Find My Friends Not Updating Location Reasons Fixes

Apple’s Find My Friends app has long been a trusted tool for staying connected with family, friends, and colleagues by sharing real-time locations. However, many users report frustration when the app fails to update someone’s location—showing “No Location Found,” “Location Not Available,” or outdated data. This issue can stem from device settings, network problems, or user permissions. Understanding the root causes and applying targeted solutions ensures seamless location sharing.

Why Find My Friends Fails to Update Location

The most frequent reason for delayed or missing location updates is misconfigured privacy or location services settings. Apple prioritizes user privacy, meaning location sharing is never automatic—it must be explicitly enabled and maintained. When location data doesn’t refresh, it’s usually because one party has disabled sharing, lost connectivity, or restricted background app activity.

Other contributing factors include software bugs, low battery mode, or hardware limitations on older devices. Unlike third-party apps that may force background tracking, Apple’s ecosystem respects user control, which means interruptions are more likely but also more fixable through proper configuration.

Tip: Ensure both you and your friend have Wi-Fi or cellular data active—location sharing relies on internet connectivity.

Common Causes and How to Diagnose Them

Before attempting fixes, identify whether the problem lies with your device, the other person’s device, or mutual settings. Below is a breakdown of the most prevalent issues:

• Inactive Location Sharing: The contact may have paused or stopped sharing their location.
• Disabled Location Services: GPS or location access might be turned off on the friend’s device.
• Low Power Mode: This setting disables background app refresh, preventing location updates.
• No Internet Connection: Without Wi-Fi or cellular data, location cannot be transmitted.
• Outdated iOS Version: Older software may lack critical bug fixes for Find My functionality.
• Background App Refresh Disabled: Prevents the app from updating when not in use.
• Incorrect Date & Time Settings: Can interfere with iCloud syncing and location accuracy.

“Location sharing depends on a chain of settings—from GPS to iCloud to network access. Break one link, and the whole system fails.” — James Lin, iOS Systems Analyst

Step-by-Step Guide to Fix Location Updates

Follow this systematic approach to resolve the issue efficiently:

1. Verify Location Sharing Status
   Open the Find My app > Tap \"People\" > Check if the contact is still sharing their location. If not, request a new share invitation.
2. Confirm Your Own Settings
   Go to Settings > Privacy > Location Services > Ensure it's enabled. Then scroll to \"Find My\" and set it to \"While Using the App\" or \"Always.\"
3. Check the Friend’s Device
   Ask them to confirm:
   • Find My is enabled (Settings > [Name] > Find My > Find My iPhone)
   • Location Services is on (Settings > Privacy > Location Services)
   • They haven’t paused sharing (in Find My app under People)
4. Disable Low Power Mode
   On both devices, go to Settings > Battery and turn off Low Power Mode. This restores background processes essential for live updates.
5. Enable Background App Refresh
   Navigate to Settings > General > Background App Refresh > Ensure it’s on and that Find My is allowed.
6. Ensure Accurate Date & Time
   Go to Settings > General > Date & Time > Enable “Set Automatically.” Incorrect time disrupts iCloud sync.
7. Restart the Device
   A simple reboot clears temporary glitches affecting GPS or network modules.
8. Update iOS
   Install the latest iOS version via Settings > General > Software Update to patch known bugs.

Troubleshooting Table: Do’s and Don’ts

Action	Do	Don’t
Location Settings	Set Find My to “Always” for accurate tracking	Use “Never” or disable Location Services entirely
Battery Mode	Turn off Low Power Mode during active sharing	Keep Low Power Mode on for extended periods while sharing
Network	Use Wi-Fi or strong cellular signal	Rely on spotty or no connection
Software	Keep iOS updated to the latest stable version	Ignore software update notifications
Sharing Duration	Select “Share Indefinitely” for continuous updates	Choose “For One Hour” or “Until End of Day” unintentionally

Real-World Example: Family Tracking During Travel

Sarah planned a weekend trip with her parents and used Find My to monitor their arrival. As they neared the destination, her mother’s location froze two hours outside the city. Sarah first checked her own settings—everything was correct. She then called her mom and guided her through the troubleshooting steps. Her mother had unknowingly enabled Low Power Mode after her battery dropped below 20%. Once disabled, and after restarting the phone, the location refreshed within minutes. The incident highlighted how easily a single setting can disrupt the entire experience—even among tech-savvy users.

Essential Checklist for Reliable Location Sharing

To prevent future issues, use this checklist regularly—especially before relying on location tracking for coordination:

• ✅ Both parties have Find My enabled in iCloud settings
• ✅ Location Services is ON and set to “Always” for Find My
• ✅ Background App Refresh is enabled for Find My
• ✅ Low Power Mode is OFF
• ✅ Date & Time is set to “Set Automatically”
• ✅ Device is connected to Wi-Fi or cellular data
• ✅ iOS is up to date (iOS 15 or later recommended)
• ✅ Location sharing is set to “Share Indefinitely”

Tip: Periodically test location sharing with a trusted contact to ensure all systems are functioning before relying on it in urgent situations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Find My Friends say “Location Not Available”?

This message appears when the person’s device is powered off, out of range, offline, or if they’ve stopped sharing their location. It can also occur if Location Services is disabled or if the Find My app isn’t permitted to run in the background.

Can someone see if I check their location?

No. Apple does not notify users when you view their shared location. However, they will know you have access if they review their list of people they’re sharing with.

How often does Find My update location?

Updates occur in real time when both devices are online and properly configured. Delays happen due to poor connectivity, power-saving modes, or infrequent device movement. Under optimal conditions, updates are nearly instantaneous.

Conclusion

When Find My Friends stops updating location, the solution is rarely complex—but it requires attention to detail across multiple settings. From disabling Low Power Mode to confirming background app permissions, each step plays a role in maintaining reliable tracking. By understanding the interplay between privacy controls, network access, and device health, users regain confidence in one of Apple’s most useful features. Don’t wait for a missed meetup or safety concern to act—audit your settings today and keep connections live and accurate.

💬 Have a tip that fixed your location issue? Share your experience in the comments to help others stay connected.