Key facts
- iOS 27 allows users to hide their location sharing without sending an alert.
- Previously, stopping location sharing alerted the recipient.
- When location is hidden, recipients will see "No location found" or "Off-Network".
- The feature can be accessed by tapping "Hide My Location" in a contact's profile.
Apple's upcoming iOS 27 update will include a new privacy feature that enables users to conceal their location sharing from specific contacts without triggering an alert. This change alters the previous system where stopping location sharing resulted in a visible notification within iMessage.
With the new functionality, when a user chooses to hide their location from someone, that individual will no longer receive an explicit alert. Instead, if they attempt to view the user's location, they will see a message indicating "No location found" or "Off-Network," similar to what would appear if the phone were turned off or out of service range. This option can be activated by tapping "Hide My Location" within the contact's profile.
The update is presented by Apple as beneficial for scenarios like planning surprise parties, but the article also notes potential uses for personal privacy, such as during doctor's visits or job interviews. The piece highlights a generational divide in comfort with location sharing and suggests the feature could be particularly useful for teenagers seeking to evade parental oversight or for individuals in potentially unsafe situations where revoking location sharing could pose a risk.