How to Audit Location Sharing on iPad

Difficulty
Beginner
Tested on
iPadOS 18.4 - iPad Pro M4
You will need
iPad with iPadOS 16 or later

Step by step

  1. 1 min

    Inspect System Location Services

    Open Settings and navigate to Privacy & Security. Tap Location Services to see a comprehensive list of all installed apps and their current permission status.

    Note: Apps marked with a purple arrow have used your location recently.
  2. 1 min

    Restrict Individual App Permissions

    Select an app from the list to modify its access. Set permissions to Never, Ask Next Time, or While Using the App to ensure apps only track you when necessary.

    Note: Disable Precise Location for apps that do not require exact coordinates, such as weather or basic utilities.
  3. 1 min

    Check Find My Network Sharing

    Go to Settings, tap your Apple ID banner at the top, and select Find My. Tap Find My iPad to confirm that Find My network is configured according to your privacy preference.

    Note: This setting allows your device to be located even when offline.
  4. 1 min

    Review Share My Location Settings

    Within the Find My menu, ensure Share My Location is enabled only if you intend to broadcast your position. Tap People to see a list of contacts currently authorized to view your live location.

    Note: Remove access for any contact that no longer requires your real-time location data.
  5. 1 min

    Manage Safety Check Permissions

    Navigate to Settings, select Privacy & Security, and tap Safety Check. Use the Manage Sharing & Access tool to perform a bulk review of all people and apps currently receiving your location data.

    Note: Use the Emergency Reset feature if you need to instantly revoke all location sharing permissions.