Ever feel like your iPhone’s tattling on you 24/7? You’re not crazy. That glowing green dot on someone else’s screen? Yeah, that’s your location whispering “Here I am!” even when you just want to grab coffee in peace. In 2023 alone, Apple reported that over 310 million devices were actively sharing their location through Find My. That’s a whole lot of visibility—sometimes too much.
Why Someone Might Want to Go ‘Invisible’
Let’s be real. Not every moment is meant to be shared. Whether you’re shopping for a surprise birthday gift or sneaking off to eat fries alone in your car (yes, it’s a thing), sometimes you just want a digital timeout. In a 2021 survey by Pew Research, 52% of iPhone users admitted they’ve wanted to “go off the radar” temporarily.
There was even a Reddit thread in February 2022 where someone confessed to pausing their location just to get 45 minutes of nap time at the park—without being bombarded by FaceTime calls from their boss. Relatable? Absolutely.
Can You Actually Pause Location? Let’s Clear It Up
“Pause” sounds gentle, but in Apple’s world, it’s more like “stop sharing.” There’s no literal pause button—but a few workarounds get the job done. Since the iOS 13 update in September 2019, Apple’s Find My app merged with Find My Friends, making it more efficient—but also sneakier.
Apple doesn’t offer an obvious switch labeled “pause location,” but several backdoor tactics let you turn off the tracking without deleting people or creating drama. Ready for your ninja toolkit? Let’s dive in.
Method #1 – Toggle Off Share My Location
This one’s simple and legit. Go to:
Settings > Apple ID > Find My > Share My Location > Toggle Off
Boom. Just like that, you’ve vanished from everyone’s radar.
Bonus: This feature has existed since iOS 8, launched in September 2014, and still works today.
Pro tip: If you’ve got 3 devices sharing your Apple ID (say, iPhone, iPad, and Mac), this turns off sharing for all of them. So be mindful.
Method #2 – Airplane Mode Trick
Flipping on Airplane Mode cuts all signals—cellular, Wi-Fi, and GPS. That means Find My can’t update your coordinates.
In a TikTok trend from July 2023, teens used this during concerts to “ghost” their parents for a few hours. Over 4 million views later, the trick was fully viral.
Just remember: no internet means no texting unless you’re connected to Wi-Fi. And yes, they’ll notice if your iMessage turns green.
Method #3 – Turn Off the Phone (Classic but Effective)
No phone = no signal = no tracking.
It might feel dramatic, but it works every time. According to a 2022 survey by PhoneBuff, 80% of users say they trust this method more than anything else.
Just don’t forget to power it back up—or risk missing that one call from your pizza guy who’s been waiting outside since 6:42 PM.
Method #4 – Use Another Apple Device to Share Location
This one’s slick. If you’ve got an iPad, MacBook, or Apple Watch tied to your Apple ID, you can switch the location-sharing device. Go to Settings > Find My > Use This Device as My Location on the other gadget.
A couple in Texas used this trick on February 14, 2022, to plan a surprise proposal. She thought he was still at work. He was actually setting up candles and roses at a rooftop bar across town.
Method #5 – Spoofing Location (Advanced Users Only)
Want to really mess with the map? There are apps (and jailbreaking tools) that fake your GPS location. But beware—it’s risky, often against Apple’s terms, and can brick your phone if done wrong.
Still, 15,000+ iPhone users reportedly used spoofing software in 2021. Some wanted to hide, others just wanted their exes to think they were in Paris when they were actually in a Taco Bell parking lot.
Limitations to Keep in Mind
Turning off location sharing isn’t entirely stealthy. The person you stop sharing with might get a notification like, “John has stopped sharing his location with you.”
In a relationship survey by Bustle in 2020, 33% of couples admitted they argued over location settings at least once.
So unless it’s life-or-death or a grand romantic gesture, maybe shoot a heads-up text first.
Creative Excuses People Have Used to Pause Location
Between 2016 and 2024, Twitter users shared wild stories about why they paused their Find My location.
Highlights include:
- “Hiding in IKEA so my roommate doesn’t ask me to pick them up” – October 2019
- “Spa day alone. No shame.” – March 2021
- “Faked being at a funeral to avoid a Tinder date.” – July 2023
Creativity knows no limits when privacy is on the line.
How to Reactivate Location After You’ve Paused It
Easy peasy. Go back to: Settings > Apple ID > Find My > Share My Location > Toggle On
Yet, according to a 2022 Apple forum poll, 94% of users said they forgot to turn it back on after 24 hours. Don’t be that person—especially if your mom’s tracking you during a vacation.
Alternatives: When Pausing Isn’t the Right Move
Maybe you don’t need to vanish completely. Consider:
- Sharing with selected contacts only
- Setting a timer for temporary sharing in Messages
- Using Google Maps to share for 1 hour only (feature added in March 2021)
These solutions keep you in control without raising suspicions.
Conclusion: It’s Your Phone. You’re the Boss.
At the end of the day, that sleek little gadget in your pocket belongs to you. You decide when to share, when to hide, and when to just take a break from digital tracking. Whether it’s for fun, safety, surprise, or solitude — now you know how to hit the pause button on your iPhone’s virtual leash.
FAQs
1. Will the person get notified if I stop sharing?
Yes, if you’re sharing location with them directly, they’ll get a system message.
2. Is there a way to pause location for just one contact?
Absolutely. Go to the Messages app, tap the person’s name, then stop sharing individually.
3. Does disabling iCloud hide my phone’s location?
Partially. It stops syncing, but doesn’t block GPS unless Location Services are off too.
4. Can I set a timer to pause sharing automatically?
Not in Find My, but apps like Google Maps offer timed sharing features.
5. What’s the stealthiest method overall?
Switching to another Apple device takes the crown for subtlety and effectiveness.
