How to Turn on Location Services on Your iPhone/iPad

Penny Warren Published on July 17, 2026GPS Location4-min reading

This guide shares how to turn on Location on an iPhone. It is well known that many apps rely on GPS or Global Positioning System to get the geolocation information on mobile devices, such as Apple Maps, Google Maps, and more. However, you cannot find a feature or option called GPS. Instead, you can set up Location Services, which use information from cellular, Wi-Fi, GPS network, and Bluetooth to determine your location. You can learn how to control the feature on your iOS device.

In this article:

Part 1. Where Is Location Settings on iPhone
Part 2. How to Turn on Location on iPhone
Part 3. How to Turn on Location on iPhone for Specific Apps
Part 4. How to Set Location on iPhone
Part 5. What to Do If You Cannot Turn on Location on iPhone
Part 6. Bonus Tip: How to Fake iPhone Location Without Disabling Location Services

Part 1. Where Is Location Settings on iPhone

Where to find Location Services on your iPhone? This feature can be found in the built-in Settings app. Furthermore, you can turn on or turn off this feature for your entire iOS device or specific apps, following our concrete guide.

Part 2. How to Turn on Location on iPhone

As mentioned previously, the only way to turn on Location Services for iPhone is through your Settings app. When you want to share your iPhone location or access location-based apps, you have to turn on this feature first.

Step 1

Open the Settings app from your home screen.

Step 2

Scroll down and choose the Privacy & Security tab.

Step 3

Tap the Location Services option.

Step 4

Toggle on Location Services.

Part 3. How to Turn on Location on iPhone for Specific Apps

Once you enable Location on your iPhone, all apps can access and use your location information. However, that might pose a risk to your privacy. Fortunately, Apple allows you to adjust iPhone location settings for each app on your handset.

Step 1

Go to the Privacy & Security tab in your Settings app.

Step 2

Choose Location Services.

Step 3

Make sure to turn on Location Services.

Step 4

Scroll down and choose an app you want to set.

Step 5

Choose While Using the App if you want to enable the app to use your location data while accessing it.

If you allow the app to use your location information all the time, choose Always instead.

Note:

To enable or disable Location Services for system services, tap System Services at the bottom of the Location Services screen. Toggle on or off the desired options.

Part 4. How to Set Location on iPhone

Now, you should understand where the location settings are on the iPhone. The accuracy of Location Services typically ranges from a few meters to about 100 meters, depending on your settings. To enhance the accuracy, try the steps below:

Step 1

Run your Settings app.

Step 2

Navigate to Privacy & Security, then Location Services.

Step 3

Choose a desired app.

Step 4

Toggle on the Precise Location option.

Part 5. What to Do If You Cannot Turn on Location on iPhone

Some users reported that they cannot turn on Location on their iPhones. Why this problem occurs is complicated, but you can fix it quickly with a few solutions, such as allowing Location Services, resetting location and privacy, and more.

Solution 1: Restart Your iPhone

Sometimes, the Location Services option is missing from your Settings app due to software glitches, like your OS loads improperly. You can find this problem by restarting your device. Then, you can turn on Location on your iPhone.

Step 1

On an iPhone with Face ID, hold one of the Volume buttons and the Side button together.

On an iPhone without Face ID, hold down the Side or Power button.

Step 2

When the power-off screen appears, release the buttons or button.

Step 3

Move the slider to shut down your device.

Step 4

A few minutes later, hold down the Side or Power button until you see the Apple logo.

Solution 2: Allow Location Services

If you have set up Content & Privacy Restrictions, you cannot turn on Location Services on your iPhone. To fix this problem, you need to allow this feature. This solution requires your Screen Time passcode.

Step 1

Open the Settings app on your iPhone.

Step 2

Choose the Screen Time tab and enter your Screen Time passcode.

Step 3

Tap the Content & Privacy Restrictions option.

Step 4

Locate the Privacy heading and choose Location Services.

Step 5

Choose All Changes and toggle on Location Services.

Step 6

Now, you can turn on or off Location on your iPhone.

Solution 3: Reinstall Your App

If you cannot find the app in Location Services, uninstall the app and install it from your App Store. This way may remove app data and log you out of your account from the app. Therefore, you’d better back up the app data first.

Step 1

Long-press the app on your home screen.

Step 2

Choose Remove App or Delete App from the context menu.

Step 3

If prompted, tap Delete App again.

Step 4

Run your App Store.

Step 5

Search for the app and install it again.

Step 6

When prompted, turn on the location permission.

Solution 4: Reset Location and Privacy Settings

Another solution to fix the problem that you cannot turn on Location on your iPhone is the Reset Location and Privacy Settings feature. It reset the Location settings to the default values. Then, you can turn on Location Services for your iPhone.

Step 1

Go to the General tab in your Settings app.

Step 2

Tap Transfer or Reset iPhone, then hit Reset.

Step 3

Choose the Reset Location and Privacy option.

Step 4

Enter your iPhone passcode and confirm the action.

Step 5

When your device restarts, go back to the Settings app, and set Location on your iPhone again.

Part 6. Bonus Tip: How to Fake iPhone Location Without Disabling Location Services

Once you turn on Location on your iPhone, apps, websites, and services can access your location information. If you want to hide your geolocation temporarily, try imyPass iLocaGo instead of turning off Location Services. It allows you to fake your iPhone location without others knowing.

Main Features of Location Spoofing Software for iPhone

4,000,000+ Downloads

Modify the iPhone location without moving.

Create virtual locations and routes with your keyboard and mouse.

Offer multiple modes for different purposes.

Provide custom options, like speed.

Support a wide array of iPhones and Android devices.

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How to Fake iPhone Location Without Disabling Location Services

Step 1

Connect to your iPhone

Launch the iPhone location spoofing software after installing it on your PC. There is another version for Mac. Connect your iPhone to your PC with a Lightning cable. Make sure to trust this PC and move on.

Step 2

Choose a mode

If you want to change the static location on your iPhone, choose the Modify Location mode. To simulate movements, choose One-stop Mode, Multi-stop Mode, or Joystick Mode.

Step 3

Fake iPhone location

Type an address into the field or click a position on the interactive map. Finally, click on the Modify button to confirm it.

Conclusion

This guide shared how to turn on location on your iPhone for the entire device, specific apps, and services. You can follow our concrete steps to let apps, websites, and services use your location data. Plus, we shared what to do if you cannot turn on Location Services. imyPass iLocaGo is an easy option to hide your iPhone location without disabling Location Services.

Penny Warren

Penny focuses on GPS troubleshooting and Windows optimization. She formerly worked as a technical support engineer, helping clients solve location-based and system issues efficiently. Backed by IT support experience, she provides practical solutions that really work. In her free time, she likes hiking and geocaching, testing GPS tech in the real world.