Apple's New iPhone Feature Blocks Your Carrier From Tracking Your Exact Location

Apple is rolling out a new privacy feature in iOS 26.3 that addresses a form of location tracking most users do not even realize is happening. The Limit Precise Location setting restricts the data that cellular carriers can collect about your whereabouts, reducing their view from street level precision down to just your general neighborhood.

How Carrier Location Tracking Works

Every time your phone connects to a cellular network, your carrier can determine your location based on which cell towers your device communicates with. The more towers in range, the more precisely they can triangulate your position. In urban areas with dense tower coverage, this can pinpoint your location to a specific street address.

This location data is valuable. Carriers can use it for network optimization, but they can also sell aggregated location data to third parties or be compelled to hand it over to law enforcement. Unlike app based location tracking, which requires your permission, carrier tracking happens at the network level, invisible to most users.

What the New Feature Does

With Limit Precise Location enabled, your iPhone restricts the location data sent to your cellular provider. Rather than being able to see your exact position, carriers are limited to knowing only the general neighborhood where your device is located. Apple says this reduction in precision will not impact signal quality or user experience.

Importantly, the feature does not affect emergency services. If you call 911 or another emergency number, your precise location will still be shared with first responders. It also does not change what apps can see through Location Services, so you will still need to manage app permissions separately.

Which Devices Support It

The feature only works on devices with Apple's own C1 or C1X cellular modems:

• iPhone Air
• iPhone 16e
• iPad Pro (M5) with cellular

Notably, even the iPhone 17 models are not supported because they still use Qualcomm modems. Apple cannot control what data the Qualcomm chips send to the cellular network, which is why this privacy control is only possible on devices with Apple designed modems.

Carrier Support Required

The feature also requires carrier cooperation. At launch, supported networks include:

• Telekom (Germany)
• EE and BT (United Kingdom)
• Boost Mobile (United States)
• AIS and True (Thailand)

This limited list means most users will need to wait for their carrier to adopt the protocol. Major US carriers like Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile are not yet on the list.

How to Enable It

On a compatible device running iOS 26.3 or later with a supported carrier:

• Open the Settings app
• Tap on your cellular service
• Tap Mobile Data Options
• Toggle on Limit Precise Location

You will need to restart your device when turning the setting on or off. iOS 26.3 is currently in beta testing and expected to launch publicly in the coming weeks.

Why This Matters

Law enforcement agencies have increasingly relied on cell tower records to track suspects, sometimes obtaining location data for everyone in a geographic area through tower dumps or geofence warrants. While the Supreme Court case pending on geofence warrants could set constitutional limits on these practices, technical protections like Apple's new feature provide an immediate defense regardless of legal outcomes.

For journalists, activists, and anyone else who might face targeted surveillance, limiting carrier location data closes one more tracking vector. Combined with other privacy tools, it makes building a complete picture of someone's movements more difficult.

Android Had It First

Apple is not the first mover here. Android introduced a similar Location Privacy HAL with Android 15, allowing the operating system to tell the cellular radio not to share GPS level data with carriers unless it is for an emergency. The Android implementation also works with select carriers who support the protocol.

The fact that both major mobile platforms are now offering this protection suggests growing awareness of carrier based tracking and increasing demand from users for tools to limit it.