Short answer: yes — but in more limited ways.

A VPN hides your IP address and encrypts your internet traffic, but it does not disable GPS, override app permissions, or stop data collected by your phone’s operating system. To make your phone less trackable, you need more than just a VPN.

Key takeaways

• A VPN hides your IP address and encrypts your internet traffic, protecting your connection from ISP monitoring and public Wi-Fi risks.
• A VPN does not disable GPS tracking, stop app-based tracking, or block system-level data collection.
• To make your phone significantly less trackable, combine a VPN with strict privacy settings and permission management.

What a VPN Actually Does

When you connect to a VPN, your phone creates an encrypted tunnel to a secure server. Websites and networks see the VPN server’s IP address instead of yours. This protects your data while it travels across the internet.

A VPN can hide:

• Your real IP address.
• Your IP-based location. When you use a VPN, the visible location becomes the location of the VPN server instead.
• Your browsing activity from your ISP. Your internet provider can normally see which domains you visit. A VPN encrypts your traffic, preventing your ISP from monitoring your browsing habits.
• Your data on public Wi-Fi. Public Wi-Fi networks are often unsecured and without encryption, attackers on the same network may attempt to intercept traffic. A VPN encrypts your data before it leaves your phone, significantly reducing this risk.
• The contents of your traffic from network-level monitoring. Some organizations or network operators monitor traffic at the network level. A VPN prevents them from seeing the contents of your encrypted connection.

In short, it protects your connection in transit. A VPN should be your first line of defense, then you should build on it with additional privacy safeguards. With VPN adoption now mainstream, research estimates that around 1.75 billion people worldwide use a VPN in 2025, representing roughly one-third of all internet users.

What a VPN Cannot Hide

A VPN does not control what happens inside your device. It cannot hide:

• GPS location. GPS tracking relies on satellite signals and device sensors, not your IP address. If location services are enabled, apps can still determine your precise physical location even when a VPN is active.
• App-based tracking if you grant permissions. If you grant an app access to your location, contacts, camera, or usage data, it can collect that information. A VPN encrypts the connection but does not prevent the app from gathering data in the first place.
• Device identifiers. Smartphones use advertising IDs and other unique identifiers that apps can access to track activity across sessions. A VPN does not override these identifiers.
• Data tied to accounts you log into. If you sign into a social media platform, shopping site, or cloud account, that service can associate activity with your account.
• Logs kept by the VPN provider itself. VPN cannot protect you from VPN providers that store logs. If a provider keeps connection or activity logs, your data may still be stored somewhere. This is why you should always choose a strict no-logs VPN.

If you allow apps to access your location or sign into online services, those platforms can still collect and associate data with you.

How to Make Your Phone Less Trackable

Think of privacy as layers, not a switch. A VPN is the foundation — but you should build on it.

Here’s how to strengthen them:

1. Limit Location Access

Most smartphones allow you to choose when an app can access your location. Whenever possible, set apps to “Only while using the app,” and disable location completely for apps that do not truly need it. Avoid granting “Always allow” unless absolutely necessary. Continuous background access increases passive tracking and builds detailed location histories over time.

2. Review App Permissions

Review the permissions granted to each installed app. Check which apps have access to your camera, microphone, contacts, photo library, or Bluetooth scanning.

Many apps request broader access than required to function. Reducing unnecessary permissions limits the amount of data available for collection and sharing.

3. Reduce Ad Tracking

Disable ad personalization in your privacy settings and reset your advertising ID periodically. While this does not eliminate tracking entirely, it reduces cross-app profiling and limits how companies build detailed behavioral advertising profiles.

4. Use a Privacy-Focused Browser

Browsers with built-in tracker blocking help reduce third-party cookies, hidden tracking scripts, and fingerprinting attempts. A privacy-focused browser reduces what websites can learn about your device. Together with a VPN, they create a stronger layer of protection.

5. Choose a Strict No-Logs VPN

Not all VPNs offer the same level of privacy. When privacy is the goal, transparency matters.

A trustworthy VPN should follow a strict no-logs policy, undergo independent security audits, and clearly explain its data handling practices. It should never store or monitor your browsing activity.

For example, Bitdefender Premium VPN  provides access to 100+ server locations, unlimited encrypted traffic, and a strict no-logs policy with no traffic data logging. In addition, Bitdefender has a privacy-friendly jurisdiction sitting outside of the 5/9/14 eyes so you don’t have to worry about any of your data being stored or shared with anyone.

6. Keep Your Device Updated

Software vulnerabilities can allow attackers to monitor or exploit devices. Regular security updates patch these weaknesses and reduce the risk of unauthorized tracking, spyware, or malware infections. Enable automatic updates whenever possible. It remains one of the most effective privacy protections available.

A VPN is a strong layer, but permission management, location control, secure browsing habits and mindful account use add additional layers. Each one reduces your exposure. Together they make your smartphone significantly harder to track.

Get Bitdefender Premium VPN to strengthen your privacy.

FAQs

Does a VPN stop all tracking?
No. A VPN hides your IP address and encrypts your internet traffic, but it does not disable GPS tracking, app-based tracking, cookies, or browser fingerprinting. It protects your connection, not every data source on your phone.

Can someone track my phone’s exact location if I use a VPN?
Yes, if location services are enabled. A VPN does not block GPS signals, so apps with location permission can still access your precise physical location.

Does a VPN hide my location from apps?
No. If an app has permission to access your location, it can still collect GPS data even when a VPN is active. A VPN only masks your IP-based location.

Can public Wi-Fi track my phone without a VPN?
Yes. On unsecured public Wi-Fi networks, operators or attackers may monitor unencrypted traffic. A VPN encrypts your connection, reducing this risk significantly.

Is using a no-logs VPN important?
Yes. A VPN provider that keeps activity logs could potentially store connection data or browse information. A strict no-logs policy ensures your activity is not recorded or retained.