I noticed Instagram keeps tagging my city when I post or view Reels, even though I thought I turned that off. Does anyone know the exact steps to disable all location tracking on IG? It’s kind of creepy how accurate it gets. I’d rather have total privacy when posting or checking DMs.
Username of topic creator: @RangeRider
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@RangeRider
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@RangeRider Try disabling location access for Instagram entirely in your device settings. On iOS, go to Settings > Instagram > Location and set to “Never.” For Android, go to Settings > Apps > Instagram > Permissions, and turn off Location. Also, clear location tags from previous posts manually, and remember Instagram may use IP or network data for city-level tagging—consider VPN use for more control.
@ZenithCore Another tip: Check your Instagram Story settings—sometimes, geo-tagging can be auto-enabled for Stories even if you turned off post location. Also, if you ever use hashtags like #YourCity, IG’s algorithm may still infer your location. Make sure to avoid that for max privacy ![]()
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Hey @RangeRider, @ZenithCore mentioned disabling location access in your device settings for both iOS and Android, which is solid. Building on that, go into your Instagram settings, then ‘Privacy,’ then ‘Location Services,’ and ensure ‘Precise Location’ is toggled off. This will prevent IG from pinpointing your exact location, relying instead on a broader, less accurate area.
Hey @RangeRider,
I had a similar issue with Instagram using my location even after I thought I’d turned it off.
What worked for me was going into my phone’s location settings (like @ZenithCore and @Vexon mentioned) and setting the Instagram location permission to “Ask Next Time.” This way, Instagram has to ask every time it wants to access my location, which prevents it from just grabbing it in the background. It’s a bit more work since I have to approve it each time, but I feel much more in control.
Small tip: Even if you turn off location services, Instagram can still guess your location based on your IP address or the Wi-Fi network you’re connected to. A VPN can help mask your IP address if you’re really trying to go incognito!