What does the “No location found” error on an iPhone mean, and how can you fix it?

What does the “No location found” error message mean on an iPhone?

The “No location found” error in the Find My app, shown under a device that is in your network, indicates the app can’t display its current location. It doesn’t necessarily mean your friend removed you from their network and stopped sharing their location or that your other device is lost. It just means the app can’t access the location at that moment.

This error typically happens when there’s an issue with the connection or location sharing, which prevents the app from retrieving the location information. It’s a temporary technical glitch that usually clears up once the device reconnects or the location services are back up and running.

Why is there a “No location found” error message?

The “No location found” message in the Find My app on an iPhone can appear for a number of reasons, usually related to connection or device settings. Let’s take a closer look at some of the more common causes and how they can lead to this error.

Connectivity issues

One reason you may be seeing a “No location found” text under the device’s name is a poor GPS signal. The message can appear if either you or the person sharing their location has poor GPS reception or if the GPS is completely turned off on the device. Issues with the GPS hardware or software glitches can also cause this issue because the device may struggle to transmit location data accurately. To resolve the problem, make sure both devices have a strong GPS signal and that GPS is enabled in the network settings.

Poor internet connection

If you get the “No location found” message, it may also be because the location sharer’s phone is offline or you have no internet connection on your iPhone. If the phone is disconnected from the network or has a weak or unstable internet connection, location tracking won’t work. In such cases, the error is usually temporary and will usually fix itself once the device reconnects to a Wi-Fi or cellular data network.

Low battery

This error can also occur when the location sharer’s phone is turned off because of a low battery or if low power mode is on. When the phone’s battery is critically low, the device might shut down or limit background functions and non-essential services to save power, which can prevent the device from sharing its location. And if the phone is completely off because of a drained battery, it won’t be able to share its location until it is recharged and turned back on.

Disabled location services

If the location sharer has turned off location services on their phone, you’ll see the “No location found” text. Even if they haven’t stopped sharing specifically with you, disabling location services will prevent the Find My app from accessing their location information. The app won’t be able to track or update their location until location services are back on.

Airplane mode

If either your device or the one you’re looking at in Find My has airplane mode enabled, it can disrupt location tracking. While airplane mode doesn’t completely turn off location services, it cuts off all network connections, which are essential for apps like Find My to work. If your friend’s phone is in airplane mode, you might see their last known location, but real-time updates won’t be available until it’s turned off and the device reconnects.

Other possible causes

Other issues may trigger the “No location found” message. One of them is an outdated version of iOS. Older iOS versions might have bugs that can disrupt the Find My app’s ability to access and share location data. Updating to the latest version usually fixes these problems.

This error can also happen if the person has signed out of iCloud. This way their device disconnects from the Find My network entirely, which prevents the app from tracking or updating its location. Incorrect date and time settings for the device can also sometimes cause this issue because they may interfere with location tracking.

If someone uses private browsing or other privacy features, it may affect location sharing. While private browsing on an iPhone itself doesn’t directly impact location settings, users may have adjusted privacy settings that restrict them.

How to fix the “No location found” error on your iPhone

The “No location found” error can be annoying when you’re trying to find your device or locate a friend who is sharing their location with you. The good news is that you can take steps to resolve this issue and get location tracking to work properly again.

1. Visit the system status page

Issues with Apple’s servers can sometimes disrupt location tracking. Visit Apple’s system status page to check whether its location services are online. If Find My is down, you’ll need to wait and try again later.

2. Check if the phone is online

If you can’t see someone’s location, their phone might be offline, or your own phone might not be connected to the internet. Start by checking if your phone is online by opening a website or app to see if it loads. You can also go to “Settings” > “Wi-Fi” or “Mobile service” to confirm you’re connected to a network. Try refreshing network settings by switching the networks you’re connected to. To check if your friend’s phone is online, try sending them a text or giving them a call.

3. Turn off airplane mode

If your phone is in airplane mode, you might see a “No location found” message in the Find My app. Since it’s very easy to turn it on without even realizing it, it’s worth checking to make sure it’s turned off. Simply swipe down from the top of your screen or go to your iPhone settings to confirm that airplane mode is off. If it’s on, you will usually see a little plane symbol at the top of your screen.

4. Restart your iPhone and the Find My app

If you see the “No location found” error message, close and restart the Find My app. Doing so can sometimes help resolve the issue. If that doesn’t work, try restarting your iPhone. If the problem seems to be on your friend’s end, ask them to restart their device, too.

5. Enable location services

Make sure both you and your friend have location services turned on. Go to “Settings” > “Privacy & security” > “Location services” and check if it’s turned on for both devices.

6. Check the date and time settings

Incorrect date and time settings can affect location tracking. Without it, the Find My app won’t be able to track users’ current locations. Go to “Settings” > “General” > “Date & time” and make sure the button is turned on next to “Set automatically” so the phone shows the appropriate date and time.

7. Turn on the precise location

To ensure that location tracking is accurate, check if the precise location is turned on. To do so, head to “Settings” > “Privacy” > “Location services” > “Find My” and switch the button on near “Precise location.”

What’s the difference between “No location found” and “Location not available” messages?

The “No location found” and “Location not available” error messages in the Find My app both mean that there are issues locating a device, but they refer to two different problems.

The “No location found” message usually means that the app is having trouble retrieving location data because of a technical error. These problems could be poor internet connectivity, issues with GPS location, or the wrong device settings. The person you’re trying to locate hasn’t necessarily stopped sharing their location — the app is just having trouble accessing it right now.

The “Location not available” message often means that the person has turned off their location sharing. This error can occur if they’ve restricted sharing in their privacy settings or disabled their location sharing in the Find My app. It might also signal a problem with Apple’s location tracking services. In older versions of iOS, the “No location found” message could also mean that the device was offline.

How do I know if someone turned off their location on an iPhone?

To find out if someone has turned off their location sharing, look for these signs:

1. The “Not sharing location” message. If the person has stopped sharing their location with you, you might see a “Not sharing location” message under their contact details in the Find My app. This text indicates they have disabled location sharing.
2. The “People” tab in the Find My app. Check the “People” tab in the Find My app, which lists all the people who are sharing their location with you. If the person’s name or device no longer appears on this list, they probably have stopped sharing their location.
3. The “No location available” message. When someone stops sharing their location, you might also see a “No location available” message. This message shows that the app cannot access their location, possibly because they turned off location sharing or because it’s a technical or connectivity issue.

How to prevent the “No location found” error in the future

To reduce the chances of getting the “No location found” message in the future, follow these steps:

• Enable app location permissions. When asked and needed, allow apps to access your location so they can work properly. Especially make sure Find My has access to your location.
• Keep GPS, Wi-Fi, and cellular on. Make sure all three are enabled to ensure accurate location tracking.
• Restart device. Regularly delete your iPhone location history by going to “Settings” > “Privacy” > “Location services” > “System services” > “Significant locations,” and restart your device to keep GPS, Wi-Fi, and cellular connections working well.
• Check airplane mode. If you’re having connection issues, try turning airplane mode on and off to reset your network.
• Update your device and apps. Keep your device’s software and apps updated. Updates often fix bugs that can include location errors.
• Watch battery life. Make sure your device has enough battery. A low battery or low power mode can affect location sharing.