Having Trouble with “No Location Found” on Find My Friends?
If you’ve ever opened Find My Friends (or the newer Find My app) and seen the dreaded “No Location Found” message, you’re not alone. Many iPhone users run into this issue, and while it can be frustrating, the good news is that it’s usually easy to fix.
In this guide, we’ll explain:
- What “No Location Found” really means
- How it differs from “Location Not Available”
- The most common causes
- Step-by-step fixes you can try right now
- A bonus tip for checking Android phone locations
What Does “No Location Found” Mean?
The Find My Friends app (now integrated into Apple’s Find My) is designed to help you keep track of family and friends. But sometimes, instead of showing their location, you’ll see “No Location Found.”
This doesn’t mean they’ve stopped sharing their location—it usually means the app can’t retrieve their GPS data due to a technical or connectivity issue.
Does “No Location Found” Mean They Stopped Sharing?
No! If someone stops sharing their location, you’ll see a different message. “No Location Found” typically points to a problem with:
- GPS signals
- Internet connection
- Device settings
So don’t jump to conclusions—it’s usually a technical hiccup, not a privacy choice.
“No Location Found” vs. “Location Not Available”
These two messages look similar but mean different things:
| Message | What It Means |
|---|---|
| No Location Found | The device is offline, has no Wi-Fi/cellular connection, or location services are disabled. |
| Location Not Available | The app tried to fetch the GPS location but failed (weak signal, temporary glitch). |
Why Does Find My Friends Say “No Location Found”?
Here are the most common reasons:
- Incorrect Date & Time – If your friend’s device has the wrong time settings, syncing fails.
- No Internet Connection – Without Wi-Fi or cellular data, GPS can’t update.
- Location Services Disabled – If turned off, the app can’t track.
- “Hide My Location” Enabled – Your friend may have chosen to hide their location.
- Not Signed In – They may not be logged into Find My Friends.
- Technical Glitch – A temporary bug on either device.
How to Fix “No Location Found” on Find My Friends
Try these proven solutions:
- Enable Location Services
- Go to Settings > Privacy > Location Services
- Turn on Location Services and Share My Location
- Check Date & Time
- Go to Settings > General > Date & Time
- Turn on Set Automatically
- Verify “Share My Location”
- Open Find My app
- Tap your profile > Share My Location
- Reset Location & Privacy Settings
- Go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset Location & Privacy
- Check Apple’s System Status
- Visit Apple’s System Status page
- If Find My is down, wait until Apple resolves it
- Update iOS or macOS
- iPhone/iPad: Settings > General > Software Update
- Mac: Apple Menu > System Preferences > Software Update
How to Make “Find My Friends” Show “No Location Found” (Hide Your Location)
Sometimes, you may want to temporarily hide your location for privacy. Here’s how:
- Turn on Airplane Mode – This instantly makes your location unavailable.
- Disable Share My Location – Go to Settings > Privacy > Location Services > Share My Location and toggle it off.
- Turn off your device – Friends will see “No Location Found” until you’re back online.
Bonus: Locate Android Phones with MyParental
If you also need to track Android devices, apps like MyParental offer:
- Real-time GPS tracking
- Geofencing alerts
- Screen monitoring for safety
- Content filtering & app blocking
This makes it a great option for families with both iOS and Android devices.
Conclusion
The “No Location Found” error on Find My Friends is usually nothing serious. With the quick fixes above—checking location services, internet connection, and system updates—you’ll likely solve it in minutes.
And if you ever need to track Android devices, tools like MyParental can give you peace of mind.
FAQ: iPhone Location Issues
Q: How do I know if someone stopped sharing their location? A: If you see “Location Not Available” instead of “No Location Found,” they may have turned off location sharing.
Q: Can I track a stolen iPhone that’s turned off? A: Yes, on iOS 15 and later. Enable Find My Network to locate your iPhone even when powered off.
