Can Apps Track Your Phone Location?

Phone Location

Data is one of the largest commodities in the modern era. In fact, companies make money by selling other companies information about websites you visit, stores you shop at, and people you talk to. 

What’s more, companies can even track your location through the use of apps and web browsers. For these reasons, it’s essential to understand how companies track you and how apps gather your information.

The good news is that most of this information is public. So, if you know what to look for and use the right tools you can find just about anything. We’ll show you how to know what apps track your location and how you can put a stop to it.

Can Apps Track Your Location?

In short, yes, apps track your location. As long as your location services are activated most apps can gather data about where you’re located. 

That said, some apps will even track your location if you have location services turned off. This is because you may still have location services turned on within the app. Therefore, it’s important to understand how these apps interact with your device.

What Types of Apps Track Your Location?

Several types of apps will track your location. In fact, most apps that track your location are useful to have. 

For example, Google Maps will track your location to help you plan a route or determine where you are and Snapchat will show your friends where you are. Other apps like radio apps or sports apps will verify your location to determine the games or stations that are available. 

Unfortunately, some apps track your location in negative ways. These apps can be installed by people without your consent or even apps that you install without knowing the consequences. Some examples include apps like mSpy that track your location and other types of phone information to send to another person.

Can Apps Track Your Location Without Permission?

Most apps need permission to be activated to track your location and other types of data. However, some apps have ways around this or make it easy to activate those permissions. For example, TikTok can track your data as long as you agree to the terms and services, and apps like mSpy can track your location if someone installs it on your device.

Can Apps Track Your Location Without GPS?

Yes, apps will track your location without GPS. Even if you have your location settings off some apps will still track your location. In fact, some apps can turn your location settings on without you noticing. This is why it’s always important to check your phone often for signs of being tracked.

To avoid being tracked, it’s important to be careful with the apps that you install. We’ll show you some other ways to avoid being tracked next.

How to Know if Someone Is Tracking Your Phone? 

There are a few telltale signs that someone or something is tracking your smartphone. The fastest way is to check to see if any new apps have been installed without your knowledge. These are apps like mSpy that run in the background and track your data and location.

Some other ways to tell if someone is tracking your phone is to look for the following warning signs:

  • Phone overheating
  • Location services are turned back on after you turn them off
  • The battery is suddenly running out of charge rapidly
  • You’re reaching your data usage fast
  • Strange permission request
  • Unusual noises during phone calls
  • You notice strange files

These are the telltale signs that someone is tracking your phone location.

Can You Prevent People From Tracking Your Phone?

Yes, you can prevent people from tracking your phone. This can be done on Android and IOS. 

To stop people from tracking your device make sure you change any permissions of apps that are tracking your device. From there, turn off location settings. If you want to take this a step further you can go into your device’s settings and remove an app’s permission from tracking your device.

If you notice malware, apps, or other issues with your device the process is more complicated. The best way to fix a malware issue is to perform a factory reset on the device. Each phone has different instructions but you can reference the owner’s manual or bring it into your phone provider’s store. For apps, you can look for suspicious apps and delete them.

Can You Tell If Someone Is Using Your Data?

People and companies use your data for all sorts of things. One of the malicious reasons to track your location and data is to spoof your number for a spam call. 

People can also use your data to create social media accounts or dating profiles to scam others. Unfortunately, this problem is much deeper than just phone location tracking. Therefore, it’s important to keep up with your phone records.

The best place to check your records is Information.com. The phone lookup tool will help you secure your records and determine if anything seems off. This will help you monitor your phone’s activity for anything suspicious.

As long as you take steps to protect your data, you don’t have to fall victim to data sales, location tracking, or spoofed numbers. 

Take Charge of Your Data Today

Everyone wants to get their hands on your data these days, regardless of who you are. You see examples of it all of the time, like when you drive past a Dunkin Donuts and immediately get an advertisement for $5 off your next coffee. While it may seem overwhelming, you can put a stop to it if you have the right tools at your disposal. 

Turning off your location settings will only take you so far, so check your phone records to get the complete picture of your device’s activity. The best way to check? Information.com.

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