The Motion Monitor
Your iPhone contains a dedicated hardware chip called the motion coprocessor. By default, iOS uses this chip for “Fitness Tracking,” constantly counting your steps, estimating the stairs you climb, and calculating your burned calories directly from your pocket. The phone then shares this data with the Apple Health app and any authorized third-party workout applications. While useful for athletes, this constant background tracking consumes battery life. Furthermore, if you value your privacy and refuse to allow your smartphone to build a database of your physical activity and mobility patterns, you must physically disable the motion sensor.
How to Turn Off Fitness Tracking
You can permanently sever the operating system’s connection to the motion coprocessor via the Privacy settings.
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Scroll down and tap on Privacy & Security.
- Scroll down and tap on Motion & Fitness.
- At the top of the screen, locate the master toggle switch labeled Fitness Tracking.
- Toggle this switch to the Off position (the green background will disappear).
A Stationary Device
The change is instantaneous. The iPhone will completely terminate the background API that reads data from the pedometer and accelerometer for health purposes. The built-in Health app will instantly stop recording your daily steps and walking distance. Any third-party workout apps installed on your phone will immediately lose access to your motion data, guaranteeing absolute privacy regarding your physical movement.