Skip to main content

iPhones and iPads secretly recording and storing users’ locations

iPhone TrackerSecurity researchers have found that your iPhone not only knows where you are, but is also recording your location and storing the information — without your consent and likely without your knowledge. The researchers will present their findings today at Where 2.0, a security conference being held in San Francisco.

According to researchers Alasdair Allan and Pete Warden, as a user moves about their iPhone silently records timestamped latitudinal and longitudinal coordinates and stores them in a hidden file. When an iPhone is then synchronized with a computer, that file is then transferred over to the computer’s hard disk, where it is clandestinely stored.

The privacy implications are quite severe. As Warden points out, “Apple has made it possible for almost anybody – a jealous spouse, a private detective – with access to your phone or computer to get detailed information about where you’ve been.”

The location recording appears to have been initiated with the release of iOS 4 last June. That means some users may have unwittingly accumulated a year’s worth of location information that’s stored somewhere on their phone or computer.

Wireless companies do track and store locations based on phone use, but that information is kept behind firewalls and usually only obtainable through a court order or warrant.

The good news is that the researchers don’t believe that the information is being transmitted to Apple or to any other third-party company or service. The reason for the information gathering in the first place, however, remains a mystery. One possibility is that Apple is planning (or was planning) to use location history as part of a future app or service. An ad service that targets users most-frequented locations would be one likely use for the data. The researchers don’t believe that the information gathering is accidental.

The iPhone wasn’t the only device that researchers looked at, but it was the only device where an issue was discovered. “Alasdair has looked for similar tracking code in [Google’s] Android phones and couldn’t find any,” said Warden. “We haven’t come across any instances of other phone manufacturers doing this.” The researchers did find, however, that 3G-enabled iPads also record location data in a similar manner.

If you would like to see what your iPhone knows about your travel habits, Allan and Warden have you covered. The researchers have released a free app called iPhone Tracker to allow concerned iPhone owners to examine the location information that their phones have recorded. While the program will show you what your iPhone knows, so far there doesn’t seem to be an easy way to prevent the location data gathering from happening in the first place. Our advice: if you’re going somewhere you shouldn’t be, consider leaving your iPhone at home.

Editors' Recommendations

Aemon Malone
Former Digital Trends Contributor
iOS 18 could add a customization feature I’ve waited years for
iOS 17 interactive widgets on an iPhone 15 Pro Max.

iOS 18 is coming later this year, and all signs point to it being a dramatic iPhone update. Now, thanks to one new report, it looks like iOS 18 could add a customization feature I've been waiting years and years and years for: better home screen customization.

According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, iOS 18 will introduce a "more customizable" home screen. More specifically, iOS 18 will allow you to place app icons and widgets anywhere you want. If you want a space or break between an app icon or your widget, welcome to the future: iOS 18 may finally let you do that. MacRumors corroborated this report with its own sources, too.

Read more
5 phones you should buy instead of the iPhone 15 Pro Max
iPhone 15 Pro Max lying on the ground surrounded by leaves.

Apple’s iPhone 15 Pro Max is one of the top choices for a premium smartphone. It offers the latest and greatest from Apple, including the new A17 Pro chip, a fantastic camera system, a lightweight titanium body, the Action button, and USB-C charging. It's a great package.

But there’s no doubt about it — the iPhone 15 Pro Max is also quite expensive, with a starting price of $1,200. It’s also not the only option out there if you want the best smartphone on the market, especially if you aren’t particularly invested in the Apple ecosystem.

Read more
The best iPhone keyboard apps in 2024: our 12 favorites
Typing on the iPhone 14 Plus.

The iPhone's default keyboard may not meet everyone's needs. Its limited features may leave some users wanting more variety and flexibility, especially on larger devices like the iPhone 15 Pro Max or smaller models like the iPhone SE (2022).

We have conducted research and compiled a comprehensive list of the best third-party keyboards for iPhone, that can significantly enhance your texting experience. These keyboards offer a wide range of features and customization options, such as adjustable key size, swipe typing, themes, and easier access to emojis. Most of these keyboards are available for free, while some offer premium subscription options. Either way, you'll easily be able to find a keyboard that suits your needs and preferences.

Read more