How to stop sharing location on iPhone

Complete guide with multiple methods and troubleshooting

7-10 min read
Expert Verified
Last Updated: August 2025

Quick Answer

To stop sharing your location on an iPhone, you can disable location sharing through the Settings app or adjust privacy settings for specific apps. This ensures that your location is not shared with others, providing you with greater privacy.

Easy⏱ 7-10 min read

Prerequisites & Requirements

Before you start, ensure you have the following:
  • •An iPhone running iOS 14 or later.
  • •Access to the device with the correct Apple ID and password if needed.
  • •Basic knowledge of navigating the iPhone Settings app.
  • •Important data to backup first, such as contacts or notes, in case of unexpected issues.

Method 1: Disable Location Sharing via Settings

This method is the primary way to stop sharing your location across all services.
  • •Step 1: Open the 'Settings' app on your iPhone. Look for the gear icon on your home screen.
  • •Step 2: Scroll down and tap on 'Privacy'. This is where you manage all privacy-related settings.
  • •Step 3: Tap on 'Location Services'. You will see a list of apps that have requested access to your location.
  • •Step 4: To disable location sharing entirely, toggle off the 'Location Services' switch at the top. Confirm your choice when prompted.
  • •Step 5: To stop sharing location with specific apps, scroll down to the app in question, tap on it, and select 'Never' under 'Allow Location Access'.
  • •Step 6: To verify it worked, return to the 'Location Services' menu and ensure the settings reflect your changes.
  • •Step 7: If it doesn't work, restart your iPhone and check the settings again.

For iOS 15 and later

iOS 15 introduced some changes in the privacy settings.
  • •Step 1: Follow the same steps as above.
  • •Step 2: In 'Location Services', you can also see 'Share My Location' at the top. Tap on it to manage sharing with family and friends.
  • •Step 3: Toggle off 'Share My Location' to stop sharing with everyone.

For iOS 14

The steps are similar but may lack some features introduced in later versions.
  • •Step 1: Follow the same steps as above.
  • •Step 2: Note that 'Share My Location' may not have as many options for managing individual contacts.

Method 2: Disable Location Sharing in Find My

Use this method if you specifically want to stop sharing your location with friends and family through the Find My app.
  • •Step 1: Open the 'Find My' app on your iPhone.
  • •Step 2: Tap on the 'People' tab at the bottom.
  • •Step 3: Select the person you want to stop sharing your location with.
  • •Step 4: Scroll down and tap on 'Stop Sharing My Location'. Confirm your choice.
  • •Step 5: To verify, check the list of people you are sharing your location with; the person should no longer appear.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

If you encounter issues while trying to stop sharing your location, consider the following solutions:
  • •Error: 'Location Services are Disabled' - Solution: Go to Settings > Privacy > Location Services and toggle it on.
  • •Issue: 'Cannot Stop Sharing Location' - Fix: Ensure you are logged into the correct Apple ID associated with the location sharing.
  • •Problem: 'Location Still Shared After Turning Off' - Workaround: Restart your iPhone and check the settings again.

Advanced Tips & Shortcuts

For power users, here are some additional tips:
  • •Keyboard shortcut: There are no specific keyboard shortcuts on iPhone, but using Siri can speed up navigation.
  • •Hidden feature: Use 'Screen Time' to restrict app access to location services for added security.
  • •Command line: Not applicable for iOS devices, but consider using Apple Configurator for bulk management in enterprise settings.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid these common pitfalls:

Expert Tips

To maintain your privacy, regularly review your location sharing settings and be aware of which apps have access.