How do I know if there’s a tracker on my iPhone?

Answered by Antonio Sutton

To determine if there is a tracker on your iPhone, you can follow these steps:

1. Start by accessing the settings on your device. On your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, locate the “Settings” app, which is typically represented by a gear icon. Tap on it to open the settings menu.

2. Once you are in the settings menu, scroll down and look for the “Privacy” option. It is usually represented by a hand icon. Tap on it to proceed.

3. Within the Privacy settings, you will find various options related to different aspects of your device’s privacy. Look for the “Tracking” option, which is specifically designed to manage whether apps are allowed to track your activity across other apps and websites.

4. Tap on the “Tracking” option to access its settings. Here, you will find a toggle switch that determines whether apps can request to track your activity. If the toggle is green and switched on, it means that apps can track you. If it is gray and switched off, it indicates that apps are not allowed to track you.

5. You can toggle the switch to enable or disable tracking based on your preference. If you want to prevent apps from tracking your activity, make sure the switch is turned off.

It’s worth noting that starting with iOS 14.5, Apple introduced a new privacy feature called App Tracking Transparency. This feature requires apps to seek your permission before they can track your activity across other apps and websites. When an app wants to track you, it will display a popup asking for your consent. You can choose to allow or deny tracking on an app-by-app basis.

By following these steps and checking the Tracking settings on your device, you can determine if there is a tracker enabled on your iPhone. Remember to review these settings periodically to ensure your privacy preferences are up to date.

Please note that while these steps are accurate as of iOS 14, Apple’s operating system updates may introduce changes to the settings menu and options. It’s always a good idea to consult the official Apple support documentation or website for the most up-to-date instructions.