"Share location unavailable" on iPhone: why it happens and how to fix it

You try to share your location and iPhone says it can't: the Share My Location switch is grey, Messages shows "share location unavailable, please try again later", or your friends keep seeing "No location found" for you. This page is about the sharing side (you can't share). If the problem is that someone else's location doesn't show or move, see No location found and location not updating.

Apple's guide gives one main check: "If you set up location sharing and others still can't see your location, make sure Location Services is on in Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services > Find My" (Apple). The fixes below go from that one to the rarer causes. Labels: iPhone User Guide for iOS 27 (iOS 26 reads the same), checked 7 November 2026.

Fix 1: turn on Location Services for Find My

1. Open Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services.
2. Turn on Location Services at the top.
3. Scroll to Find My and choose While Using the App (not Never).
4. Turn on Precise Location.

Apple: "If you turn off Location Services, many important iPhone features stop working" (Apple). Find My is one of them.

Fix 2: turn on Share My Location and pick this iPhone

1. Open Find My and tap Me.
2. Turn on Share My Location.
3. Look at Sharing From. If it names another device, tap Use This iPhone as My Location (Apple).

This is the most common fix after buying a new iPhone or getting an iPad: your account shares from one device only, and the old one may still hold the role. The same switches are in Settings > [your name] > Find My.

Fix 3: Screen Time or parental controls

If Share My Location is greyed out on a child's or teen's iPhone, a parent may have locked it. Apple says "your parent or guardian can prevent changes to certain privacy settings, including Share My Location settings" (Apple), and that children and teens with Screen Time parental controls "may not be able to change their own location sharing settings" (Apple). On an adult's own iPhone, check Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions: if restrictions are on, look for the location settings there and allow changes (you need the Screen Time passcode).

Fix 4: a work or school iPhone

Phones managed by an employer or school can have location settings set by the organization. If the switches are greyed out and you don't use Screen Time, ask your IT department. On a personal account on a managed phone, sharing may simply not be allowed.

Fix 5: check your Apple Account and iCloud sign-in

Find My runs through your Apple Account. Open Settings and tap your name at the top: if you see a red alert, a request to re-enter your password or confirm your passcode, finish it. Then open Settings > [your name] > Find My and check that sharing settings appear. After a password change or a new phone, this is a frequent cause.

Fix 6: get online and restart

Apple: "Most Find My features are only available if you're connected to a cellular or Wi-Fi network" (Apple).

1. Turn off Airplane Mode and make sure mobile data or Wi-Fi works (open a website).
2. Turn off any VPN for a moment and try again.
3. Restart the iPhone.

Fix 7: update iOS

Apple notes "some location sharing options require iOS 17. If you don't see an option, update your iPhone to the latest software version" (Apple). Go to Settings > General > Software Update.

Fix 8: you're in a place where sharing isn't offered

Apple: "Finding people with location sharing isn't available in all countries or regions" (Apple). When travelling, sharing may be unavailable until you're back.

Fix 9: the other person can't receive it

Live Location from Find My or Messages only reaches iPhones: "both you and the person that you're sharing with need an iPhone with iOS 15 or later" (Apple). If the person has Android, sharing from Find My will never show up for them. In a green-bubble (SMS) chat, Messages offers Send Pin only. Use Google Maps, WhatsApp or Warden instead: share location from iPhone to Android.

Quick table: message → fix

Google Maps location sharing not working

Google lists its own reasons sharing can be blocked: you're in a country or region where you can't share; your Google Workspace domain doesn't allow it; you're too young to share; or your account is managed with Family Link, in which case a parent manages location sharing (Google). Google also says that when its systems indicate you may be under 18, "you can no longer share your location for more than 24 hours." For issues lasting more than 24 hours, Google suggests verifying your age, then creating a new share with Until you turn this off via More and the search bar. And remember: "The Location Sharing recipient must have a Gmail account." Full steps: Google Maps location sharing.

Life360 or another app can't share

Third-party apps need their own location permission. On iPhone: Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services > the app > Always (Life360 asks for this) and Precise Location on. Life360's help center lists more checks, including no VPN, Low Power Mode off, and "Physical Activity" permissions on (Life360).

Warden (top pick): sharing that just works on any phone

Most "share location unavailable" headaches come from Apple's one-device rule and from mixing iPhone and Android. Warden is simpler:

1. Each person installs Warden on the phone they carry, iPhone or Android, and joins one circle with an invite code.
2. Each person switches sharing on for themselves; Warden's consent screen shows exactly what the circle will see.
3. If sharing can't run (no location permission, for example), you fix it in one place on your own phone.
4. When you want a break, tap pause: the circle sees "Paused", not an error.

Warden needs iOS 17 or later or Android 8.0 or later. One plan covers a circle of up to 10 people.

Still not working?

• Sign out of your Apple Account and back in (Settings > your name > Sign Out). This affects iCloud data on the phone, so back up first.
• Ask a friend to remove you and share again, which refreshes the connection on both sides.
• Contact Apple Support from the Apple Support app.

FAQ

Why does my iPhone say "share location unavailable"?

Usually Find My can't share from this iPhone: Location Services is off for Find My, Share My Location is off, another device is set as your location, or the phone isn't online or fully signed in to iCloud. Check Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services > Find My first.

Why is Share My Location greyed out on my iPhone?

A Screen Time restriction, parental control or work management profile is likely blocking changes. Apple says a parent or guardian can prevent changes to Share My Location settings.

How do I fix "share location unavailable, please try again later"?

Make sure the iPhone is online without a VPN, restart it, then open Find My > Me, turn on Share My Location and tap Use This iPhone as My Location.

Why is my iPhone not sharing my location even though it's on?

Another device, like an iPad, may be your sharing device, or Find My's location access is set to Never. Tap Use This iPhone as My Location and allow location for Find My.

Why can't I share my location with an Android phone from Find My?

Apple's Live Location needs an iPhone with iOS 15 or later on both ends. Use Google Maps, WhatsApp or Warden to share with Android.

Why is location sharing not working in Google Maps?

Google says sharing can be blocked by your country or region, a Workspace admin, age limits or Family Link, and the recipient needs a Gmail account. A link share works for up to 24 hours for people without one.

Does a VPN stop location sharing?

It can interfere. Life360 says not to use a VPN with its app, and turning a VPN off is a quick test for Find My problems too.

Can I share my location if I only have a Mac?

No. Apple says the device that shares your location must be an iPhone, iPad, iPod touch or Apple Watch.