Smart device keeps asking for location permission before it will work

Updated: December 12, 2025 · Answered by Steve H. in 5 mins

Steve H.

Expert ★★★★★ 27,853 satisfied customers

Specialities: Smart home devices, app permissions, Android and iPhone settings, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi pairing, privacy prompts, location services, Google Home.

Common reasons this starts, and what to check first without changing too much

Technician

Let’s keep this simple and safe first. I don’t want you turning off random privacy settings if we don’t need to.

Did this start after a phone update, a device app update, or after moving the smart device to a new room or network?

Customer

I noticed it after updating my phone. Now the smart device keeps asking for location permission before it will finish setup.

Technician

That timing matters. A lot of smart devices rely on nearby device scanning, Bluetooth, or Wi-Fi discovery, and the phone may now group that under location access.

Two quick checks: is this on Android or iPhone, and is the prompt coming from the phone’s settings or from the smart device app itself?

Customer

Android. The app pops up a message saying location permission is needed before the device will work.

Technician

Thanks. On Android, that often happens when the app needs to find the device over Bluetooth or local Wi-Fi, even if the wording makes it sound unrelated.

Trust moment: let’s start with the safest checks first, not resets.

Is the device already set up and suddenly asking again, or are you still in the first-time pairing stage?

Customer

It was working before. I unplugged it, moved it to another room, and now I keep getting the permission prompt.

Technician

That points more toward rediscovery than a hardware fault. Some apps ask for location again when the device has to be found on the network or paired over Bluetooth after being moved.

Before touching permissions, can you tell me whether Bluetooth is on, and whether the phone is connected to the same Wi-Fi as the smart device should use?

Customer

Bluetooth is on. The phone is on my home Wi-Fi, yes.

Technician

Good. Next safe check: when the prompt appears, does Android show options like “Allow only while using the app,” “Ask every time,” or “Don’t allow”? I’m asking because “Ask every time” can create a loop that feels like the device is stuck.

Customer

Yes, I think it is set to ask every time. I didn’t want to allow too much.

Technician

That is a strong clue. Some smart home apps do not handle repeated permission prompts well during setup or reconnect attempts.

I also want to rule out one more thing safely: is Android’s main Location setting turned on at the top level, or is it off while only the app permission is enabled?

Customer

The main Location switch was off. I only changed the app permission before.

Technician

That explains a lot. On many Android phones, the app permission alone is not enough if the phone’s overall Location setting is off. The app may keep asking because it still cannot scan for nearby devices.

Trust moment: I don’t want you to try a factory reset if this is only a phone-side permission issue.

After you noticed this, did the app also lose access to nearby devices, Bluetooth, or local network permissions?

Customer

I did see something about nearby devices after the update, but I skipped it.

Technician

That fits the pattern. Recent Android versions may split these permissions, so the app can look like it only wants location when it actually needs a combination of access to discover the device properly.

Another safe check: if you close and reopen the app, does it fail before it even sees the device, or only when it tries to finish the connection?

Customer

It sees the device name, then asks again right before the last step and never finishes.

Technician

Then the device is probably not “broken.” It is getting far enough to be discovered, but the app is missing one of the permissions or phone services it expects at the handoff stage.

The safest direction is to review the app’s permission mode, the phone’s master Location switch, and any nearby device or local network permissions added after the update. If those line up and the prompt still repeats, then it becomes more likely that the app cache or the recent update changed how the setup flow behaves.

Quick answer: the accepted fix

When a smart device keeps asking for location permission before it will work, the cause is often not true GPS use. In many cases, the app needs location-related access to scan for nearby devices, complete Bluetooth pairing, or confirm local Wi-Fi during setup or reconnection.
• Check whether the phone’s main Location setting is on, not just the app permission.
• Review whether the app is set to “Ask every time,” which can cause repeated prompts during setup.
• Look for related permissions added after updates, such as Nearby devices, Bluetooth, or Local network access.
• If the issue started after an update or moving the device, treat it as a discovery or permission-flow problem first, not a hardware failure.

Why this can start suddenly after an update or phone change

A smart device asking for location permission can begin without warning after an Android or iPhone update, a reinstall of the device app, or a move to a different room or network. In many cases, the device still works, but the app now needs extra approval to scan for nearby hardware, confirm local Wi-Fi, or finish Bluetooth setup. If the prompt repeats every time you open the app, the issue is often tied to permission mode, background restrictions, or a new privacy setting rather than a broken device.

What to verify before assuming the device is faulty

Start with the least risky checks. Confirm the phone has Bluetooth on, is on the correct Wi-Fi, and has both the app permission and the phone’s main location service enabled if the platform requires it. Then review whether the app was set to Ask every time, whether nearby device access was denied, or whether battery/privacy controls are limiting discovery in the background. If the app can see the device name but fails at the last step, that usually points to a permission handoff problem, not hardware.

Smart device keeps asking for location permission — quick troubleshooting notes

This is often linked to app permissions, nearby device access, Bluetooth discovery, or phone privacy settings after updates.

A repeated location permission prompt does not always mean the device needs your precise location. Many smart home apps use that permission as part of local discovery during pairing or reconnection. Safe checks include reviewing the app’s permission mode, confirming the phone’s main Location switch, and checking whether nearby device or local network access was denied. If the issue started after a phone update, focus on permission changes before resets.

Disclaimer: This information is AI-generated and intended for general guidance only. Do not open the device or attempt internal repairs. For advice specific to your smart device model and phone setup, consult verified support documentation before making decisions.

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FAQ

Why did my smart device suddenly start asking for location permission?

This often starts after a phone or app update, a reinstall, or reconnecting the device. The app may now need location-related access for nearby device discovery, Bluetooth pairing, or local Wi-Fi scanning. It does not always mean the device needs GPS for normal use.

Did this happen after an update?

Very often, yes. Android and iPhone updates can change how permissions are grouped or when apps must ask again. A device that worked before may start looping on permission prompts after those changes.

Is this a settings issue or hardware?

Most cases point to settings, permissions, or app behavior rather than hardware failure. If the device is still detected by the app but setup stops at the last step, the phone-side permission flow is a more likely cause. Hardware becomes more likely only if the device cannot be found at all.

Can this be checked safely at home?

Yes. Start with safe checks such as the phone’s main Location switch, the app’s permission mode, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and nearby device access. Avoid factory resets until those basics are ruled out.

Sources

Filed under: General Other Issues

Steve H.

Common reasons this starts, and what to check first without changing too much

Quick answer: the accepted fix

Why this can start suddenly after an update or phone change

What to verify before assuming the device is faulty

Smart device keeps asking for location permission — quick troubleshooting notes

Getting Started Is Easy

Ask for help, 24/7

Expert will respond in minutes

Save time & money

FAQ

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