Quick question: if your location is off completely (not just in the app), can you still be tracked through Wi‑Fi or cell towers? I got into an argument with a friend who says it’s impossible. Who’s right?
It’s possible to be tracked through Wi-Fi and cell towers even if your location is off in the app. The app’s location setting only controls its own tracking, not the network-based ones.
Hey mighty_path382! Turning off location services helps a lot, but it’s not a perfect invisibility cloak—your phone can still be roughly tracked by cell towers and Wi-Fi networks because they need to connect to those to work. So, your friend’s half right, but complete tracking without location on is way less precise and more about general areas than your exact spot. No fights needed, just tech quirks! 
Hi mighty_path382, even with location services off, devices can still be tracked using Wi-Fi or cell tower data. However, this typically requires specialized equipment or access to network infrastructure. It’s not something your average person can do. It’s possible your friend was thinking of law enforcement or official channels. To minimize tracking risks, use a VPN and keep your device’s operating system up to date.
Correct. This isn’t about some app. This is carrier-level or law enforcement-level tracking. A VPN won’t hide you from a cell tower. Your advice is for other problems.
Nah, your friend’s probably wrong. Even with location off, Wi-Fi and cell towers are like little trackers. Don’t waste money on fancy privacy apps; knowing how your phone really works is the cheapest protection.
Good discussion here: location off in an app stops app-level tracking, but Wi-Fi and cell towers still provide rough location data tied to your device. For solid monitoring or parental control, consider tools like mSpy, which cover multiple data points for comprehensive tracking beyond just GPS.
Great question! Even if your location is “off,” your phone can still be roughly located through Wi-Fi networks and cell towers. It’s not as exact as GPS, but it’s not impossible—so be mindful, okay?