Where is Location Services on iPhone? How to turn it on or off
Location Services is in Settings › Privacy & Security. Turn it off there and no app can see where you are.
Photo by Enrique Alarcon on Unsplash
The fix
Open Location Services
- 1
Open Settings.
- 2
Scroll down and tap Privacy & Security.
- 3
Tap Location Services.
It is the first item. Switch it on or off at the top.
What each app option means
Under the main switch you see every app that has asked for your location. Tap one to choose:
- Never: the app cannot see your location.
- Ask Next Time Or When I Share: the app asks every time it needs it.
- While Using the App: the app sees your location only when it is open.
- Always: the app can use your location in the background too. Use this only for apps that need it, like a fitness tracker.
Precise Location: exact or approximate
Most apps also have a Precise Location switch. On, the app sees your exact position, which turn by turn directions need. Off, the app only sees a wide area. For a weather or news app, approximate is enough and protects your privacy.
System Services
Scroll to the bottom of the Location Services page and tap System Services. These are switches for iPhone features, not apps. Setting Time Zone is one of them, and Find My iPhone is another. Our guide to a time zone that will not change shows why the Setting Time Zone switch matters.
The arrow icon in the status bar
A small arrow near the top of the screen means an app has used your location, or may use it under certain conditions. To see which app, open Settings › Privacy & Security › Location Services, where each app shows its own arrow.
Location Services greyed out or off by itself?
- Check Settings › Screen Time › Content & Privacy Restrictions › Location Services and set it to Allow.
- A work or school profile may lock it. Look in Settings › General › VPN & Device Management.
- Restart the iPhone and open the setting again.
If Find My shows the wrong place, see Find My not updating location. To share your location with a friend on purpose, read how to share your location from iPhone.
Should you turn Location Services off?
For most people, no. Maps, weather, Find My and many other features need it. A better choice is to keep it on and set apps you do not trust to Never or While Using the App. Turn it off only if you have a reason, and remember that Find My cannot locate a lost iPhone while it is off.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Location Services on iPhone?
Open Settings › Privacy & Security › Location Services. The main switch is at the top.
Will turning off Location Services stop Find My?
Yes, for locating the iPhone. Turn Location Services back on, or Find My cannot show where the iPhone is.
What does Precise Location do?
Precise Location lets an app see your exact position. Turn it off for an app and it only sees your approximate area, which is enough for weather.
Why is Location Services greyed out?
Screen Time restrictions or a work or school profile can lock it. Check Settings › Screen Time › Content & Privacy Restrictions › Location Services.
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