How Android’s new location permissions give you even more control.

Android has always put your privacy first, and now we’re giving you extra control with a location access system that’s even more intuitive and transparent. Discover how the latest updates to Android give you ultimate power over when, where and how you share your data.

Building on Android's integrated location privacy controls.

Navigating the digital world should never mean sacrificing your peace of mind. While we rely on location services for everything from finding the hottest new restaurant to tracking down a misplaced device, keeping your personal data secure is more important than ever.

Android 17 introduces new updates to give you even more precise control over the apps and services that use your location. These build on robust security measures that protect your personal information and location privacy.

Built-in location and permission management.

You can already manage your privacy using standard location device controls. These built-in features allow you to decide exactly how and when your device shares your position.

• You can turn location on or off globally by navigating to Settings, then Location, and toggling Use Location on or off.

• You can add the Location toggle to your Quick Settings menu for fast access by swiping down twice from the top of your screen, tapping Edit and dragging Location into the menu.

• Google Location Services improves indoor accuracy by combining GPS, Wi-Fi and cellular network signals without compromising user security.

Share on your own terms with a new level of location control.

On Android 17, the new visual location interface, real-time indicators and instantaneous controls make location sharing simpler. This means you can make easier choices about what information to share and for how long. Plus, you’re never in the dark about which apps are accessing your data.

The new Android location button: simpler and safer.

The new location button puts you in control of granting permission only when it’s needed, without repeated prompts. This helpful feature simplifies the process and makes it easier to grant temporary location access. It’s perfect for times like finding nearby stores, sharing your location with friends once, or tagging vacation photos on social media.

Share only when you need to.

The location button on Android 17 is a streamlined, in-app way to grant location access only during active use. This feature gives you more control by limiting access exclusively to the active session. You get all the convenience of location-based features without worrying about what happens after you close the app.

Permissions that expire with your session.

We designed this system around a simple, one-and-done philosophy. When you use an app that requires your location, you can choose to share your data for that single session only. Once you exit the app, the location permission automatically expires. The next time you open the app, it must ask for permission again. This puts you firmly in the driver’s seat.

More transparency when apps use your location.

We’ve made it even easier to see which apps are accessing your location data. In Android 17, we’ve updated the location indicator so you can manage access and permissions just like with the microphone and camera.

• Location indicator: This will appear at the top of your screen when a non-system app uses your location.
• Manage app permissions with a tap: You can tap the indicator to see which apps have recently used your location information and manage location permissions for those apps.

Approximate location now delivers more anonymity.

Not every app needs to know your exact coordinates to be helpful. Android makes it easy to share only what’s necessary.

More control over location precision.

While navigation apps need precise coordinates, many apps, like weather or local news, only need a general idea of where you are. You can choose Approximate Location to keep your exact coordinates hidden.

Greater privacy in rural areas.

Approximate location is now dynamically smarter. In rural, low-population areas, a standard 2 km-wide approximate location grid might still make it easy to identify someone. To protect your identity, Android automatically expands the approximate location grid in these areas. This ensures consistent privacy no matter where you travel.

Balancing safety, convenience and security.

These location settings work in harmony with the helpful tracking ecosystem on your Android device. Protecting your privacy doesn’t mean losing the convenience of finding your belongings.

Secure tracking with Find Hub.

You can safely locate lost phones, keys or earbuds using Find Hub for Android.

• Even when location sharing is active, such as when sharing a locator tag with an airline or sharing your location with friends, all data is fully encrypted.
• Advanced security features like unknown tracker alerts protect you from unauthorized tracking.
• Satellite location sharing allows you to connect with emergency services when cellular networks are unavailable.

Find out more about physical safety features on Android.

Wherever you go, you’re in control.

With the latest location management features on Android, you get the perfect balance of convenience and security. From single-session permissions to smart approximate location grids, we make sure you’re always in control of your data. Take a moment to explore your settings and experience the peace of mind that comes with true phone tracking control.

Frequently asked questions.

How do I turn my Android device’s location on or off?

You can easily manage your location directly from your device settings:

1. Navigate to Settings.
2. Tap Location, and toggle Use Location on or off. 
3. For even faster access, you can swipe down twice from the top of your screen to add the Location toggle to your Quick Settings menu. 
   

How do I adjust my device’s location settings?

To customize how your device handles locations, go to Settings and then tap Location. Here, you can adjust location-based services including:

• Location Accuracy. This is also known as Google Location Services. This setting uses GPS, Wi-i  and mobile networks to pin down your location indoors or in areas with weak GPS signals.
• Emergency Location Service. This sends your device’s location directly to first responders when you dial 911.
• Earthquake alerts. This setting manages whether you get updates about nearby earthquakes.
• Location Sharing for Google Maps. Your device can share your location with other people using Google Maps.

Find out more about the location settings available on your device.

How do I set location preferences for apps?

When opening new apps, you might be asked to choose whether the app can use your location all the time, only while using the app, only after asking, or never.

• You can find out which apps use your location and change permissions for each app by opening Settings, tapping Location and then App Location Permissions.
• You can also touch and hold the icon for a specific app on your home screen, then tap App Info, Permissions and select Location. Here, you can choose when the app can use your location, and turn your precise location on or off.