How to look up previous locations on iphone

iOS has such an abundance of features that we users never really use all of the functions – or even know of some of them.

One lesser known function is the location feature, which secretly saves frequently visited places. This information is stored locally on the device, so neither Apple nor anyone else but yourself has access to this information. It may, however, bother you that it is there.

If you’d like to see your location history here’s what you need to do:

Open Settings.
Scroll down and select Privacy.
Tap Location Services at the top.
Scroll to the bottom and tap on System Services.
Scroll down and tap on Significant Locations.
You will need to enter a passcode, or it will use Face ID.

The next screen will show you your location history for the past couple of months.

If you tap on any of the locations in the History section it will recall the various places you have visited.

For example, a visit to family was recorded, so it is possible to see on which day, and for how long, the visit took place.

It’s hard to see how this information could be useful to you the user, but theoretically your iPhone is able to use it to better serve you. So for example, if it knows a location is frequently visited and that you usually do something specific there, then Siri Suggestions can surface the relevant information for you.

The visit to family could be useful for the COVID-19 app as it will record how long you were at the address.

With this information you Apple device can learn which places are important to you and the date can be used to provide personalised services.

You are the only person who has access to this information, anyone would require your passcode, face or fingerprint to unlock it. Plus Apple emphasises that it is all end-to-end encrypted, so even Apple cannot see it.

How to delete your location history

There are likely people who would prefer that their phone wasn’t recording this information. The good news is that you can stop the data collection happening, and you can delete the location history.

Follow the steps above to access your location history.
To delete your history scroll to the bottom and tap Clear History.
To stop the recording of your Significant Locations tap on the green dial so it turns grey.

Just note that if you stop recording this information it may affect some of your apps and services – with Maps, Find My and Photos, for example, using this information.

Also note that this not only deletes the information on the iPhone, but also on all other devices that are signed in with your iCloud account.

Based on an article from Macwelt.

Favorite friends appear at the top of the People list and are marked by a star.

Tap People at the bottom of the screen, then find the person you want to mark as a favorite.
Do one of the following:
- Tap the name of the person, then tap Add [name] to Favorites.
- Swipe left across the person’s name, then tap the star.

To remove a friend from your Favorites, swipe left and tap the star, or tap the friend, then tap Remove [name] from Favorites.

Can anyone please advise how to access significant locations?

I can see a summary of 125 places, but am unable to access.

any assistance will be appreciated

please note, I do not want to do a reset as need recent info

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

iPhone XR

Posted on Sep 21, 2021 11:15 PM

Question marked as Apple recommended

To view your iPhone Significant Locations, go to Settings -> Privacy -> Location Services -> System -> Services -> Significant Locations.

Posted on Sep 22, 2021 12:31 AM

11 replies

Question marked as ★ Helpful

Oct 5, 2021 1:59 AM in response to kerryn35

Have the same problem. I used to track my working hours with that. Now, wanted to see, how much time at what day I spent at work, and cannot see that anymore. Only summary. But that gives no details. iOS 15.0.1 didn't fix the issue.

Question marked as ★ Helpful

Sep 22, 2021 2:13 AM in response to NachiThePanda

Thanks Nachi, the info provided will get me to significant locations (this path has not altered), but the data displayed has changed. And it no longer allows you to view which locations at what time you visited, only the most recent location sadly

Question marked as ★ Helpful

Oct 16, 2021 9:33 PM in response to kerryn35

I have the same problem. See the summary of Significant Locations but cannot find the details. Problem started after I upgraded to iPhone 13.

Question marked as ★ Helpful

Oct 24, 2021 2:21 PM in response to NachiThePanda

After the iOS 15 update, when I access significant locations it tells me that I have 88 recent locations but gives me no date or time detail. Where did this information go? Has Apple deleted this feature with the most recent iOS update? Please respond with a definitive answer or let me know how I am incorrectly accessing this data. If this feature was deleted or changed in the recent update, why was no warning given about this?

Question marked as ★ Helpful

Oct 19, 2021 7:19 AM in response to kerryn35

I too uses significant locations to track my work time but has changed after updating to iOS15. This is what support responded to my inquiry, “I wanted to let you know that the issue that you called to report recently about the significant location history being gone has gotten the attention of the engineering team and they have responded. They say that this change is expected and normal to iOS 15. If you dislike the change, they recommend leaving feedback about it at apple.com/feedback.”. 🤦‍♂️. What’s the point of having Significant Locations if it doesn’t show the info. I hope they bring this feature back.

Question marked as ★ Helpful

Oct 25, 2021 9:41 PM in response to kerryn35

I FIGURED IT OUT. If you depend on this information to fill out your payroll I'm right there with you! 😭

Solution? If you have a Mac, you can still view your location history in detail by going into system preferences > security and privacy > *unlocking the lock with your password* > "details" on system preferences. I'm gonna get paid 🥳🥳🥳 Idk how long this will work so have backups in the future in case Apple screws us over again.

For reference my Mac is on Big Sur 11.6.

Question marked as ★ Helpful

Nov 2, 2021 4:06 AM in response to Eff-Sol

Does anyone at Apple view these comments and reply?

Question marked as ★ Helpful

Oct 18, 2021 9:01 AM in response to saanj17

What’s up with this !? Cannot figure it out . Shows summary but cannot access it . Only shows day before and I use this for work . Anyone figure it out ?!?

Question marked as ★ Helpful

Nov 2, 2021 4:06 AM in response to Arombard

When are we going to be able to view the significant location detail records? Need the information invoices, timesheets, mileage taken, history??

Question marked as ★ Helpful

Oct 19, 2021 12:31 PM in response to Arombard

same for me now I'm like out on some hours because I still cannot locate it....

Question marked as ★ Helpful

Oct 24, 2021 3:10 AM in response to cybrwrk

I’ve submitted a feedback form requesting it’s brought back. I too use this feature for work it’s one of the reasons I liked my iPhone so much. I never would’ve updated had I known this feature would be removed.

155 replies

Question marked as Apple recommended

Sep 22, 2021 12:31 AM in response to kerryn35

To view your iPhone Significant Locations, go to Settings -> Privacy -> Location Services -> System -> Services -> Significant Locations.

Question marked as ★ Helpful

Sep 22, 2021 2:13 AM in response to NachiThePanda

Question marked as ★ Helpful

Oct 5, 2021 1:59 AM in response to kerryn35

Question marked as ★ Helpful

Oct 16, 2021 9:33 PM in response to kerryn35

I have the same problem. See the summary of Significant Locations but cannot find the details. Problem started after I upgraded to iPhone 13.

Question marked as ★ Helpful

Oct 18, 2021 9:01 AM in response to saanj17

What’s up with this !? Cannot figure it out . Shows summary but cannot access it . Only shows day before and I use this for work . Anyone figure it out ?!?

Question marked as ★ Helpful

Oct 19, 2021 7:19 AM in response to kerryn35

Question marked as ★ Helpful

Oct 19, 2021 12:31 PM in response to Arombard

same for me now I'm like out on some hours because I still cannot locate it....

Question marked as ★ Helpful

Oct 24, 2021 3:10 AM in response to cybrwrk

Question marked as ★ Helpful

Oct 24, 2021 2:21 PM in response to NachiThePanda

Oct 25, 2021 12:41 AM in response to Klay15

According to a post above this feature has been removed from ios15 (ridiculous) see the below response, I would recommend filling In a feedback request if enough people complain hopefully they will bring the feature back.

This is what support responded to my inquiry, “I wanted to let you know that the issue that you called to report recently about the significant location history being gone has gotten the attention of the engineering team and they have responded. They say that this change is expected and normal to iOS 15. If you dislike the change, they recommend leaving feedback about it at apple.com/feedback.”.

Oct 25, 2021 1:04 PM in response to kerryn35

Yeah me too, I use this to track gym time and working hours but now I just get a summary.

I also use IFTTT app to log in and out of work on my calendar

Question marked as ★ Helpful

Oct 25, 2021 9:41 PM in response to kerryn35

I FIGURED IT OUT. If you depend on this information to fill out your payroll I'm right there with you! 😭

For reference my Mac is on Big Sur 11.6.

Oct 29, 2021 5:50 AM in response to Unsolicited_01

Soooooooooooo happy with this!

Best answer ever.

Sorry for anyone who does not have a MacBook to check. But this reaaaaaly works and goes back in history even further than my iPhone did.

👍🏽🧁🍰👌