Troubleshooting

06/17/24

8 min

Why Is Life 360 Not Accurate: A Comprehensive Guide To Solve The Problem

Life360 is a popular family location sharing app that helps keep families connected and informed about each other's whereabouts. However, some users have reported issues with the accuracy of the app, causing concern and frustration. In this article, we will explore the causes of these inaccuracies and propose practical solutions to help resolve the problem.

Life360 is a popular family location-sharing app that helps keep families connected and informed about each other's whereabouts. However, some users have reported issues with the accuracy of the app, causing concern and frustration. In this article, we will explore the causes of these inaccuracies and propose practical solutions to help resolve the problem.

How Life360 Tracks Your Location

Life360 tracks users' locations using various technologies and methods:

  • GPS (Global Positioning System): This is the main location detection method used by Life360. GPS receives signals from satellites that allow it to determine the exact coordinates of the user.

  • Wi-Fi and mobile data: Life360 also uses information about nearby Wi-Fi access points and cell towers to determine your location, especially in areas where the GPS signal may be weak or inaccurate, such as indoors or in urban areas.

  • Inertial navigation methods: Life360 can use user movement data such as acceleration and angular velocity to estimate their location in case of a temporary lack of access to GPS or Wi-Fi.

  • Mapping and Data Analysis: The application also uses cartographic data and analysis algorithms to refine and predict the user's location based on available information.


Theoretically, the combination of the above methods should provide unprecedented accuracy in locating users. However, there are still some challenges. In this blog, you will find an answer to the general problem "
Why is Life 360 showing the wrong location", a solution to this issue, and more.

the frustrated user looks dejectedly at the screen of the phone on which the application does not work.

Causes Of Life360 Inaccuracies

Life360, despite its popularity and wide use, can sometimes display an inaccurate location. Here are some common reasons for this issue:  

  • Limitations of GPS positioning: Studies show that the accuracy of GPS positioning can vary greatly depending on the environment. Factors such as building heights, dense vegetation, and underground structures can make it difficult to get a strong and accurate GPS signal.

  • Battery Saver Mode: Life360's Battery Saver Mode can cause delays and inaccurate location updates. While this can extend the battery life of the device, it also limits how often the device updates location information.

  • App Permissions: Life360 requires certain permissions to operate, including access to the user's location. If these permissions are not granted, the app may work less efficiently and display the wrong location.

  • Software updates: Outdated software on your device or in an app can cause location accuracy issues due to compatibility problems or lack of optimization. Regularly updating your device and apps can help improve their performance.

  • Weak Wi-Fi or mobile network signal: If your Wi-Fi or mobile network signal is weak or non-existent, Life360 may rely on GPS to determine your location, which as we wrote above, may also not work accurately.

  • Enabled VPN on your device: As more and more people use VPN, its connection may not always be necessary. VPNs usually encrypt internet traffic and route it through servers located around the world, changing the actual location of your device and affecting the accuracy of location-sharing data. If you use Life360, you might want to consider temporarily disabling or adjusting your VPN settings for more accurate location tracking.

  • Technical issues with the app: Occasionally, the app itself may contain bugs or other problems that can cause the location data to be displayed inaccurately. This could be due to software bugs, compatibility issues with other apps, or issues with the user's device.


Solutions To Improve The Accuracy Of Life360

Configuring GPS Settings

To improve GPS accuracy, we recommend activating the High Precision mode in your device's settings. This will allow the device to utilize additional data sources such as Wi-Fi and the mobile network to determine your exact location.

Availability Of Cellular And Internet Connection

The app requires a stable cellular and internet connection to work properly. If you notice that Life 360 is showing the wrong location, make sure you have a good signal and check your device's internet access settings. If your device has the option to select a preferred network mode, such as 4G or 3G, choose the one that provides the most stable and fastest connection in your area.

Disabling Battery Saving Mode

Disabling battery saving mode in the Life360 app may improve the frequency of location updates, but it may also reduce the battery life of your device.

Checking Access Rights Granted To The Application

Please ensure that Life360 has the necessary permissions to access your device's location and other settings via the settings menu. Additionally, please check the built-in settings on your smart device for its current location. This should be set correctly and should match your actual location.

Software Updates

Regular software updates are essential for keeping your device and apps up to date. This will help improve the performance and accuracy of location data.

The Number Of Connected Devices

Please note that the proper functioning of the application depends on the number of devices connected and in use. To resolve the issue of incorrect location determination, you need to log out of your Life 360 account on all other devices. If the application is opened simultaneously by the same user (under the same account) on multiple devices, such as a tablet, home computer, and smartphone (which may be out of the home), the user's current location may not be accurately displayed.

Several smart devices: a phone, a computer and a tablet are on the table. The same user profile is displayed on all devices.

Additional Recommendations And Tips

If you are still wondering why Life360 is not accurate or how come there might appear numerous lags and delays,  then try using the following additional tips

Using Additional Application Options

Life360 provides additional features such as event notifications and geofencing. Geofencing is a virtual area on the map that can be created to indicate frequent locations of user activity or members of your Circle. The correct setup of geofencing can help improve location accuracy and provide added protection for users.

Consultation With Technical Support

If the issue with location accuracy persists, it is recommended to reach out to Life360's technical support team for assistance. This can be done by contacting support representatives via email, live chat, or by exploring available resources and frequently asked questions on the official Life360 website. Trained specialists can assist in identifying and resolving potential issues with the app, as well as providing additional tips to improve location detection.

Thus, by following the proposed solutions and tips, users can improve the accuracy of the application and get more reliable information about the location of their loved ones, as this allows families to be in touch and feel safe.

Choose Your Alternative

However, when it comes to one of the most popular family apps, Life360, there are some concerns that need to be addressed. In addition to issues with incorrect location determination, users also express concerns about other important aspects, such as data breaches and threats to privacy and security. Leaking personal information can leave users vulnerable to intrusion and have negative consequences for their safety and privacy. These issues can create serious difficulties and lead to dissatisfaction among users.

If users don't want to spend time and effort solving Life360's problems or worry about their safety, there are alternative applications they can consider. For example, the user-friendly Number Tracker app offers reliable and secure location tracking while prioritizing the protection of personal data and user privacy.

screenshot of the start page of the Number Tracker app

Choosing an alternative app like Number Tracker can be a great solution for users looking for reliable and secure location tracking without any additional difficulties.


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