If you don’t want TikTok to access or use your location, you may be wondering: how do you turn off location on TikTok? TikTok can use location information for features such as location-based content, recommendations, and location tags.
You can limit TikTok’s access to your device location through your phone’s privacy settings. You can also remove location information when posting, where the option is available.
How to Turn Off Location on TikTok on iPhone
If you’re using an iPhone, you can stop TikTok from accessing your location through the Settings app.
Step 1: Open Settings
Open your iPhone’s Settings.
Step 2: Go to Privacy & Security
Tap Privacy & Security.
Step 3: Select Location Services
Tap Location Services.
Step 4: Find TikTok
Scroll through the list of apps and tap TikTok.
Step 5: Select Never
Choose Never to prevent TikTok from accessing your location.
TikTok will no longer have permission to use your iPhone’s device location.
How to Turn Off Location on TikTok on Android
Android phones can have slightly different menus depending on the manufacturer and Android version.
Step 1: Open Settings
Open your phone’s Settings.
Step 2: Go to Location
Tap Location or search for Location in Settings.
Step 3: Open App Permissions
Tap App location permissions or App permissions.
Step 4: Select TikTok
Find TikTok in the list of apps.
Step 5: Don’t Allow Location Access
Choose Don’t allow.
TikTok will no longer have permission to access your device’s location.
How to Stop TikTok From Adding a Location to Your Videos
Turning off your phone’s location permission is different from removing a location that has already been added to a TikTok post.
When creating a post, TikTok may offer a Location option.
Before posting:
- Create your TikTok.
- Continue to the posting screen.
- Look for the Location option.
- Don’t select a location.
- Check the post details before tapping Post.
If you’ve already added a location to a post, available editing options may depend on the current TikTok version and your account.
How to Remove a Location From an Existing TikTok
If you’ve already published a video with a location, check whether TikTok provides an Edit post option.
You can try:
- Open your TikTok.
- Go to Profile.
- Select the video.
- Tap the three dots or More options.
- Look for Edit post.
- Check whether the location can be removed or changed.
Not every account or post has the same editing options.
If the location cannot be removed, you may need to change the video’s privacy settings or delete and repost it without adding a location.
How to Turn Off Location Services Completely
If you don’t want any apps to access your device’s location, you can disable location services entirely.
On iPhone
Go to:
Settings → Privacy & Security → Location Services
Then turn off Location Services.
On Android
Go to:
Settings → Location
Then turn off Use location.
Keep in mind that disabling location services affects other apps that rely on your location.
Why Does TikTok Need Your Location?
TikTok may use location information to provide features such as:
- Local content recommendations
- Location-based search results
- Nearby content
- Location tags
- More relevant advertising
You don’t necessarily need to give TikTok precise location access to use the app.
Does Turning Off Location Stop TikTok From Knowing Your Location?
Turning off your phone’s location permission prevents TikTok from accessing your device’s location through that permission.
However, TikTok may still be able to estimate your general location using other information, such as your IP address, language, region settings, or other account information.
So turning off location access does not necessarily make your TikTok activity completely anonymous.
Can You Turn Off Precise Location?
On some devices, you can allow an app to access an approximate location rather than your precise location.
If your phone provides this option for TikTok, you can choose the less precise setting instead of giving the app your exact location.
This can provide more privacy while allowing certain location-based features to work.
How to Protect Your Location on TikTok
For stronger privacy:
- Turn off TikTok’s location permission.
- Avoid adding locations to posts.
- Don’t reveal your home or workplace in videos.
- Be careful with recognizable landmarks.
- Review your TikTok privacy settings regularly.
- Avoid sharing personal information in captions or comments.
Remember that a video can reveal your location even when location services are disabled. For example, visible street signs, buildings, schools, or landmarks can give away where you are.
ALSO READ: How to trim videos on TikTok
