When your iPhone cannot use your location, maps, weather, and delivery apps can stop showing the right place. Start with the main Location Services switch, then give each app the access it needs. Here are the current iPhone paths that work.
Turn On Location Services in Settings
This fixes location access when the main iPhone location switch is off.
Open Settings and tap Privacy & Security. From there, tap Location Services and turn on Location Services.
Use Settings Search When You Cannot Find It
Use this when you want the quickest route to the same switch. Settings search takes you straight to the Location Services page.
Open Settings, then tap the Search field. Search for Location Services and tap Location Services in the results. Turn on Location Services.
Enable Location Services During iPhone Setup
On a new, erased, restored, or migrated iPhone, Setup Assistant can ask whether to turn on Location Services.
When the Location Services screen appears, choose the option to turn on Location Services. Continue setup. If setup does not enable it, open Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services and turn on Location Services.
Allow an App to Use Your Location
After the main switch is on, give the app permission from its location prompt.
- 1.Open the app that needs your location.
- 2.Wait for the Location Services permission prompt.
- 3.Tap Allow to grant access.
- 4.Tap Ask Next Time Or When I Share to decide later or share only when needed.
- 5.Choose Allow Once or Always While Using App when the app offers it.
Change Location Access for One App
Use this when Location Services is on, but one app still says it cannot access your location. Only apps that have requested location access appear here, and some apps offer fewer choices.
Open Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services. Make sure Location Services is on, then scroll down and tap the app. Select Ask Next Time Or When I Share, While Using the App, or Always when that app offers it.
Turn On Precise Location
Use this when an app needs your exact location instead of an approximate area.
- 1.Open Settings.
- 2.Tap Privacy & Security.
- 3.Tap Location Services.
- 4.Select the app.
- 5.Turn on Precise Location.
Check System Services
Open Settings, then tap Privacy & Security. Tap Location Services, then tap System Services.
Turn location access on or off for the individual system services you want to control. The list changes by device, region, and enabled features. Tip: leave a system service unchanged unless you recognize what it controls.
Blocked Location Settings
If Location Services is locked on a child’s iPhone, the path depends on which iPhone you are using. On your own iPhone, with the child in your Family Sharing group, open Settings > Screen Time, tap the child’s name under Family, then tap Content & Privacy Restrictions. On the child’s own iPhone, open Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions. Enter the Screen Time passcode when asked.
Under Privacy, tap Location Services, then allow changes or set the Location Services access you want.
On a work or school iPhone, a configuration profile can control related settings. Open Settings > General > VPN & Device Management, review installed profiles, and remove the relevant profile only when the device allows it.
Managed work or school devices can block profile removal, so contact the organization’s administrator for setup instructions. Older iOS guides may show Settings > Privacy > Location Services; current iOS uses Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services.
Reset Location and Privacy Permissions
Use this when apps need to ask for location permission again. Resetting Location & Privacy clears prior choices; it does not grant location access by itself.
Open Settings > General > Transfer or Reset [device] > Reset > Reset Location & Privacy. After the reset, reopen the app and allow location when prompted. Make sure Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services is on.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I turn on Location Services from Control Center?
No. Apple does not offer a current Control Center switch for iPhone Location Services. Use Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services.
Why does an app still ask after Location Services is on?
The main switch enables location on the iPhone. Each app still needs its own permission from the prompt or from its Location Services settings.
Why is an app missing from the Location Services list?
The app has not requested location access yet. Open the app first, then respond to its location prompt when it appears.
What does Reset Location & Privacy do?
It clears previous location and privacy choices so apps ask again. It does not automatically give location access to any app.