Apple’s new privacy feature only works on two iPhones and one carrier

The next version of Apple’s iOS software will include a new feature that limits how accurately location data is transmitted from iPhones and iPads to cellular networks. But the feature, at least for now, will only be available for the iPhone Air, iPhone 16e, and iPad and through only one US carrier, Boost Mobile.

in Apple support document Published on Monday, Apple says the iOS 26.3 feature, Precise Location, can be turned on or off in Settings under Cellular/Cellular Data Options.

“With this setting turned on, some information available to cellular networks is limited,” Apple said in the document. “As a result, they may only be able to determine a less precise location – for example, the neighborhood in which your device is located, rather than a more precise location (such as a street address). The setting does not affect signal quality or user experience.”

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Apple said this feature does not apply to emergency calls or to location information shared with apps, such as Apple’s Find My. It is unclear whether Apple’s introduction of this feature is related to the conversation Concerns about government surveillance tools Or whether it will be expanded to include other carriers.

An Apple representative did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

However, a major limitation may be hardware related. According to AppleInsiderOnly Apple devices with a C1 or C1X modem can use this feature: iPhone Air, iPhone 16e, and iPad Pro M5 with cellular service. In Apple’s post, the company says the only supported carriers are Boost Mobile in the US, EE and BT in the UK, Telekom in Germany, and AIS and True in Thailand.

AppleInsider predicts that Apple iPhone 18 lineup It will likely include modems that will make the feature available to more of its customers.

iOS 26.3 It can also include another privacy feature: End-to-end encryption of RCS messages. The operating system is in beta right now but should be available sometime in February.