{"id":1527,"date":"2026-01-21T15:09:00","date_gmt":"2026-01-21T15:09:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/scannero.com\/blog\/?p=1527"},"modified":"2026-05-25T15:09:21","modified_gmt":"2026-05-25T15:09:21","slug":"why-life360-is-not-updating-location","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/scannero.com\/blog\/why-life360-is-not-updating-location\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Is Life360 Not Updating Location? 8 Fixes That Actually Work"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Before you panic, take a breath. When Life360 stops updating someone’s location, the cause is almost never an emergency \u2014 it’s nearly always a background permission setting or a battery mode on the tracked phone that silently blocks the app from running. Most issues resolve in under five minutes once you identify which setting is off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Life360 updates location using GPS, Wi-Fi, and cellular data. For continuous updates, the app needs “Always” location access and permission to run in the background. When either of those is restricted \u2014 by the operating system, a battery saver, or a manual setting \u2014 the pin freezes and you see a stale timestamp.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The key point: most fixes need to be applied on the phone that isn’t sending updates, not on the phone where you’re viewing the map. This guide covers 8 causes with exact steps for iPhone and Android.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Life360 Is Not Updating Location: 8 Causes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Cause<\/th>What You See on the Map<\/th>Which Device to Fix<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Location permission set to “While Using”<\/td>Timestamp stops updating when app is closed<\/td>Tracked person’s phone<\/td><\/tr>
Battery Saver \/ Low Power Mode enabled<\/td>Location frozen, no updates for hours<\/td>Tracked person’s phone<\/td><\/tr>
Background App Refresh disabled (iPhone)<\/td>Intermittent or no updates<\/td>Tracked person’s phone<\/td><\/tr>
Background data restricted (Android)<\/td>No updates away from Wi-Fi<\/td>Tracked person’s phone<\/td><\/tr>
Poor or no network connection<\/td>Delayed or frozen timestamp<\/td>Tracked person’s phone<\/td><\/tr>
App glitch or needs restart<\/td>Sudden freeze on known-good settings<\/td>Both phones<\/td><\/tr>
Outdated app version<\/td>Random update failures<\/td>Both phones<\/td><\/tr>
Location sharing intentionally paused<\/td>“Location sharing paused” label on pin<\/td>Tracked person’s choice<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Fix 1: Location Permission Set to “While Using” Instead of “Always”<\/h2>\n\n\n
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This is the most common cause of Life360 not updating location. If the permission is set to “While Using the App,” Life360 stops sending location data the moment the app is closed or the screen locks. You need “Always” enabled for continuous background tracking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On iPhone:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Open Settings and scroll down to Life360<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Tap Location<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Select Always<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Make sure the Precise Location toggle is switched ON (green)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    On Android:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    1. Open Settings \u2192 Apps (or Applications)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    2. Find and tap Life360<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    3. Tap Permissions \u2192 Location<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    4. Select Allow all the time<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

      After changing this setting, Life360 should resume continuous updates within a few minutes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Fix 2: Battery Saver or Low Power Mode Is Blocking Background Updates<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      Battery-saving features are the second most common reason Life360 won’t update location. They are designed to freeze background apps \u2014 and Life360 is treated exactly like any other background app.<\/p>

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