Why did my location stop updating?
Pick the phone and the problem. You'll get the exact settings to check, in order, for any family location sharing app.
Menu names change a little between phone models and software versions. If you can't find one, search for it in the Settings app.
Why phones stop sharing location
Phones save battery by pausing apps that run in the background. That's useful for most apps, but it stops a family location app from updating. The usual fix is to let the app use location all the time and to take it off the phone's battery-saving list. Phones from Samsung, OnePlus, and Xiaomi pause apps more aggressively than others, so they need an extra step or two.
Common questions
Why does my family location app stop updating?
Usually because the phone's battery saver pauses the app in the background, or the app isn't allowed to use location all the time. Allowing location all the time and removing battery limits fixes most cases.
Why is my location wrong or jumping around?
Indoors and between tall buildings, phones can't see GPS satellites well. Turning on precise location and keeping Wi-Fi on helps the phone place you more accurately.
Does keeping location sharing on drain the battery?
Modern phones handle background location efficiently, but sharing uses some battery. Keeping location sharing reliable is worth a small amount of battery for most families.
Does this work for apps other than FamFinder?
Yes. These settings apply to any family location sharing app on iPhone and Android.
Sharing that just works.
FamFinder is free on the App Store and Google Play. Your location is never sold.