Tumblr: How to Kill the Radar (Geolocation) and Mute Notifications Forever

Your phone buzzes. Again. Tumblr wants to show you a post from someone you followed in 2014. Meanwhile, somewhere in the app's settings, your exact location is being pinged. Creepy? A bit. But you can stop it in under two minutes.

Why Does Tumblr Want My Exact Location?

Tumblr uses geolocation to suggest nearby blogs and tag posts with your city. But let's be real: do you want a social network—known for its chaotic energy—to know you're currently sitting on your couch in your pajamas? Probably not. Turning off location also saves battery, because your phone stops playing hide-and-seek with satellites.

How to Disable Geolocation on Tumblr

On iPhone (iOS)

1. Open Settings → scroll down to Tumblr.
2. Tap Location → select Never. (If you want to be generous, choose "While Using the App"—but we both know you'll forget.)
3. While you're there, toggle off Precise Location so Tumblr only sees your general area (like a city, not your street).

On Android

1. Go to Settings → Apps → Tumblr.
2. Tap Permissions → Location → choose Deny.
3. Bonus: also revoke Storage permission if you don't want Tumblr snooping through your photos.

How to Turn Off Push Notifications

iOS

1. Settings → Tumblr → Notifications.
2. Toggle off Allow Notifications. Or, if you want to keep some, disable Sounds and Badges and set Lock Screen Appearance to off.

Android

1. Settings → Apps → Tumblr → Notifications.
2. Flip the master switch to off. Or tap each category (Likes, Reblogs, etc.) and disable individually. Your call.

That's it. No more midnight buzzes, no more digital breadcrumbs. Your phone will thank you, and so will your battery.

Robin Hood CCPA Injection

Compared to the American model under the California CCPA and CPRA, Tumblr's data practices are actually decent—they let you opt out of targeted advertising and delete your data. But the default settings still nudge you to share location and notifications. Under CCPA, you have the right to know what data is collected and to say no. So exercise that right. Don't let Tumblr treat your location like a free sticker—peel it off.

One last thing: if you ever feel like Tumblr's tracking is stickier than duct tape on arm hair, just remember—you're in control. Not the app.