How to turn off location on tiktok android?

TikTok is a popular social media app that allows users to create and share short videos. The app can access your device’s location to provide a more personalized experience, such as showing content from creators in your area. However, you may want to turn off location access for privacy reasons or to reduce battery drain. Fortunately, it’s easy to disable location services on TikTok if you have an Android device.

Understanding TikTok Location Settings

TikTok requests access to your location for two main purposes:

• To show you relevant content like videos filmed near your current location.
• To allow you to geotag your videos with your location when posting.

There are two layers of location access that TikTok requests:

• Precise location – This uses GPS, cell towers, and wifi to pinpoint your exact location coordinates.
• Approximate location – This relies only on cell towers and wifi to estimate a broader location range.

You can toggle these permissions separately in your device settings. You can also control location access directly within the TikTok app.

Disable Location in App Settings

The easiest way to turn off location services for TikTok is through the app’s own settings menu:

1. Open the TikTok app on your Android phone.
2. Tap on your profile icon in the bottom right.
3. Go to the menu tab (3 horizontal lines in top right) and tap Settings & privacy.
4. Tap Privacy.
5. Tap Location.
6. Toggle off the switch for Location access.

This will disable both precise and approximate location access for TikTok. The app will no longer have permission to use your device’s geolocation features. However, this only affects TikTok and does not change any system-wide location settings.

Disable Location Through Android Settings

You can also fully disable location access for TikTok specifically through your Android device’s system settings:

1. Open Settings on your Android device.
2. Scroll down and tap Location.
3. Tap App permission.
4. Find TikTok in the list and tap it.
5. Select Deny.

This will prevent TikTok from getting your precise GPS location. However, it can still potentially estimate your approximate location through wifi and mobile networks. To disable this:

6. Tap Wi-Fi and Bluetooth scanning.
7. Turn off both toggles for TikTok.

Now TikTok will not be able to determine your location through any method. Keep in mind you may need to manually enable location again in the future if you want to use geotagging or see localized content.

Double Check TikTok Location Permissions

After disabling location access in your device settings or directly in the TikTok app, you should double check that the permissions were revoked properly:

1. Open TikTok and go to your profile.
2. Tap the 3-line menu button and go to Settings & Privacy.
3. Tap Privacy.
4. Check that the toggle for Location is now off and disabled.

As long as the Location switch is disabled here, TikTok no longer has the ability to see or use your device’s location data.

Temporarily Enable Location When Needed

If you only want to disable TikTok from tracking your location by default, but allow it temporarily when needed, you can re-enable it at any time:

1. Go to Settings & Privacy > Privacy > Location in the TikTok app.
2. Toggle on Location access.

Your precise location data will then be available to TikTok again. You can disable it again immediately after using a geo-tagged feature. This gives you on-demand control.

Disable Location System-Wide

In addition to controlling TikTok’s access specifically, you can disable location services for your entire device:

1. Open Settings on your Android.
2. Tap Location.
3. Toggle off the master switch at the top to disable location for all apps.

With system-wide location turned off, TikTok and all other apps cannot see your GPS coordinates. But keep in mind this disables geotagging and geography-based features in other apps as well.

Using Airplane Mode

Another option is to enable Airplane Mode on your Android device:

1. Open Quick Settings (swipe down from the top).
2. Tap the Airplane icon to enable Airplane Mode.

Airplane Mode disables all wireless connections, including mobile data, wifi, Bluetooth, and GPS. This will prevent precise location tracking in any app, including TikTok. The downside is it also disables internet access and background functions that may rely on location.

Considerations Before Disabling Location

Here are a few things to keep in mind before you disable location services for TikTok or your Android device:

• You won’t be able to geotag your TikTok videos with your location information.
• TikTok’s “For You” feed may show less localized content from your area.
• Other apps that use location for maps, weather, and transportation may lose functionality.
• Location-based Smart Lock features will stop working, like unlocking at home.
• Location tracking can be useful if you lose your phone.

The benefits of increased privacy may outweigh these factors for many users. But assess your own needs before completely disabling location globally or for specific apps like TikTok.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does turning off location prevent geotagging?

Yes, if you disable location access for TikTok, the app will not be able to geotag your videos with GPS coordinates indicating where they were recorded.

Can I re-enable location later?

You can easily re-enable location access for TikTok at any time by toggling it on in the app’s privacy settings. You can also re-enable system location services through your Android device settings.

Will people still see my city on my profile if I turn off location?

Yes, the city you list publicly on your TikTok profile is not affected. Only geotagging that shows the exact filming location on posts is impacted.

Can TikTok still estimate my location without GPS?

If you disable precise GPS location but keep approximate “Wi-Fi and Bluetooth scanning” enabled, TikTok can still roughly estimate your location via nearby wifi networks and Bluetooth devices.

What about third-party apps that require TikTok location?

Disabling location access for TikTok also applies to any third-party apps that request your data through TikTok. Their location access would be revoked as well unless granted separately.

The Bottom Line

It’s quick and easy to disable precise GPS location tracking in the TikTok app itself or through your Android device settings. You can toggle it off and on anytime. Just be aware this prevents geotagging videos with your coordinates. But for many users, increased privacy outweighs losing this one feature. Limiting location tracking also conserves battery life. Overall, you have full control over allowing or denying TikTok access to your whereabouts.