How to Manage Location Services Settings on iPhone and iPad

Download Article

Enable your iPhone or iPad's GPS services so apps can access your location information

Co-authored by Gonzalo Martinez and Rain Kengly

Last Updated: June 19, 2024 Fact Checked

Download Article

Enabling Location Services

|

Managing App Permissions

|

Video

|

Q&A

Location Services allows your iPhone or iPad to use GPS, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth to determine your location. This feature should be turned on if you want to use features such as Find My, which keeps track of your devices in case they get lost. If you're worried about apps using your location without your knowledge, you can easily adjust their permissions in the Setting app. This wikiHow will show you how to turn on and manage Location Services using your iPhone or iPad.

Things You Should Know

Go to "Settings" → "Privacy & Security" → "Location Services" → toggle on/off.
Tap an app below to turn on/off Location Services for that app.
You can set Location Services to be active "Always", "While Using the App", "Never", or "Ask Next Time Or When I Share".

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Enabling Location Services

Download Article

1
Open the Settings
app. This is the grey cog icon.^{[1]
X
Research source}
- Make sure to update your iOS to the newest available version.
- If you can’t find the “Settings” app, swipe down on your home screen and enter "Settings" in the search bar.
This will be in the third group of options, underneath Battery.^{[2]
X
Research source}

Advertisement
This will be at the very top of the page.^{[3]
X
Research source}
4
Toggle on
"Location Services". This will enable the feature. Location Services uses GPS, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and cell tower locations to determine your active location.^{[4]
X
Research source}
- You can use Location Services for Find My, which can be used to find your iPhone, iPad, AirPods, or other connected Apple devices.
- You can also send your location to friends indefinitely or for a selected timeframe.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Managing App Permissions

Download Article

1
Open the Settings
app. This is the grey cog icon.^{[5]
X
Research source}
- If you have Location Services turned on, you can manage the permission it has for each app.
This will be in the third group of options, underneath Battery.^{[6]
X
Research source}
This will be at the very top of the page.^{[7]
X
Research source}
The apps will be listed below Share My Location in alphabetical order. Any app that uses Location Services will appear here.
5
Set a permission. You can change the access permission at any point.^{[8]
X
Research source}
- Select Never to disable Location Services completely for the app.
- Select While Using the App to limit Location Services to just when the app is open and active.
- Select Always to allow Location Services at all times.
- Select Ask Next Time Or When I Share to receive a pop-up request for access.
- On some delivery apps, such as DoorDash, you can toggle on or off Precise Location.

Community Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Question

How do I share location services with others?

Community Answer

Tap "Share My Location" in the Location Services menu. Make sure "Share My Location" is enabled. Once it's enabled, open a conversation with the person you want to share your location with in Messages. Tap the "Details" button, and then tap "Send My Current Location."

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 6 Helpful 14
Question

How can you track an iPhone 4 you have lost?

Community Answer

If Find My iPhone was enabled in the iCloud settings for your iPhone, you can track it from the iCloud website or the Find My iPhone app on another iOS device. Log in with your Apple ID and you'll be able to see the last known location of your iPhone.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 6 Helpful 9
Question

How can I restore my iPhone location settings?

Community Answer

You can reset your iPhone location settings simply by opening Settings > General > Reset and tap Reset Location & Privacy. You can restore your previous settings from a back up. If you do not have a back up, you will need to set new location settings.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 9 Helpful 14