How to Re-enable Location Services on a Mobile Device

If you denied location access when using an interactive map, you may need to re-enable location in two places: your device settings and your browser or site settings. Device settings control whether the browser is allowed to use your location at all. Browser or site settings control whether a specific website, such as the interactive map, can use location once the browser has access.

The steps below cover common paths for Android and iPhone or iPad using Chrome or Safari. Exact labels may vary slightly depending on your device, browser version, and operating system.

Android Users

Check device location permissions

1. Open Settings on your Android device.
2. Tap Location.
3. Tap App location permissions or App permissions.
4. Find the browser you are using, such as Chrome.
5. Set location access to Allow.

Check Chrome site permissions

1. Open Chrome.
2. Tap the three-dot menu.
3. Tap Settings.
4. Tap Site settings.
5. Tap Location.
6. Make sure location is enabled.
7. Check whether the interactive map website is listed under Blocked or Not allowed. If it is, update the permission to allow location.

You can also update permissions from the website itself:

1. Open the interactive map in Chrome.
2. Tap the site information icon to the left of the address bar.
3. Tap Permissions.
4. Update or reset the location permission for the site.

You can also visit Google’s help article on managing location settings for more details and the most up-to-date instructions.

iPhone or iPad Users: Safari

Check device location permissions

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap Privacy & Security.
3. Tap Location Services.
4. Make sure Location Services is turned on.
5. Find Safari Websites.
6. Select Ask Next Time, While Using the App, or another allowed option.

Check the website setting in Safari

1. Open Safari and navigate to the interactive map.
2. Tap the Page Menu icon to the left of the address bar.
3. Select the three dots.
4. Scroll down to Website Settings, if available.
5. Under Location, select Allow or Ask.

If the location prompt still does not appear, clear website data for the map site and reload the page.

You can also refer to Apple’s help articles on Safari and Location Services for more details and the most up-to-date instructions.

iPhone or iPad Users: Chrome

1. Open Settings on your iPhone or iPad.
2. Scroll down and tap Apps, then tap Chrome. On some iOS versions, Chrome may appear directly in the main Settings list.
3. Tap Location.
4. Select Ask Next Time, While Using the App, or another allowed option.
5. Reopen Chrome and return to the interactive map.

If Chrome still does not request location, check Chrome’s site or content settings, refresh the page, or clear browsing data for the site.

You can also visit Google’s help article on Chrome location access for more details and the most up-to-date instructions.

Motion & Orientation Access

Motion & Orientation Access allows the interactive map to detect how a mobile device is being held or moved. When enabled, the map can use the device’s orientation to help show which direction the user is facing.

When the website requests access, the user may see a prompt asking whether to allow access to the device’s motion and orientation sensors.

• Allow: The map can detect device movement and orientation.
• Don’t Allow: The map will not have access to those sensors.

If the user previously denied access and the prompt does not appear again, they may need to clear website data for the map site and reopen Safari.

Reset motion and orientation access in Safari

Method 1: Clear data for the specific website

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap Apps, then tap Safari.
3. Tap Advanced.
4. Tap Website Data.
5. Search for the interactive map website.
6. Delete the website data for that site.

Method 2: Clear broader Safari website data

Use this option only if clearing data for the specific website does not resolve the issue. This may affect history and website data for other sites.

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap Apps, then tap Safari.
3. Tap Clear History and Website Data.
4. Confirm the action.

After clearing website data:

1. Reopen Safari.
2. Return to the interactive map.
3. Try the feature again.

The user should see the motion and orientation permission prompt again if the browser requires permission.