Snapchat needs permission to see your location before it can use location features
Snapchat uses your phone's location to show your location on the Snap Map, let friends see where you are, and tag photos with the place you took them. Your phone won't share this information with Snapchat unless you explicitly allow it in your phone's settings. The steps differ between iPhone and Android, but both involve going into your phone's location settings and giving Snapchat permission.
You can also control location sharing directly inside Snapchat itself — you can turn it on for the app but hide your location from specific friends, or stop sharing temporarily without turning off the phone's permission. This guide covers both the phone-level permission and the Snapchat-specific controls.
Key Takeaways
- On iPhone, open Settings, tap Privacy, select Location Services, find Snapchat, and change it from "Never" to "While Using the App" or "Always".
- On Android, open Settings, tap Apps or Permissions, find Snapchat, select Permissions, tap Location, and choose "Allow only while using the app" or "Allow all the time".
- Turning on location at the phone level does not automatically share your location with friends — you control that inside Snapchat through the Snap Map settings.
- You can hide your location from specific friends or turn off sharing temporarily without removing the phone's permission.
Enabling location on iPhone
Open the Settings app on your iPhone and tap Privacy. Scroll down and tap Location Services. You will see a list of all apps that have requested location permission. Find Snapchat in the list.
Tap Snapchat and you will see three options: Never, While Using the App, and Always. Select "While Using the App" if you want Snapchat to access your location only when you have the app open. Select "Always" if you want Snapchat to know your location even when the app is closed in the background. Most people choose "While Using the App" for privacy. Once you select your preference, the setting saves automatically and you can close Settings.
Enabling location on Android
Open the Settings app on your Android phone. The next step depends on your phone's version and manufacturer, but look for either "Apps" or "Permissions." If you see "Permissions," tap it and look for "Location" — tap Location and find Snapchat in the list. If you see "Apps," tap it, find Snapchat, and tap Permissions or App Permissions.
Once you find Snapchat's location permission, you will see options like "Allow only while using the app," "Allow all the time," or "Don't allow." Choose "Allow only while using the app" for most use cases. If you choose "Allow all the time," Snapchat can access your location even when the app is closed. After you select your choice, the setting saves and you can close Settings.
Controlling who sees your location inside Snapchat
Giving Snapchat permission to access your location does not automatically broadcast your location to all your friends. Inside Snapchat, you control who can see you on the Snap Map. Open Snapchat, swipe down from the top of the screen to open the main menu, and tap Snap Map (the map icon).
At the bottom of the map, you will see your own location and a settings icon (usually three dots or a gear). Tap the settings icon and look for options like "Ghost Mode," "My Friends," or "Select Friends." Ghost Mode hides your location from everyone. "My Friends" shows your location to all your friends. "Select Friends" lets you choose which friends can see where you are. Pick the option that matches your privacy preference.
Turning off location sharing temporarily
If you want to stop sharing your location for a while without removing Snapchat's phone-level permission, use Ghost Mode inside Snapchat. Open Snapchat, swipe down to open the main menu, tap Snap Map, tap the settings icon at the bottom, and select Ghost Mode. Your location will be hidden from the Snap Map while Ghost Mode is on.
Ghost Mode does not affect other location features in Snapchat, like location tags on photos you send to friends or location stickers you add to Stories. It only hides your live location from the Snap Map. You can turn Ghost Mode off at any time by going back to the same menu and selecting a different option.
What to do if location is not working in Snapchat
If Snapchat shows your location as incorrect or will not load the Snap Map, first check that you gave Snapchat permission at the phone level. Go back to your phone's location settings and confirm Snapchat is set to "While Using the App" or "Allow only while using the app," not "Never" or "Don't allow."
If permission is on, try closing Snapchat completely and opening it again. If the map still will not load, restart your phone. If location is still not working after a restart, check that your phone's overall location services are turned on — go to your phone's main Settings, find Location or Location Services, and make sure it is toggled on. Some phones also have a separate "Location Accuracy" or "Improve Location Accuracy" setting that can help Snapchat pinpoint your location more precisely.
Removing location permission from Snapchat
If you want to stop letting Snapchat access your location entirely, go back to your phone's location settings and change Snapchat's permission to "Never" on iPhone or "Don't allow" on Android. This prevents Snapchat from seeing your location at all, and the Snap Map will not show your location to anyone.
Removing permission does not delete your Snapchat account or affect other app features like messaging or Stories. It only stops Snapchat from knowing where you are. You can turn permission back on at any time by returning to the same location settings and changing it again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I let some friends see my location but hide it from others?
Yes. Inside Snapchat, use the "Select Friends" option in Snap Map settings to choose exactly which friends can see your location. You can add or remove friends from this list at any time without affecting your phone-level permission.
Does Snapchat use location when I am not using the app?
Only if you set it to "Always" on iPhone or "Allow all the time" on Android. If you choose "While Using the App" or "Allow only while using the app," Snapchat can only see your location when the app is actively open on your screen.
What is the difference between Ghost Mode and removing location permission?
Ghost Mode hides your location from the Snap Map but keeps Snapchat's phone-level permission active. Removing permission stops Snapchat from accessing your location entirely. Ghost Mode is temporary and easier to turn back on; removing permission requires going into phone settings.
Will my location show on Stories or photos if I turn on location?
Only if you add a location tag or sticker to a Story or photo yourself. Turning on location permission does not automatically tag your location on content you share — you have to choose to add it each time.
Why does Snapchat ask for location permission if I do not use Snap Map?
Snapchat uses location for features beyond the map, like location tags on photos and location-based filters and lenses. Even if you do not use Snap Map, Snapchat may request permission to support these other features.