Impossible to disable Locate My iPhone: what can I do?

13/03/2025

You're trying to disable a feature on your iPhone, only to find that it doesn't work. Like many users, you may find it impossible to disable Locate my iPhone. But you're not alone! This Apple-designed security option prevents the deactivation of location without specific conditions. Whether you want to reset your device, sell your iPhone or find a lost device, it's crucial to know how to solve this problem. Here's a comprehensive guide to help you sort it out. We also present the solutions offered by Geoloc.be, a reliable alternative to Locate my iPhone.

1. Impossible to disable Locate My iPhone: some solutions

1.1 How do I disable Locate My iPhone?

It's not impossible to deactivate Locate my iPhone. Just follow these steps:

Open the application Settings on your iPhone.
Press your name at the top of the screen.
Go to Locate.
Deactivate Locate my iPhone.
Enter your Apple ID password to confirm.

If these steps don't work, it may be due to a security restriction or protection enabled by Apple. Other reasons may prevent deactivation:

A software bug that has not yet been corrected by Apple.
An unstable Internet connection that prevents your iPhone from communicating with Apple servers.
Incomplete synchronization of your iCloud account.
Incorrect configuration of your Apple account.
A company-managed device with remote management restrictions.

If you find yourself in one of these situations, try resetting your device or waiting a few hours before trying again.

1.2 How do I reset Localize?

If you wish to reset this feature, you can try the following solutions:

Restart your iPhone and try to disable localization again.
Check your Internet connection: an unstable connection may prevent synchronization with iCloud.
Log out and log back in to your Apple ID account.
Update iOS to correct any software bugs.
Restore your iPhone via iTunes or Finder to erase all settings and start the process again.
Go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset all settings to restore default settings and retry deactivation.

If after all these steps it is still impossible to deactivate Locate my iPhone, contact Apple support for personalized assistance.

1.3. What should I do if my iPhone's location arrow is still activated?

The presence of the location arrow means that an application or service is currently accessing your location. To disable this option:

Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Service.
Consult the list of applications that access your position.
Disable localization for unnecessary applications.
Check whether Services système uses your position and deactivate unnecessary options.
Disable location-based ad tracking.
Check whether a connected Bluetooth device enables background localization.

If the icon persists, make sure that the option Position sharing is deactivated in the Locate settings.

2. Impossible to disable Locate My iPhone: specific situations

2.1. How do I disable localization on a broken iPhone?

If your iPhone is broken and you can't access the settings:

Connect to iCloud.com from a computer.
Go to Locate.
Select your iPhone.
Click on Delete iPhone, then delete it from your account.

If the screen is damaged but your iPhone is still working, use a mouse via an adapter to access the settings.

2.2 How can I disable location tracking on my iPhone when theft protection is activated?

Activation Lock protection prevents this, making it impossible to deactivate Locate my iPhone without Apple credentials. To get around this:

Use your Apple ID to disable the feature.
If you've forgotten your password, reset it on the official Apple website.
If you've bought a used iPhone and it's tagged, contact the previous owner to have this option remotely deactivated.
If your iPhone has been stolen, you can contact Apple with proof of purchase to request an official unlock.

2.3 How to disable iPhone localization from a computer?

If you don't have access to your iPhone, you can do it remotely:

Log in to iCloud.com with your Apple ID.
Go to Locate.
Select your iPhone.
Click on Delete device, then Delete from your account.
Before selling or resetting your iPhone, make sure it has been deleted from your iCloud account.

If you're using a Mac, you can also use the application Localize to perform these steps. With the right steps, it's no longer impossible to disable Localize my iPhone.

To make things easier for you, Geoloc.be offers alternative solutions. With Geoloc.be, you can locate a lost or stolen phone in just a few clicks, regardless of its make, model or telephone operator, anywhere in the world. Simply enter the phone number you wish to locate and wait for the recipient to accept the request. The location will then be displayed on a map.

Impossible to disable Locate My iPhone: what you need to know

If you find it impossible to deactivate Locate my iPhone, this may be linked to increased security from Apple to protect your device from theft. However, by following the solutions mentioned above, you should be able to disable this option safely. Whether you want to sell your iPhone, buy a used one or adjust your privacy settings, these solutions will be invaluable.

If you're looking to locate a lost or stolen phone, Geoloc.be remains one of the most effective solutions, even in complex cases. Check out our other articles for more tips and solutions!