How to turn off location for system services on an iPhone
2 min read · 5 steps · Updated 4 October 2026
Open Settings, tap Privacy & Security, then Location Services, then System Services, and switch off the services you do not want to use your location. Apple names location-based suggestions and location-based ads as examples of system services that use Location Services.
- Device
- iPhone
- Shown on
- iOS 26.5 (iPhone 17)
- App
- Settings
- Path
- Settings › Privacy & Security › Location Services › System Services
- Real screenshots
- 5 of 5 steps
- Checked
- October 2026
- Sources
- 1 official, linked below
Apart from apps, the iPhone itself uses your location for a number of services. Each has a switch. An arrow next to a service shows that it used your location: purple for recently, grey 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.
Switch services off or on
The list in the picture is from the simulator and includes Setting Time Zone, Suggestions & Search and Networking & Wireless. A real iPhone can show more entries.
Decide about Improve Maps
Under Product Improvement, Improve Maps is off in the picture. Switched on, it allows Apple to use your frequent location information to improve Maps.
Good to know
Apple's warning applies to the main switch, not to these: if you turn off Location Services altogether, many important iPhone features stop working.
To see when these services use your location: how to show the location arrow in the iPhone status bar.
In short: Settings, Privacy & Security, Location Services, System Services.
Links checked on 3 October 2026. Rules and prices change. Check the official source before you act.