How to Prevent Your Phone from Being Tracked: A Comprehensive Guide

                                    Source   : Pexels

By Phenyo Caiphus

In today’s digital age, smartphones are indispensable tools for communication, navigation, and entertainment. However, these devices also make it incredibly easy for corporations, governments, and malicious actors to track your location and behavior. Protecting your privacy has become a necessity. This guide dives deep into the best ways to prevent your phone from being tracked, empowering you to take control of your digital footprint.

Understanding Phone Tracking

Phone tracking involves monitoring your device's location, browsing history, or activity. This can occur through GPS, Wi-Fi networks, mobile data, or even installed apps. While some tracking is legitimate, such as apps needing location services for navigation, others are invasive and breach your privacy.

Best Ways to Prevent Phone Tracking

1. Disable Location Services

Many apps use location services unnecessarily. To minimize tracking:

  • Go to your phone’s settings.
  • Navigate to the "Privacy" or "Location" section.
  • Disable location services or limit them to essential apps.
  • For iOS: Use the “While Using the App” option.
  • For Android: Disable location permissions for apps you don’t trust

2. Use a VPN (Virtual Private Network)

A VPN encrypts your internet traffic, masking your IP address and location. Choose a reliable VPN service with a no-logs policy. Popular options include:

  • ExpressVPN
  • NordVPN
  • Surfshark

This makes it harder for advertisers and websites to track your activity.

3. Turn Off Wi-Fi and Bluetooth When Not in Use

Wi-Fi and Bluetooth can be exploited to track your movements. Retail stores, for instance, often use Wi-Fi signals to monitor customer behavior.

  • Turn off these features when they’re not needed.
  • Use airplane mode in public places if you’re concerned about tracking.

4. Avoid Public Wi-Fi

Public Wi-Fi networks are breeding grounds for hackers and trackers.

  • Use mobile data instead of public Wi-Fi.
  • If you must use public Wi-Fi, connect through a VPN

5. Limit App Permissions

Many apps request unnecessary permissions, such as access to your location, microphone, and camera.

  • Regularly review app permissions.
  • Revoke permissions that aren’t essential for the app’s functionality.

6. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

Adding an extra layer of security through 2FA prevents unauthorized access to your accounts. Use authenticator apps like Google Authenticator or Authy.

7. Install Privacy-Focused Apps

Consider using privacy-first apps that prioritize user security:

  • Signal for messaging.
  • DuckDuckGo for browsing.
  • ProtonMail for email.

8. Regularly Update Your Phone’s Software

Outdated software often contains vulnerabilities that hackers can exploit. Always:

  • Enable automatic updates for your operating system.
  • Update apps frequently.

9. Use Anti-Tracking Tools

Some apps and browser extensions specifically combat tracking. Popular options include:

  • Ad blockers like uBlock Origin.
  • Anti-tracking tools like Privacy Badger.

10. Be Cautious with Social Media

Social media platforms are notorious for tracking user activity. To mitigate this:

  • Limit the information you share publicly.
  • Review privacy settings.
  • Avoid location tagging

11. Turn Off Ad Personalization

Advertisers track your online behavior to serve personalized ads. To disable ad tracking:

  • On Android: Go to “Settings > Privacy > Ads” and enable “Opt out of Ads Personalization.”
  • On iOS: Navigate to “Settings > Privacy > Apple Advertising” and turn off “Personalized Ads.”

12. Use Encrypted Communication

Encryption ensures your messages and calls can’t be intercepted:

  • Use apps like Signal or WhatsApp for end-to-end encrypted messaging.
  • Avoid using standard SMS for sensitive information.

Advanced Measures for the Privacy-Conscious

1. Faraday Bags

Faraday bags block all signals, including cellular, Wi-Fi, and GPS. Use them to secure your phone when privacy is paramount.

2. Custom ROMs

Installing a custom ROM like LineageOS or GrapheneOS removes unnecessary bloatware and trackers that come pre-installed with mainstream operating systems.

3. Disable "Find My Device" Features

While useful for retrieving lost devices, features like “Find My iPhone” or “Find My Device” can be exploited for tracking. Turn them off if you don’t need them.

4. Use a Burner Phone

For extreme privacy, consider using a burner phone without personal accounts or identifiable data.

Balancing Privacy and Convenience

While it’s tempting to disable all tracking features, remember that some are essential for certain functionalities, like navigation or emergency services. The goal is to strike a balance between privacy and usability.


Protecting your phone from being tracked requires vigilance and proactive measures. By disabling unnecessary features, limiting app permissions, and using privacy-focused tools, you can significantly reduce your risk. As technology evolves, so do tracking methods, making it crucial to stay informed and adapt your strategies.

Taking these steps not only safeguards your personal information but also sends a strong message about the importance of digital privacy in our interconnected world. Remember, privacy is not a luxury—it’s a fundamental right.

Images used in this article are for illustrative purposes only.

Location: Gaborone, Botswana

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