How to Fix “Location not Available” in iPhone

Experiencing a "Location not Available" issue on your iPhone can be frustrating, especially when you rely on location-sharing services. But worry not! In this guide, we'll walk you through some simple steps to resolve this problem. So let's get started!

Have you ever encountered a situation where you want to share your location with someone, but your iPhone shows an error message saying "Location not Available"? This issue can be quite frustrating, especially when you depend on location-sharing services for various reasons like meeting up with friends, finding nearby places, or simply keeping track of your loved ones. Fortunately, there are several steps you can take to troubleshoot and fix this problem. In this comprehensive guide, we will discuss various methods to resolve the "Location not Available" issue on your iPhone.

Disable Low Power Mode and Restart Device:

Sometimes, the low-power mode can interfere with location services. To disable it, go to Settings > Battery and toggle off Low Power Mode. Once done, restart your iPhone by holding down the power button and sliding the power off slider. After a few seconds, turn on your device again and check if the issue is resolved.

Correct Region and Language Settings:

Incorrect region or language settings might cause location sharing issues. To ensure these settings are correct, go to Settings > General > Language & Region. Make sure the region is set to your current location and the language is set to your preferred language. If any changes are required, make the necessary adjustments and check if the "Location not Available" issue is resolved.

Accept New Terms of Services on iCloud:

Logging into iCloud is necessary to accept new Terms of Services (TOS). Sometimes, not accepting the updated TOS can cause location sharing problems. To accept the new TOS, open Settings, tap your name at the top, select iCloud, and follow any prompts to accept the updated terms.

Update iPhone's Operating System:

Keeping your iPhone's operating system up to date is crucial for optimal performance. Outdated software can sometimes cause compatibility issues with location services. To update your iPhone's operating system, go to Settings > General > Software Update. If there are any available updates, install them and check if the location issue is resolved.

Uninstall Conflicting Apps:

Certain apps, like the Bark app or other similar apps that use location services extensively, may conflict with your iPhone's location sharing capabilities. Uninstalling these apps might solve the issue. To uninstall an app, simply press and hold its icon on the home screen until it starts shaking, then tap the "x" button to delete it. Repeat this process for any other apps that might be causing conflicts.

Enable Location Sharing in Family Sharing Settings:

If you're part of a Family Sharing group, make sure that location sharing is enabled for the respective members. To do this, go to Settings > [Your Name] > Family Sharing > Share My Location. Ensure that the toggle switch is turned on for each member. If it was already on, toggle it off and then back on again to refresh the settings.

Enable Cellular Data for Find Friends App:

Enabling cellular data for the Find Friends app ensures uninterrupted access to location services even without Wi-Fi connectivity. To enable cellular data for the Find Friends app, go to Settings > Cellular/Mobile Data > Find Friends and turn it on. This will allow the app to use cellular data when necessary and resolve any potential issues with Wi-Fi connectivity and location sharing.

Edit Location Services Settings:

Review and adjust the Location Services settings on your iPhone to ensure they are correctly configured. To do this, go to Settings > Privacy > Location Services. Here, you will see a list of apps that have requested access to your location. Make sure that the toggle switches are enabled for the apps that you want to share your location with. You can also adjust the level of access for each app by selecting "Always," "While Using the App," or "Never" from the options provided.

Re-enable Location Sharing (Temporary Glitch):

If the "Location not Available" issue persists due to a temporary glitch, try turning off location sharing, waiting for a few minutes, and then re-enabling it. To do this, go to Settings > Privacy > Location Services. Find the app you want to share your location with, toggle its switch off, wait for a few minutes, and then toggle it back on. This will refresh the location sharing settings and potentially resolve any temporary issues.

If the Above Steps Don't Work:

Power Off Both Devices & Restart:

If you're still experiencing the "Location not Available" issue after trying the previous steps, it's time to power off both devices involved in location sharing. This could be your iPhone and the device you're trying to share your location with. Once both devices are powered off, wait for a few seconds, and then turn them back on. This simple step can often resolve any temporary connectivity issues between the devices.

Disable Share My Location, Restart & Enable Again:

On the problematic device, whether it's your iPhone or the device you're sharing your location with, go to Settings > [Your Name] > Find My/iCloud > Share My Location. Disable the toggle switch for Share My Location, restart the device, and finally enable Share My Location again. This will refresh the location sharing settings and potentially resolve any lingering issues.

Enable Wi-Fi & Re-enable Location Sharing:

If you disabled Wi-Fi during troubleshooting, make sure to enable it again before re-enabling location sharing. Wi-Fi connectivity often plays a crucial role in smooth location sharing, so ensuring it is enabled can help resolve any connectivity issues that may have affected location sharing.

By following these friendly guidelines step by step, you should be able to fix the "Location not Available" issue on your iPhone. Remember that troubleshooting methods may vary depending on different iOS versions or specific device configurations. However, if you're still facing issues after trying all the steps above, it's advisable to contact Apple Support for further assistance. Happy location sharing!