"No Location Found" VS "Location Not Available" in Find My App

by Aaron Roussey Updated On Feb 27, 2024 Published On Feb 27, 2024 Tips

"Find My" is an iOS app that allows you to share your location with friends and family members. However, did you know that it can also help you locate a lost or stolen device or item?

As more and more users utilize this app, one of the most common questions about the Find My and Messages apps is the difference between "No Location Found" and "Location Not Available".

In this article, we will explain the difference between the two, providing you with a deeper understanding of what each status on the Find My Friends and Messages apps means.

"No Location Found" vs. "Location Not Available"

'No Location Found' and 'Location Not Available' are different phrases.

The most probable reason why you receive a 'location not available' message is because the owner of the device you are trying to locate has turned off the 'share my location' option, and the information isn't being shared even though it is available.

On the other hand, if it shows 'no location found', this is usually due to a slow internet connection or software glitches.

Continue reading to learn more about the difference between 'no location found' and 'location not available' in the Find My or Messages app.

Why It Is Saying "Location Not Available"

If you consistently encounter the message "location not available" while attempting to locate your friend's device, it may be due to the following reasons:

Location not Available

The GPS on the iPhone is switched off.

GPS is an essential feature in our devices that helps determine our most accurate locations and assists in locating friends, family, or other devices. With the GPS function switched off, you will likely receive a "Location not available" message on Find My.

To ensure Find My works properly, check that all location settings are correct and accurate to avoid further errors in tracking and locating.

Your friend disabled location services.

Many users turn off location services on their devices through Find My if they prefer not to disclose their location to friends and family. Ensure that the device you're tracking has its Share My Location feature enabled so you can locate it.

However, if you wish to turn off location services on your phone, follow these steps:

  1. First, go to the Find My app settings.
  2. Then, click the Me icon.
  3. Toggle off Share My Location.

Once this is turned off, your friends will see "location not available" on their screen when they check your location.

WiFi or mobile data is turned off.

Active WiFi or mobile data is necessary for the Find My app to function properly. If the device you're locating has its WiFi or data turned off, you will likely see "location not available" instead of its actual location.

Your friend's device is turned off.

Another reason for the persistent "location not available" message may be because the device you are trying to locate is turned off or its battery is drained.

Airplane mode is turned on.

Airplane mode is a setting you need to activate when flying. When your device is in airplane mode, it doesn't allow the transmission of wireless signals that might interfere with the plane's communication system, including Wi-Fi and mobile data.

In this case, the device will not have access to location services and will therefore display "location not available" on your screen.

Why Does an iPhone Say "No Location Found"

According to Apple:If the device can't be located, you see "No location found" under the device's name. This is more likely caused by objective reasons.

No Location Found

GPS is unable to track the device.

GPS is a network of more than 30 navigation satellites orbiting the Earth. They continuously emit signals, which are detected by a GPS receiver in your phone. When the receiver calculates its distance from four or more GPS satellites, it can determine your location. However, in some situations, the receiver on your device may fail to detect the signals from the satellites.

iPhone system glitches or failures.

Occasional glitches and lags in your phone's system can affect its location services, resulting in errors. In such cases, refreshing the Find My app on your device may help. If the issue persists, try restarting your phone and reopening the app..

Issues with your phone's internal system operations may also impact its tracking and locating functions. System failures could stem from an outdated system or excessive load on your device. Fortunately, you can resolve this through simple troubleshooting methods such as rebooting your device and refreshing the app.

Internet connection problems.

A stable internet connection is crucial for location tracking. If you and the device you're trying to find have a slow internet connection or are in an area with poor reception, locating it can be challenging.

Wrap Up

There are several possible reasons why you may encounter location errors on your Find My or Messages app. It could be due to your internet connection, unintentional changes in settings, or glitches.

While some errors can be fixed by adjusting a few settings or rebooting your device, others may require further troubleshooting steps.

We hope this article has helped you understand the difference between "location not available" and "no location found" errors on your Find My app and provided guidance on what to do when encountering these issues

Aaron Roussey
Meet Aaron, our tech-savvy team member who has probably touched more grass than all of us combined, simply because he can't afford to miss a Legendary raid in Pokémon GO. When he's not on the quest to 'catch 'em all,' you'll find him at his computer, covering everything you need to know about phones, games, computers, and all things tech!
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