Main points of ZDNET
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iOS lets you block tracking on apps and websites with just a few taps.
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Turning off tracking stops targeted advertising without breaking the app.
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App tracking transparency puts you in control of your data.
When you open an iPhone app, you may see a pop-up asking for permission to track you. I’ve always wondered who clicked “Allow,” because if you care even remotely about privacy, app tracking is one of the first iOS settings you should turn off.
Almost every app wants to track what you do on other apps and websites so it can sell this data to advertisers. This kind of tracking may be legal and common, but you don’t have to accept it. Apple’s App Tracking Transparency feature puts you in control by blocking access to your advertising identifier and preventing companies from linking your activity.
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In short, it gives you the final say. But apart from the pop-ups I mentioned above, there are other quick ways to turn off app tracking for new apps, all apps, and downloaded apps on your iPhone.
Let’s be honest: We are targeted every day by companies trying to sell us more products. So why not use a simple feature on your iPhone to stop this behavior? Of course, you’ll still see ads, but they’ll be generic rather than creepy specific.
How to stop apps from tracking you on iPhone
What you need: All you need is an iPhone, and for this guide I’m running iOS 26.2. App Tracking Transparency has been around since 2021 with the release of iOS 14.5, so any newer iPhone can follow these steps.
1. Stop tracking when installing a new iPhone app
When a newly installed app wants to track you, Apple asks it to request permission to track your activity across other apps and websites, including sharing the data with advertisers or data brokers. You will see this prompt when you open the app for the first time. Don’t click “Allow” just to quickly close it.
How to block tracking of newly installed iPhone apps:
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Download the app from the App Store.
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Open the application for the first time.
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When the tracking prompt appears, click Ask the app not to track.
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Continue using the app normally.
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Once you click “Ask apps not to track,” the app will be denied access to your advertising identifier and will not be able to track you. The app will still run and you’ll still see ads, but they won’t be targeted to your activity.
Elyse Betters Picaro/ZDNET
2. Stop tracking by all iPhone apps immediately
If you no longer want to see tracking prompts, Apple lets you turn off tracking requests system-wide on iOS. This is the fastest way to lock everything in one step. When the setting is off, apps automatically tell you that tracking is not allowed, so they don’t even get a chance to ask you. Perfect.
How to disable app tracking for all iPhone apps:
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Click Privacy & Security.
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Turn off Allow application request tracing.
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Select Ask the app to stop tracking.
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Once closed, any new apps that try to request tracking permissions will be automatically denied and blocked from prompting you. Your tracking permissions for apps that previously allowed you to be tracked will also be revoked.
Elyse Betters Picaro/ZDNET
3. Stop tracking in downloaded iPhone apps
It doesn’t matter if you didn’t turn off tracking requests for all applications in the second step above. You can still manually review and change tracking permissions for downloaded apps at any time. Apple maintains a comprehensive list of apps that have requested tracking in the past and their current permission status.
How to manage tracking per application:
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Click Privacy & Security.
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Close any apps you don’t want to track you.
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The changes should take effect immediately, but you can restart your iPhone at any time to make sure they take effect.
Elyse Betters Picaro/ZDNET
FAQ
What is Apple’s app tracking transparency feature?
Apple’s App Tracking Transparency feature forces apps to ask before tracking you across other apps and websites.
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When you say “no” to app tracking, you cut off access to advertising identifiers, which are used by advertisers and data brokers to link your activity, build profiles about you, and exchange that data for targeted ads. Apps can still collect the information you choose to share with them, but they can no longer track you across apps or translate that behavior into larger advertising profiles.
If I block tracking, will I still see ads?
Yes. Ads on iPhone aren’t going away completely. If you completely disable tracking for all apps, they will stop personalizing or targeting you.
Will blocking app tracking also stop location tracking?
Won’t. Location tracking is controlled separately in iOS under Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services.
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