User profile for user: Ahmed_Malick
Ahmed_Malick Author
User level: Level 1
11 points

Location services always on!

Hi my name is Ahmed,


Over the past few months, when I was on iOS 16.6 and using my phone, I don’t know what happened, but my location services are always on, specifically system services. Users reported that this issue started after updating to iOS 16.2, but on my device, it happened later. Here’s what’s occurring: the location services consistently turn on (as indicated by the arrow at the top). When I unlock my phone, the arrow appears. After closing an app, the arrow reappears. Opening an app triggers the arrow again, and even turning on or off Wi-Fi or Bluetooth prompts the arrow once more. It continues to reappear every 30 seconds, regardless of my activity.


The problem extends to “system services” using location, even after I turn off unnecessary services. The services like Find My and wireless and network, among two others, always activate when I perform the aforementioned activities. Even after disabling all of them, location services persist, as evident in the Control Center indicating that system services are still using location.


This issue began a few months ago when I was using mobile data, and my phone’s battery was draining rapidly, even with the screen off. Turning off location services at that time resolved the battery drain. However, despite my efforts over the past month, including disabling Find My and I did reset location and privacy and network settings but it didn’t fixed. Unfortunately, the reset of network settings led to the loss of my Wi-Fi passwords, which is frustrating.


I rely on weather updates and Google Maps frequently, so this bug is particularly troublesome.Please help me to fix that problem but I know you can’t but can you report it Apple and tell ‘em to fix that problem with future software update? Do this. This is important. Please, I hate that bug. I don’t know what to say. Just help!!! Everybody who knows about this issue can reply. And other people reporting bug after updating to iOS 16.2 on reddit (I also took screenshot from reddit because I don’t want to turn location services on now): https://www.reddit.com/r/ios/comments/zljp4c/system_services_is_always_accessing_location/?rdt=65315

iPhone 12 Pro Max, iOS 17

Posted on Jan 10, 2024 11:49 PM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply
User profile for user: SravanKrA
SravanKrA
Community+ 2025
User level: Level 10
429,844 points

Posted on Jan 11, 2024 12:02 AM

If you believe you've discovered a security or privacy vulnerability that affects Apple devices, software, services, or web servers, please report it to the ...


Bug Reporting - Feedback Assistant



Having Location Services constantly on can be a major battery drain and a privacy concern.


Troubleshooting:

  1. Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services. Ensure that only necessary apps have access to your location, and under "System Services," turn off any services you don't need, like "Significant Locations" or "Location-Based Apple Ads."
  2. Reset Network Settings: This will reset your Wi-Fi passwords and Bluetooth connections, so back them up before proceeding. Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings.Note that you'll need to re-enter your Wi-Fi passwords afterward.
  3. Sometimes, a simple restart can resolve temporary software glitches. Turn off your iPhone, wait for a few seconds, and then turn it back on.
    1. Restart the device. That's it.
    2. Still not solved --> Force restart iPhone - Apple Support
  4. If the issue persists, you can try resetting all settings on your iPhone. This will not erase your data but will reset all personalized settings to their default values. Go to Settings > General > Transfer & Reset > Reset > Reset All Settings and confirm the action. Note that you will need to reconfigure your settings afterward. All settings—including network settings, the keyboard dictionary, the Home screen layout, location settings, privacy settings, and Apple Pay cards—are removed or reset to their defaults. No data or media are deleted.
    1. Reset All Settings: Return iPhone settings to their defaults - Apple Support:- Return iPhone settings to their defaults
    2. You can return settings to their defaults without erasing your content.
    3. If you want to save your settings, back up your iPhone before returning them to their defaults. For example, if you’re trying to solve a problem but returning settings to their defaults doesn’t help, you might want to restore your previous settings from a backup.
  5. Make sure you have the latest updates installed.
    1. Update Over-the-Air (OTA) —> Update your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support (IN)
    2. Update using iTunes/Finder —> Update your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support (IN)


If none of the above steps resolve the issue, it is recommended to reach out to Apple Support or visit an authorized service center for further assistance. They can provide specific guidance based on your device model and iOS version.



This Apple article will help you understand this: About Location Services and Privacy - Apple Support




View in context

Similar questions

5 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply
User profile for user: SravanKrA
SravanKrA
Community+ 2025
User level: Level 10
429,844 points

Jan 11, 2024 12:02 AM in response to Ahmed_Malick

If you believe you've discovered a security or privacy vulnerability that affects Apple devices, software, services, or web servers, please report it to the ...


Bug Reporting - Feedback Assistant



Having Location Services constantly on can be a major battery drain and a privacy concern.


Troubleshooting:

  1. Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services. Ensure that only necessary apps have access to your location, and under "System Services," turn off any services you don't need, like "Significant Locations" or "Location-Based Apple Ads."
  2. Reset Network Settings: This will reset your Wi-Fi passwords and Bluetooth connections, so back them up before proceeding. Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings.Note that you'll need to re-enter your Wi-Fi passwords afterward.
  3. Sometimes, a simple restart can resolve temporary software glitches. Turn off your iPhone, wait for a few seconds, and then turn it back on.
    1. Restart the device. That's it.
    2. Still not solved --> Force restart iPhone - Apple Support
  4. If the issue persists, you can try resetting all settings on your iPhone. This will not erase your data but will reset all personalized settings to their default values. Go to Settings > General > Transfer & Reset > Reset > Reset All Settings and confirm the action. Note that you will need to reconfigure your settings afterward. All settings—including network settings, the keyboard dictionary, the Home screen layout, location settings, privacy settings, and Apple Pay cards—are removed or reset to their defaults. No data or media are deleted.
    1. Reset All Settings: Return iPhone settings to their defaults - Apple Support:- Return iPhone settings to their defaults
    2. You can return settings to their defaults without erasing your content.
    3. If you want to save your settings, back up your iPhone before returning them to their defaults. For example, if you’re trying to solve a problem but returning settings to their defaults doesn’t help, you might want to restore your previous settings from a backup.
  5. Make sure you have the latest updates installed.
    1. Update Over-the-Air (OTA) —> Update your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support (IN)
    2. Update using iTunes/Finder —> Update your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support (IN)


If none of the above steps resolve the issue, it is recommended to reach out to Apple Support or visit an authorized service center for further assistance. They can provide specific guidance based on your device model and iOS version.



This Apple article will help you understand this: About Location Services and Privacy - Apple Support




Reply
User profile for user: SravanKrA
SravanKrA
Community+ 2025
User level: Level 10
429,844 points

Jan 10, 2024 11:52 PM in response to Ahmed_Malick

  1. Is this your corporate iPhone? Then please contact the system administrator of your corporate
  2. If it is your personal device, in that case, do you have any profile installed by your corporate/organisation/enterprise/School Management?
    1. Erase the profile added by you If you have installed a profile on your own --> Install or remove configuration profiles on iPhone - Apple ...
    2. Or please contact the system administrator of the organisation who provided the profile to you


Reply

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

Location services always on!

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.
Learn more Sign up