Apple’s upcoming mobile operating system, iOS 14, will introduce a feature allowing users to choose whether to grant apps approximate location access instead of precise GPS location. The Precise Location toggle within Location Services provides users with greater control over which apps can access their current location data. This feature recognizes that many apps can function effectively with approximate location data rather than requiring precise coordinates.
The iOS 14, unveiled at Apple’s WWDC event in June, is set to be released globally later this year. The new setting in iOS 14 enables users to share their approximate location with apps that traditionally requested precise location information. In previous iOS versions, users could grant an app location access while using the app or always, resulting in apps receiving exact coordinates even when precise location data wasn’t necessary. With iOS 14, users can decide whether to provide apps with precise information or only approximate location data, offering a more tailored and privacy-conscious approach.
For instance, a weather app doesn’t need exact coordinates to provide current weather; knowing the city or state is sufficient. iOS 14 includes APIs that allow apps to declare their need for ‘reduced accuracy’ location, enabling them to collect only the essential information required.
The new iOS version will be compatible with iPhone 6s, iPhone 7 series, iPhone 8 series, and newer models. While the public beta is currently available for iOS 14 and iPadOS 14, the stable build is anticipated to be released globally later this year.
In addition to the location privacy feature, iOS 14 introduces various notable changes, including modifications to the home screen, new fonts, full-screen effects, enhanced Siri features, additional Memoji options, and more. Apple has provided a preview of several features that users can expect with the upcoming iOS 14.
