To hide the location arrow that appears in your iPhone’s status bar when system services use your location, open Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services > System Services, scroll to the bottom, and turn off Status Bar Icon. The arrow still appears when apps you use request your location, so you always know when an app is tracking you.
Quick Answer
Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services > System Services > turn off Status Bar Icon.
Turn Off the Status Bar Icon
- Open Settings and tap Privacy & Security (Privacy on older iOS).
- Tap Location Services.
- Scroll to the bottom and tap System Services.
- At the bottom, turn off Status Bar Icon.
What the Arrow Means
| Arrow | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Solid arrow | An app or service is using your location now |
| Hollow (outlined) arrow | An item may get your location under certain conditions, such as a geofence |
| Arrow in an app’s list entry | That app used your location recently |
Reduce Location Use Instead
- In System Services, turn off services you don’t need, such as Location-Based Suggestions or Location-Based Alerts. Keep Find My iPhone and Emergency Calls & SOS on.
- Set apps to While Using the App or Never in the Location Services list.
- Turn off Precise Location for apps that only need your general area.
Also see finding Location Services on iPhone.
Troubleshooting
- Arrow still shows: An app is using location. Check the list in Location Services for recent-use arrows.
- Battery draining? Location use can add up; see showing battery percentage to keep an eye on it.
- Privacy settings for travel? See data roaming settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this turn off location for system services?
No. It only hides the icon. Turn off individual services to stop them using location.
Where is the arrow on Face ID iPhones?
Next to the time, or inside Control Center when the status bar is crowded.
Summary
- Privacy & Security > Location Services.
- System Services > Status Bar Icon off.
- Turn off unneeded system services.
- Limit apps to While Using.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.