(Most recent cameras support syncing photos over Bluetooth.)Īpps that support Google’s Chromecast streaming platform often ask for Bluetooth access as well. Other common cases include companion apps for your fitness tracker, Bluetooth headphones, or apps from camera companies. You’ll see a Bluetooth request from stores and even fast food chains that might utilize beacons for in-store promotions or to help you find what you’re looking for in the right aisle. Bluetooth audio is handled through system settings, is separate from apps, and will continue working for apps that you deny permission for.) It’s a reasonable question when you see that an app “would like to use Bluetooth.” (To be clear, you don’t have to.
As it should!īut there’s more room for confusion around the Bluetooth prompt.Īt the most basic level, I think some iPhone owners are going to wonder and maybe even assume that they must grant Bluetooth permission for music and other media apps to continue working with their Bluetooth earbuds, headphones, or speakers. This prompt is much easier to understand, and will probably startle people into slimming down the list of apps that can monitor where they are.
Similarly, the company is also getting even more transparent about location, showing you on a map how often and where apps have recorded your position. So getting more strict about Bluetooth is a good move by Apple to prevent unwanted tracking of its customers. A beacon is very easily able to detect your device’s Bluetooth chip and log that with a retailer or some other app on your phone. This is entirely separate from your iPhone’s location privacy settings, which makes it seem all the more underhanded. The reason Apple implemented this is because Bluetooth has enabled companies to sneakily track your location over Bluetooth by using beacons in stores, shopping malls, and even on popular city streets if they’re placed within range of a place you’d walk by. Some might seem very strange (like Dunkin’ Donuts in my case), but others probably won’t make you think twice about giving the thumbs-up. After installing the latest version of iOS, trust me when I say you’ll be surprised by the number of apps asking for Bluetooth permission the next time you open them. Apple’s new iOS 13 update adds a new privacy measure that requires apps to get your consent in order to use your device’s Bluetooth.
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