How to show the location arrow in the iPhone status bar
2 min read · 4 steps · Updated 4 October 2026
Open Settings, tap Privacy & Security, then Location Services, then System Services, scroll to the bottom and switch on Status Bar Icon. The Location Services arrow then appears in the status bar when system services request your location.
- Device
- iPhone
- Shown on
- iOS 26.5 (iPhone 17)
- App
- Settings
- Path
- Settings › Privacy & Security › Location Services › System Services
- Real screenshots
- 4 of 4 steps
- Checked
- October 2026
- Sources
- 1 official, linked below
When an app uses Location Services, an arrow appears in the status bar. For the system's own services, that arrow is off unless you switch it on. The System Services page also marks each service that used your location: a purple arrow for recently, a grey arrow for the last 24 hours.
The screenshots show iOS 26.5 on an iPhone 17. On older versions the rows have the same names, with a slightly different look.
Step by step
Open Settings and tap Privacy & Security
Scroll down in Settings to find it, below Screen Time.
Tap Location Services
It is the first row of the page.
Scroll down and tap System Services
It is the last row of the list of apps.
Scroll to the bottom and switch on Status Bar Icon
In the picture it is off. The note below reads: show the Location Services icon in the status bar when the services above request your location.
Good to know
Each system service has its own switch on the same page: how to turn off location for system services on an iPhone.
In short: Settings, Privacy & Security, Location Services, System Services, Status Bar Icon on.
Links checked on 3 October 2026. Rules and prices change. Check the official source before you act.