If you’re here, then you’d want to know how to stop app tracking on iPhone. I’ve added simple guides to follow, plus answers to questions you may have. 

Have you ever randomly looked up some wool or a pair of tweezers on one app, only to see ads for those exact items following you around social media minutes later? Or, you’ve probably texted a friend asking where to shop for thrifted clothes online and then see an ad for it everywhere? It’s not a coincidence; it’s freaky – it’s app tracking in action. 

Though it might feel like a minor annoyance, it means companies are building detailed profiles about your habits, interests, and behavior. 

NOTE – While a VPN doesn’t prevent your iPhone from app tracking, it helps secure your data and device while visiting various sites and apps. This is especially needed while accessing sensitive apps using free or public Wi-Fi. For this reason, consider using only a premium VPN instead of a free one.

The good news is, you have a built-in “off switch” on your iPhone that can stop this tracking in seconds. We’ll show you exactly where to find it and how to use it. But first, let’s talk about what iPhone app tracking is.

What is iPhone App Tracking? Why Should You Stop It?

For those who are wondering “What does app tracking actually mean?” I’ll explain in simple terms. 

App tracking happens when an app follows your activity across other apps and websites. You may have noticed that apps often ask for permission to access a unique identifier on your phone called the “Advertising Identifier.”

You can think of this identifier as a digital license plate for your device. It won’t contain your name or email address, but companies use it to connect your activity across different apps.

For instance, if you look at some bath and body products in one shopping app. Next thing you know, a completely different platform shows you ads for those exact products a few minutes later. 

This happens because both apps accessed your advertising identifier and shared that information with advertisers. This kind of tracking may be legal and common, but you do not have to accept it.

How Does Apple’s App Tracking Transparency Work?

Apple introduced the App Tracking Transparency (ATT) feature with iOS 14.5 in 2021. This feature ensures that every app asks for your explicit permission before it can track you across other external apps and websites. You’ve probably seen these pop-ups many times every time you download and open new apps.

These pop-ups usually give you two choices:

• Allow: The app can track your activity across other apps and websites.
• Ask App Not to Track: The app can’t access your advertising identifier.

When you say no to app tracking on iPhone, you cut off access to your advertising identifier. It’s what advertisers and data brokers use to link your activity, build profiles about you, and trade that data for targeted ads. 

These apps can still collect information you choose to share with them, but they can no longer conduct cross-app tracking on iPhone or turn that behavior into a larger advertising profile.

Most people tap “Allow” just to make the pop-up go away quickly. However, each time you do, you give away more of your privacy.

How to Stop App Tracking on iPhone via 3 Simple Methods

Need the best way to prevent cross-app tracking on iPhone? Here are 3 methods that you can choose from: 

Method 1 – Stop iPhone App Tracking When You Install a New App

Whenever you download a new app and open it for the first time, Apple requires that app to show you a tracking request pop-up. This is your first and simplest chance to stop app tracking on iPhone. Here’s what you need to do:

• Download an app from the App Store as usual.
• Once installed, launch the app.
• When the pop-up appears asking for permission to track, look carefully at the two options.
• Select “Ask App Not to Track” instead of “Allow.”

That’s it. The app will still work perfectly, and you will still see ads, but they won’t be targeted ads based on your activity across other apps.

Method 2 – Block Tracking for All iPhone Apps at Once

For those who want to turn off tracking for all apps at once. Apple gives you a setting that automatically stops app tracking on iPhone for every app. This is the fastest and surest way to protect your privacy. Here’s how to disable app tracking for all iPhone apps:

• Open the “Settings” app on your iPhone.
• Scroll down and tap “Privacy & Security.”
• Select “Tracking” located at the top of the list.
• You will now see a switch labeled “Allow Apps to Request to Track.”
• Toggle the switch to “OFF.” Ensure that it’s grey and not green. 

When you enable this setting, two important things take place:

• Apps can no longer even ask you for permission to track because the request pop-up never reappears.
• Apps that you previously allowed to track you will have that permission automatically revoked.

According to industry data, roughly 65% of iPhone users choose to block tracking when given the choice. This demonstrates a widespread desire for privacy. This single toggle is the most effective action you can take.

Method 3 – Stop Tracking in Apps You Already Downloaded

If you already have some apps downloaded and didn’t turn off tracking requests for them, that’s okay. You can still manually review and change tracking permissions at any time for apps you’ve already downloaded. 

Apple keeps a full list of apps that have requested tracking in the past with their current permission status.

With that said, here’s how to manage tracking on a per-app basis:

• Open the “Settings” app.
• Tap “Privacy & Security.”
• Select “Tracking.”
• Review the list of apps that asked you for tracking permission in the present and past.
• Toggle off the switch next to any app you do not want tracking you. That’s all. 

Once saved, the changes take effect immediately. You don’t have to restart your phone or close the apps. 

If you don’t see a particular app listed, it means the app has never requested tracking permission. 

Will I Still See Ads if I Block Tracking?

Yes, you will. Ads will not disappear completely across your iPhone. They will simply stop being personalized or targeted to you if you have fully disabled tracking across all your apps. 

You’ll see generic ads instead of “extremely specific and targeted” ones based on your browsing history.

Does Blocking App Tracking Also Block Location Tracking?

No, it doesn’t, and don’t confuse the two. App tracking and location tracking are completely separate controls in iOS. When you stop app tracking, it does not automatically stop apps from accessing your location.

Location tracking is controlled separately under “Settings” > “Privacy & Security” > “Location Services.”

 Many apps do not need to know exactly where you are; weather apps, restaurant finders, and maps are obvious exceptions. However, apps like a calculator or note-taking app have zero reason to access your location. 

Here you can review which apps have access to your location and change their permission level to options like “Never,” “While Using the App,” or “Always.”

You can also turn off “Precise Location” for any app to share only an approximate location instead of your exact address, further protecting your privacy.

Other iPhone Privacy Controls to Tweak

Apart from stopping app tracking on iPhone, there are other privacy controls that you should consider looking into: 

How to Turn Off Apple’s Own Personalized Ads

For those who aren’t aware, Apple has its own ad system that appears in the App Store, Apple News, and Stocks. You can disable personalization for these ads too to enhance security and privacy. Here’s how: 

• Go to “Settings.” 
• Click on “Privacy & Security” > “Apple Advertising.”
• Toggle off “Personalized Ads.”

How to Lock and Hide Sensitive Apps on iPhone

You can add an extra layer of security by locking and even hiding apps that contain sensitive information. Here’s how to lock an app with Face ID or Touch ID:

• Find the app on your home screen.
• Press and hold its icon.
• Tap “Require Face ID” or “Require Touch ID.” Keep in mind this depends on your device.
• The app now requires authentication every time someone tries to open it.

To hide an app completely:

• Press and hold the app icon.
• Tap “Hide and Require Face ID.”
• The app disappears from your home screen and moves to a hidden folder at the bottom of your “App Library.”
• Lastly, only you can find it, and opening it requires authentication.

Other User Queries on iPhone App Tracking

Here are a few things you may want to know:

What is Apple’s App Tracking Transparency feature?

Apple’s App Tracking Transparency feature forces apps to ask permission before tracking you across other apps and websites.

Introduced in iOS 14.5, it puts you in control of your data by blocking access to your advertising identifier and preventing companies from linking your activity.

What is the IDFA?

The IDFA, short for Identifier for Advertisers, is a unique, random, non-permanent identifier Apple assigns to a user’s device. Advertisers and apps use it to track activity and deliver targeted ads. Blocking tracking essentially denies apps access to your IDFA.

Can apps still track me if I disable “Allow Apps to Request to Track”?

The tracking setting specifically blocks access to Apple’s advertising identifier. However, apps could still use other methods to track you within their own app. This is to analyze your behavior within that specific app.

 The setting prevents other apps from tracking you across apps, but it does not prevent an app from collecting data about how you use that specific app.

What if an app asks me to allow tracking to use a specific feature?

Some apps might claim or trick you into allowing tracking for certain features to work. However, in most cases, this is not true. The app can still function without tracking you. For this, try tapping “Ask App Not to Track” first. 

If a feature genuinely doesn’t work, you can always go back into “Settings” > “Privacy & Security” > “Tracking” and re-enable permission for that specific app only.

Why can’t I turn on the “Allow Apps to Request to Track” setting?

You may not be able to due to a few reasons:

• Your Apple Account may be managed by a school or business that imposes restrictions.
• Your device has a configuration profile that limits tracking.
• Apple Account was created recently, for instance, in the last 3 days. This causes a temporary restriction to prevent misuse.
• You have a child account, under 18, with parental controls enabled.

I don’t see an app listed in the Tracking menu. Why?

It means the app has never requested tracking permission. This is either because the app doesn’t have any tracking capabilities or you’ve globally disabled tracking requests.

To Conclude

You now know how to stop app tracking on iPhone. Always remember that your iPhone gives you powerful tools to control app tracking. The best and most effective thing you can do is go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Tracking and disable “Allow Apps to Request to Track.”