The location button is an important feature in TikTok that allows you to tag your videos with your current location. However, sometimes this button stops working properly and doesn’t show your location even when you have location services enabled.
If you’re facing issues with the TikTok location button not showing your location, don’t worry – this guide will walk you through the top troubleshooting tips to get the location button working again.
Why TikTok Location Button Is Not Working
There are a few common reasons why the TikTok location button may not be showing your location:
Outdated App Version
If you haven’t updated the TikTok app in a while, you could be running an outdated version that has a bug affecting the location button. Always make sure you have the latest version installed by checking for updates.
Temporary App Glitch
Like any app, TikTok can sometimes suffer from temporary glitches that cause features like the location button to stop working. Restarting your device and app usually resolves transient issues.
Restricted Location Access
For the TikTok location button to work properly, the app needs access to your device’s location services. If this access has been restricted or denied, it will cause issues.
VPN or Proxy Usage
If you use a VPN or proxy service, it can interfere with location services and cause the location button to malfunction. Try disabling the VPN/proxy and see if that helps.
Battery Saver Mode
Some battery-saver modes restrict apps’ location access to conserve battery life. Check if your device has a battery saver enabled that could be limiting TikTok’s location permissions.
Outdated App Permissions
TikTok may not have up-to-date permissions to leverage your device’s location services, requiring you to re-grant access.
App Data Corruption
Corrupted app data can sometimes affect specific features like the location button. Clearing the TikTok app’s cache and data may resolve this.
Network Connectivity Issues
Unstable internet connections can disrupt features that rely on location services and mapping. Make sure you have a strong Wi-Fi or cellular data connection.
By following the troubleshooting steps below, you should be able to resolve any issues causing the TikTok location button not to show your current location.
Fixes For TikTok Location Button Not Working
Here are the top troubleshooting tips for getting the TikTok location button working properly again:
1. Check for TikTok Updates
The very first thing you should do is make sure you have the latest version of TikTok installed. App updates often contain bug fixes and patches for issues just like this.
To check for updates:
- iOS – Go to the App Store and tap your profile icon in the top right. Pull down to refresh and see if any updates are available for TikTok.
- Android – Open the Google Play Store, and go to the Menu > My Apps & Games section. Tap TikTok and check if an Update option is available.
Install any app updates and then check if the location button starts working again. Keeping TikTok updated ensures you have the latest code optimizations and fixes.
2. Restart Your Device
Before troubleshooting further, try the simple step of restarting your device. Restarting will clear out any temporary glitches or processes that may be interfering with TikTok’s location access.
To restart:
- iPhone – Hold down the Side/Power button until the “Slide to Power Off” prompt appears. Slide it and wait for your iPhone to fully power off. Then hold the Side/Power button again to turn your device back on.
- Android – Long press the Power button and tap Restart when prompted. If your phone doesn’t have a restart option, press and hold the Power button for up to 30 seconds to force a restart.
Once your device has restarted, open TikTok and check if the location button works. A simple restart can clear up many minor app issues.
3. Force Close and Reopen TikTok
If rebooting your device doesn’t work, the next step is to force close and reopen the TikTok app. This clears any glitches specifically within the app and essentially gives TikTok a fresh start.
To force close TikTok:
- iOS – Double tap the Home button to open the app switcher. Locate the TikTok app preview and swipe up on it to close the app completely.
- Android – Open the Recent Apps screen and locate the TikTok app preview. Swipe up on the preview to dismiss TikTok from the recents list and force close it.
Now launch TikTok normally and see if the location button loads your current location as expected. Force closing apps flushes out any temporary bugs.
4. Check Device Location Settings
One common reason the TikTok location button may not be working is incorrect device location settings. Ensure your device location services are enabled and that TikTok has permission to access the location data.
To check location settings:
- iOS – Go to Settings > Privacy > Location Services and check that Location Services is switched on at the top. Then scroll down and tap on TikTok – ensure that location access is enabled here as well.
- Android – Open Settings > Location and make sure the toggle at the top is enabled. Tap App-level permissions and look for TikTok – ensure location access is turned on for TikTok.
Also take a look at location accuracy and make sure it’s not set to low power mode, as this can limit a device’s location capabilities. If TikTok didn’t have location access, granting it permission here should fix the location button.
5. Clear App Cache and Data
Over time, corrupted or outdated app data can cause issues with specific functions like the location button. Clearing the cache and data for TikTok essentially gives the app a clean slate and rebuilds all the data from scratch.
To clear TikTok’s cache:
- iOS – Go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage. Locate TikTok and tap on it. Select Offload App to clear cache (preserves data) or Delete App to clear all data.
How to Clear TikTok Cache on Android
Open Settings > Apps > TikTok.
Tap Storage > Clear Cache and Clear Data. Be aware this will delete any saved videos or settings.
Recheck the location button in TikTok after clearing the app data. If corrupted data was the issue, this should resolve it. You may need to reset any customized settings.
6. Check Network Connectivity
For your device to determine its location accurately, it needs proper network connectivity – either via Wi-Fi or cellular data. Without a stable internet connection, location services can fail or return inaccurate results.
First make sure you have wifi enabled or cellular data is turned on. Then try loading a website to confirm you have a working internet connection. Restart your device if necessary to reset the network components.
Also try toggling Airplane mode on, wait a few seconds, then turn it off again. This forces your device to re-establish its network connection which can fix temporary glitches.
With a strong internet signal, restart TikTok and check if the location button now works normally. Stable connectivity is essential for mapping features.
7. Disable VPN or Proxy
If you use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) or proxy service on your device, it can interfere with location services and cause issues like an unresponsive TikTok location button. The VPN/proxy tricks apps into thinking you’re in a different location than you actually are.
Try temporarily disabling or switching off any VPN or proxy you have enabled and see if this restores normal functionality for the TikTok location button. Restrict proxy connections to browsers only if possible.
Some VPN services have a split tunneling feature that lets you choose which apps route through the VPN and which have normal internet access – you can exclude TikTok here. With the VPN disabled, location should work normally again.
8. Disable Battery Saver
To maximize battery life, some devices enable a battery saver or low power mode that restricts location services in the background for power hungry apps like TikTok. This can inadvertently cause the location button to stop working properly.
Go into your device settings and check if any battery saving or power saving modes are enabled and turn them off. On Android, make sure any battery optimization for TikTok is disabled.
Restart TikTok afterwards to let location services initialize without any battery saving restrictions. With power saving disabled, TikTok should be able to leverage location properly again.
9. Grant Location Permissions Again
If all else fails, try removing and re-granting location permissions for TikTok on your device. This essentially forces the location access to be reset for the app, which can remedy any problems.
To reconfigure TikTok’s location access:
- iOS – Go to Settings > Privacy > Location Services > TikTok and select Never to deny location access. Now launch TikTok, go to share a video, and when prompted, grant access to Always allow location.
- Android – In Settings go to App Permissions > Location > TikTok and turn it off. Launch TikTok, try to share a video, then when prompted turn location access back on for the app.
Granting location permission again makes sure TikTok has up-to-date access to leverage your device’s location services. Try the location button again – it should now behave as normal.
10. Reinstall TikTok
If you’ve tried everything else with no luck, the nuclear option is to uninstall and reinstall TikTok. This wipes the app data completely clean, forcing TikTok to start from scratch when you install it again.
- iOS – Delete TikTok from the Home screen. Go to the App Store and reinstall TikTok. When opening it, you may need to login again.
- Android – Uninstall TikTok either from the Home screen or Settings > Apps. Then install TikTok again from the Play Store. Log back into your account once it’s reinstalled.
Check the location button after reinstalling TikTok – any corrupted data that could have been affecting it should now be cleared. Reinstalling apps can fix even stubborn issues.
11. Contact TikTok Support
If you still can’t get the TikTok location button working properly after trying all the troubleshooting steps, you should get in touch with TikTok’s support team. There may be an underlying bug or account issue that requires further assistance to fix.
Here is how to reach TikTok customer support:
- Open the TikTok app and visit your Profile
- Tap the three Lines menu icon (☰).
- Tap on “Settings and Privacy.”
- Choose Report a Problem from the menu.
- Look for the “Submit a report” link at the bottom of the TikTok help page and tap on it.
Complete the support request form with details on the TikTok location button problem.
The TikTok support team may be able to provide specialized troubleshooting tips or verify if there are any known problems with location services affecting other users as well. Getting expert assistance can help resolve persistent app issues.
Conclusion
Hopefully, by following the comprehensive troubleshooting guide above, you were able to fix the misbehaving location button and get it working properly again.
The key tips included updating the app, adjusting device location settings, clearing cached data, reinstalling TikTok, and contacting customer support if needed.
