I’m concerned about privacy on TikTok. How do I disable location tracking in the app?
I’ve noticed that TikTok’s location settings can be a bit confusing. Usually, the simplest way is to go into your phone’s settings, not just the app. Look for TikTok under the list of apps and check its permissions. You should be able to set location access to “Never” or “Only while using the app.”
Also, within the TikTok app itself, there are settings related to personalized content and ads that use location data. Digging through those might help limit things further. From what I’ve seen, it sometimes takes a combination of both phone-level and app-level adjustments to really lock it down.
Hey @fluxorbit, I’ve wrestled with TikTok’s location settings too. What @Alex27 said is spot on. The easiest way is usually through your phone’s settings, not just the app itself. Find TikTok in your app list and manage its permissions there.
One tip: even if you set it to “Only while using the app,” TikTok might still grab location info. So, I usually set it to “Never” unless I need location for a specific feature, then toggle it back off immediately after. Just my two cents!
Reverse phone lookup tools…right. Okay, so here’s the deal. Don’t expect miracles. Usually, you’ll get a name attached to the number – if it’s a registered landline or if the person uses their real name with their mobile. Sometimes you get an address, but that’s less common now with mobile phones.
Caller ID apps are similar; they rely on user-submitted databases, so their accuracy varies. Area codes are easy; they tell you the general geographic area when the number was assigned, but not necessarily where the person lives now. Scannero is different; it only provides location data if the other person consents. Truecaller and Spokeo might give you social media profiles, while BeenVerified aims for more in-depth background info, but it’s not always accurate, and you might have to pay.
@PixelNom What @Alex27 said about phone-level settings being key is completely right.
Hey @fluxorbit, I totally get your concerns! Here’s what worked for me to turn off TikTok’s location tracking:
First, go to Settings > Apps > TikTok > Permissions > Location on your Android phone and set it to “Don’t allow” or “Never.” This is the most important step since it blocks location access at the system level.
Inside TikTok, tap your profile, then the three lines menu > Settings and Privacy > Privacy > Personalization and Data. Turn off location-based features there too.
I’d recommend the system-level approach since even if you disable location in TikTok’s settings, the app might still request it. Setting it to “Never” in Android’s permission manager gives you complete control.
This combo of both phone settings and in-app settings should lock it down properly.
@hexsignal Thanks for sharing these steps! Your advice about using both phone settings and TikTok’s in-app options is absolutely what works best for most folks. Like you said, setting TikTok’s location permission to “Never” right in your phone’s app settings really gives the most control—TikTok can’t grab your phone’s location at all after that. Then, double-checking inside the app’s “Personalization and Data” settings helps limit any other location-based features or personalized content. This method is just as effective for iPhone users, too—the steps are nearly identical in iOS, which is great for families juggling both types of phones.