Apple has launched a new privacy feature in iOS 26.3 called Limit Precise Location. It restricts cellular carriers from pinpointing your iPhone’s exact location. The update targets carrier-level tracking, not apps, GPS, or emergency services.
When activated, the setting prevents networks from identifying a device’s precise street-level location. Instead, carriers see only a broad area, such as a neighborhood. Apple says this does not affect Find My, app permissions, or emergency call accuracy.
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This differs from existing location controls, which only manage app access to GPS. Limit Precise Location works at the network level, giving users control over previously unavoidable tracking. It reduces carriers’ ability to build detailed movement profiles.
The feature is available on select devices, including iPhone Air, iPhone 16e, and iPad Pro (M5) Wi-Fi + Cellular. Supported carriers at launch include Telekom (Germany), EE and BT (UK), Boost Mobile (US), and AIS/True (Thailand). More networks may adopt it over time.
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Privacy advocates see this as a meaningful step, especially after U.S. regulators fined carriers for mishandling location data in 2024. While not eliminating tracking, it limits precision and strengthens user privacy.