Is your Find My location feature on iPhone being stubborn and turning off on its own? This frustrating issue can prevent you from tracking your device or sharing your whereabouts with friends and family. If your iPhone’s Find My location keeps turning off automatically, it’s usually caused by Low Power Mode, restrictions in Screen Time settings, or outdated iOS software that needs updating.
Many iPhone users face this problem without knowing the simple fixes available. When Location Services turn off unexpectedly, it can leave you feeling disconnected and worried about device security. The good news is that most cases can be resolved without a trip to the Apple Store.
The solution often involves checking a few settings and making small adjustments to how your phone manages location data. These troubleshooting steps take just minutes to complete but can permanently solve the annoying issue of Find My location repeatedly disabling itself.
Ways to Stop Find My Location from Turning Off Automatically on iPhone
If your iPhone keeps turning off location services for the Find My app on its own, it’s not just annoying—it could mean losing the ability to track your device when it matters most. Whether you rely on Find My to locate a lost iPhone, keep tabs on family members, or manage multiple Apple devices, having this feature unexpectedly disabled can be a major issue. Here are five tried-and-true solutions that can help you stop this problem for good.
1. Disable Content & Privacy Restrictions
Screen Time restrictions are often the hidden culprit behind location services toggling off. Even if you didn’t knowingly enable them, iOS updates or preset configurations can activate these restrictions by default.
Here’s how to check and fix it:
- Go to Settings > Screen Time.
- Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions.
- If enabled, tap Location Services under the Privacy section.
- Change the setting from Don’t Allow Changes to Allow Changes.
Now, re-enable location services for Find My. This ensures that no restrictions automatically switch it off again in the background.
2. Manually Re-Enable Location Services for Find My
Sometimes iOS simply resets app permissions—especially after system updates. To guarantee Find My always has access to your location:
Follow these steps:
- Open Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services.
- Make sure Location Services is toggled On.
- Scroll down to Find My, tap it, and choose Always under the location access settings.
This gives Find My uninterrupted access to your GPS data—even in the background or when other apps are active.
3. Turn Off Low Power Mode
Low Power Mode disables certain system services to conserve battery—and Find My can be one of the first features to be limited. When your iPhone is trying to preserve battery, it may disable background location tracking altogether.
To fix this:
- Go to Settings > Battery.
- Toggle off Low Power Mode.
While it’s a handy feature for extending battery life, it can interfere with apps like Find My that rely on constant access to your location.
4. Update iOS to the Latest Version
Apple often fixes bugs silently through iOS updates. If your phone has a glitch affecting location services, it might already be patched in a newer version of iOS.
To update your system:
- Navigate to Settings > General > Software Update.
- If an update is available, tap Download and Install.
Don’t underestimate the power of updates. Even if you’re only a minor version behind, those small tweaks can make all the difference in system stability.
5. Reset Location & Privacy Settings
If nothing else works, your iPhone’s location and privacy settings may be corrupted or misconfigured. A quick reset can often resolve this without affecting other personal data.
Here’s how to do it:
- Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone.
- Tap Reset > Reset Location & Privacy.
- Enter your passcode if prompted.
After resetting, reconfigure Find My to ensure it’s set to always have location access.
Bonus Tip: Avoid VPN and Third-Party Location Apps
Some users experience issues with Find My when using VPNs or third-party apps that spoof or interfere with location data. If you’re using any apps designed to change your iPhone’s location for privacy or testing reasons, try disabling or uninstalling them temporarily. These tools can block accurate GPS tracking, especially if they conflict with Apple’s native services.
Still Having Trouble?
If the issue persists, it may be a hardware-level problem like a failing GPS antenna, especially on older iPhones. In those cases, contacting Apple Support or visiting a Genius Bar for diagnostics might be the most efficient next step.
With these steps, you should be able to regain full control of your location services and ensure Find My doesn’t turn off when you need it most. It’s one of those background features that works best when you don’t have to think about it—so take a few minutes now to make sure it stays that way.
Key Takeaways
- Check if Low Power Mode is automatically disabling your location services and turn it off in Battery settings
- Review Screen Time restrictions and Content & Privacy settings that might be blocking location access
- Ensure your iOS is updated to the latest version to prevent system bugs affecting location services
Understanding Location Services on iPhone
Location Services on iPhone helps users find places, track devices, and use location-based apps. It’s a system that works behind the scenes to provide accurate positioning while respecting user privacy.
The Role of GPS and Wi-Fi in Location Tracking
iPhones use a mix of technologies to determine location. GPS satellites provide the most accurate positioning outdoors, pinpointing the device within a few meters. This works by receiving signals from multiple satellites orbiting Earth.
When GPS signals are weak (like indoors), the iPhone switches to Wi-Fi positioning. This method identifies nearby Wi-Fi networks and compares them to Apple’s database to estimate location. The system also uses cell tower data as a backup.
Bluetooth beacons can help with indoor positioning in places like malls or airports. These small devices send signals that iPhones can detect for precise indoor locations.
The iPhone intelligently switches between these methods to save battery while maintaining accuracy. When battery is low, Location Services might reduce accuracy or turn off to conserve power.
Privacy and Permissions: Granting and Managing Location Access
Apple built iPhone’s Location Services with privacy as a priority. Users control which apps can access location data through settings. There are three permission options:
- Never: App cannot access location
- While Using: Location available only when app is open
- Always: App can access location even in background
For extra privacy, users can toggle off Precise Location. This provides an approximate area rather than exact coordinates.
Find My iPhone requires location access to work properly. If it keeps turning off, users should check if battery saving mode is enabled, as this can disable Location Services automatically.
iOS shows indicators when apps use location: a blue arrow for current use, and a hollow arrow for recent use. This transparency helps users monitor how apps access their location data.
Troubleshooting Automatic Turn Off Issues
When your iPhone’s Find My location keeps turning off by itself, several factors might be causing this frustrating issue. Understanding the root causes and applying the right fixes can help maintain consistent location tracking.
Identifying Common Causes for Location Services Turning Off
One of the most common reasons why Find My location keeps turning off is Low Power Mode. When your iPhone’s battery gets critically low, it automatically disables certain features including Location Services to save power.
Battery-Saving Mode similarly impacts location tracking. Many iPhone users don’t realize that when they activate this mode, their device prioritizes battery life over location accuracy.
Outdated iOS software can cause location services to malfunction. Apple regularly releases fixes for bugs that might affect location tracking performance.
App permissions issues occur when you haven’t granted proper location access to the Find My app. The app needs “Always” permission to work correctly.
Network connectivity problems can also interrupt location services. Poor GPS signals or unstable internet connections make it difficult for your device to report its location accurately.
Step-by-Step Solutions to Maintain Continuous Location Tracking
Turn off Low Power Mode:
- Swipe down from the top-right corner to open Control Center
- Tap the battery icon to disable Low Power Mode
- Check if your battery is critically low and charge if needed
Verify app permissions:
- Go to Settings > Privacy > Location Services
- Find the “Find My” app
- Select “Always” for consistent tracking
Update your iOS software:
- Go to Settings > General > Software Update
- Download and install any available updates
- Restart your device after updating
Check Airplane Mode: Make sure Airplane Mode is turned off, as this will disable all wireless connections including those needed for location tracking.
If problems persist, try resetting network settings by going to Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings. This can fix brief software issues that affect location services.
