3 Checks and 3 Steps to Fix Life360 Not Updating Location

Life360 is a popular app used for location sharing among family and friends, but many users encounter issues with the app not updating their location accurately. This problem can manifest in various ways, such as showing an outdated location or failing to recognize when users have left or arrived at a designated place.

This guide will walk you through the reasons and best troubleshooting methods to fix the Life360 not updating issue. Whether you're using the app on an Android or iOS, our step-by-step instructions will help you pinpoint and resolve the issue.

Why Is Location Not Updating on Life360?

Life360 may not update a user's location for several reasons, including GPS signal and network issues, app permission and privacy settings, or device-specific problems. Check out some of the significant ones:

• Network and GPS Issues: Poor GPS signal or network connectivity issues can prevent the app from accurately getting the device's location.
• App Permissions: If Life360 doesn't have the necessary permissions, such as Location and Data usage, it won't be able to update the location.
• App Settings or Gitches: If a user has set his Location Sharing to "off" in particular circles, his location won't update. Some small issues will also stop Life360 from updating the location.
• Device Settings: Some device settings, such as Battery Optimization settings, Power Saving, or Low Power Mode, will restrict running in the background and location updates for apps.
• Server Issues: Occasionally, Life360 may experience server problems or downtime, which can affect location updates. Users can check the Life360 status page or social media channels for any reported issues.

3 Basic Checks If Life360 Isn't Updating Location

To ensure Life360 is working properly, make sure the Life360 app and all phones are turned on with the necessary permissions enabled. The device should also have a good network connection & GPS Signal to update the location.

1Check Location Service

First, ensure Location Services are enabled. You can also turn on High Accuracy or Precise Location mode. These modes use GPS, Wi-Fi, and mobile networks to estimate location, which can improve accuracy and update frequency.

On iPhone

Steps to Check Location Services

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone, scroll down and tap on Privacy & Security.

   

2. At the top, you will see Location Services. Tap on it. If Location Services is off, toggle the switch to the on position (green).

   

Steps to Check Life360 Location Settings

1. In the Location Services menu, scroll down to find Life360.
2. Select the app to open its location settings.
3. Ensure the ALLOW LOCATION ACCESS is Always and the Precise Location toggle is turned on (green).

   

On Android

Steps to Check Location Services

1. Open Settings on your Android device.
2. Tap on Location. It is generally under "Privacy" or directly shown in Settings, depending on your Android version.
3. Ensure the Location switch is on.
   
4. Tap on "Mode" or "Location services."
5. Select "Location Accuracy" and then"Improve Location Accuracy" from the available options. It uses GPS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and mobile networks to determine your precise location.
   

You can check whether the Location Services is on from the drop-down Control Panel directly on some devices.

Steps to Check Life360 Location Settings

1. In the Location settings, scroll down to find Life360.
2. Select the app to open its location settings.
3. Ensure location access for Life360 is Allowed all the time.

   

2Check Life360 Permissions

You should also ensure Life360 has access to the internet and runs in the background.

Steps to Check Life360 Permissions on iPhone

1. Go to Settings and scroll down to find Life360; tap on it to open it.
2. Ensure the Background App Refresh is on and it can access WLAN & Cellular Data.
   

Steps to Check Life360 Permissions on Android

1. Go to Settings > Apps or similar settings, scroll down to find Life360 and tap on to open it.
2. Enable "Allow Background Data Usage" or tag Data usage to tick Mobile data, WLAN, Background data, Roaming data and Ignore data usage.
   

3Check Network and GPS Signal

Ensure your device has a stable internet connection, as Life360 relies on it to update locations. Restart your router or switch to mobile data if necessary. Besides, leaving location tracking on while connected to Wi-Fi may help improve GPS accuracy after moving homes.

What's more, GPS on phones has limited resolution, especially when indoors or in vehicles. It can cause locations to be off by up to 16 feet.

3 Steps to Fix Life360 Not Updating Location

To fix your fix Life360 not updating location issue, you can follow the next effective steps.

Step 1. Resolve Issues Caused by Device Settings

1Disable Low Power or Power Saving Mode

These battery-saver features may stop Life360 from accessing data or running in the background.

iPhone: Navigate to Settings > Battery > switch off Low Power Mode.

Android: Go to Settings > Battery > turn off Power Saving Mode.

You'd better also restart your Android or iPhone after changing Settings.

2Turn off Battery Optimization

Battery optimization is a feature on Android devices that helps manage and optimize battery usage for apps. It may stop Life360 from running in the background. To turn off the feature, search for "Battery Optimization" or "App battery usage" and exclude Life360 from any optimization to prevent it from being restricted.

Step 2. Fix Life360 Glitches

1Try Logging Out of Life360 and Logging Back In

Logging Out apps can fix some small glitches. To log out of Life360, open the app and tap on Setting in the upper left corner, scroll down, and you will see Log Out. Tap on it and confirm by tapping on the Log out icon.

3Check Your Life360 Account

Log into the same Life360 account on multiple devices simultaneously may lead to issues. For instance, if you log out of one device while using the other, it could create confusion or disrupt location tracking.

If you need to switch devices, it's advisable to log out of the previous device first. It helps avoid complications and ensures that notifications are managed properly.

2Reinstall or Update Life360

Visit the Google Play Store (Android) or App Store (iPhone) to update or reinstall the Life360 app to the latest version. It can often resolve problems caused by corrupted app data.

Step 3. Try the Best Life360 Alternative

If you check the Life360 status page and find that Life360 is down. You may try another location-sharing app. Google Maps is the best free choice which works on both Android and iPhone.

In case you need more functions to ensure the safety of your loved ones, AirDroid Parental Control will be better.

• Real-time location tracking and route history for family members
• Receive immediate alerts when family members enter or exit predefined safety zones
• Monitor the surroundings of Android phones to enhance family safety and awareness

Check out the steps below to use this app:

1. Download the AirDroid Parental Control app on your smartphone. You can also visit the web version at webparent.airdroid.com directly.
2. After that, set up an AirDroid account. Then follow the on-screen instructions to install AirDroid Kids on your kid's mobile and link the devices.
3. Once the connection is established, tap the location icon to track and monitor your child's device.

   

Moreover, AirDroid Parental Control extends a 3-day free trial for you to explore its myriad features. With many other parental control features, content monitoring, website filters and more, AirDroid stands out as a compelling alternative to Life360. It is effortlessly tailored to meet your needs for family safety and peace of mind.

FAQs about Life360 Not Updating

1Why Does Life360 Not Update Someone's Location?

Life360 may not update someone's location for various reasons, such as a poor GPS signal, a drained battery, background app restrictions, network issues, or app settings preventing location sharing. However, if Life360 only doesn’t update location for one person, he probably has turned off the Location Sharing.

2How to Know If Someone Paused Their Location on Life360?

If someone pauses his location, the app will show "Location sharing paused" under his name. In that case, the person's location will not be updated.

3Is There a Way to Manually Update the GPS Location in Life360?

Yes. If you find that someone's location stops updating, you can tap on his name, and you will see a refresh icon in the upper right corner. Tap on it, and it will update the GPS location if nothing is wrong.

4How Often Does Life360 Update Location?

Life360 updates location primarily based on the settings configured within the app, the permissions granted on the device and the location change. It can update the location frequently if the app has the appropriate permissions and settings configured correctly and the location has changed. Users should ensure that location sharing is enabled, battery optimization is set to unrestricted, and the app is kept up-to-date to achieve the best performance.

Final Remarks

In conclusion, addressing how to fix Life360's not updating location issue can be frustrating, but you can take steps to resolve it. These include checking location permissions, guaranteeing a stable internet connection, ensuring the app is up-to-date, and verifying device settings. Additionally, consider the possibility of server issues on Life360's end, which may require patience until resolved.

If all else fails, seeking assistance from Life360's customer support can provide further guidance and solutions. Remember that location-tracking apps may have limitations due to various factors, so realistic expectations are essential.