How to Tell If Someone Is Tracking Your iPhone Location

Review Your Location Sharing Settings

Check where your iPhone is sharing your location information directly within the privacy settings.

Go to Settings -> Privacy & Security -> Location Services.
Scroll down to Share My Location.
See if Find My is enabled and who has access to your location.
Review any individual apps listed under Location Services to see if they have 'Always' access, as this could allow constant tracking.

Tip

Unexpected apps with 'Always' location access are a red flag for potential unwanted tracking.

The 'Find My' app can reveal if unknown devices are linked to your account, potentially allowing others to see your location.

Open the Find My app.
Tap on the Devices tab at the bottom.
Look for any unfamiliar iPhones, iPads, AirTags, or other Apple devices that you do not own or recognise.
Also, review the People tab to see if your location is being shared with anyone you don't recognise or expect.

Important

If you see a device you don't recognise, or are sharing your location with an unknown person, it's a strong indicator of compromise.

Unusual battery drain or increased data usage can sometimes be a sign of background location tracking.

Navigate to Settings -> Battery and scroll down to see battery usage by app.
Look for apps consuming significant battery when you haven't been actively using them.
Go to Settings -> Mobile Data (or Cellular Data) and review app-by-app data usage.
Keep an eye out for apps using a lot of mobile data in the background, which could be related to constant location updates.

Good to know

While not conclusive on their own, these patterns can suggest background activity, including location services, which might point to tracking.

Even system services can share your location. It's wise to review what's enabled if you suspect tracking.

Go to Settings -> Privacy & Security -> Location Services.
Scroll all the way down and tap on System Services.
Review the list, paying attention to services like Significant Locations; this keeps a record of places you've recently been.
Also, check Share My Location within System Services to ensure it's configured as you expect.

Tip

Understanding what system services use your location can help you determine if unexpected tracking is occurring through official channels.

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Written by

Founder, CyberSecurityGuides

Founder of CyberSecurityGuides, writing practical, jargon-free guides that help everyday people recover from and protect against online attacks.

Reviewed by CSG Security Engineers