Location Services not Working on Mac? Here’s how to fix it!

No matter which device you use, whether a smartphone, tablet, or laptop/desktop, keeping the location services enabled is pretty crucial. Location services allow the apps and websites to collect and gather data based on your current location. Well, they do no intend to do so in a way to trace you but to deliver you a more personalized experience based on your approximate location.

Image source: PC Mag

However, most users are a bit skeptical about keeping the location services enabled, especially on their phones and laptops. But as per the experts, it is pretty secure. Say you are using streaming apps like Netflix or Amazon Prime on any device, so now these apps will collect the location information to offer you the available content in your region. And most importantly, when you are using a navigation app, keeping the location services enabled can help the app detect your current location to calculate the exact distance between two points.

Location services not working on Mac? Is your Mac unable to detect your current location? This can surely hinder your online browsing experience as the apps and websites won’t be able to deliver location-based content. Don’t worry? We’ve got you covered. In this post, we have listed a few solutions that will allow you to retain location services on macOS within no time.

Let’s get started.

Also read: Location Services not Working on iPhone? Here’s the Fix!

How to Fix Location Services not Working on Mac

Solution 1: Manually Enable Location Services

Tap on the Apple icon placed on the top menu bar and select “System Preferences.” Select “Security and Privacy.”

Tap on the tiny lock icon placed at the bottom to unlock security and privacy preferences on your device.

Now, check on the “Enable location services” option.

Scroll down and tap on the “Details” button next to the System Services option.

Check on the “Location-based suggestions” to enable it so that system services can determine your location.

Enable other options as well, including “Significant locations,” “Location-based alerts,” and “Time zone and system customization.” Tap on Done to save the recent changes.

Also read: Enable/Disable Location Services On Your Mac: Complete Guide

Solution 2: Configure the Date and Time Settings

Tap on the Apple icon placed on the top menu bar and select “System Preferences.”

Select “Date and Time.” Tap on the lock icon placed at the bottom to unlock system settings.

Check on the “Set date and time automatically” option.

Now, switch to the “Time Zone” tab. Check on the “Set timezone automatically using current location” option.

Solution 3: Update the Network Settings

Tap on the Apple icon placed on the top menu bar and select “System Preferences.”

Select “Network.”

Tap on “Location” and select “Edit Locations” from the drop-down list.

Hit on the “+” icon. Now, manually enter the country’s name, say USA, UK, or wherever you are located. Hit on the Done button.

Tap on the “Apply” button to save recent changes.

Also read: How to Disable Location Tracking in Windows 11?

Solution 4: Reboot your Mac

There may be some rare instances where a minor bug or glitch might interfere with the location settings of your Mac. To resolve this issue, rebooting your device can help!

Tap on the Apple icon and select “Restart.”

Launch any location-enabled app once your Mac reboots and check if the issue was resolved.

Solution 5: Update macOS

Tried the workarounds mentioned above, and are you still stuck on the location services not working on the Mac issue? Using an outdated version of macOS can be a primary cause of this problem. To update your Mac to the latest version, follow these steps:

Tap on the Apple icon placed on the top menu bar and select “About this Mac.”

Tap on “Software Update.”

Mac will automatically look for available updates. If an update is ready to download for your Mac, hit the “Upgrade Now” button to install the latest macOS version on your device.

Also read: Fix: “Your Location has Recently Been Accessed” Alert on Windows 10

Conclusion

Here are a few simple methods to fix Mac’s “Location services not working” issue. Location services are crucial whether you’re browsing, shopping online, or using your favorite apps. You can perform general troubleshooting on your device to resolve this problem and retain the functioning of location services. Once the location services are enabled, your Mac can identify your approximate location using the local WiFi networks.

Let us know which method did the trick for you in fixing the issue. Feel free to use the comments space for any other queries or feedback.
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