Location Sharing Not Working Fixes For Iphone Google Maps

Location sharing is a cornerstone of modern navigation and communication, especially when coordinating meetups, tracking deliveries, or ensuring safety during travel. For iPhone users relying on Google Maps, the frustration of location sharing suddenly stopping can be both confusing and inconvenient. Unlike Apple’s native Find My app, Google Maps operates across platforms, making it ideal for mixed-device households or teams. But when location sharing fails, pinpointing the cause isn’t always straightforward. The issue could stem from iOS settings, Google account misconfigurations, network instability, or even outdated app versions. This guide walks through comprehensive, step-by-step solutions to restore seamless location sharing between your iPhone and Google Maps.

Understanding Why Location Sharing Fails

Before diving into fixes, it's essential to understand what happens behind the scenes when you share your location via Google Maps. The process involves multiple layers: GPS signal acquisition, internet connectivity (Wi-Fi or cellular), permission access within iOS, and active syncing with Google’s servers. Any disruption in this chain can halt real-time updates or prevent sharing altogether.

Common culprits include:

• Disabled Location Services for Google Maps
• Background App Refresh turned off
• Outdated Google Maps or iOS version
• Incorrect Google account sync settings
• Poor network connection
• Battery-saving modes limiting background activity

Unlike Android, where Google services run natively, iOS imposes stricter limitations on background processes, which directly impacts how reliably Google Maps can broadcast your position.

Tip: Always test location sharing with someone nearby first—this helps isolate whether the issue is device-specific or recipient-related.

Step-by-Step Troubleshooting Guide

Solving location sharing problems requires a methodical approach. Start with basic checks and progress to deeper system-level adjustments.

1. Check Internet Connection: Ensure your iPhone has stable Wi-Fi or cellular data. A weak signal prevents location updates from syncing. Try switching between networks or toggling Airplane Mode on and off to reset connectivity.
2. Restart Google Maps: Close the app completely from the App Switcher and relaunch it. This clears temporary glitches that may block live location transmission.
3. Force Restart Your iPhone: If the app continues to malfunction, perform a force restart (press Volume Up, then Volume Down, then hold Side Button until Apple logo appears). This resets memory and active processes without erasing data.
4. Update Google Maps: Open the App Store, search for Google Maps, and install any pending updates. Older versions often contain bugs affecting location accuracy and sharing reliability.
5. Ensure iOS Is Up-to-Date: Go to Settings > General > Software Update. Running an outdated iOS version can lead to compatibility issues with newer app features.

Verify Location Permissions

Google Maps cannot access your location unless explicitly permitted by iOS. Even if previously allowed, updates or accidental toggles can revoke access.

To check:

1. Open Settings on your iPhone.
2. Scroll down and tap Privacy & Security.
3. Select Location Services and ensure it’s enabled.
4. Find and tap Google Maps in the app list.
5. Choose While Using the App or Always—the latter is required for continuous background sharing.

“iOS restricts background location access more aggressively than Android. Users must actively grant ‘Always’ permission for real-time sharing to work consistently.” — Raj Mehta, Mobile App Developer & Cross-Platform Specialist

Background App Refresh and Battery Optimization

iOS includes power-saving features that inadvertently disrupt location sharing. Background App Refresh allows apps to update content when not in use, which is critical for Google Maps to send periodic location pings.

Navigate to:

• Settings > General > Background App Refresh
• Ensure it’s enabled globally and specifically for Google Maps

Additionally, Low Power Mode disables background refresh and reduces GPS accuracy. While useful for extending battery life, it should be disabled during active location sharing.

Tip: Disable Low Power Mode before starting a trip or sharing your location for extended periods.

Re-Login to Your Google Account

Sync errors between your device and Google’s servers can silently break location functionality. Logging out and back into your Google account often resolves authentication hiccups.

In Google Maps:

1. Tap your profile picture in the top-right corner.
2. Select Manage Your Google Account.
3. Tap Sign Out, confirm, then sign back in using your credentials.
4. Re-enable location sharing and test immediately.

Do’s and Don’ts of Location Sharing on iPhone

Do’s	Don’ts
Set sharing duration manually (5 minutes to 24 hours)	Assume “Always” location access means indefinite sharing—Google limits max duration per session
Use strong Wi-Fi or LTE/5G connections	Rely solely on spotty public Wi-Fi for real-time updates
Test sharing with a trusted contact before relying on it	Ignore permission prompts when reinstalling or updating the app
Keep Google Maps updated regularly	Leave old app versions running for weeks without checking for updates

Real-World Example: Fixing a Frozen Location Feed

Sarah, a freelance photographer based in Portland, uses Google Maps to share her live location with clients when traveling to shoots. One morning, while en route to a downtown studio, her client reported that her dot hadn’t moved in 20 minutes—even though she was driving. She pulled over safely and followed these steps:

• Checked her internet: Cellular signal was strong (5 bars).
• Opened Settings and confirmed Location Services were on for Google Maps with “Always” access.
• Discovered Background App Refresh was disabled—likely due to a recent iOS update resetting preferences.
• Enabled Background App Refresh for Google Maps and restarted the app.

Within seconds, her location resumed updating. She later learned that iOS updates occasionally reset background permissions as a default security measure. Since then, she performs a quick settings audit after every major OS update.

Comprehensive Checklist for Immediate Fixes

When location sharing stops working, follow this checklist in order:

• ✅ Confirm internet connectivity (Wi-Fi or cellular)
• ✅ Restart Google Maps app
• ✅ Check Location Services permission (\"Always\" selected)
• ✅ Enable Background App Refresh for Google Maps
• ✅ Turn off Low Power Mode
• ✅ Update Google Maps via App Store
• ✅ Ensure iOS is up-to-date
• ✅ Sign out and back into your Google account
• ✅ Force restart your iPhone if all else fails
• ✅ Test sharing with a new time limit (e.g., 1 hour)

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my location stop updating after a few minutes?

This typically occurs when Background App Refresh is disabled or when iOS suspends Google Maps in the background to conserve battery. Also, ensure you’ve selected “Always” under Location Services, not just “While Using the App.”

Can I share my location indefinitely on iPhone using Google Maps?

No. Google Maps limits live location sharing to a maximum of 24 hours per session. After that, you must manually restart sharing. There is no option for permanent or infinite sharing.

Does location sharing work when the phone is off?

No. Location sharing requires the device to be powered on, connected to the internet, and have GPS enabled. If the iPhone is off or out of battery, the last known location will appear but won’t update.

Conclusion: Regain Control Over Your Digital Presence

Location sharing on Google Maps should be reliable, not a source of stress. By understanding how iOS manages app permissions and background processes, you can quickly diagnose and fix most issues. The key lies in maintaining proper settings, staying updated, and recognizing how battery optimizations impact functionality. These fixes aren’t temporary patches—they’re habits that ensure consistent performance moving forward.

💬 Did one of these solutions work for you? Share your experience or ask questions in the comments—your insight could help another iPhone user get unblocked today.