How to Turn On Location Services on an iPhone or iPad

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

Last Updated: January 31, 2023 Tested

This wikiHow teaches you how to allow the apps on your iPhone to access your current location to provide you with accurate location based information.

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Enabling Location Services

1
Open your iPhone’s Settings app. This is the app with the gray cogs icon, usually found on one of your home screens or in a folder labeled “Utilities.”
- If you can’t find the “Settings” app, swipe down on your home screen and enter "Settings" in the Spotlight search bar.
2
Tap Privacy. You'll find this at the bottom of the third group of options.

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3
Tap Location Services. This will take you to a menu where you can manage your location services.
4
Slide the button next to Location Services to the "On" position. You'll see a list of apps appear once the service is enabled.
- If this slider is disabled, Location Services may be disabled in the "Restrictions" menu. See the next section for details.
5
Tap an app to set its location preferences. When you tap an app in the list, you'll see the various Location Services options available for the app.
- Select Never to disable Location Services completely for the app.
- Select While Using to limit Location Services to just when the app is open and active.
- Select Always to allow Location Services at all times. This is only available for select background apps, such as Weather.

Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Troubleshooting Location Services

1
Open the Settings app. If you can't enable Location Services, it may be disabled through the "Restrictions" menu. You can change your Restrictions from the Settings menu.
2
Select General. This is located in the third menu of settings options.
3
Tap Restrictions. If Restrictions are enabled, you'll be prompted for your Restrictions passcode.
- If you can't remember your Restrictions passcode, try 1111 or 0000.
- If you have completely forgotten your Restrictions passcode, you'll need to restore your iOS device through iTunes to reset it. See Restore an iPhone for details. Make sure to backup any important data before restoring.
4
Scroll down and tap Location Settings. This will be under the “Privacy” section.
5
Select Allow Changes. This will enable you to turn on Location Services.
6
Slide the button next to Location Services to the “On” position. You can find this directly below the “Allow Changes” option.^{[1]
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Community Q&A

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."
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.
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.