Summary: If you're not careful, Instagram’s new Map feature will share your real-time location every time you open the app. While you can determine who you want to see your location, it still leaves you vulnerable stalkers, scammers, and other bad actors. Here’s how to turn it off.
Quick Steps: How to Turn Off Instagram Map
Open Instagram → Messages → Map → Settings → Set “Who can see” to No one → Update.
In your phone settings, set Instagram location to Never.
Instagram Map Tracking: 3 Steps to Protect Yourself Now
Everybody’s Spidey senses are tingling overtime about the Instagram map.
Good. They should be.
If you opt-in to Meta’s latest feature on Instagram, you share the location of your posts, reels and stories in real time on the Instagram map. While you can choose who sees your location, it also means your location, according to Meta, "will update each time you open Instagram."
From then on, if you engage in any way, your profile photo will appear on the Instagram map showing exactly where you are. Insta assures us that your location disappears after 24 hours, unless you open the app again. What Insta doesn't remind you is that every place you go is added to the highly personal profile Meta maintains on you.
The Dangers of Instagram Map Location Tracking
Instagram is taking its location tracking to a whole new level, which is alarming given location data can reveal:
- Your routines (every morning starts at the gym, coffee shop before you head to school or work, etc.)
- Whether you are home or not (Knock, knock. Who’s there? Burglar here to rob your house)
- Who you are with (who you hang with is who you are)
Sharing your location actively (your choice) or passively (no matter what you do) leaves you vulnerable to stalkers, the nasty ex, and other relationships gone bad. If you don’t personally know every person who follows you on Insta, you may be exposing yourself to trolls and other bad actors including sex traffickers.
The danger with geo-tagging has always been there. Instagram’s recent update just brought it up front and center with a visual depiction of literally what that looks like. When you see yourself on a map, it’s well, disconcerting.
Stop Instagram From Sharing Location
It’s so important to set your Instagram map privacy settings. Take these three steps to protect yourself from the Instagram map:
1 - DON’T opt in to the Instagram map
2 - DON’T tag your posts, stories and reels if do opt-in to location sharing (you could be endangering your friends and family!)
3 - DO ask your friends not to tag you (they could be endangering you!)
Here’s how to turn off the Instagram map, or determine if you ever enabled it:
Stop people from seeing your location on instagram and protect yourself from Instagram map stalkers. Let’s disable Instagram’s Location feature.
On Instagram
- Go to Messages in the top right of your Feed.
- At the top of your inbox, tap Map
- In the top right, select Settings (Note: if you haven’t enabled location, you won’t see this as Insta doesn’t have access to this data).
- Select No one
- At the bottom, tap Update to save your changes.
Make sure Location is locked down on your phone, too.
On the iPhone
- Go to Settings
- Scroll down and select Privacy & Security
- Tap Location Services
- Select Instagram and click Never for location
You’ve just shut down a huge source of information from Meta, data brokers and any bad actors hoping to stalk you or scrape the personal details of your life.
Down the Rabbit Hole
Curious? Check out my references:
- Instagram Map sparks privacy panic over location sharing and geotagging Crystal Bell, MASHABLE, August 8, 2025.
- Instagram’s Map is here, and this is how you can turn your location off Richard Lawler, THE VERGE, August 8, 2025.
- Instagram adds new features, including reposting and map: What to know Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY, August 7, 2025.
- What You Need to Know About the New Instagram Map, Including How to Opt Out Brittney McNamara, TEEN VOGUE, August 7, 2025.
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Disclaimer: The above is solely intended for informational purposes and in no way constitutes legal advice or specific recommendations.