benefits, they don’t justify location access.
Then there were my social media apps like Facebook and Instagram. Some of them offered location-based features like tagging and local recommendations. However, many of these apps had broader permissions than required. I wasn’t even using location-based features, but my location access was granted anyway.
Some of those apps were even allowed to use my Precise location all the time. We all know that location access falls among the most power-hungry permissions on any smartphone. Things get worse when we allow them to use Precise location every time. That’s because precise location requires GPS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and phone sensors to determine your exact location.
What surprised me wasn’t the number of apps, but how easily I granted them my location access.
Why unnecessary location permissions matter
Hidden risks of always-on location access
You may feel that location permissions aren’t a big deal. What’s the harm if a shopping or gaming app knows where you are? Well, location permissions matter a lot. Our location data is extremely sensitive, and can reveal a lot of patterns. For instance, where you live, where your office is, where you spend most of your time, and even your everyday routines. So you see, it isn’t just a pin on the map, it reveals a lot about your daily life. Companies can use this data to offer targeted ads or personalized recommendations. Sometimes, this data can also be shared in ways you didn’t expect.
It also raises privacy concerns. When a lot of apps (that too unnecessary ones) can access your location, it increases the risk of exposure if something goes wrong, like a data breach. Apart from this, unnecessary location permissions also have practical downsides. Apps with unnecessary location access can lead to unnecessary background activity and battery drain.
How I fixed the problem in a few minutes
Took back control
Fixing your app permissions is simple and quick. I checked each app in my list and asked myself if that app actually needed my location. If the answer was no, I changed the permission to Never.
I disabled location access for shopping apps and switched to Allow while using the app for some social media apps. Also, I switched to an approximate location only for news, weather, and other apps on my phone. Once I revoked unnecessary permissions, my phone’s battery life doubled.
Here’s how to review app permissions on Android:
- Open the Settings app on your phone.
- Navigate to the Security and privacy section.
- Tap More privacy settings -> Permission Manager.
- Select Location to see which apps can access it.
- You can tap on the app to change its settings.
The whole process will only take about 10 to 15 minutes.
Change These Settings to Stop New Android Apps From Spying on You
Freshly-installed apps can do a lot more than you’d like, until you rein them in.
A quick habit can protect your privacy
Of course, it was surprising to know how some apps were allowed to access my location data all the time. Thankfully, everything was easy to fix once I actually decided to pay attention. Now, I’ve made it a habit to keep an eye on my app permissions, especially when I install a new app on my phone. It’s a small step, but it gives me control of what I’m sharing.
You don’t have to deny every permission request. There’s no such need. But, it’s important to question if an app with your location access can make a meaningful difference. In many cases, apps don’t really need to know where you are.
