In recent years, there has been growing concern about the potential for unwanted tracking. This concern has been heightened by the rise of devices like AirTags, which can be used to track people without their knowledge. To address this concern, Apple introduced Tracking Notifications in iOS 14.5.
These notifications alert users if an AirTag or other Find My network accessory is moving with them over time. In this article, we will explore what tracking notifications on iPhones are, how they work, and why they are essential for maintaining privacy.
What Are Tracking Notifications on iPhone?
Tracking Notifications are a feature on iPhone that alerts users if they are being tracked by an unknown AirTag or other Find My network accessory. These notifications are designed to help users protect their privacy and safety, and they are available on all devices running iOS 14.5 or later.
When an AirTag or other Find My network accessory is separated from its owner and starts moving with you, it will periodically send out Bluetooth signals. Your iPhone will scan for these signals and, if it finds one, it will check to see if the AirTag is associated with your Apple ID.
If it is not, you will receive a notification that an unknown accessory is moving or found near you. The notification will include the name of the accessory, if it has one, and the last time it was seen moving with you.
Read more: If Someone Is Accessing Your iPhone RemotelyYou can also tap on the notification to see more information about the accessory, such as its serial number and the date it was first seen with you. Tracking Notifications are a valuable tool that can help you protect your privacy.
However, it matters to understand its limitations. For example, if someone attaches an AirTag to your car or belongings without your knowledge, your iPhone will not be able to detect it because it will not be moving with you.
Understanding Tracking Notifications
Tracking notifications on iPhone are a privacy feature introduced in iOS 14.5 and later versions. These notifications provide users with information about apps and websites that want to track their activities across other companies’ apps and websites.
Essentially, tracking notifications give users the power to allow or deny tracking requests, empowering them to make informed decisions regarding their privacy.
How Tracking Notifications Work
When an app or website wants to track your activity for targeted advertising or other purposes, it sends a request to your iPhone. If you have tracking notifications enabled, your iPhone will display a pop-up notification asking for your permission to allow or deny tracking.
This notification provides information about the app or website making the request, allowing you to make an informed choice.
Enabling Tracking Notifications on iPhone
Enabling tracking notifications on your iPhone is a straightforward process. To do so, follow these steps:
- Open the “Settings” app on your iPhone.
- Scroll down and tap on “Privacy.”
- Select “Tracking” from the list.
- Toggle the switch next to “Allow Apps to Request to Track” to enable tracking notifications.
Once enabled, you will start receiving tracking notifications whenever an app or website tries to track your activity.
Read more: What Is Remote Icloud Quota Ui On My iPhone
How to turn off the tracking notifications feature on your iPhone
- Open the Settings on your iPhone.
- Tap on Privacy.
- Tap on Tracking.
- Toggle the switch next to Allow Apps to Request to Track to Off.
This will disable tracking notifications for all apps on your iPhone. If you only want to disable tracking notifications for Specific apps, you can do by following these steps:
Open the Settings on your iPhone.
- Tap on Privacy.
- Tap on Tracking.
- Scroll down to the list of apps.
- Tap on the app that you want to disable tracking notifications for.
- Toggle the switch next to Allow Tracking to Off.
Once you have turned off tracking notifications, you will no longer receive any notifications if you are being tracked by an unknown AirTag or other Find My network accessory.
Here are a few more tips to keep in mind:
- If you turn off tracking notifications for all apps, you will still be able to use the Find My app to find your own AirTags.
- If you turn off tracking notifications for a specific app, you will still be able to use that app to track your own location.
- If you turn off tracking notifications, you will not be able to see any notifications about unknown AirTags or other Find My network accessories that are moving with you.
Why did Apple develop Tracking Notifications?
Apple developed Tracking Notifications to give users more control over their privacy and to help them avoid being tracked without their knowledge. The notifications let users know when an app or device is trying to track their location, and they can choose to allow or deny the tracking.
There has been growing concern about the amount of personal data that is being collected by apps and devices, and Apple’s Tracking Notifications are a way to address this concern. The notifications give users more transparency about how their data is being used, and they can make informed decisions about whether or not to share their location with an app or device.
Apple’s Tracking Notifications are also a way to protect users from being tracked by unwanted or malicious apps. For example, if someone puts an AirTag on your belongings without your knowledge, the Tracking Notifications will let you know that the AirTag is tracking you. This can help you to identify the person who is tracking you and to take steps to protect yourself.
How your iPhone can detect AirPods or AirTag with you
Here are the steps on how your iPhone can detect AirPods or AirTag with you:
- Make sure that your iPhone is running iOS 14.5 or later.
- Open the Find My app.
- Tap on the Me tab.
- Scroll down and tap on Items.
- Click on the Settings icon in the top right corner.
- Toggle on the Notify When Away switch.
- If you want to be notified when an AirTag or AirPods is moving with you, toggle on the Notify When Moving switch.
Once you have set up your iPhone to detect AirPods or AirTag with you, you will receive a notification if an AirTag or AirPods is detected near you. The notification will include the name of the AirTag or AirPods, and you can tap on the notification to open the Find My app and see more information.
Why you should care about tracking Notifications on your iPhone?
There are a few reasons why you should care about tracking Notifications on your iPhone.
- To protect your privacy. Tracking Notifications can help you to identify apps that are tracking your location without your knowledge. This information can be used to track your movements, target you with ads, or even stalk you.
- To make informed decisions about your privacy. When you receive a tracking notification, you can choose whether or not to allow the app to track your location. This gives you more control over your privacy and allows you to make informed decisions about how your data is being used.
- To protect yourself from unwanted tracking. If you are concerned about being tracked, you can turn off tracking notifications for all apps or for specific apps. This can help to protect you from unwanted tracking and keep your privacy safe.
Here are some specific examples of how tracking notifications can be used to protect your privacy:
- In 2021, a woman in the United States was able to identify her stalker after she received a tracking notification from her iPhone. The stalker had been tracking her using an AirTag, and the notification alerted her to his presence.
- In 2022, a group of researchers in the United Kingdom used tracking notifications to track the movements of government officials. The researchers were able to track the officials’ movements without their knowledge, which raised concerns about government surveillance.
Benefits of Tracking Notifications
Tracking notifications offer several benefits for iPhone users, including:
Enhanced Privacy: By receiving tracking notifications, you become aware of which apps and websites are attempting to track your activity. This knowledge allows you to make informed decisions and take control of your privacy.
Transparency: Tracking notifications provide transparency about the data collection practices of different apps and websites. It helps users understand how their information is being used and shared.
Choice and Control: With tracking notifications, you have the power to choose whether to allow or deny tracking requests. This puts you in control of your online privacy and ensures that you are not being tracked without your consent.
Customized Experience: While some users may choose to allow tracking, others may prefer not to be tracked. By enabling tracking notifications, you can personalize your online experience based on your privacy preferences.
Protecting Your Privacy with Tracking Notifications
To protect your privacy effectively using tracking notifications, consider the following tips:
Stay Informed: Pay attention to tracking notifications and take the time to read the information provided. Understanding which apps and websites are requesting to track your activity will enable you to make informed decisions.
Review App Permissions: Regularly review the tracking permissions you have granted to different apps. If you no longer want an app to track your activity, you can modify its permission settings in the Privacy section of your iPhone’s Settings.
Educate Yourself: Stay updated on the latest privacy features and best practices. This will help you navigate the evolving landscape of data privacy and make informed choices.
FAQs
Are tracking notifications available on all iPhones?
Can I disable tracking notifications if I prefer not to receive them?
Do tracking notifications block all forms of tracking?
Can I change my tracking preferences after granting or denying permission?
Are tracking notifications available for all apps and websites?
What happens if I turn off tracking notifications?
How can I reduce my mobile data usage on my iPhone?
Turn off the background app refresh. This will prevent apps from refreshing their content in the background, which can use a lot of data.
Use Wi-Fi whenever possible. Wi-Fi is generally much faster and more efficient than cellular data, so using Wi-Fi whenever possible will help you save data.
Download apps and music over Wi-Fi. Downloading apps and music over cellular data can use a lot of data, so it’s best to do this over Wi-Fi.
Use data-saving mode. Data-saving mode is a feature on the iPhone that can help you save data by reducing the amount of data that apps can use.
How do I keep listening to music after Opening Facebook on my iPhone?
To enable Pause App Music, go to Settings > Music > Pause App Music and toggle the switch on.
What is the scheduled summary on iPhone?
To schedule a summary, go to Settings > Notifications > Scheduled Summary and select the apps that you want to include in the summary. You can then choose the time of day that you want to receive the summary.
How to fix My Apple ID is greyed out in Settings
If you have forgotten your Apple ID or password, you can reset your password or create a new Apple ID.
Conclusion
Tracking notifications on iPhone provide users with a valuable tool to protect their privacy and control their online experience. By enabling tracking notifications, users can stay informed about which apps and websites are attempting to track their activities and make informed decisions accordingly. With privacy becoming an increasingly important concern, tracking notifications empower users to take control of their digital lives and maintain the level of privacy they desire.
