Disclosure: When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Ever get the feeling your phone knows a little too much about where you’ve been? Well, it kind of does — but for good reasons. Thanks to a mix of GPS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and nearby cell towers, your smartphone can offer helpful features like real-time directions, local weather updates, and automatic location tags on your photos.
Sometimes you just want a little privacy, save some battery, or even confuse your friends with a little mystery. That’s where knowing how to Turn On or Off Location Services really comes in handy.
Whether you’re using an iPhone or a Samsung Galaxy, learning to Turn On or Off Location Services is easier than you think. And it’s not just about privacy — this setting gives you control over which apps know your whereabouts and when. So, whether you’re gearing up for a road trip or going off the grid, knowing how to Turn On or Off Location Services puts you back in the driver’s seat.
How to Turn On or Off Location Services on Samsung Galaxy Phones
Samsung makes toggling location services quick and straightforward, whether you want a fast toggle or more granular control.
Turn Location On or Off via Quick Settings Panel
- Swipe down from the top of your screen to open the Quick Settings panel. Swipe down again for full access.
- Look for the Location icon — it looks like a pin or map marker.
- Tap it once:
- When highlighted (usually blue), Location is ON.
- When gray or dimmed, Location is OFF.
This is like a digital light switch for your GPS superpowers — very satisfying.
Turn Location On or Off in Settings
If you want to go deeper or check which apps have location access:
- Open Settings.
- Tap Location.
- Toggle the switch next to Location at the top to turn it On or Off.
- Below, you’ll see App permissions — where you can decide if apps can access location all the time, only while you’re using them, or never.
Tips:
- Samsung Galaxy phones often show a little location arrow icon in your status bar when GPS is active — consider it your phone’s “where am I?” signal.
- In Location > Improve Accuracy, toggle options like Wi-Fi scanning for better location precision.
- Use Device Locator in your Samsung account for anti-lost ninja moves.
iPhones: Location Services the Apple Way
Apple keeps things sleek with a central toggle and granular controls allowing excellent management and privacy.
Turn Location On or Off Quickly
- Open the Control Center:
- Swipe down from the top-right corner (iPhone X and later).
- Swipe up from the bottom (older iPhones).
- Tap the Location Services icon (it looks like an arrow or compass-pointer).
- If it’s colored/purple, it means Location Services are active.
- Unfortunately, there’s no one-tap on/off toggle here for Location Services, so this is good for seeing status but not switching it on/off quickly.
Turn Location On or Off in Settings
- Open Settings.
- Scroll down and tap Privacy.
- Tap Location Services — this is your control center.
- At the top, toggle Location Services on or off entirely.
- Further down, customize each app’s access:
- Never (no permission),
- Ask Next Time Or When I Share,
- While Using the App, or
- Always (for apps that really need ongoing location).
Handy iPhone Tips
- The little purple or gray arrow in the status bar tells you when location services are active or recently used.
- Apps like Maps, Weather, and Find My will usually require location services to function properly.
- For battery saving, giving apps While Using permission is often smarter than Always.
Why Toggle Location Services On or Off?
- Privacy: Avoid apps collecting location data when you don’t want them to (or don’t trust them).
- Battery saving: GPS and location sensors can drain juice fast — toggle off if you’re low on battery.
- Data usage: Some location-based services communicate data constantly — turn off to cut that.
- Troubleshooting: Sometimes toggling location off/on fixes GPS quirks in apps.
Bonus Hacks
- Use Android’s permission manager on Samsung to audit location access regularly.
- On iPhone, check Significant Locations in Privacy settings (where your phone tracks “frequent spots”) — creepy for some, handy for others.
- Experiment with turning location services on only when launching apps like Maps or ride-sharing services to keep control tight.
- Combine location toggling with automation apps (Shortcuts on iPhone, Samsung’s Bixby routines) to save battery or privacy during certain times.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, knowing how to Turn On or Off Location Services puts you in control of your digital footprint. Whether you’re navigating the city, saving battery on a long trip, or just wanting a bit more privacy, the choice is yours.
Both iPhones and Samsung Galaxy phones make it easy to Turn On or Off Location Services whenever you need. So go ahead — Turn On or Off Location Services like a pro and make your smartphone work for you, not the other way around.