GoKawiilElyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET
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ZDNET's key takeaways
iOS lets you block tracking on apps and websites in a few taps.
Turning off tracking stops targeted ads without breaking apps.
App Tracking Transparency puts you in control of your data.
When you open an iPhone app, you have probably seen a pop-up asking for permission to track you. I have always wondered who taps Allow, because if you care even a little about privacy, app tracking is one of the first iOS settings you should want to shut down.
Almost every app wants to follow what you do across other apps and sites, so it can sell that data to advertisers. That kind of tracking may be legal and common, but you do not have to accept it. Apple's App Tracking Transparency feature puts you in control by blocking access to your advertising identifier and preventing companies from linking your activity.
Also: 12+ iPhone settings you can change to noticeably improve its battery life (iOS 26 and older)
In short, it gives you the final say. But beyond that pop-up I mentioned above, there are other fast ways to shut down app tracking on your iPhone for new apps, all apps, and apps you have already downloaded.
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