How to turn off location services on iPhone

Maybe you're trying to extend your battery life, protect your digital privacy, or just want some extra peace of mind.

Whatever your reasons for turning your location off on your iPhone®, this comprehensive guide will walk you through the process. The steps may vary slightly depending on the version of iOS® you're using, but the process is very similar for any model.

At Asurion, our experts learn technology inside and out to help with everything you need for your devices, from repairs to advice.

What are location services on iPhone?

Location services allow apps and iPhone® system features to use GPS, Wi-Fi networks, Bluetooth®, and cellular networks to determine your phone's location. This comes into play more often than you might think with features such as:

• Maps
• Weather updates
• Photo geotagging
• Find My® iPhone
• Share My Location

There's a difference between precise vs. approximate locations in location services. Precise location tracking shows exactly where your phone is, while approximate location just shows the general area.

Turn off location services completely

If you don't want any apps on your phone to have your precise location, try turning Location Services off completely with these steps:

1. Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services.
2. Turn off Location Services.
3. Select Turn Off to confirm your choice if prompted.

Until you turn Location Services back on, all apps and system location functions on your phone will be disabled. This is the most comprehensive way to keep your location private on an iPhone.

Keep in mind, if you turn off location services on your iPhone, you may be worried about losing your device, as you won't be able to use Find My iPhone.

Don’t waste time scrolling

Life is short. Ask our experts and get answers now.

Ask an expert

Turn off location access for specific apps

You may not want to turn off all location services on iPhone, though. In that case, you can adjust individual app settings with these steps:

1. Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services.
2. Tap the app name.
3. Select Never, Ask Next Time or When I Share, or While Using the App to set new location preferences for that app.

For certain apps, you'll also see the option to turn Precise Location on or off. If you turn it off, the app will still be able to track your location, but only in a broader, approximate way.

Manage system-level location settings

Various systems on your phone, other than apps, also use your location. To adjust system-level location sharing, follow these steps:

1. Open Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services.
2. Tap System Services.
3. Turn off any items you want to turn off, such as Find My iPhone, Share My Location, or Significant Locations.

A word of caution: Disabling certain system options may compromise safety features, such as Emergency SOS and Find My Friends.

Check if location is active with the status bar indicator

The status bar at the top of your iPhone will show you if an app is using your location:

• A solid arrow means an app is currently using or has recently accessed your location.
• A hollow arrow means an app has used your location in the last 24 hours.

If you see an app using your location when it's unwanted, you can change your app permissions with these steps:

1. Open Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services.
2. Check the arrow indicators to see which apps have used your location lately.
3. Click on an app and change the location access if desired.

How turning off location affects your iPhone

Because location is an important element of many key iPhone features, turning location access off will prevent you from using features such as:

• Maps, navigation, and GPS location
• Location-based suggestions, like significant locations
• Weather reports tied to your current location
• The ability to share your phone location with friends, family, or yourself

Some other iPhone services may not work as intended until you enable Location Services again. If you're struggling to find the right settings or having other issues with your iPhone, contact Asurion's tech support for help.

FAQ

Will disabling location affect Find My iPhone or Emergency SOS?

Yes, if you turn location services off on iPhone, you will no longer be able to use Find My iPhone or Emergency SOS.

Can I temporarily pause location tracking without turning it off completely?

You can temporarily disable location tracking for specific apps, such as Find My Friends, in your privacy settings without disabling Location Services entirely.

Do apps still collect data even with location turned off?

Apps may still collect other data when you have location tracking turned off, but they won't be able to use your location.