10 Ways to Fix Instagram Location Not Working on iPhone and Android

When planning a vacation to an ‘Insta-worthy’ place, posting stories, reels, and highlights on your profile is a must. But you may encounter a problem – the inability to add a location tag, making your content feel incomplete. Don’t worry, we’ve experienced this too, and we’re here to help you fix the Instagram location issue on both iPhone and Android apps.

We primarily encountered this problem with story location tags, but it has been reported by users across all content forms on the platform. In most cases, the problem arises due to the GPS toggle being turned off or Instagram not having access to your location.

There are other reasons for this issue, such as a lack of internet connectivity or a buggy Instagram app. After major updates in 2020, you can’t add custom Instagram locations to your posts. Now, let’s explore ten ways to fix the problem.

1. Enable GPS on Your Phone

If you do not have the location toggle turned on, Instagram cannot detect and suggest the location tag for your posts and stories. So, make sure GPS is enabled on your phone. Here’s how to turn on location on iPhone and Android.

Enable GPS on iPhone

Step 1: Open the Settings app.

Step 2: Tap on ‘Privacy & Security’.

Step 3: Tap Location Services.

Step 4: Turn on the Location Services toggle.

Enable GPS on Android

Step 1: Open the Settings app.

Step 2: Tap on Location.

Step 3: Turn on the toggle for location.

Is Instagram location still not working even after turning on GPS? Instagram might not have permission to use your location. Move on to the next section to learn how to grant permission.

2. Provide Location Access to Instagram

Both iPhone and Android do not provide your location access to apps without your consent. You need to manually provide permissions on a per-app basis to use your GPS location. However, you can provide these permissions the first time you use the app. Here’s how to provide location access for Instagram.

Step 1: Open the Settings app.

Step 2: Tap on ‘Privacy & Security’.

Step 3: Tap on Location Services. Step 4: Scroll down and select Instagram from the list of apps.

Step 5: Choose the option ‘While Using the App’ to allow Instagram access your location.

Provide Location Access for Instagram on Android

Long-tap on the Instagram app icon and tap on App Info.

Tap on Permissions.

Step 3: Tap Location. Step 4: Check ‘Allow only while using the app’.

If this does not fix the issue, you can try the next few methods.

Even with Wi-Fi and GPS enabled, disable airplane mode on your phone to capture GPS location for app usage. Don’t use airplane mode on Instagram to add location tag.

If this does not fix the issue, check your internet connectivity.

4. Check the Network Connection

Instagram requires a strong internet connection. If your internet speed is slow, you may encounter difficulties using certain features on Instagram, such as the location tag. Therefore, ensure that you have a reliable internet connection through a strong Wi-Fi signal or an active mobile data plan.

If this does not work, try the next workaround.

This is a clever way to add a location tag to your Instagram posts. If the location function is not working when you first create the post, you can simply post it without the tag and then edit it later to add the location. Here’s how:

Step 1: Open the Instagram post you want to edit.

Step 2: Tap the three dots icon next to the post.

Step 3: Tap Edit.

Step 4: Tap “Add Location.”

Step 5: Add the location to your post.

Try resetting the network settings if you can’t fix the issue.

6. Reset Network Settings

Resetting network settings can fix GPS bugs on your phone and resolve the issue of Instagram location not working. Here’s how you can do it.

Step 1: Open the Settings app.

Step 2: Tap on General.

Step 3: Tap ‘Transfer or Reset iPhone’.

Step 4: Tap Reset.

Step 5: Tap on ‘Reset Network Settings’.

Reset Network Settings on Android

Step 1: Open the Settings app.

Step 2: Select Additional Settings.

Step 3: Tap ‘Back up and Reset’. Step 4: Tap Reset Phone. Step 5: Select Reset Network Settings.

If this doesn’t work, try restarting Instagram.

7. Restart Instagram

Restarting the Instagram app refreshes it. Shut down the app and restart it to use it without any issues.

Here’s how:

1. Open the multi-tasking window on your smartphone. If there isn’t a dedicated button, drag it upwards from your home screen.

2. Swipe up to close the app and open it again from your App Library.

8. Update Instagram

If a large group of users cannot add a location on Instagram, it is likely due to a bug in the app. Instagram will address this issue and release a fix through an update. To check for updates and install the latest version of the app, follow these steps:

1. Tap the link below to update the app according to your device.

2. Tap “Update” and wait for Instagram to download and install the latest version.

9. Clear Instagram Cache (Android)

A cache is temporary data stored by an application on your device to quickly load certain elements instead of downloading them each time you open the app. However, the cache can cause issues, such as bugs preventing you from adding locations to your posts or stories. Clearing the cache regularly is recommended. For more information on what happens when you clear the cache on Instagram, please refer to our guide. Please note that clearing the cache is only possible on Android devices; iPhone users can proceed to the next fix. To clear the cache on an Android device, follow these steps: 1. Long-press the Instagram app, then select App info. 2. Tap Clear Data.

Step 3: Tap on Clear cache and select OK to confirm.

10. Resinstall Instagram

Reinstalling Instagram allows you to start fresh, clearing all previous configurations. You can then easily add the location to your content without any issues on the new version of the app.

Step 1: Long-press Instagram’s icon on the home screen. Step 2: Tap Delete App on iPhone or Uninstall on Android, then confirm app deletion.

Step 3: Reinstall the app using the links below.

That’s everything you need to know to fix the Instagram location feature problem on your iPhone and Android. If you have further questions, check the FAQ section below.

1. Does Instagram auto-detect location?

Yes. If your location is enabled, Instagram auto-detects the location for posts and stories and suggests relevant options.

2. Can you add a location on your Instagram bio?

No. Unfortunately, you cannot add a location to your Instagram bio.

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We hope this article helped you solve the issue of Instagram location not working on iPhone and Android apps. While Instagram has many features for a great social media experience, bugs like these often frustrate users. We hope Instagram works on making the app more stable with future updates for glitch-free usage.