WARSAW, Jan 30, 2026, 10:42 CET
- Apple is introducing a new “Limit Precise Location” option for certain iPhones and iPads running iOS 26.3
- Apple says the feature cuts down on how accurately mobile networks can track a device’s location
- iOS 26.3 introduces features exclusive to Europe, designed to comply with the EU’s interoperability regulations
Apple has introduced a new setting for iPhones and iPads that blurs the exact location data shared with mobile networks. This privacy-focused update also highlights the growing gap between features offered in Europe and those available in other regions.
The “Limit Precise Location” feature works on iPhone Air, the iPhone 16e, and cellular iPad Pro (M5) models running iOS 26.3. It’s currently supported by a handful of carriers: Telekom in Germany; AIS and True in Thailand; EE and BT in the UK; and Boost Mobile in the US. Techcrunch
This shift comes as police and intelligence agencies rely more on telecom companies for location data, even as criminals and state-backed hackers target carriers to steal sensitive customer info. It highlights a less obvious form of tracking: the data the network extracts directly from the phone.
Telecom operators estimate a phone’s location based on the cell towers it connects to, but the handset itself can refine that estimate, said Gary Miller, a mobile security expert and Citizen Lab researcher who serves as senior director of network intelligence at iVerify.
“Most people don’t realize that devices can share location data beyond just the apps,” Miller explained. “Although these devices can restrict GPS access within apps, they haven’t managed to control precise location data sent over the network.”
According to Apple’s support document, enabling this setting “reduces the precision of location data available to cellular networks.” It doesn’t impact the location information shared with apps or emergency services during a 911 call. Apple hasn’t explained why the feature exists, and an Apple spokesperson declined to comment when TechCrunch reached out. Apple
Within the iOS 26.3 update cycle, Apple is rolling out Europe-exclusive features to meet the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA) requirements. These include forwarding notifications to third-party smartwatches with reply functionality, AirPods-style quick pairing for non-Apple headphones, expanded NFC access for tap-to-pay and other uses, plus a high-bandwidth Wi-Fi connection between devices for accessories. BGR reports Apple hasn’t released a “Release Candidate” build yet — the version usually close to final — which could push the launch past their typical late-January schedule. Bgr
The DMA serves as the EU’s regulatory framework targeting major digital “gatekeepers,” with its interoperability rules forcing Apple to open up iOS and iPadOS features to rival device makers more fully. This hits Apple where it’s strong: seamless integration across iPhone, Watch, AirPods, and other gadgets. Europa
The EU is pushing for features that are already part of Android’s landscape. Take Google’s Fast Pair, which leverages Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) to streamline connecting accessories like headphones with just a tap — the familiar “open the case and connect” experience that Apple made famous with AirPods. Google
Apple has positioned the carrier-location restriction as a privacy safeguard rather than a fresh type of app permission. This difference is crucial for users who believe they’ve “turned off location” just by adjusting settings within apps.
The EU interoperability updates lean heavily on the commercial side. If third-party watches start handling notifications like the Apple Watch does, and wallets or transit apps gain more direct access to the NFC chip, accessory makers suddenly have fresh angles to compete on iPhone—at least within the EU.
Apple shares climbed roughly 0.6% in premarket trading.
The fine print tells the real story. The carrier-location setting is limited to just a few recent models and a small number of networks. Meanwhile, the Europe-only features rely heavily on manufacturers to roll them out. Expanding access to deeper functions—like notification delivery, NFC, and device-to-device connections—also increases the threat of fraud and security weaknesses if safeguards are insufficient or approvals get delayed.
iOS 26.3 currently feels like a double release: a focused privacy tweak that might expand later, paired with Europe-only adjustments shaped more by regulatory pressure than user requests to ensure the iPhone cooperates better with competitors.
