The hollow arrow on an iPhone means an app or system service may receive your location under certain conditions, such as a geofence that triggers a reminder when you arrive somewhere. To hide it, go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services > System Services and turn off Status Bar Icon. To stop the underlying location use, find the app with the hollow arrow in the Location Services list and change its permission.
The arrow itself isn’t a problem. It’s a privacy indicator, and removing the icon doesn’t stop apps from using your location.
Quick Answer
Turn off Status Bar Icon in System Services to hide the arrow, or set the app shown with a hollow arrow to Never or While Using the App.
What the Location Arrows Mean
Scroll to the bottom of Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services > System Services to see Apple’s legend on your own iPhone.
| Arrow | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Hollow (outline) | An item may receive your location under certain conditions. |
| Purple | An item recently used your location. |
| Gray | An item used your location in the last 24 hours. |
Hide the Arrow in the Status Bar
- Open Settings.
- Tap Privacy & Security (on older iOS versions, Privacy).
- Tap Location Services.
- Scroll to the bottom and tap System Services.
- Turn off Status Bar Icon.
This hides the arrow when system services use your location. Apps you open can still show it, and it still appears in Control Center.
Find and Stop the App Causing It
- Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services.
- Look for apps with a hollow arrow next to them. These are often reminders, weather widgets, smart-home apps, or fitness apps.
- Tap the app and choose While Using the App, Ask Next Time or When I Share, or Never.
- For system features, open System Services and look for hollow arrows there too, such as location-based alerts or suggestions.
Common Causes of a Hollow Arrow
- Location-based reminders (“remind me when I get home”).
- Home automations that run when you arrive or leave.
- Weather widgets set to your current location.
- Find My and Significant Locations, which run quietly in the background.
Find My also lists your iPhone by its device name. If it still has a default name, see how to change your iPhone’s name.
Troubleshooting
- The arrow keeps coming back: An app you use is set to Always. Change it to While Using the App.
- You turned everything off and still see it: Apps with geofences keep them until you remove the reminder or automation, or restart the iPhone.
- Battery drain: Constant location use can drain the battery. Check Settings > Battery to see which app is using the most.
Apple’s About privacy and Location Services page explains how each permission works.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does turning off Location Services entirely remove the arrow?
Yes, but it also disables Maps directions, Find My location updates, and weather for your area. Adjusting single apps is usually better.
Is someone tracking me if I see the hollow arrow?
Not by itself. It means an app or feature you allowed can check your location in certain situations. Review the list to make sure you recognize every app.
Summary
- The hollow arrow means something may use your location under certain conditions.
- Turn off Status Bar Icon in System Services to hide it.
- Change the permission of any app showing a hollow arrow to stop the location use.
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.