Apple Just Expanded This Privacy Feature to More iPhones

Why It Matters

Limiting precise carrier location data strengthens user privacy, aligns with GDPR expectations, and differentiates Apple in a market where location tracking is a revenue driver for carriers and advertisers.

Key Takeaways

• iOS 26.5 adds Limit Precise Location to iPhone 17e
• Feature now supports carriers in EU, UK, Thailand, and US Boost
• EU/UK users can enable the setting with any local SIM
• Apple plans C2 modem rollout on iPhone 18 Pro and Ultra
• Expanded privacy may pressure competitors to enhance location controls

Pulse Analysis

Apple’s latest iOS 26.5 release tackles a subtle but growing privacy concern: the granularity of location data transmitted to cellular carriers. While users have long been able to restrict precise GPS data for apps, the new Limit Precise Location toggle extends that control to the network layer, preventing carriers from seeing exact coordinates unless an app explicitly requests them. The feature originally launched only on devices with Apple’s C1 or C1X modem and was limited to Boost Mobile customers, leaving the vast majority of iPhone owners without the benefit. By expanding support to the iPhone 17e and adding a roster of European, UK, and Thai carriers, Apple is closing a privacy gap that has become increasingly scrutinized under regulations such as the EU’s GDPR and emerging U.S. state laws.

The expanded rollout reflects Apple’s broader strategy of leveraging privacy as a competitive moat. In regions where data‑protection statutes are stricter, offering default‑on approximate location sharing can reduce compliance burdens for both users and enterprises that rely on mobile devices for field operations. For carriers, the shift may prompt a re‑evaluation of revenue models that depend on precise location analytics for network optimization and targeted advertising. Meanwhile, consumers gain a clearer, more granular consent model, reinforcing trust in Apple’s ecosystem at a time when rival platforms are introducing similar location‑privacy controls.

Looking ahead, Apple’s roadmap hints at a more extensive deployment once the C2 modem arrives in the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Ultra later this year. The newer chip is expected to support a broader carrier set and potentially introduce additional privacy layers, such as encrypted location signaling. Competitors like Google and Samsung will likely feel pressure to match or exceed Apple’s offering, especially as enterprises demand stronger data‑governance for mobile workforces. For businesses, the key takeaway is to audit device fleets, update MDM policies to enable Limit Precise Location where available, and monitor carrier agreements for any changes in data‑handling practices.