Waze: How to Turn Off the Radar (Location) and Mute Notifications for Good

You're driving along, minding your own business, when Waze pings you about a police trap you already passed five minutes ago. Then it buzzes again to tell you about a pothole that's been there since the Bush administration. And all the while, that little blue arrow is broadcasting your exact position to Waze's servers, slurping up your battery like a thirsty vampire. If you're ready to take back control, here's the step-by-step guide to silencing Waze and revoking its location permissions.

Why Does Waze Need My Exact Location?

Waze uses your GPS to provide real-time traffic, route optimization, and crowd-sourced alerts. But do you really need it to know where you are when you're just parked at home? Probably not. The app can still function with 'While Using' or 'Ask Next Time' permissions, though you'll lose live traffic updates. For many, that's a fair trade-off for privacy and battery life.

How to Disable Location on Waze (iOS)

Step 1: Open Settings

Go to your iPhone's Settings app, scroll down to find Waze in the app list, and tap it.

Step 2: Change Location Access

Tap 'Location' and select 'Never' or 'While Using the App'. If you choose 'While Using', Waze will only track you when the app is open and active. For maximum privacy, pick 'Never'.

Step 3: Turn Off Precise Location

Toggle off 'Precise Location' to give Waze only an approximate area, not your exact coordinates. This is a great middle ground if you still want some functionality.

How to Disable Location on Waze (Android)

Step 1: Open App Info

Long-press the Waze icon and tap 'App Info' (or go to Settings > Apps > Waze).

Step 2: Tap Permissions

Select 'Permissions' and then 'Location'. Choose 'Deny' to block all access, or 'Allow only while using the app' for limited tracking.

Step 3: Additional Permissions

While you're there, consider revoking other permissions like 'Storage' or 'Phone' if not needed. Waze doesn't need access to your photos to navigate.

How to Turn Off Waze Notifications

iOS

In Settings > Waze, tap 'Notifications' and toggle off 'Allow Notifications'. Or customize by disabling specific alert types like 'Alerts' or 'Promotions'.

Android

In App Info > Notifications, toggle off 'Show notifications'. You can also fine-tune by tapping individual categories (e.g., 'Traffic alerts', 'Promotional') and blocking them separately.

Waze's tracking is stickier than duct tape on arm hair—but with these steps, you can peel it off cleanly. Remember, you can always re-enable permissions when you need real-time traffic on a long trip.

CCPA and Your Location Data

Under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and CPRA, you have the right to know what data Waze collects and to request its deletion. Compared to the American model, which gives you opt-out rights for data sales, Waze's location tracking is considered 'sensitive personal information' under CPRA, meaning you can limit its use. If you're in California, you can submit a request via Waze's privacy portal. For everyone else, the manual settings above are your best bet—because sometimes the best privacy tool is your own finger.