Recently, people have been asking me how to turn off the instagram location tracking feature. News this week about a new Instagram function that allows your location to be tracked and shared, (well, technically, the location of your phone – but, for most, this equates to your physical location, at any given time) has caused many people to be concerned.
If you are NOT interested in having this function activated, here are the steps, for both Android and Apple users, to turn off the Instagram tracking feature.
To disable location sharing via the Instagram app:
Step-by-Step Instructions for Android Phones to turn off the Map App and location tracking
- Open Instagram and tap the Messages (DM) icon in the top‑right corner of your feed.
- Tap the Map icon at the top of your inbox to open the Instagram Map feature.
- In the Map screen, tap the gear icon (Settings) at the top‑right.
- Choose “No one” to stop anyone from seeing your location.
- Tap Update at the bottom to save your changes.
To remove Instagram’s access to your device’s location services (optional for extra privacy):
- On your Android device, press and hold the Instagram app icon on your home screen.
- Tap App info, then go to Permissions → Location.
- Select “Don’t allow” (or “Deny”) to remove location access entirely.
- If available, you can also toggle off “Precise location” to allow only approximate location.
Step-by-Step Instructions for IPhones (Apple IOS) to turn off the Map App and location tracking
To disable the Map feature in Instagram app:
- Open the Instagram app. Tap the Messages (DM) icon in the top-right corner.
- Tap the Map icon at the top of your inbox.
- In the Map view, tap the gear icon (Settings) in the top-right.
- Under “Who can see your location,” select “No one.”
- Tap Update to save your settings.
To remove Instagram’s access to Location Services in iOS Open Settings on your iPhone:
- Scroll down and tap Instagram.
- Tap Location.
- Select Never to block Instagram’s access entirely.
- (Optional) If you want some features to still work but with less detail, choose While Using the App and turn Precise Location off.
Location tracking features CAN be useful. Note that changing your location settings may impact the functionality of some apps like food ordering and delivery (GrubHub, Ubereats, etc). You can go in and approve each of those individually as needed.
Also be sure to enable permissions for your map apps (Google Maps, etc) if you use those.
Remember:
Our phones carry the sum total of our world’s knowledge to date and can be amazingly helpful tools – but be sure to understand how they are being used by others and use controls to protect yourself where you can.
Be careful out there!
