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Is there a way to remotely force Location Services to stay enabled on supervised iPhones or iPads? We use supervised iOS devices and want to make sure users cannot turn off Location Services, especially for the Hexnode UEM app.
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Hexnode Expert
2 days ago
Jul 13, 2026
Marked SolutionPending Review
Hi @ruthg_,
Apple does not allow any MDM or UEM solution to remotely enable Location Services or lock the main Location Services toggle on iOS devices, even if the devices are supervised. This is a restriction in Apple’s MDM protocol and is intended to protect user privacy.
As a workaround, you can lock the setting locally during device staging using Screen Time:
- On the iPhone or iPad, open Settings.
- Go to Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions and enable it.
- Under Privacy, tap Location Services.
- Make sure Location Services is enabled.
- Set the Hexnode UEM app location permission to Always.
- At the top of the Location Services screen, select Don’t Allow Changes.
- Go back to the main Screen Time page, click Lock Screen Time Settings and set a Screen Time Passcode.
This prevents users from changing Location Services settings locally, provided they do not know the Screen Time passcode.
To reinforce this from Hexnode, deploy a policy with the Modify Restrictions/Screen Time enabled under Advanced Restrictions. This prevents users from modifying Screen Time settings on the device.
Best Regards,
Isabel Lora
Hexnode UEM
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