iPhone Location services not turning off?

[dcpmark]

Happening since 12.0.1 on my SE, but not sure if it’s model-related or device-specific. I noticed a bad battery drain after updating to 12.0.1....didnt notice it under 12.0. I’ve gone through every option to reduce it including getting a new battery, stopping background activity, reducing cellular access for apps, etc. It’s better but I’m still having worse battery life. So, the only left is that I notice my location services icon rarely turns off. I have switched off most location access for apps, and switched the remaining ones to “while using”, but it still is on. No apps are running at all. I can get it to switch off for a while if I turn location services off, then back on, but it always comes back on and stays on. I suspect it’s some system service that is doing this.

Any thoughts? TIA!

 

[C DM]

Happening since 12.0.1 on my SE, but not sure if it’s model-related or device-specific. I noticed a bad battery drain after updating to 12.0.1....didnt notice it under 12.0. I’ve gone through every option to reduce it including getting a new battery, stopping background activity, reducing cellular access for apps, etc. It’s better but I’m still having worse battery life. So, the only left is that I notice my location services icon rarely turns off. I have switched off most location access for apps, and switched the remaining ones to “while using”, but it still is on. No apps are running at all. I can get it to switch off for a while if I turn location services off, then back on, but it always comes back on and stays on. I suspect it’s some system service that is doing this.

Any thoughts? TIA!

Have you checked the system services section at the bottom of location services to see what's enabled and what's been running (there would be an arrow icon next to those that have been running recently)?

 

[BugeyeSTI]

I’d do an iTunes encrypred backup and then restore the device as new to see if it makes any difference. If it doesn’t, just restore to your backup. This method at least removes all installed apps and any corruption you may have in your software so at least you can see if the base system is sound...

 

[dcpmark]

Have you checked the system services section at the bottom of location services to see what's enabled and what's been running (there would be an arrow icon next to those that have been running recently)?

Yep, but it only tells me what’s been accessed in the last 24 hours, not what is accessing it at the moment. I already switched off many of the optional system service ones, but no change.

 

[Paco II]

First to confirm, is it a filled in icon or outline? Outline is not really an issue but if it is a solid icon that could be problematic. You should be able to check the location services settings and see exactly which app or service is the culprit.

 

[dcpmark]

I’d do an iTunes encrypred backup and then restore the device as new to see if it makes any difference. If it doesn’t, just restore to your backup. This method at least removes all installed apps and any corruption you may have in your software so at least you can see if the base system is sound...

I’ve done both an encrypted restore, and a DFU reset and then encrypted restore. No difference.

 

[C DM]

Yep, but it only tells me what’s been accessed in the last 24 hours, not what is accessing it at the moment. I already switched off many of the optional system service ones, but no change.

Well, the location arrow appears next to the particular system services that have been running recently. Which ones appear to have that next to them that you still have enabled?

 

[dcpmark]

First to confirm, is it a filled in icon or outline? Outline is not really an issue but if it is a solid icon that could be problematic. You should be able to check the location services settings and see exactly which app or service is the culprit.

Yea, solid white, but location services only shows you what’s used it in the last 24 hours so it doesnt appear to be of value.

 

[Paco II]

If it's solid it means it is being actively used. You should be able to identify what it is. If it is not a third party app, be sure to scroll to the end of the location settings and also check system services.

Yea, solid white, but location services only shows you what’s used it in the last 24 hours so it doesnt appear to be of value.

 

[C DM]

Yea, solid white, but location services only shows you what’s used it in the last 24 hours so it doesnt appear to be of value.

It can still tell you which service in particular was using location services.

 

[dcpmark]

Well, the location arrow appears next to the particular ones that have been running recently. Which ones appear to have that next to them that you still have enabled?

Standard stuff that shouldn’t have to be turned off:

Cell network Search
Compass Calibration
HomeKit
Location-Based Alerts
Motion Calibration
Setting Time Zone
Share my location
Wifi-Networking
Routing and Traffic

All other system services are turned off or havent accessed location in the last 24 hours.

 

[C DM]

Standard stuff that shouldn’t have to be turned off:

Cell network Search
Compass Calibration
HomeKit
Location-Based Alerts
Motion Calibration
Setting Time Zone
Share my location
Wifi-Networking
Routing and Traffic

All other system services are turned off or havent accessed location in the last 24 hours.

So all those have an arrow appearing next to them saying they were using location services recently?

Realistically speaking, while those might be standard, you don't need at least some of them and perhaps even most of them.

 

[Paco II]

At the bottom of system services, do you have the option to show in status bar enabled or disabled?

Standard stuff that shouldn’t have to be turned off:

Cell network Search
Compass Calibration
HomeKit
Location-Based Alerts
Motion Calibration
Setting Time Zone
Share my location
Wifi-Networking
Routing and Traffic

All other system services are turned off or havent accessed location in the last 24 hours.

 

[dcpmark]

It’s weird..... i’m sitting here watching my phone, with no apps open, not using the phone, and I can see the location icon turn white and stay on for a while by itself. I’m even on wifi at the moment.
[doublepost=1541868201][/doublepost]

At the bottom of system services, do you have the option to show in status bar enabled or disabled?

Yep...Status bar icon. But all that is remove the icon from status bar showing if somethimg is accessing location services.
[doublepost=1541868344][/doublepost]

So all those have an arrow appearing next to them saying they were using location services recently?

Realistically speaking, while those might be standard, you don't need at least some of them and perhaps even most of them.

I definitely use Routing and Traffic, as well as Share my Location and Homekit for my home automation, but I’m not familiar with what the other stuff does, and if it can be turned off.

 

[Paco II]

iOS is regularly doing location service type stuff. I believe the status bar icon setting is set to off by default because, as you are seeing, it is regularly showing as being active. Most people usually leave that setting disabled to better identify problematic third party apps.

When I look at my system services many of them are showing as active, but it does not result in a battery issue. Not saying for certain that is the case for you, but the persistent location services icon may be a red herring.

It’s weird..... i’m sitting here watching my phone, with no apps open, not using the phone, and I can see the location icon turn white and stay on for a while by itself. I’m even on wifi at the moment.
[doublepost=1541868201][/doublepost]

Yep...Status bar icon. But all that is remove the icon from status bar showing if somethimg is accessing location services.

 

[C DM]

I definitely use Routing and Traffic, as well as Share my Location and Homekit for my home automation, but I’m not familiar with what the other stuff does, and if it can be turned off.

Routing and traffic just sends information to Apple and doesn't really do much on your device. If you make use of Share my Location and HomeKit you can leave those enabled. You should probably leave Find my Phone enabled and likely SOS. But basically the rest you can disable and not see any effect on your device as far as something not working or something like that.
[doublepost=1541870679][/doublepost]

It’s weird..... i’m sitting here watching my phone, with no apps open, not using the phone, and I can see the location icon turn white and stay on for a while by itself. I’m even on wifi at the moment.

When you are in the system services screen next to each particular one you should see an arrow if that service has used location recently. You can tell which ones have been using it that way.

 

[dcpmark]

Routing and traffic just sends information to Apple and doesn't really do much on your device. If you make use of Share my Location and HomeKit you can leave those enabled. You should probably leave Find my Phone enabled and likely SOS. But basically the rest you can disable and not see any effect on your device as far as something not working or something like that.
[doublepost=1541870679][/doublepost]
When you are in the system services screen next to each particular one you should see an arrow if that service has used location recently. You can tell which ones have been using it that way.

I followed your advice, and that seems to have 100% fixed my issue.....thanks!! I’m going to keep watching for a while, then slowly add them back one at a time to see which system service was causing the issue.

Thanks again!