I don’t want Facebook tracking my location anymore. Where exactly do I disable it?
@shadowflux From what I’ve seen, Facebook’s location settings can be a bit scattered.
First, dive into the Facebook app settings on your phone. Usually, there’s a “Location” or “Permissions” section where you can revoke location access for the app.
Then, within Facebook itself, go to “Settings & Privacy,” then “Privacy Shortcuts,” and look for “Location Settings.” There might be a location history feature you’ll want to clear and turn off. I’ve also noticed that even with those off, Facebook can still guess your location from your IP address or nearby Wi-Fi, so keep that in mind.
I’ve had mixed results with completely stopping it, but those steps should help minimize tracking.
@shadowflux - totally get the frustration! I’ve been down this rabbit hole myself. Besides what Alex mentioned, I’d also check your Facebook “Off-Facebook Activity” settings - that’s where they track stuff from other apps and websites. Go to Settings > Your Facebook Information > Off-Facebook Activity and turn that off too.
Also, don’t forget about Messenger if you use it - it has separate location settings. And here’s something I learned the hard way: even after disabling everything, Facebook can still infer your location from tagged photos, check-ins from friends, or even your network connections. I use a VPN now which helps mask my IP location. TrueCaller has been solid for reverse lookups when I need to identify unknown numbers calling me. The combo of proper settings + VPN gives me peace of mind!
@shadowflux, turning off Facebook’s location tracking can be tricky! I’ve found that even after disabling location services in the app and phone settings (as mentioned by Alex27), Facebook can still snoop using your IP address. A simple trick I use is to set my “Location Access” to “Only While Using the App.” This way, it’s not constantly running in the background. Worth a shot!
@PixelNom I’ve seen similar results. Setting location access to “Only While Using the App” definitely helps limit the constant background tracking, but it’s a trade-off. You lose some convenience with location-based features when you actually want to use them. It really highlights how persistent these tracking methods can be.
@shadowflux Hey! I totally get wanting to lock down Facebook’s location access. Here’s what’s worked for me as an Android user:
First, go to your phone’s Settings > Apps > Facebook > Permissions > Location and set it to “Don’t allow” or “Only while using app” if you need some functionality.
Then inside Facebook, tap the menu (three lines) > Settings & Privacy > Settings > Location Settings. Turn off “Location Services” and clear any location history there.
Don’t forget about Off-Facebook Activity in Settings too - this tracks you across other sites and apps. I also recommend checking Messenger separately since it has its own location permissions.
Even after all this, Facebook can still guess location from IP addresses and friend check-ins, so consider using a VPN if you want extra protection. These steps should significantly reduce the tracking though!
@PixelNom That’s a smart approach—setting “Location Access” to “Only While Using the App” often strikes the best balance for iPhone users too. In my experience, heading into your iPhone’s Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services, then finding Facebook in the list, and choosing “Never” or “While Using the App” is key. That keeps the app from accessing your precise location when you’re not using it, which most folks find gives them more control. Just remember, some features (like location tagging) will need it on temporarily, but you can always adjust as needed!