Can apps collect your location when you’re not using them?

What this covers

This guide quotes three companies’ privacy policies on collecting your location while their apps run in the background or when you are not using them. It is not a list of every app whose policy says this, and Plainlyst has not tested how any of these apps behaves.

Yelp

Yelp’s privacy policy says that if you let its mobile apps access your location, it may collect and store your location whenever they are running, including in the background.

We may also collect and store your location whenever our mobile applications are running, including when running in the background, if you enable our mobile apps to access such information.

From the Yelp Privacy Policy (Last Updated October 1, 2025). Read Yelp Privacy Policy (opens in a new tab)

The date is from Yelp’s policy page as fetched on October 27, 2026, the same edition Plainlyst’s Yelp report was read from; the passage quoted here appears word for word in both.

In Plainlyst’s Privacy Tune-Up: “Remove location permission”.

Airbnb

Under “Geolocation Information”, Airbnb’s privacy policy says the location it collects can be precise or approximate, and that it may also collect it when you’re not using the app, if you enable this.

Such as precise or approximate location determined from your IP address, mobile or other device’s GPS, or other information you disclose to us, depending on your device settings. We may also collect this information when you’re not using the app if you enable this through your settings or device permissions.

From the Airbnb Privacy Policy (Last Updated: February 5, 2026). Read Airbnb Privacy Policy (opens in a new tab)

The date is from Airbnb’s policy page as fetched on October 27, 2026, the same edition Plainlyst’s Airbnb report was read from; the passage quoted here appears word for word in both.

Lyft

Lyft’s privacy policy says it collects riders’ precise location while the app runs in the background, from the time they request a ride until it ends, and that riders may otherwise allow it to collect precise location by granting permission for certain products or features.

Riders: We collect your device's precise location when you open and use the Lyft app, including while the app is running in the background from the time you request a ride until it ends.

You may otherwise choose to allow Lyft to collect your device's precise location if you explicitly grant permission to enable certain products or features.

From the Lyft Privacy Policy (Last Updated: July 1, 2026). Read Lyft Privacy Policy (opens in a new tab)

The date is from Lyft’s policy page as fetched on October 27, 2026, the same edition Plainlyst’s Lyft report was read from; the passages quoted here appear word for word in both.

In Plainlyst’s Privacy Tune-Up: “Turn off or narrow background location sharing”.

Where the settings are listed

Where Plainlyst’s Privacy Tune-Up lists a location setting for one of these companies, its name is given under that company. Where to find each setting and what it changes are in Premium.

Common questions

Does Yelp collect my location in the background?

Yelp’s privacy policy says it may collect and store your location “whenever our mobile applications are running, including when running in the background, if you enable our mobile apps to access such information.” Plainlyst’s Privacy Tune-Up lists one Yelp location setting: “Remove location permission”.

Can Airbnb collect my location when I’m not using the app?

Airbnb’s privacy policy says it may, if you allow it: “We may also collect this information when you’re not using the app if you enable this through your settings or device permissions.” The location it describes can be precise or approximate, worked out from your IP address, your device’s GPS or other information you give Airbnb, depending on your device settings.

When does Lyft collect a rider’s location in the background?

Lyft’s privacy policy says it collects riders’ precise location when they open and use the app, “including while the app is running in the background from the time you request a ride until it ends.” It also says riders may otherwise choose to allow Lyft to collect their precise location by explicitly granting permission for certain products or features. Plainlyst’s Privacy Tune-Up lists “Turn off or narrow background location sharing” for Lyft.

Does this mean these apps are tracking my location right now?

Not necessarily. These passages say what each company may do, and Yelp and Airbnb describe it as happening if you allow it through the app or your device’s settings. They do not show what any app did with a particular person’s location, and Plainlyst has not tested how any of these apps behaves.

Worth knowing

• These passages say what each company may do. They do not show what any app did with a particular person’s location.
• Policies change. Each section gives the date its policy states; Plainlyst read all three on October 27, 2026.