I downloaded my data from a social media app last year. They had my location tracked to within 50 feet for the past 18 months — every coffee shop, every grocery store, every friend’s apartment. I had no idea. I changed about a dozen settings that day and I have not looked back.

iPhone — Change These Now

1. Settings > Privacy > Tracking: Turn off “Allow Apps to Request to Track.” This stops apps from tracking you across other apps and websites.
2. Settings > Privacy > Location Services: Scroll through every app. Set to “While Using” or “Never” — almost no app needs “Always.”
3. Settings > Privacy > Analytics: Turn off “Share iPhone Analytics.” Apple does not need to know how you use your phone.
4. Settings > Safari: Turn on “Prevent Cross-Site Tracking” and “Hide IP Address.”

Android — Same Idea, Different Path

1. Settings > Privacy > Permission Manager: Review location, camera, and microphone permissions for every app. Revoke anything suspicious.
2. Settings > Google > Ads: Turn on “Opt out of Ads Personalization.” You will still see ads but they will not be based on your entire digital life.
3. Settings > Privacy > Ads: Delete your advertising ID. Apps can request a new one but you can delete it periodically.

Will this break some apps? Possibly. A weather app that cannot access your location will ask you to type in your city. That seems like a fine trade for not broadcasting your location 24/7.