Turn Off Tracking Secria

How to stop tracking on a Mac

Three of the switches are in System Settings under Privacy & Security. The fourth, cross-site tracking, is in Safari's own settings.1, 4

Checked 4 November 2026 against the sources. Steps are from Apple's guide for macOS 27.

Turn it off

Start each one from the Apple menu, then System Settings, then Privacy & Security in the sidebar. You may need to scroll down.1

Location Services

Privacy & SecurityLocation Services

Checked against the Mac User Guide.2

  1. Click Location Services.2
  2. Turn off Location Services, or turn it off app by app in the list.2Apple says an app you turned off asks again the next time it tries to use your location.2
  3. At the bottom of the list, click Details next to System Services to see which system services use your location.2Turn off Suggestions & Search to keep your location out of Siri and Safari Suggestions. Significant locations is here too, with a Clear History button.2

With Location Services off, Apple says your precise location isn't sent to Apple, but it may still approximate your region from your IP address, and other apps and websites may use other ways to find you.2

Analytics & Improvements

Privacy & SecurityAnalytics & Improvements

Checked against the Mac User Guide.3, 1

  1. Click Analytics & Improvements.3
  2. Turn off Share Mac Analytics.It sends diagnostics and usage data to Apple.1
  3. Turn off Share with app developers.3
  4. Turn off Improve Siri & Dictation and Share iCloud Analytics if they're on.The first lets Apple store and review audio of your Siri and dictation requests.1

Apple says your Mac keeps analytics for one month, then deletes it. The Console app shows it under Mac Analytics Data.3

Apple Advertising

Privacy & Security › Apple AdvertisingPersonalized Ads

Checked against the Mac User Guide.1

  1. Click Apple Advertising.1
  2. Turn off Personalized Ads.The switch appears only after Apple News or Stocks has asked to send you personalized ads.1

These are the ads in Apple News, Stocks and the Mac App Store. Apple says you may not see fewer ads, but they may be less relevant.1

Safari

Safari › Settings › PrivacyPrevent cross-site tracking

Checked against the Safari User Guide.4

  1. In Safari, choose Safari › Settings, then click Privacy.4
  2. Select Prevent cross-site tracking.Apple says cookies and website data from third-party content providers are deleted unless you visit and use that provider's own site.4

Safari also blocks tracking by social media Share and Like buttons on other sites, and asks before letting one see your activity.4 Using Chrome on the Mac? See the Chrome guide.

"Tracking" on the camera is Center Stage

When people search for camera tracking on a MacBook, they usually mean the feature that keeps you in frame on video calls. It's a camera effect, not data collection.5

macOS Sonoma 14 or later

Open your video app, such as FaceTime. From the Video menu in the menu bar, choose Center Stage to turn it on or off.5

macOS Ventura 13 or Monterey 12

Click Control Center in the menu bar, click Video Effects, then click Center Stage.5

Questions people ask

Is Mac analytics linked to me?

Apple says analytics is sent only with your consent and anonymously, and that personal data is left out, removed, or protected with techniques such as differential privacy before it's sent.3

Does turning off Location Services stop all location use?

Not entirely. Apple says your Mac's location may still be used for emergency calls, and apps and websites may find it in other ways.2

How do I see which app is using my location right now?

Apple says an arrow next to the Control Center icon in the menu bar shows that your Mac's location is in use. Click it to see the app.2

Sources 5
  1. Change Privacy & Security settings on Mac, Mac User Guide, Apple, macOS 27 version, undated. Read 4 November 2026.
  2. Control access to the location of your Mac, Mac User Guide, Apple, macOS 27 version, undated. Read 4 November 2026.
  3. Share analytics information from your Mac with Apple, Mac User Guide, Apple, macOS 27 version, undated. Read 4 November 2026.
  4. Prevent cross-site tracking in Safari on Mac, Safari User Guide, Apple, undated. Read 4 November 2026.
  5. Use Center Stage to keep you centered in the camera frame, Apple Support, published 12 May 2026. Read 4 November 2026.

Every step comes from Apple's own user guides. How we check