How to Turn Location Sharing On or Off (iPhone & Android)

You can turn location sharing on or off any time using your phone’s settings. Both iPhones and Androids give you control over when an app can access your location, and those choices will determine whether your updates are shared or paused.

Understanding how location sharing works at the system level can help you manage your privacy, set boundaries, and avoid confusion about when your location is and isn’t visible.

Turning Location Sharing On or Off on an iPhone

When it comes to sharing your location on an iPhone, the controls live inside the device’s Location Services settings. 

Each app is assigned its own permission level, such as allowing location access only while the app is in use or not at all.

If location access is turned off for an app, the location updates will stop. When access is turned back on (and your phone has a data connection), updates will resume. These settings apply across to app that relies on location data.

These permissions can be adjusted anytime, meaning you can pause or resume sharing, based on comfort, context, or daily routines.

Turning Location Sharing On or Off on an Android

Android devices also manage location tracking access through system-level permissions. Like an iPhone, an Android allows location sharing to be controlled on an app-by-app basis.

You can allow access only while the app is active or remove it entirely. When access is restricted, the updates will stop. When the permissions are restored and the device reconnects, the updates will continue.

This applies whether you’re using a locator app for an Android phone, or any other tool that depends on location access.

How Location Sharing Apps Use Your Settings

A location sharing app can only send updates when permission is granted and a data connection is available. 

If either one is missing, the updates will pause until both are restored. Here are other reasons why your location might not be sharing. 

Apps can’t override your phone’s settings. Instead, they reflect the choices you’ve made at the system level. When sharing is turned back on, your visibility will resume automatically.

Closr works within these same rules, providing updates only when location sharing is enabled and the device is connected.

Using Location Sharing for Families

Many people use family location sharing to stay connected throughout the day, especially during school schedules, commutes, or travel. 

Turning sharing on or off as needed can keep communication clear without feeling intrusive.

Knowing how to adjust these settings makes it easier to set expectations and avoid misunderstandings about visibility.

Staying in Control of Location Sharing

Turning location sharing on or off is one of the simplest ways to manage your privacy and still stay connected. 

When you understand how your phone handles these settings, you can decide when sharing makes sense and when it doesn’t.

Closr is a locator app designed to work alongside your device’s permissions, supporting clear, intentional sharing, helping everyone stay connected without any pressure.