“Why is my Android phone’s location always on?”
It might not come as a surprise, but the simplest answer to that question is that
How it happened is likely another question in its own right. That’s because it is possible to turn on your location without realizing it.
Another potential explanation is that you may have permitted an application to use your phone’s location unwittingly. It’s also possible that a background app uses your phone’s location services.
For instance, if you want to check your local temperature, you’ll usually go to the Weather app.
The Weather application very likely has permission to use your current location. Therefore, it will turn on your location to provide the exact local temperature in your area.
However, the application may not turn the location off when it finishes. It’s then entirely up to you to double-check and turn off the location signal on your phone after each inquiry.
If the location signal on your phone is always on, then you may have used an app that turned it on for an action and just didn’t turn it off afterwards!
Either that, or you have an app running that uses Location Services constantly.
Alternatively, you may have unintentionally clicked on Location trying to turn something else on or off in the status bar.
Therefore, if you notice your location is always on, it may very well be due to the reasons mentioned above!
Why Is My Location Icon Always On?
There are a few reasons why your location icon is always on. Here is a list of possible causes:
You’ve Turned It On Yourself
Sometimes, while toggling certain settings in the Status bar, you may accidentally brush the Location icon.
A simple tap on that icon will switch it right on!
It’ll then stay on until you realize what you’ve done and subsequently turn it off.
If you’re sure that there are no background applications that are running the location service, it’s probable that you’re the one who turned it on.
It’s also possible that you previously turned it on intentionally and forgot to turn it off.
For example, if you want to share your whereabouts with someone on WhatsApp, you have to turn on your location. You may have forgotten to turn it off afterwards- check now!
Background Applications
Many Android apps request permission to use your phone’s location.
They usually do this when you first download and install them.
There’s a very high probability that you allowed this permission without thinking about it much.
What you don’t know is that those applications will now turn on your location whenever they need it!
Since they already have your permission, the app isn’t performing beyond what it’s allowed; it’s just doing what it’s supposed to do.
However, there are some applications such as Maps (if you can find it) and Weather that really do need to use your phone’s location for optimum efficiency.
Nevertheless, some other apps do the same even when there’s no perceivable need to do so. In many situations, gaming applications may be the culprit!
Update Requirements
If you’re absolutely sure that you didn’t turn on your location and that there are no background apps doing it either, there may be another problem.
Like ghosts?? Just kidding.
Or are we…?
Back to technical accuracy.
When phones require updates, they may malfunction until it’s carried out.
They’re high maintenance like that!
This is especially the case if there’s a bug present. Therefore, there’s a chance your location icon is always on because your phone needs an update!
You can resolve this issue by simply updating your phone immediately.
How Do I Turn Off The Location Icon On My Android Phone?
Follow these steps to turn off the location icon on your Android phone.
From The Quick Settings Panel
If your phone’s Location icon is part of the Quick Settings Panel on your phone, you can easily turn it on and off from there.
The Quick Settings Panel is the most accessible place to turn on most Android phone features:
1. Using two fingers, swipe down from the top of your screen to go directly to the Quick Settings Panel.
2. Find the Location icon.
3. Tap on it to turn Location Services on and off.
For some Android phones, the Location icon isn’t displayed in the Status bar automatically. Instead, you have the option to add the location icon to the bar for easy control.
To do that, follow these steps:
1. Open the Quick Settings Panel and click on the three dots in the top right of the page.
2. Click on the “Edit buttons option”.
3. Hold and drag the Location toggle down to add it to your Quick Settings Panel.
From The Phone Settings
Follow these steps to switch off your location directly from the settings:
1. Open the Settings app on your phone and scroll until you find Location.
2. Switch it off or on as you please.
Identifying The Apps Using The Phone’s Location
Some background applications have the power to switch on your location when it needs it, if given permission.
To find these applications, do the following:
- Go to Settings on your phone.
- Select Location.
- Look for Location Requests or App Permissions.
- Deny permissions for the applications that you do not want to give permissions to anymore.
Am I Being Tracked When My Location Icon Is On?
As mentioned above, when your location is turned on, it’s most likely that an application is using the GPS function. The type of application using your location will determine whether you are being tracked or not.
Usually, an application will request permission before it can use your location. That permission is generally requested on your first attempt to use the app. You can decide to “Allow All The Time” or “Allow Only When In Use.”
If you don’t want any of that, you can simply decline the permission request. However, do keep in mind that some apps won’t work without minimum permissions.
If you choose “Allow All The Time”, the applications will use your location services whenever it deems necessary. It doesn’t matter if they’re actively in use or not.
Choosing the “Allow Only When In Use” option means that the application can only access your location when you’re actively using the app.
When your location icon is active, it’s possible to know where your phone is at any given time. However, it’s also technically possible when the location is turned off!
The only way for your phone to be truly untraceable is for you to switch off the device completely.
That’s because it doesn’t matter if your location is on or off; your phone’s cell signals can still connect to surrounding towers whenever the device is on.
Those local cell towers can then provide an approximate location of your phone. That’s how your “Find My Device” application works when you lose your phone.
When your location icon is on, it doesn’t automatically mean a third party is tracking you.
If you suspect that, you can check the applications on your phone. Look for any suspicious applications that you didn’t download!
You can also check the location settings on your phone to find applications that have permission to use your location, even when you don’t think you granted it.
In Conclusion
Finding your location always being turned on can be a headache, especially if you’re concerned about security issues.
However, it’s not always a cause for alarm.
All you have to do is turn the location icon off whenever you find it on!
Additionally, whenever you find your location icon is on, an application will most likely be the cause behind it.
You may have permitted certain applications and allowed them to use your phone’s location at any time!
These applications don’t need you to turn it on manually every single time since they can do it automatically.
As such, a blunt force way of permanently solving the location issue is by denying all applications access to your location information.
However, doing so will also prevent you from using certain apps that need the function for good reasons (such as Maps).
Therefore, it may be a better idea to select “Allow Only When In Use” for your applications.
This means that any apps can no longer use your phone’s location service unless you’re actively using the program yourself!