What is app tracking transparency on iPhone? iOS 14.5's privacy update explained

The new privacy feature in ios 14.5
(Image credit: Apple)

Apple iOS 14.5 has dropped and introduced us to app tracking transparency. If you’ve updated to the latest version of iOS you might have already started seeing a new notification pop up when you open your favorite apps.

But what is app tracking transparency, and is it something you want? The system hasn’t been the most clearly explained feature and it’s left a few people confused.

We’re here to explain all the questions you might have about Apple’s latest data privacy feature so you can decide what’s best for you. Plus, we’ll talk you through how to toggle the features if you want to use them.

What is app tracking transparency? 

App tracking transparency is almost what you’d expect from the name; it’s a feature that requires apps to be more transparent about how they track you. However, at least for now, it’s only being more open about how they track you outside of their own apps and websites.

For example, Twitter can track how you use its own app and website, but couldn’t then track your usage of other company’s apps without now getting permission first.

When does the change arrive? 

It already has arrived. If you update to the most recent iOS 14 you’ll start seeing pop ups for the apps you use asking if they have permission to track you or not. Not every app will ask for the permission, as it may not track you outside of its program, but you might be surprised by the number that do. 

Why should I opt in to app tracking? 

So why would you want an app to track you? Well, while we won’t advise you either way, the main benefit for allowing tracking is ad and content relevance.

If apps can track your activity they can build a better picture of your interests. Rather than presenting you with generic ads or suggested content, a company can tailor what it shows you to what it thinks you might actually want to see.

Why should I opt out of app tracking? 

However, if the idea of being followed everywhere while using your iPad or iPhone freaks you out, then turning off tracking might be the best step for you.

Apps can learn a surprising amount of information about who you are as a person by following what you do. This information is also incredibly valuable to third parties, who might want to hyper-target adverts and content towards you. 

If you are concerned about tracking online, especially on non-Apple devices, using a VPN can also help you keep data private. Here’s our guide for the best VPNs currently available.

Apple iPhone 12 in purple

(Image credit: Apple)

Will app tracking transparency come to every iPhone?

As far as we can tell this feature is only coming to iPhones that update to iOS 14.5 (and iPads updating to iPad OS 14.5). The eligible iPhones are: 

And if you aren’t on iPhone: 

How do I opt out of app tracking? 

There are two options for opting out of app tracking. When you open up an app for the first time since updating to iOS 14.5,  you’ll be given the option to allow or block tracking.

Alternatively, if you want to allow or block apps all at once you can head to your iPhone Settings > Privacy > Tracking. From here you can toggle allowing apps to request tracking, and you can also choose and change the permissions you’ve given to each app.

An iPad Pro in use

(Image credit: Shutterstock / Chikena)

Can I pick and choose what data is tracked? 

Unfortunately not. As the system currently stands you can only allow an app to track your outside activity completely or not at all. There may someday be an update where you can pick and choose where apps can follow you or what data they can collect, but for now it’s all or nothing.

However, you can allow some apps to track you and some to not, so there’s choice there.

Can I find out what data apps are tracking? 

The simple answer is to assume everything, though apps aren’t currently divulging the data they are specifically collecting from outside their own apps. If there comes a day where we can pick and choose how we are tracked we may start to learn more. 

TOPICS
Hamish Hector
Senior Staff Writer, News

Hamish is a Senior Staff Writer for TechRadar and you’ll see his name appearing on articles across nearly every topic on the site from smart home deals to speaker reviews to graphics card news and everything in between. He uses his broad range of knowledge to help explain the latest gadgets and if they’re a must-buy or a fad fueled by hype. Though his specialty is writing about everything going on in the world of virtual reality and augmented reality.

Read more
An option to change Apple Intelligence language in iOS 18.4.
How to change Apple Intelligence settings: take control of Apple AI
Apple Intelligence screenshots
How to use Apple Intelligence: Get started with Apple AI
Photograph of a hand holding a smartphone with two googly eyes
Every tap, every message – how to stop your smartphone spying on you
Apple Intelligence logo on an iPhone.
Apple's next iOS and macOS update will turn on Apple Intelligence if your iPhone or Mac can run it
Man with tin foil hat on.
The latest Apple Intelligence privacy scare is a lot of fuss about nothing, but here’s how to stop your phone using Enhanced Visual Search (if you really want to)
Apple iPhone 16 Review
iOS 18.3 is here with a major change to how you enable Apple Intelligence
Latest in iPhone
Three iPhone 16 handsets on show
Apple could launch an iPhone 17 Ultra this year – but we've heard these rumors before
Apple iPhone 16e on blue background with big savings text overlay
Total Wireless' latest iPhone 16e deal gets you $300 off plus a cheap plan for a year
The Apple iPhone 16e held at a slant at a window
From iPhone to Android and (almost) back again – the iPhone 16e failed to lure me back to iOS
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max REVIEW
The latest iPhone 17 Pro Max leak may have given us another look at its upcoming redesign
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max REVIEW
New iPhone 17 Air leak may have revealed some key specs – and how it compares to the iPhone 17 Pro Max
Apple iPhone 16 Review
Three iPhone 17 model dummy units appear in a hands-on video leak
Latest in News
A super close up image of the Google Gemini app in the Play Store
It's official: Google Assistant will be retired for phones this year, with Gemini taking over
Quordle on a smartphone held in a hand
Quordle hints and answers for Sunday, March 16 (game #1147)
NYT Strands homescreen on a mobile phone screen, on a light blue background
NYT Strands hints and answers for Sunday, March 16 (game #378)
NYT Connections homescreen on a phone, on a purple background
NYT Connections hints and answers for Sunday, March 16 (game #644)
Three iPhone 16 handsets on show
Apple could launch an iPhone 17 Ultra this year – but we've heard these rumors before
Super Mario Odyssey
ChatGPT is the ultimate gaming tool - here's 4 ways you can use AI to help with your next playthrough