Apple Scales Up ‘Limit Precise Location’ Privacy Feature in iOS 26.5
- Apple has expanded its 'Limit Precise Location' feature to more carriers and regions with the release of iOS 26.5.
- The feature prevents carriers from accessing exact street-level location data, providing users with greater anonymity at the neighborhood level.
- Users in the EU and UK can now enable the feature manually across most carriers, while hardware support remains tied to devices equipped with Apple-designed cellular modems.
Enhancing User Anonymity: The Expansion of ‘Limit Precise Location’
Apple continues to double down on its commitment to user privacy with the latest update to its iOS 26 ecosystem. With the release of iOS 26.5 this week, the tech giant has significantly broadened the availability of its ‘Limit Precise Location’ feature. This privacy-centric tool, which was initially restricted to a handful of carriers upon its introduction earlier this year, is now accessible to a much wider user base, marking a pivotal step in obfuscating location data from cellular service providers.
What is ‘Limit Precise Location’?
The ‘Limit Precise Location’ feature functions as a sophisticated barrier between your device and your mobile carrier’s network. Traditionally, cellular carriers track devices with high precision to optimize network connectivity. However, this level of granularity can be a privacy concern for users who prefer to keep their exact whereabouts private.
When enabled, the feature restricts the location data shared with carriers. Instead of broadcasting a specific street address or coordinate, the device transmits a broader geographic estimation—typically narrowed down only to the neighborhood or general area. This allows the carrier to maintain network efficiency without compromising the user’s granular location identity.
Hardware Constraints and Carrier Support
It is important to note that this feature is currently tethered to hardware capabilities. Because it requires Apple’s proprietary cellular modem technology (specifically the C1 and C1X modems), the feature is limited to select devices, including the iPhone Air, iPhone 17e, iPhone 16e, and the M5 iPad Pro. Rumors suggest that the upcoming iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Ultra will ship with the next-generation C2 modem, which will natively support this privacy protocol.
Apple has also significantly expanded its carrier partnerships. The feature is now officially supported by major global carriers, including:
- Austria: A1
- Denmark: YouSee
- Germany: Telekom
- Ireland: Sky
- Thailand: AIS and True
- United Kingdom: EE, BT, and Sky
- United States: Boost Mobile
A Regional Milestone for the EU and UK
Beyond the list of officially partnered carriers, Apple has implemented a policy change that empowers users in the European Union and the United Kingdom. If you are using a SIM or eSIM from a carrier within these regions, you can manually enable ‘Limit Precise Location’ regardless of the carrier’s official list status. This is a significant win for privacy-conscious users in these regions.
To enable this setting, navigate to Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Options > Limit Precise Location. As Apple continues to iterate on its hardware and software, it is expected that this feature will become a standard privacy utility for users worldwide, further cementing the iPhone’s reputation as a secure and privacy-focused device.
