How to Prevent Turning Off Location Services on iOS and Android Devices

Location services play a important role in ensuring that devices provide accurate navigation, enable device tracking and support apps that rely on location-based functionality. However, one of the common challenges faced by organizations and individuals alike is preventing users from disabling location services, whether for security reasons, compliance or parental controls.

In this article, we’ll walk you through some effective steps and best practices to keep location services active on both iOS and Android devices.

Why Should We Prevent Turning Off Location Services?

Before we jump into the methods, let’s take a moment to think about why it’s important to keep location services on:

1. Device Tracking and Recovery: If a device gets lost or stolen, location services are key for tracking it down and getting it back.

2. Parental Controls: Parents often want to keep tabs on their kids’ whereabouts for safety reasons.

3. Organizational Policies: Businesses that manage a fleet of devices need location services for compliance, logistics or tracking employees.

4. Enhanced App Functionality: A lot of apps like ride-sharing, fitness tracking and mapping tools rely on location data to work properly.

Methods to Prevent Disabling Location Services

For iOS Devices

Apple devices come equipped with powerful management tools, particularly useful in corporate or educational settings.

Here’s how you can make sure location services stay on:

1. Using Screen Time

   • Step 1: Launch the Settings app.
   • Step 2: Tap on Screen Time and set it up if you haven’t done so yet.
   • Step 3: Select Content & Privacy Restrictions and turn it on.
   • Step 4: Navigate to Location Services under the Privacy section.
   • Step 5: Set the location services to "Don’t Allow Changes."

   This way, users won’t be able to change the location services settings without entering the Screen Time passcode.

2. Using Mobile Device Management (MDM)

   • Step 1: Enroll the device in an MDM solution like Jamf, Kandji, or Apple Business Manager.
   • Step 2: Create a configuration profile that keeps location services locked in the "on" position.
   • Step 3: Push this profile to the devices you manage.

   MDM solutions give administrators detailed control over device settings, ensuring everything aligns with company policies.

3. Find My iPhone

   • Step 1: Turn on Find My iPhone and make sure it’s linked to the user’s Apple ID.
   • Step 2: Go to Settings > [Your Name] > Find My > Find My iPhone and enable Send Last Location.

   While this won’t stop users from disabling location services, it does help you track the device’s last known location.

For Android Devices

Android devices come from a variety of manufacturers, which means they offer different levels of control.

Here are some handy methods to manage them:

1. Using Parental Control Features

   • Step 1: Start by opening the Settings app & then navigate to Digital Wellbeing & Parental Controls.
   • Step 2: Set up the Parental Controls and select the right account for your child.
   • Step 3: You can restrict access to location settings or implement location-based policies right from the parental controls interface.

2. Using Third-Party Apps

   • Consider installing apps like Google Family Link or Qustodio to manage location services from afar.
   • These apps empower parents or administrators to keep location services active on the device.

3. Using Enterprise Mobility Management (EMM)

   • Step 1: Enroll the device in an EMM solution, such as Microsoft Intune, VMware Workspace ONE, or Samsung Knox.
   • Step 2: Create a policy that locks location services in the "on" position.
   • Step 3: Apply/publish this policy to all managed devices.

   EMM tools provide administrators with centralized control over device settings, ensuring everything aligns with corporate policies.

4. Secure Lock Screen Settings

   • Step 1: Set a strong PIN, password or biometric lock for added security.
   • Step 2: Limit access for unauthorized users to the settings menu, where location services can be disabled.

5. Enable Google’s Find My Device

   • Step 1: Go to Settings > Security and turn on Find My Device.
   • Step 2: Make sure the device is linked to a Google account.

   While this won’t stop someone from turning off location services, it does allow you to track the device as long as it’s online.

Best Practices for Organizations

1. Use Supervised/Managed Devices: Make sure to enroll all devices in a Mobile Device Management (MDM) or Enterprise Mobility Management (EMM) solution to maintain full control.
2. Educate Users: It's essential to inform users about why keeping location services on is crucial for both compliance and security.
3. Monitor Devices: Utilize real-time monitoring tools from your MDM/EMM to ensure that location services are consistently active.
4. Implement Geofencing: Set up geofencing to send alerts if a device strays outside a designated area.

Conclusion

Keeping location services enabled is vital for effective device tracking, safety and compliance. By using built-in features like Screen Time and Parental Controls or opting for advanced MDM/EMM solutions, you can ensure that location services stay on. Implement these strategies while considering user privacy alongside organizational needs for the best results.