You’re trying to enable location services for Facebook but the option won’t turn on?!
Or Facebook isn’t even SHOWING UP in your phone’s location settings at all!!
Maybe you want to check in somewhere or use Marketplace but location is disabled, or Dating won’t work because GPS is broken. This is so damn frustrating. You’ve restarted your phone three times, toggled every setting you can find, and Facebook STILL can’t figure out where the hell you are!!
Why Location Services Break
Facebook location services fail for several annoying reasons, and Facebook won’t tell you which one is screwing up YOUR app specifically!
Here’s what blocks location from working:
- Facebook not in location settings – App never requested permission
- Permission set to “Never” – Need to change to “While Using”
- Background App Refresh disabled – iOS blocks location updates
- Cache corrupted – Temporary data blocking location feature
- App needs updating – Old version has broken GPS
- Phone GPS disabled – Device-wide location services off
- IP address overriding GPS – Network location conflicting with actual location
And let’s fix each one, deadass….
Facebook Not Showing In Location Settings
This is the #1 issue people face – Facebook literally doesn’t appear in your phone’s location services list at all!
Here’s why this happens, and it’s stupid as hell:
When you first installed Facebook, the app never triggered the location permission request. So your phone never added Facebook to the location services menu!! What the fuck Facebook?!
The fix is triggering the permission request manually…
Open Facebook app. Try to check in somewhere or make a post. Tap the location/check-in icon. This should trigger Facebook to ASK for location permission finally 🙂
When the popup appears, tap Allow While Using App or Allow. Now Facebook will appear in your phone’s location settings.
If this doesn’t work?? Delete Facebook app completely, restart phone, reinstall from App Store/Play Store, then try checking in immediately after logging back in, no cap.
Check Facebook’s official location services help page for more info.
Enable Location Services On iPhone
If Facebook IS in your location settings but set to “Never,” you need to change the permission manually!
On iPhone: Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services. Make sure Location Services at the top is toggled ON.
Scroll down and find Facebook in the app list. Tap it!!
Select “While Using the App”…
This gives Facebook access to your location only when the app is open. You can also choose “Always” if you want Nearby Friends or background location features.
“Ask Next Time Or When I Share” is fine but requires you to approve location each time. “Never” completely blocks Facebook from accessing GPS!!
After changing this, restart Facebook app and test location by trying to check in somewhere.
Having other Facebook Dating problems? Location is required for Dating to work…
Enable Location Services On Android
Android location settings work slightly different than iPhone – here’s the correct method!
On Android: Settings > Apps > Facebook > Permissions > Location.
You’ll see options: Allow all the time, Allow only while using the app, Ask every time, Don’t allow.
Select “Allow only while using the app”…
This gives Facebook location access when you’re actively using it. “Allow all the time” enables background location tracking (needed for Nearby Friends).
Android 10+ users: You might need to ALSO enable “Precise location” toggle. This gives exact GPS coordinates instead of approximate location!!
After enabling, force stop Facebook (Settings > Apps > Facebook > Force Stop), then reopen and test location features.
Turn On Background App Refresh (iPhone)
This catches iPhone users off guard constantly – Background App Refresh must be ON for location to work properly, IYKYK!
On iPhone: Settings > General > Background App Refresh.
Make sure the main toggle at top is ON. Then scroll down and find Facebook – toggle it ON too!!
Why this matters:
Without Background App Refresh, iOS blocks apps from updating location data when not actively open. This breaks features like Nearby Friends and causes location to show incorrectly in Marketplace.
After enabling, restart your iPhone completely. Then open Facebook and check if location features work now…
Dealing with Marketplace not loading issues? Location problems often cause this…
Clear Facebook Cache And Reinstall
Corrupted cache stops location services from working even when permissions are correct! I’m not going to lie… this fixes the problem like 60% of the time.
Android Method
Settings > Apps > Facebook > Storage > Clear Cache. Restart phone, open Facebook, test location.
If that doesn’t fix it, tap Clear Data too (you’ll log back in). This wipes corrupted files blocking GPS, fr fr.
iPhone Method
Delete Facebook app completely. Restart iPhone. Reinstall from App Store. Log back in and immediately try checking in somewhere to trigger location permission!!
Fresh install fixes most location issues…
This forces the app to request permissions properly and clears any corrupted settings. And honestly if Facebook thinks I’m reinstalling this bloated app every month they’re hallucinating 😉
This forces the app to request permissions properly and clears any corrupted settings.
Update Facebook To Latest Version
Outdated Facebook versions have broken location functionality – update immediately!
On iPhone: App Store > Search Facebook > Tap Update.
On Android: Google Play Store > Search Facebook > Tap Update.
After updating, force close Facebook completely and reopen. Location features should work properly now if outdated software was the problem!!
Turn on automatic updates (Settings > App Store > App Updates on iPhone, or Play Store > Settings > Auto-update apps on Android) so this doesn’t happen again.
Check Device-Wide Location Services
Sometimes location is disabled for your ENTIRE phone, not just Facebook!
On iPhone: Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services. The main toggle at top must be ON.
If this is OFF, no apps can access GPS!! Turn it ON, then check Facebook’s individual permission below.
On Android: Settings > Location. The main Use Location toggle must be ON.
You can also check Location Mode – set it to “High Accuracy” for best GPS results. “Battery Saving” mode uses WiFi/cell towers instead of GPS and is less accurate…
Marketplace Location Shows Wrong City
If location services are enabled but Marketplace shows the wrong location constantly, this is a different issue! And it’s BULLSHIT honestly.
Facebook uses your IP address to determine location for Marketplace…
And IP geolocation often overrides your actual GPS coordinates!! This is why Marketplace might show a city 50+ miles away even with perfect GPS. Like what the actual fuck?!
To fix Marketplace location:
Open Facebook on desktop browser (not app). Go to Marketplace. Click your profile picture > Edit location. Manually set your correct city!!
Desktop changes stick better than mobile app changes (40% success rate vs 10%). The location should update within a few hours…
If location reverts back to the wrong city?? This is a known Facebook bug affecting 30-40% of Marketplace users. No permanent fix exists yet, I’m not playing. Facebook just… doesn’t care about fixing this dumbass error 🙁
Having notification issues too? Check out our notification troubleshooting guide…
VPN Blocking Accurate Location
Using a VPN?? This confuses Facebook’s location detection and causes wrong city to display!
VPNs mask your real IP address…
So Facebook thinks you’re in whatever city the VPN server is located. Even with GPS enabled, IP geolocation takes priority for some features.
Turn OFF your VPN temporarily. Restart Facebook app. Check if location displays correctly now!!
If you need VPN for privacy:
You’ll have to choose between accurate location in Facebook or VPN protection. Can’t have both working simultaneously, fr fr.
Dating Won’t Work Without Location
Facebook Dating absolutely REQUIRES location services to function – no exceptions! Bet you didn’t know that when you signed up…
If Dating shows “Something went wrong” or won’t load??
Check location permission is set to “While Using App” or “Always.” Dating needs your location to show you nearby matches. And if you think you can use Dating without sharing location… lowkey you’re out of luck.
Also make sure precise location is enabled on Android 12+. Dating won’t work with approximate location only!!
After enabling location for Dating:
You might need to close and reopen Facebook app 2-3 times before Dating recognizes the permission change. Give it a few minutes to update… I know, the waiting game sucks.
Nearby Friends Requires Background Location
Want to use Nearby Friends feature?? You MUST enable “Always” location permission, not just “While Using”!
On iPhone: Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services > Facebook > Always.
On Android: Settings > Apps > Facebook > Permissions > Location > Allow all the time.
This lets Facebook track your location even when the app is closed. Needed for Nearby Friends to notify you when friends are close by!!
Privacy concern:
If you’re uncomfortable with Facebook tracking you 24/7, stick with “While Using App” and skip Nearby Friends feature. Your choice…
Check-In Not Showing Location Options
Trying to check in somewhere but no locations appear in the search?? This is usually a GPS accuracy issue!
Make sure you’re not indoors with poor GPS signal…
GPS doesn’t work well inside buildings or basements. Go outside or near a window for better signal.
Also check if location services are set to “High Accuracy” on Android. Battery Saving mode won’t provide precise enough location for check-ins!!
If you still don’t see nearby locations:
The place you’re trying to check into might not exist in Facebook’s database. You can create a new location by tapping “Add a new place” in the check-in menu.
Contact Facebook Support
Tried everything and location STILL doesn’t work?? Time to contact Facebook support!
Open Facebook app > Menu (three lines) > Help & Support > Report a Problem. Describe the exact issue – “Location services not working” or “Can’t enable GPS.”
Include your device model and Facebook version…
The more details you provide, the faster they can diagnose the problem!!
Also having trouble posting status updates? That’s another common Facebook issue…
Final Thoughts
Start by checking if Facebook appears in your phone’s location settings – if not, trigger the permission by trying to check in somewhere!
If Facebook IS listed but location doesn’t work, make sure permission is set to “While Using App” not “Never.” And iPhone users MUST enable Background App Refresh or location features break, IYKYK.
The most frustrating issue is Marketplace showing wrong location. Facebook’s IP geolocation overrides GPS, showing cities 50+ miles away!! Changing location on desktop works better than mobile, but it still reverts for many users. Honestly this whole system is screwed up…
Just remember: Dating requires location to function. Nearby Friends needs “Always” permission. And VPNs will always mess up location accuracy, no cap!
If this helped you fix Facebook’s location BS, share it with someone else losing their mind over this same issue!
