Location services are one of the most important permissions you can grant or deny on your phone. Many applications rely on-location services to do their jobs. For example, your maps app needs permission to use location services to know where you are and provide driving or walking directions. If you don’t enable location services, some applications don’t function completely.
Whether you’re using an iPhone or An Android device, it’s easy to turn location services on or off worldwide or to enable location services for specific apps.
How to enable location services on Android
By default, your Android phone has Overall Location Services enabled, but you’ll need to grant permissions for each app you install. If your Android phone has location services turned off, you can turn it back on with just a few taps. Launch the Settings app and tap Location. If off, swipe the button to the right to turn on Use Location.
You should also check individual applications. If you want to make sure that a particular app has location services enabled, click on the app’s location permissions and find the app in the list. Tap on the app and select Allow only when using the app or ask each time. In general, allowing it only when using the app is a more convenient and common option.
Given the Android phone and Android operating system you’re running, the exact area of location services may vary.
How to disable location services on Android
If you want to strengthen your privacy or extend your phone’s battery life, you may want to disable location services – although this will make your phone usage much less, as many apps rely on knowing your location. If you want to disable location services globally – so that no app can know where you are – launch the Settings app and click on “Targeting”. If it is on, swipe the button to the left to turn off Use Positioning.
Alternatively, you can disable location services for only specific applications. In Settings, on the Locations page, tap App location permissions to find an app in the list. Click the app and select Don’t allow. Also, you can select Ask every time, which means you can decide whether you want to enable location services for the app each time you launch it. While it’s not very convenient, it’s a versatile option.
How to enable location services on iPhone
If your iPhone has disabled location services, you can turn it back on with a few clicks. Launch the Settings app and tap Privacy. At the top of the page, tap on the Location Service and, if disabled, turn it on by sliding the button to the right.
Individual apps may also turn off location services. To ensure that the location service for a specific application is turned on, locate the application in the list on the Location Services page and tap the application when you find it. Now select any option other than “Never”. Most apps are set to best when using the app, but if you want the app to know where you are, you can choose Always even if the app isn’t running.
How to disable location services on iPhone
You can disable location services completely for every app on your phone at once, or just for specific apps. This can enhance your privacy or save battery life.
Launch the Settings app and tap Privacy. At the top of the page, click Location Services, and if Location Services are already open, you can disable them all at once by sliding the button to the left.
Alternatively, you can disable location services for individual apps. On the Location Services page, in the list of apps, find the app whose location services you want to restrict. Tap Apps and select Never.
