Update May 19, 2021 : There are now several reports that the gray and inactive switch for app tracking has been resolved. Users who were previously unable to allow the requests can now enable this and now also receive tracking requests from apps. So it pays to go to the settings (Settings> Privacy> Tracking) to see if you can turn on the switch, should you not be able to do so earlier.
Update May 3, 2021 : Many app tracking issues should now be resolved with the release of iOS 14.5.1.
App tracking issues and FAQs
Do you want to know how app tracking works? We have a separate tip about this, in which we explain how to use it step-by-step. Apps can show a popup and you have the option to decline or give permission. This is a deliberate choice, so don't just push Allow without thinking. If it doesn't work or you run into problems, this could be the case:
- # 1 Apptracking switch is gray
- # 2 I am not getting any pop at all -ups
- # 3 I am unclear whether the switch should be on or off
- # 4 Facebook doesn't have an apptracking switch yet
- # 5 My favorite app doesn't have an apptracking switch yet
- # 6 I have the apps shown, but don't see a switch
- # 7 Apptracking switch for the iCulture app not showing yet
# 1 Apptracking switch is gray
For some users, the app tracking toggle is greyed out, preventing them from turning the feature on or off. After installing iOS 14.5, it is therefore not possible to indicate your preferences. This confuses some users as they don't understand how to enable the feature. Normally the switch will turn on by itself and you will see a list of apps that are trying to track you.
Update April 30, 2021 : From multiple experiences of iPhone users, it appears that the switch is now no longer gray for most and so it is possible to enable tracking requests. We have also noticed that the switch that used to be gray can now be turned on and off. By turning on the switch, you allow apps to send a tracking request. This gives you a good insight into which apps want to follow you. If you turn the switch off, you will not receive any requests and apps will not be able to track you in this way. You can check it yourself via Settings & gt; Privacy & gt; Tracking.
If the switch is gray, you are probably dealing with a bug or one of the following situations.
Personalized Ads
There seems to be a connection with the Personalized Ads switch, which you can find under Settings & gt; Privacy & gt; Apple advertising. People who have turned off the switch for personalized advertising are more likely to experience a gray button.
Is the switch for personalized advertising also gray? Then unfortunately you can't do much. This is related to the same bug.
Age under 18 or disabled by admin
Also, the app tracking switch can be automatically grayed out if you are under 18, or if your iPhone is centrally managed with Mobile Device Management. The administrator may then have disabled apps from tracking you. If you don't fall under the above cases, you may still be dealing with a gray switch. We assume that Apple will fix this shortly.
Update April 28, 2021 Apple says in an updated support document why the switch may be even more gray. As stated above, if your age is under 18 or if your device is managed by an educational institution or has a profile where tracking is limited. In addition, Apple says that the button is also gray if your Apple ID was created in the last three days.
In short, according to Apple, it is for these reasons:
- If the age set for your Apple ID is under 18.
- If your Apple ID is managed by an educational institution or there is a profile on your device that restricts tracking.
- If your Apple ID was created in the last 3 days.
Many users do not meet the above conditions, but the button is still gray. It is still unclear exactly why this happens.
# 2 I am not getting any pop-ups at all
Did you turn off the app tracking switch? Then you will no longer get pop-ups about app tracking. You may get the impression that the function is not working.
# 3 I am unclear whether the switch should be on or off
For some people unclear how the switch works. If you don't want app tracking at all, you should turn the switch OFF . Apps will then no longer track you and you will not get pop-ups.
If you want some apps to be able to track you, turn the switch ON . Then you turn on the switch for each app.
# 4 Facebook doesn't have an app tracking switch yet
After installing it, you may have rushed to the app tracking settings to turn off Facebook right away. But unfortunately, Facebook is not yet in the list. The social network has indicated that they will add a switch, but it may take a few weeks before it appears for all users.
In a statement, Facebook has indicated that the rollout has started, but that it may take a while. & ldquo; We're ramping up the rollout globally to make sure everything is working as expected. & rdquo; Facebook declined to say how many people have received the popup and how many have consented. In previous months, Facebook campaigned to ensure that as many people as possible give their consent “ for a better user experience ''.
In the pop-up you can see above, Facebook explains that the data is collected to display personal advertisements and keep Facebook free. Whether it's worth it to you is a personal decision.
# 5 My favorite app doesn't have an app tracking switch yet
Which apps you see in the list for app tracking transparency depends on the apps that are on your device. Sometimes it can also differ per app whether the switch is already shown.
# 6 I have the apps shown, but don't see a switch
Do you have the Videoland app or one of the other apps in the image above, but you don't see a switch? Which can! In that case, the switch has not yet been rolled out for you. If you still want to see the switch, it can help to completely remove and reinstall the app.
If the app itself has a cookie screen on which you have indicated that you do not want tracking, Apple will not show more. This is the case with the All Accor app above, for example: when installing you can refuse all use of cookies and you will no longer see the app tracking switch at Apple.
# 7 I'm looking for the app tracking switch for the iCulture app
As you can see in the image above, the beta version of the iCulture app already has an app tracking switch. The version currently in the App Store does not have that yet. However, it will arrive in a future version! As you can imagine, it can take a little longer in our case, because we don't have a large development team.
In a video, Apple shows how app tracking works and why it was introduced. Apple especially emphasizes that it wants to give you choice.
App Tracking Transparency (ATT) gives you more control over your privacy. Developers must request permission to track you, including between apps. They can use the advertising identifier of your device for this, or the Identifier for Advertiser (IDFA). By default, tracking is disabled.
Review History:
- 2021 – May 19, 11:14 AM: Article updated that the gray switch for app tracking has now been fixed for more users.
- 2021 – May 03, 7:17 PM: Update iOS 14.5.1 is now out and may already be resolved your app tracking issues.
- 2021 – April 30, 11:48 AM: The issue with the gray toggle to allow tracking requests appears to be resolved.
< li style = "color: # 9da0a1;"> 2021 – April 28, 2:44 PM: Apple clarifies when the app tracking request button is gray.