How to Troubleshoot WhatsApp’s Live Location Feature
WhatsApp’s Live Location feature allows users to update their friends and family with their current location in real time. However, there may be instances where the feature stops working on your Android or iPhone. If you’re facing this issue, don’t panic! In this article, we will provide you with troubleshooting solutions to quickly resolve the problem.
1. Do Not Remove WhatsApp from the Recent Apps Menu
Regularly cleaning apps from the Recent Apps menu may accidentally close WhatsApp, preventing it from running in the background and tracking your current location. It is strongly recommended to refrain from removing the WhatsApp card from the app switcher.
2. Restart Location Services
If your phone’s location services are experiencing temporary issues, WhatsApp may not be able to track your whereabouts. To solve this problem, try temporarily turning off and then back on your phone’s location services.
Android:
– Launch the Settings app on your Android device
– Tap on Location
– Swipe the Location toggle to the off position
– Wait a few seconds
– Swipe it back to the on position
iPhone:
– Launch the Settings app on your iPhone
– Scroll down to the Privacy section
– Tap on Privacy
– Select Location Services
– Turn off the switch next to Location Services
– Turn it back on after a few seconds
3. Check Location Permissions for WhatsApp
Ensure that WhatsApp has the necessary permission to follow your location at all times. This will allow the application to provide live location updates.
Android:
– Press and hold the WhatsApp icon for several seconds
– Select the “i” icon from the resultant menu
– Navigate to the Permissions menu
– Pick Location from the drop-down menu
– Choose the option to “Allow only while using the app”
– Turn on the toggle for “Use precise location”
iPhone:
– Launch the Settings app on your iPhone
– Scroll down until you find WhatsApp
– Tap on it
– Tap on Location
– Change the Allow Location Access setting to Always
– Make sure the toggle next to Precise Location is turned on
4. Disable Battery Saver or Low Power Mode
If you have enabled power-saving mode or low power mode on your phone, WhatsApp may stop updating your live location. Try turning off these modes to see if they are causing the issue.
Android:
– Launch the Settings app on your Android device
– Tap on Battery and Device Care
– Navigate to Battery
– Deactivate the Power saving option
iPhone:
– Open the Settings menu
– Select Battery
– Turn Low Power Mode off using the toggle switch
5. Enable Background App Refresh for WhatsApp (iPhone)
Make sure that the iOS feature “Background app refresh” is enabled for WhatsApp. This allows the application to refresh its content even when you are not actively using it.
– Launch the Settings app
– Scroll down until you find WhatsApp
– Tap on it
– Enable the ‘Background App Refresh’ toggle
6. Allow WhatsApp to Use Data in the Background (Android)
If WhatsApp is set to prevent itself from accessing mobile data in the background, it may not be able to track your current location. Modify this setting to allow background data usage.
– Tap the WhatsApp icon
– Select the info icon from the open menu
– Navigate to Mobile Data
– Activate the option to “Allow background data usage”
7. Check Date and Time Settings
Incorrect date or time settings on your phone can cause location inconsistencies for WhatsApp and other apps. Configure your phone to use the date and time provided by your network to avoid this issue.
Android:
– Launch the Settings app on your Android device
– Scroll down to select General Management
– Select Date and Time
– Activate the switch next to ‘Automatic date and time’
iPhone:
– Launch the Settings app on your iPhone
– Scroll down until you find General
– Tap on it
– Tap on Date & Time
– Turn on the button next to Set Automatically
8. Check for Updates on WhatsApp
If you haven’t updated WhatsApp in a long time, outdated software may be causing performance issues. Download the most recent version of WhatsApp from the Play Store or App Store to see if it resolves the problem.
By following these troubleshooting techniques, you should be able to resolve the issue where WhatsApp’s live location does not update on your Android or iPhone. Share your live location with confidence and enjoy using WhatsApp!