Android 12 brings with it an option to allow you to provide only your approximate location to the apps installed on your device. This way an app will have a rough idea of your location but it won't know exactly where you're located.
Approximate Location Sharing in Android 12
As mentioned on the Android Developers blog, Android 12 will come with a feature to help you get more control over your device's location data. With this new feature, you'll be able to provide your apps only with a rough idea of your location.
This feature will be an option in the Settings menu from where you'll be able to turn it on and off for any app you want.
How the Approximate Location Feature Will Work in Android 12
There are many apps that don't need to know your exact location to function. For example, a weather app can still provide you with accurate weather information without precisely knowing where you're located. For apps like these, you can use Android 12's approximate location option.
Google says that a lot of users are going to benefit from this feature. It also recommends app developers to be prepared for this, and to only implement this feature if their app works without getting a user's accurate location.
How to Use Approximate Locations in Android 12
This isn't a standalone feature but rather an addition to an existing feature. You can utilize this feature using a couple of ways on your Android device.
First, when an app asks for your location data for the first time, you'll have the option to give the app only your approximate location. There will be a button on your screen to let you do this.
Second, you'll be able to enable and disable this feature from your device's Settings app. Under the app permission section, you'll have a toggle to give either precise or approximate location to the app.
If an app doesn't work without your precise location, you can change the location access settings anytime from the Settings app.
Get Flexible Location Sharing Options With Android 12
Not all your apps need to know exactly where you're located, and this feature helps you give your apps the only location data that they need to work. This helps preserve your privacy while still allowing your apps to function as they should.