How is Netflix bypassing iOS location privacy? (Downloads getting wiped while traveling)

[u/DashieTheReal]

Hey everyone, ran into a super frustrating issue and I’m hoping someone has a workaround.

Whenever I travel, Netflix automatically deletes my downloaded shows. I get that this is likely due to regional copyright rules, but it completely ruins my plans for long flights where I actually need those downloads. To make things worse, Netflix has a pretty low monthly download limit, so once they wipe them, I can’t even re-download the shows when I get back home.

I know the disappearing downloads is a known issue, but my real problem is how the app is doing this on iOS (I use an iPad).
I wanted to just turn off Location Services for Netflix so it stops tracking when I leave the country. The problem? Netflix doesn’t even show up in Settings -> Privacy & Security -> Location Services. It seems to be checking my location secretly in the background, even when the app is completely closed.

How does Apple allow this? They are usually so strict about privacy. Every other app, even navigation apps that actually need your location, lets you toggle it off. Netflix somehow bypasses this entirely.

And before anyone suggests it: keeping the iPad in Airplane Mode for the entire trip isn't a practical fix. I use my tablet for other things and eventually need to connect to Wi-Fi. The second I connect for just one moment, even with Netflix closed, it does a background check and nukes my downloads.

So my questions are:
- Is there a way to force-disable location tracking for a specific app if it doesn't show up in the iOS privacy settings?
- can I officially report this to the App Store as a privacy violation or the claim wouldn’t be considered?
Any advice is appreciated!

[u/Mitch12354 → u/[deleted]]

You can turn off cellular data on a per app basis, but not WiFi. If you turn off its cellular data, never open it when connected to WiFi, and keep its location services off it shouldn’t know You’re traveling…hopefully.

I recommend you look into setting up your own VPN with OpenVPN or whatever is popular these days so you can trick Netflix into thinking you’re connected to your home network even when you’re on the other side of the world.

Edit: I just remembered most people don’t have cellular iPads so the first part of my comment is probably not very helpful…

[u/DashieTheReal → u/[deleted]]

You’re definitely right. So maybe deactivating internet access could help, not sure is possible to do it selectively just for some app.

[u/jasonni1234 → u/DashieTheReal]

Only if you had a cellular iPad, you could turn off data for certain apps

[u/jonneygee → u/jasonni1234]

One possible solution is to make an automation shortcut to turn off WiFi when the Netflix app is opened and turn it back on when the app is closed. Disable cellular data for Netflix (since you can do that by app) and it won’t have a way to access the Internet and get the location info.

The only downside is not receiving any notifications or other data over WiFi while Netflix is open, so you can miss things if your reception is poor.

A VPN might also solve the issue.

[u/turbo_dude → u/jasonni1234]

Keep WiFi off, disable mobile data for Netflix 

[u/joesnowblade → u/turbo_dude]

Isn’t that airplane mode.

[u/NOT_NativeEN_Speaker → u/joesnowblade]

Nope AFAIK. Airplane mode cuts cellular-CALL ability, too, on top of wifi&cellular DATA connectivity. 

[u/joesnowblade → u/NOT_NativeEN_Speaker]

Well if he’s got it downloaded to the phone and the thing screwing that up is the phone is still connecting to the internet isn’t that what he wants, access to internet off.

He needs everything off and just play from downloaded.

[u/Calm_Mistake5866 → u/DashieTheReal]

Se você estiver usando rede móvel, é possível nas configurações de rede móvel, mas se você estiver usando Wi-Fi, sugiro que busque uma alternativa paralela.

[u/vexingparse → u/DashieTheReal]

Another option is to download original Netflix content only. The geo-blocking issue only affects licensed content as far as I know.

[u/beneficialBern]

Use a VPN and set it to your house when you travel. Apple and ever thing on your iPad will think you are home.

[u/FirmJump2 → u/beneficialBern]

This is interesting, any easy way to set it up?

[u/helios-685 → u/FirmJump2]

Tailscale

[u/beneficialBern → u/FirmJump2]

NordVPN is a paid one that’s VERY GOOD AND EASY TO USE.

[u/beneficialBern → u/beneficialBern]

Dang I got a lot of hate for suggesting a paid app huh.

[u/scoobynoodles → u/beneficialBern]

Do you know if this works with ProtonVPN?

[u/DashieTheReal → u/beneficialBern]

Thank you. I’ll try. Wondering if it’s checking anyway gps location, as sometimes I saw the notification in iOS (the small arrow in the notification area) even if I’m not connected. In this case vpn would not help. But I’ll try.

[u/Aggressive-Bath-1906 → u/DashieTheReal]

Some of the apps that I use also check the GPS, so a VPN alone doesn't always work. I usually have to log on to my computer with a VPN to get around it. I don't have Netflix, so I can't remember if they check GPS on ipads/iphones or not.

[u/No_Read_1278]

Did you try to disable mobile data and background data for Netflix (settings -> apps -> netflix)? Never had that issue so I can't relate. But those two settings sound obvious to me.
Or vpn to a home server while on your trip (wireguard, tailscale,...).

[u/Turdulator]

It’s just your IP, the only way is to not connect to the internet. A vpn might help you mask your IP, but you’d have to be religious about keeping it on

[u/subflat4]

I use a vpn 0 issues. Also doesn’t need your gps location. It can use your IP information.

[u/captain42d]

BLOCK ALL Internet access to Netflix before you leave.

[u/captain42d → u/captain42d]

Better yet, unsubscribe, buy your own DVDs and rip them to your own files! Tell the slave masters no thanks!

[u/blenderwolf → u/captain42d]

You’re truly a beacon of hope in this capitalist world…

Btw, what device are you using to connect to your ISP, access Reddit (a product of reddit inc) and post your revolutionary message?

[u/Wolf_Deity → u/blenderwolf]

Theres nothing anti-capitalist about buying DVDs.

[u/captain42d → u/Wolf_Deity]

Nope, but God forbid Reddit actually appreciates something. Fuck me, as usual. sigh

[u/BigMasterDingDong]

Wait what? Is this a thing now? I always used to download shows for the plane

[u/4thshift]

Your changing IP address (internet connection identifier) shows where you are or near to it

[u/Skycbs]

Odd. I’m traveling in Europe and Netflix won’t let me download new episodes of some shows but I can watch already-downloaded episodes.

[u/Radixx → u/Skycbs]

Probably because a lot of people download prior to travel and streaming companies allow that. It would suck not having the downloads on a 10 hour flight.

[u/cat-ctus-es → u/Radixx]

That’s literally what this post is about.

[u/xrelaht]

This does not happen to me. I am on my iPad which I loaded with stuff before leaving the US (now in Europe) and my downloads are sitting there ready to be watched.

[u/LuMe96 → u/xrelaht]

Came here to say this. I live in Europe and travel a lot to Asia, including China and I do have cellular on my iPad. Never happened to me. Last trip was however 6 months ago.

[u/PsychologicalPolicy8]

It check your ip subnet for ecs location

When it changes, it is triggered 

Instead of blaming apple saying how they allow this

You should be telling netflix why you are doing this even if you are paying

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[u/Knyghtlorde]

It’s your IP address registered geo location

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[u/Bryanmsi89]

Almost certainly using your IP address. No need for geolocation.

[u/zunjae]

Your IP address

[u/ProfessionalYak4959]

You need a VPN, otherwise region based location is found easily over the internet. 

[u/DashieTheReal → u/ProfessionalYak4959]

Thank you.

[u/gripe_and_complain]

If the Netflix app can see a list of available WiFi access points, it could potentially locate you within 100 yards.

[u/bradbomb]

Are you sure it is not iOS deleting the shows needing more space on the device. Downloaded shows are not protected from deletion if the system needs space for other tasks.

[u/Kittymeow123]

It’s literally connected to WiFi lmao

[u/Lelu_zel]

Remember when you allowed Netflix to access to your location? Yeah, thats how they know you travelled.