What are location services and how do they work? - Comparitech
Richard Ernszt·2026-06-22·via Comparitech
Location services determine a device’s position by combining signals from GPS, Wi-Fi, mobile networks, Bluetooth, and device sensors. Apps use this data for navigation, local search, weather, and other location-based features.
When you disable them, apps and websites can still get your approximate location from your IP address. Thankfully, you can prevent that by using a VPN to make it seem like you’re connecting from a different region entirely.
Below, we’ll explain how location services collect data and how different signals work together to determine your position. We’ll also look at how to turn location services on or off on most popular systems and how to hide your IP with a VPN for more privacy.
What are location services?
Location services are phone and computer features that estimate where your device is physically located. Apps use them for directions, nearby search results, weather updates, delivery tracking, and emergency features that depend on your location.
They also help apps adjust content based on where you are at the moment (like changing your location on Instagram to find local spots when traveling). Your device can combine GPS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, mobile networks, and sensor data to improve accuracy indoors, outdoors, and while moving between places.
How do location services work?
Location services pull from several sources of location data at the same time:
Global Positioning System (GPS) data: Satellites send timing signals to your phone, which measures distance from several satellites at once to estimate your position.
Wi-Fi networks: Your device compares nearby Wi-Fi networks against large databases that map router locations (like from Apple or Google). This method often works faster than GPS indoors and in crowded city areas with many wireless networks.
Cell towers: Phones connect to nearby towers while sending and receiving data. Your carrier or device can estimate location by checking which towers you connect to and how strong those signals are at the time.
Bluetooth: Nearby Bluetooth devices, beacons, or accessories can help estimate short-range location indoors. Stores, airports, and transit stations sometimes use Bluetooth signals for indoor navigation features.
Device sensors: Accelerometers, gyroscopes, and compasses measure movement, direction, and orientation. Your phone uses this data to improve location estimates while walking, driving, or moving through buildings.
Basically, your device checks nearby connections, signals, and movement patterns, then compares them to known locations to estimate where you are.
How to turn location services on or off
Location services can be useful, but many apps keep checking your location in the background even when you’re not using them. Not only does that drain your battery, but it can be pretty intrusive.
Here’s how to turn location services on or off for the most popular platforms.
Windows
The process is relatively similar on Windows 10 and 11:
Open the Start menu and click Settings.
Go to Privacy & Security.
Scroll down to App permissions and click Location.
Toggle Location services on or off. You can also do so for individual apps if you don’t want to disable them entirely.
If you want to remove saved location data from your device, scroll down to Location history and click Clear.
Mac
Open the Apple menu and select System Settings.
Go to Privacy & Security.
Click Location Services.
Turn Location Services on or off at the top.
Use the app list below to allow or block access for specific apps.
Android
Open the Settings app.
Scroll down and tap on Location.
Toggle Location on or off as needed.
You can also go to App permissions, and adjust location access for individual apps.
Go to Location services if you want to modify Google location settings.
Select Location Services and use the toggle to disable or enable them.
Alternatively, tap on one of the apps in the list and adjust its location permissions.
If you want to keep third-party location services active but want to disable Apple’s location tracking, go down to System Services and toggle off iPhone Analytics, Improve Location Accuracy, Routing & Traffic, and Improve Maps.
Next, go to Significant Locations & Routes and tap Clear History. You can also toggle off the setting here.
Underneath Permissions, you can switch Location on or off as needed.
To manage website location settings, open Chrome and click the menu icon (three vertical dots) on the top right.
Go to Settings > Privacy and security > Site settings.
Select Location and you can allow sites to ask for your location or disable the feature. You can also add exceptions for individual sites under Customized behaviors.
Linux
Most Linux distros don’t have system-wide location services by default, so apps either estimate your location through your IP address or handle location through their own permissions. Some GNOME-based systems like Ubuntu do include built-in toggles, so here’s how to turn location services on or off:
Click Activities in the top-left corner.
Type in Privacy & Security.
Go to Settings > Privacy & Security and select Location.
Switch Automatic Device Location on or off.
How to turn account-based location tracking on or off
In addition to device-level Location Services, you may want to disable location tracking in your Google or Microsoft account(s). Here’s how to do so:
Under Empower your productivity, click on Location.
Open Location activity.
Select Clear location activity and then confirm by clicking Clear.
How to protect your location with a VPN
When location services are off, apps and websites often default to using your IP (Internet Protocol) address to estimate your location. Your IP can reveal details such as:
Your country or region
The city you live in
Your ZIP code
Online services typically use your location to comply with local regulations like the GDPR, to enforce geo-blocks so you can’t access certain content, or even build a profile around your online activities for more targeted advertising.
To prevent this kind of tracking, we recommend using a VPN (Virtual Private Network) to hide your location:
Open the VPN and connect to a server of your choice. The closer the server to your real life location, the better your speeds.
Websites and apps will now believe you’re accessing their services from the country you’ve connected to (e.g., the US, the UK). You can test this by using a service like WhatIsMyIPAddress.
In some cases, you may need to clear your browser cache and cookies (or use Incognito mode/private window) for the changes to take effect.
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Location services FAQs
Should location services be on or off?
Location services should stay on only for apps and features that need your location to work properly, like map or ride-sharing apps. Turning it off for other apps can cut down on background tracking and save some battery life. These apps should be set to use your location only when the app is open and not in the background.
Are location services the same as GPS?
No, location services are not the same as GPS. Your phone can also estimate location through Wi-Fi networks, nearby cell towers, Bluetooth signals, and IP addresses. GPS is one part of the system, mainly used for more accurate outdoor positioning.
Can I be tracked if location services are off?
Location services being off does not fully stop tracking. Your mobile carrier can still estimate your location through nearby cell towers, while websites and apps may use your IP address, Wi-Fi data, or account activity to place you in a general area.
Can I use GPS without location services?
GPS can work without location services in some cases, mainly through apps that access satellite data directly. Meanwhile, most phones connect GPS to system-level location settings, so turning location services off usually limits navigation and map features.
