Let’s face it, your location is one of the most personal pieces of information out there. It tells people where you are right now, and not everyone needs to know that. If you use Snapchat, you might already know about the Snap Map feature, which shares your real-time location with friends. If that makes you uncomfortable, you’re not alone.
You probably allowed Snapchat to access your location when you first set up the app. Most of us do without giving it much thought. The good news is, you don’t have to delete the app or completely turn off location services to keep your whereabouts private. There are easier ways to pause your location on Snapchat. Let’s walk through them.
Use Ghost Mode To Hide Your Snapchat Location
If you’ve never heard of Ghost Mode, think of it as Snapchat’s version of invisible mode. When it’s turned on, your friends won’t be able to see your location on the Snap Map. The great thing is you don’t have to remember to turn it off because Snapchat lets you set a timer for it. Here’s how to use it:
Method 1: Through Your Profile
- Open Snapchat on your phone.
- Tap your profile icon in the top-left corner.
- Scroll down to Snap Map.
- Tap the toggle next to Ghost Mode to turn it on.
- Choose how long you want it on: 3 hours, 24 hours, or until turned off.
Method 2: Through Snap Map Settings
- Open Snapchat.
- Head to the Friends tab at the bottom.
- Tap the map icon at the bottom of the screen.
- Tap the gear icon in the top-right corner to open Snap Map settings.
- Turn on the toggle next to Ghost Mode.
- Pick how long you want to stay in Ghost Mode: 3 hours, 24 hours, or Until turned off.
Whichever method you go for, Ghost Mode will also hide your Bitmoji from the map. Your friends can still tell that you’ve turned on Ghost Mod,e but if you care about privacy, it’s a small trade-off.
Turn Off Precise Location for More Privacy
If you’re using a newer iPhone or Android, you can choose between sharing your approximate or precise location. By turning off precise location, Snapchat can still know what general area you’re in but it won’t know your exact spot. Here’s how to do that:
On Android:
- Go to your phone’s Settings.
- Tap on App Settings.
- Select App Management, then find Snapchat.
- Go into Permissions, then Location.
- Turn off the toggle for Use Precise Location.
On iPhone:
- Open your phone’s Settings.
- Scroll down and tap on Snapchat.
- Tap Location.
- Turn off the toggle next to Precise Location.
This won’t stop Snapchat from knowing your general area but it’s a decent step if you want a bit more privacy without losing access to Snap Map altogether.
Limit Snapchat’s Access to Your Location Completely
If you want even more control over your privacy, you can restrict Snapchat’s access to your location entirely. Your phone lets you decide when or if an app can access your location. Here’s how to manage it:
On Android:
- Open your phone’s Settings.
- Go to App Settings, then App Management.
- Find Snapchat and tap on it.
- Go to Permissions, then Location.
- Choose one of the following:
- Allow all the time
- Allow only while using the app
- Ask every time
- Don’t allow
On iPhone:
- Head to your phone’s Settings.
- Scroll down and tap on Snapchat.
- Tap on Location.
Choose from:
- Never
- Ask next time or when I share
- While using the app
- Always
We don’t recommend picking “Allow all the time” or “Always” since those options let Snapchat access your location even when you’re not using the app. Instead, “While using the app” is a better choice because it only shares your location while the app is open.
If you choose “Ask every time” on Android or “Ask next time or when I share” on iPhone, Snapchat will ask you before accessing your location. And if you don’t want Snapchat to access your location at all, go for “Don’t allow” or “Never.”
Just keep in mind that if Snapchat doesn’t update your location for 24 hours, your Bitmoji will disappear from the Snap Map, similar to when you use Ghost Mode. So if that matters to you, make sure to log in regularly.
Take Control of Your Location on Snapchat
Staying private online isn’t always easy, especially with apps that like to track your every move. But taking control of your location settings on Snapchat is a great first step. Whether you use Ghost Mode, turn off precise location, or restrict access entirely, you’ve got options.
Snapchat might want to show your friends where you are, but that doesn’t mean you have to let it. Take a few minutes to adjust your settings, and you’ll feel more in control of your privacy.
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