TikTok: How to Turn Off the Radar (Location) and Mute the Noise Forever

You open TikTok for a quick scroll, and within minutes your phone buzzes with a push notification about a trending dance. Then another. And another. Meanwhile, the app is quietly pinging your GPS to serve you local content — even when you're not using it. That's not just annoying; it's a battery killer and a privacy leak. Let's fix it.

Why Does TikTok Want My Exact Location?

TikTok uses your precise location to tailor the For You page with local trends, suggest nearby creators, and — let's be honest — build a detailed profile of where you go. Under the California CCPA, you have the right to opt out of this sale of your data, but the app doesn't make it easy. Here's how to take back control.

How to Disable Location Permissions on TikTok

On iOS (iPhone/iPad)

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone (not TikTok's in-app settings).
2. Scroll down and tap TikTok.
3. Tap Location.
4. Select Never. (If you want to allow it only while using the app, choose "While Using the App" — but for maximum privacy, pick Never.)
5. Also toggle off Precise Location if you keep it on "While Using."

On Android

1. Go to Settings > Apps > TikTok.
2. Tap Permissions > Location.
3. Select Deny.
4. (Optional) Tap Remove permissions if app isn't used to auto-revoke after inactivity.

How to Turn Off Notifications on TikTok

On iOS

1. Open Settings > Notifications > TikTok.
2. Toggle off Allow Notifications. Done.
3. If you want to keep some, customize below: disable Sounds and Badges, and set Lock Screen, Notification Center, and Banners to off.

On Android

1. Go to Settings > Apps > TikTok > Notifications.
2. Toggle off Show notifications. Or tap each category (e.g., "Likes," "Comments") and disable individually.
3. For extra peace, also go to TikTok's in-app settings: Profile > ☰ > Settings and Privacy > Notifications, and turn off everything.

That's it. Your phone will stop buzzing every time someone breathes near a trending sound. And your location? It's nobody's business but yours. Compared to the American model under the California CCPA or CPRA, where you can opt out of data sales with a simple "Do Not Sell My Personal Information" link, TikTok's global settings are buried deeper than a forgotten draft. But now you know where to dig.

Think of TikTok's tracking like that friend who always asks where you're going before you've even left the house. Polite? No. Necessary? Also no. So cut the cord. Your battery — and your privacy — will thank you.