How to disable app tracking on iPhone

You’ve probably seen it happen time and time again. You look up one thing on your phone and before you know it, you’re getting nonstop ads for it. If you’re tired of your data being used by apps to target specific ads towards you (and just generally creeped out), you’ll be glad to learn that it’s super easy to learn how to disable app tracking on iPhone. Possibly even easier than locking your sibling out of your room (sorry, lil bro). In the following blog we’ll show you how to do just that. 

Stopping apps from collecting your data (and giving you the digital heebie jeebies)  is simpler than you might think. Most likely, your tracking is currently set to on. So let’s start by going over how to block new apps from tracking your data.

How do I turn off app activity tracking on iPhone?

First, we’ll go over how to disable app tracking when you download a new app. Then we’ll go over how to turn off data collection across all apps.

How to disable app tracking for new apps

1. Next time you download and open a new app, you should get a popup notification asking if you want to let the app track your activity across other companies’ apps and websites (or similar verbiage). 
2. To block app tracking, tap “Ask App Not to Track”. If for some reason, you want to approve that app tracking, hit “Allow.”

Next, we’ll show you how to block all app tracking activity across your iPhone (byeee snuggie ads). 

How to disable app tracking for apps you’ve already downloaded

To block app tracking across every app you have, just do the following.

1. Navigate to Settings > Privacy & Security > Tracking
2. Toggle off “Allow Apps to Request to Track” 

Good job. Now, any app that tries to ask for your permission will automatically be blocked from asking and informed that you’ve asked not to be tracked, kind of like turning on your Do Not Disturb setting. 

All apps, other than those you’ve given permission to track in the past, will be blocked from accessing your device’s info used for advertising. 

BTW, this doesn’t mean that you’ll never get ads served to you. It just means that you’ll be more likely to see generic ads (and not the random pair of shoes you thought you needed at 2am during a late night shopping sesh–no judgemint). 

Why might I want to disable my app tracking? 

More and more companies are incorporating some form of user data to track and target their customers and for a multitude of reasons. It can be said that data tracking allows apps to track glitches in their software, understand how you use their product and, in some cases, may provide data for apps to make improvements. 

But, in some cases, data can be used by companies to create advertising tailored specifically to you or for advertisement measurement purposes. Which could result in you spending more on products or services you may not actually want or need. 

It’s important to know what options you have as a consumer to protect your right to digital privacy. Some would even say there may be phone security reasons to disable app tracking on your iPhone. Even if companies aren’t using your data for not-so-chill reasons, app tracking gives companies detailed insights into your behavior, and you have a right to decide for yourself if you want that info to be accessible or not. Most folks think getting hyper-targeted ads on your apps is just a part of using tech today, but the truth is, it doesn’t have to be. 

Disabling app tracking puts the power in your hands– and quite literally. 

You’ve disabled iPhone app tracking…ready to enable some further reading?

We hope knowing your options helps you use your iPhone more mindfully and in a way that’s aligned with how you want your data to be used (or not used). You shouldn’t have to fight… for your right…to digital privacyyyyy, or however the song goes. 

If you’re interested in more info about how to make your tech more safe and secure check out our blogs on Setting up parental controls on iPhone and How to block spam calls on iPhone. Or for more helpful hacks on how to make your iPhone as amazing as it can be, check out these tips.