Privacy-Friendly Step Counter Apps for iPhone: Which Apps Protect Your Data?

Your step counter knows a lot about you. Where you go, when you are active, your daily routines. This data is valuable, and not all apps handle it responsibly.

Here is how to choose a step counter that respects your privacy.

Why Privacy Matters for Health and Location Data

Health and location data are among the most sensitive types of personal information.

What Step Counters Can Know About You

A step tracking app can potentially access:

Activity patterns:

• When you wake up and go to sleep
• How active you are each day
• Your exercise routines
• Sedentary periods

Location data (if GPS enabled):

• Where you live
• Where you work
• Routes you walk
• Places you visit

Health information:

• Your fitness level
• Weight and body measurements
• Health conditions (inferred from activity)
• Progress over time

Why This Data Is Valuable

Companies want this data for:

Advertising: Targeted ads based on your activity and location

Data selling: Selling aggregated or individual data to third parties

Insurance: Health data could affect insurance rates

Profiling: Building detailed profiles of your behavior

Real Privacy Risks

Privacy breaches with health data have real consequences:

• Data breaches expose sensitive information
• Sold data ends up with unknown parties
• Inferred health conditions could affect employment or insurance
• Location data can reveal sensitive places you visit

The Good News

You can protect yourself by choosing apps that:

• Collect minimal data
• Do not sell your information
• Store data locally on your device
• Are transparent about their practices

What to Look for in a Privacy-Respecting Step App

Not all step counters are created equal. Here is what to evaluate.

Data Collection Practices

Best: App collects no data or only anonymous analytics

Good: App collects minimal data, clearly explained

Concerning: App collects extensive data without clear justification

Red flag: App collects location data when not needed for features

Data Storage Location

Best: Data stored only on your device (local storage)

Good: Data stored in your iCloud (you control it)

Concerning: Data stored on company servers

Red flag: Data stored on servers in countries with weak privacy laws

Data Sharing and Selling

Best: No data sharing with third parties

Good: Limited sharing with clear disclosure

Concerning: Sharing with "partners" without specifics

Red flag: Selling data to advertisers or data brokers

Account Requirements

Best: No account required, works offline

Good: Optional account for sync features

Concerning: Required account with extensive personal information

Red flag: Required social media login

Location Permissions

Best: No location permission requested

Good: Location only when using specific features (route mapping)

Concerning: Location "While Using App" for basic step counting

Red flag: Location "Always" for a step counter

Third-Party SDKs

Many apps include third-party code that collects data:

Analytics SDKs: Track how you use the app

Advertising SDKs: Collect data for targeted ads

Social SDKs: Connect to social platforms

Privacy-focused apps minimize or eliminate these SDKs.

How to Review App Privacy Labels on the App Store

Apple requires apps to disclose their data practices. Here is how to read these labels.

Finding Privacy Labels

1. Open the App Store
2. Search for the app
3. Scroll down to App Privacy
4. Tap See Details for full information

Understanding the Categories

Data Used to Track You: Data linked to your identity and used across apps/websites for advertising. This is the most concerning category.

Data Linked to You: Data connected to your identity but not used for tracking. Less concerning but still collected.

Data Not Linked to You: Anonymous data not connected to your identity. Lower risk.

Data Not Collected: The app does not collect any data. This is the gold standard for privacy.

What to Look For

Green flags:

• "Data Not Collected"
• "Data Not Linked to You" only
• Minimal data types listed
• No location or health data shared

Yellow flags:

• "Data Linked to You" with reasonable justification
• Analytics data collected
• Contact info for account features

Red flags:

• "Data Used to Track You"
• Location data collected for basic features
• Health data shared with third parties
• Extensive data collection without clear purpose

Example Privacy Label Review

Privacy-respecting app:

• Data Not Collected
• Or: Usage Data (Not Linked to You) for crash reports only

Privacy-concerning app:

• Data Used to Track You: Location, Usage Data
• Data Linked to You: Health, Contact Info, Identifiers
• Third-party advertising

How Steps App Handles Your Data

Let me explain how a privacy-focused step counter should work, using Steps App as an example.

No Data Collection

Steps App is designed with privacy as a core principle:

• Data Not Collected: The developer does not collect any data from the app
• All step data stays on your device
• No account required
• No servers storing your information

How It Works Without Collecting Data

Steps App reads step data from Apple Health, which your iPhone already collects. The app:

1. Reads steps, distance, calories from Health
2. Displays this data in the app
3. Stores preferences locally on your device
4. Never sends data to external servers

No Location Tracking

Steps App does not request location permissions because:

• Step counting does not require GPS
• Your iPhone counts steps using motion sensors
• No route mapping features that would need location
• Battery is preserved by not using GPS

No Third-Party Advertising

The app does not include:

• Advertising SDKs
• Data broker connections
• Social media trackers
• Analytics that identify you

Subscription Model vs Ad Model

Steps App uses a subscription model rather than advertising:

Subscription model benefits:

• No need to collect data for ads
• User is the customer, not the product
• Aligned incentives (make a great app, not harvest data)
• Sustainable business without privacy compromise

Advertising model risks:

• Data collection funds the app
• More data = more revenue
• User data is the product being sold
• Privacy and profit are in conflict

Evaluating Other Step Counter Apps

Here is how to evaluate any step counter for privacy:

Step 1: Check the Privacy Label

Before downloading:

1. Find the app in App Store
2. Review the App Privacy section
3. Look for "Data Not Collected" or minimal collection
4. Avoid apps with extensive tracking

Step 2: Review Permissions Requested

After installing:

1. Check what permissions the app requests
2. Deny location if not needed for your use
3. Be cautious of apps requesting many permissions
4. Review permissions in Settings > Privacy

Step 3: Read the Privacy Policy

For apps you are considering:

1. Find the privacy policy link in App Store
2. Look for clear statements about data collection
3. Check if data is sold or shared
4. Verify data storage location

Step 4: Check for Account Requirements

Consider whether the app:

• Works without an account
• Requires minimal information for account
• Offers local-only mode
• Syncs only to your iCloud

Step 5: Research the Developer

Look into:

• Developer reputation
• Company location and privacy laws
• History of privacy issues
• Business model (ads vs subscription)

Privacy Settings to Enable on iPhone

Beyond app choice, protect your data with these settings:

Limit Ad Tracking

1. Open Settings
2. Tap Privacy and Security
3. Tap Apple Advertising
4. Turn off Personalized Ads

Review App Permissions Regularly

1. Open Settings
2. Tap Privacy and Security
3. Review each category (Location, Health, etc.)
4. Revoke unnecessary permissions

Use App Tracking Transparency

When apps ask to track you:

• Tap Ask App Not to Track
• Or go to Settings > Privacy > Tracking
• Turn off Allow Apps to Request to Track

Review Health App Access

1. Open Settings
2. Tap Privacy and Security
3. Tap Health
4. Review which apps have access
5. Remove access for unused apps

The Bottom Line

Your step data is personal. It reveals your routines, locations, and health patterns. Choosing a privacy-respecting step counter protects this sensitive information.

Key takeaways:

• Health and location data are highly sensitive
• Review App Store privacy labels before downloading
• Look for "Data Not Collected" apps
• Avoid apps that track you for advertising
• Check if location permission is actually needed
• Prefer subscription models over ad-supported apps
• Review permissions regularly

Your privacy is worth protecting. Choose apps that respect it.

References

• Apple: App Privacy Details on the App Store
• Apple: Privacy
• Electronic Frontier Foundation: Privacy
• Federal Trade Commission: Mobile Health Apps
• HIPAA Journal: Health Data Privacy