Changing your "location" on Apple settings can refer to a few different things. Here's a breakdown of how to manage various location-related settings on your iPhone or iPad.
Understanding "Changing Location" on Apple Devices
When you say "change my location," you might mean:
- Managing which apps and services use your physical location: This is handled through Location Services. You can control permissions for individual apps and system features.
- Changing your Apple ID region or country: This affects things like the App Store, Apple Music, and billing information, but does not change your device's reported physical location.
- Attempting to "fake" your physical location: This is not a standard setting available on iOS and usually requires third-party methods, which are not covered here.
Below, we focus on the standard settings available to manage how your device uses and reports location information to apps and Apple services.
Managing Which Apps and Services Use Your Location (Location Services)
Location Services allows your device to gather and use information from GPS, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi hotspot, and cellular tower locations to determine your approximate location. You can control which apps and system services have access to this data.
Steps to Access Location Services Settings:
- Open the Settings app on your device.
- Scroll down and tap on Privacy & Security.
- Tap on Location Services.
Here, you can toggle Location Services off completely for all apps and services, but this is generally not recommended as it impacts the functionality of many apps (like Maps, Weather, etc.). Instead, it's better to manage permissions individually.
Adjusting Location Services for Individual Apps
Within the Location Services menu, you'll see a list of your apps. Tap on an app to see its location access options:
- Never: The app cannot access your location.
- Ask Next Time or When I Share: The app will ask for permission the next time it needs your location.
- While Using the App: The app can use your location only when it's open and visible on your screen.
- Always: The app can use your location even when it's in the background.
You can also enable Precise Location for apps that need your exact location (like navigation apps). Turning this off provides the app with only your approximate location.
Adjusting Location Services for System Services
Several built-in system services on your Apple device use Location Services for features like time zone setting, location-based suggestions, location-based ads, and more.
According to the reference, to review or change Location Services settings for system services, go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services > System Services.
How to Access System Services Location Settings:
- Go to Settings.
- Tap Privacy & Security.
- Tap Location Services.
- Scroll to the bottom and tap System Services.
In this menu, you'll find a list of system features that use location. You can toggle most of these services on or off based on your preference. Examples include:
- Cell Network Search
- Compass Calibration
- Emergency Calls & SOS
- Find My iPhone
- Location-Based Alerts
- Location-Based Ads
- Location-Based Suggestions
- Setting Time Zone
- Share My Location
- Significant Locations (Tracks places you've recently visited)
- System Customization
- Traffic
- Wireless & Bluetooth Networking
The reference also mentions that the status bar shows an icon (often an arrow) when enabled system services use your location. This provides visual feedback about system-level location usage.
Changing Your Apple ID Region or Country
This setting changes the region associated with your Apple ID. This is necessary if you move to a different country or region and want to access the local App Store, use local payment methods, etc.
Note: Changing your region requires you to spend your store credit, cancel subscriptions, and potentially lose access to some purchases specific to your previous region.
Steps to Change Your Apple ID Region:
- Go to Settings.
- Tap on [Your Name] at the top.
- Tap on Media & Purchases.
- Tap on View Account. (You might need to sign in).
- Tap Country/Region.
- Tap Change Country or Region.
- Select your new country or region.
- Review the Terms and Conditions, then tap Agree.
- Enter your payment method and billing address for the new country or region. Tap Next.
Your Apple ID region is now updated.
Important: Changing your Apple ID region does not change your device's physical location detection or affect Location Services for apps and system services.
Summary Table
| Setting Type | Purpose | Path to Access | What it Changes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Location Services (Apps) | Controls which apps use your physical location. | Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services |
App-specific permission to access your GPS/Wi-Fi/etc. location data. |
| Location Services (System) | Controls which Apple system services use your physical location. | Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services > System Services |
Permission for built-in features (like Time Zone, Suggestions) to use location. |
| Apple ID Country/Region | Sets your account region for the App Store, purchases, etc. | Settings > [Your Name] > Media & Purchases > View Account > Country/Region |
The country associated with your account for billing, store content, etc. |
In conclusion, while there isn't a single "change my location" button to spoof your physical whereabouts universally, Apple provides granular control over how your device uses and reports location data through Location Services for both apps and system services, and a separate setting for your Apple ID region.
