Apple will introduce a new security feature in iOS 26.3 exclusive to devices with its C1x or C1 modem. The feature will prevent carriers from seeing your precise location data.
“With the limit precise location setting, you can limit some information that cellular networks may use to determine your location,” says Apple in its support document.
Apple tightens carrier location access in iOS 26.3
iOS allows you to control how apps access your location data. You can share either an approximate or precise location and choose whether to grant access once or on an ongoing basis.
Cellular carriers have not been a part of this permission system, though. This allows them to determine your location based on the connected cell tower.
With the “Limit Precise Location” option in iOS 26.3, Apple aims to prevent sharing your exact location with carriers. According to the company, the feature limits the information cellular networks receive. Instead of seeing your precise street address, carriers will only see the general neighborhood where your device is located.
However, the feature will only come to select iPhones and iPads with an Apple modem, which includes the iPhone 16e, M5 iPad Pro and iPhone Air.
Carrier support will also be limited at launch, with only a handful of networks supporting the feature:
- Germany: Telekom
- United Kingdom: EE, BT
- United States: Boost Mobile
- Thailand: AIS, True
Once iOS 26.3 rolls out, you can enable the Limit Precise Location toggle from Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Options.
Apple says this new iOS 26.3 security feature will not impact precise location data sharing with emergency services during an emergency call. It will also not impact the location data shared through apps and Find My network.
Rajesh has been writing about consumer technology for over a decade, with a strong focus on iPhones, Macs and Apple’s ecosystem. He enjoys digging into Apple software updates, hardware changes, and discovering new Mac apps that make work faster and more enjoyable.
