Alex Ruben
How To Grant Apps Access to Your Approximate Location on Android 16
In a world where privacy feels like a constant battle, tweaking app permissions is kinda necessary. Maybe you just want enough info for apps to work without giving away your exact location, or maybe you’re just tired of every app asking for full access. Either way, this guide walks through how to set your Android 16 device so apps only get your approximate location instead of the precise GPS coordinates. It’s pretty straightforward, but Android isn’t always the clearest about these settings, and sometimes it’s buried in weird menus. After this, you’ll be able to keep your privacy in check without totally messing up app functionality.
How to Fix Location Permissions to Approximate in Android 16
Method 1: Check the Location Settings
Most of the time, the location permission controls are found in the main menu, but because Android keeps changing stuff, it sometimes takes a little digging. Why it helps: It’s where you can toggle between “precise” and “approximate” location. It applies if apps suddenly seem to get full GPS data when they shouldn’t. Expect the app to still work, just with less exact info, which is enough for many things like weather apps or booking sites. Trust me, on some setups, this setting toggle might need a reboot or re-dive—it’s kind of weird that way.
- Open Settings — either from the notification shade or the home menu.
- Scroll to find Location — just type “Location” in search if the menu is a maze.
- Tap on Location to open the options.
- Look for Use precise location – if it’s turned on, switch it off. Yep, that’s what actually limits apps to less precise location data.
Because of course, Android has to make it harder than necessary, sometimes this toggle isn’t right next to each other or appears disabled. Usually, toggling it off is enough, but on some phones, you might need to go to the app permissions directly.
Method 2: Manage App Permissions Directly
If toggling the main location setting doesn’t do the trick, it’s time to go a little more granular. This is useful especially if some apps still pull your exact location even after switching off “Use precise location”. Why it helps: Apps might have their own permissions, which override global ones. When you do this, you expect better privacy, and sometimes, apps start behaving after you restrict their access.
- Open Settings and navigate to Apps & Notifications (or just Apps in some models).
- Tap on See all apps and choose the offending app, like Google Maps or Uber.
- Go to Permissions — this is where Android separates what each app can access.
- Find Location and select it.
- Switch the permission mode from “Allow all the time” or “While in use” to Approximate location only. On some devices, you might see toggles for “Allow only while using the app”, which you can turn off, then toggle on a setting that says “Approximate location” (sometimes hidden under advanced options).
This method is a bit more invasive but makes sure the apps aren’t sneaking around with full GPS access. Some built-in apps may only support full location, so be aware that not all apps will respect this setting perfectly, but it’s usually enough.
Extra Tips & Common Issues
Most Android setups are fine with toggling these options, but a few gotchas exist. Sometimes, after changing the setting, apps need a restart or even a device reboot to truly adapt. And if apps are still acting all precise, check if there’s an app-specific permission override. Also, in some cases, you might have to reset app permissions altogether or clear app data and cache. Not sure why, but this sometimes cracks the stubborn ones. Also, occasionally, privacy or security apps installed may interfere with your location settings, so double-check their configs or temporarily disable them to see if it helps.
Wrap-up
Messing with your location permissions in Android 16 can be a bit of a hassle, but once you get the hang of toggling the main setting and controlling each app individually, it’s worth it. Not every app needs to know your exact coordinates, so why give it the chance? Keep an eye on updates though—Android’s always changing the menu paths, and what worked once might need a tweak later. Still, it’s a decent way to keep some privacy while still using your favorite apps.
Summary
- Open Settings and go to Location
- Turn off Use precise location
- Review app permissions in Apps & Notifications
- Set individual apps to Approximate location if needed
- Restart apps or device if changes don’t seem to take effect