Find My, error: "Share My Location unavailable. Unable to connect to server. Please try again later."

There is apparently a distinction between wiping the phone versus restoring to factory settings. Restoring to factory settings solve my problem. I could not download the back up because I did not want to reinstall the same glitch. My phone is bringing back storage data from the cloud however. Just not the whole phone back up.

I got it to work. I unlinked everything on my iCloud account and then wiped the phone completely (new phone again). Did the "Find my" app right away and that resolved it.

Hello mirijam160,

Thanks for the additional information.

In this case, you may want to try while signed in on an alternate Wi-FI network. You can also test while on cellular data only. Lastly, make sure your iPhone is updated. Here's how: Update to iOS 14 or iPadOS 14.

Best wishes!

Don’t know if there was some sort of fix built in with the iOS 14.3 update, but when I updated my phone as soon as it turned on it asked if I wanted to use the phone for the FindMy location and the problem was fixed

I was working directly with Apple Support for 6 weeks on this.

It was solved (for me anyway) with the last iPhone software update. I am on 14.3 with an iPhone 12 Pro.

Hello mirijam160,

Thank you for using Apple Support Communities!

Based on what you mentioned, you have an issue with connecting to the server to share your location. Take a look at this document: Find friends and share your location with Find My. As you see on the example, there is a tiny arrow pointing upwards next to the time. Your images do not show this. While you may have location services on, it is possible to restrict apps from using it.

If you have Screen Time enabled, temporarily disable it and check if you can get Share My Location to work. Here's more information about Screen Time: Use Screen Time on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch.

Best wishes!

Yes, this is similar to what I did. I made sure I restore the phone and did the Find My app right away. When I got it to work, I installed everything afterward.

I’m having this issue too, I’ve also spent hours on this with phone and chat support. No luck with anything - tried signing in and out of iCloud, completely wiping the phone, every thing everyone else here has listed. I finally went into the store this morning and they’re going to just swap it out and give me a new phone. I’ll let you guys know if this fixes the issue because that might indicate a manufacturing problem with a batch of phones.

I spent more than 12 hours on this issue this past Saturday and it was a nightmare. I must have five or six tickets on this but, no matter, because you have to go through the whole history every time you talk to someone new and you can never talk to the same person again. They had me wipe my phone completely and when I tried to restore my data from iCloud it would not restore. Had to wipe it a second time. Thankfully, I had made a backup on my MacBook and we were finally able to get it restored after doing recovery mode twice. I have tried this on two different Wi-Fi networks now with no change. I not only get that same message in the “find my” app, but now my phone will not connect with iCloud at all. Bottom line is I am worse off now than before I got help.

No one could make an appointment for me at and Apple store or an authorized repair. Yesterday, we went to Best Buy but they are unable to initiate a repair unless an appointment is made through Apple Support first, and Apple support says that there are no reservations available. Same with the Apple store but when we went to the Apple store they told me that they have a few walk-in spots daily first come first served so I will have to go first thing in the morning before they open and get in line.

I am doubtful they will be able to fix it either.

after being a loyal Apple customer since 2006, I am learning that their customer service no longer meets the same standards of a few years ago. Very disappointing. I will be thinking long and hard about my next phone purchase. Why pay Apple prices if you don’t get legendary Apple service?

For what it’s worth, I’ve already tried completely wiping the phone and starting over from scratch. Didn’t have any luck with that. I’m on my way to go get the replacement phone now, I’ll keep you updated.

Did you unlink all your devices or just your IPhone?

Yes, I unlinked ALL devices.

Did you sign in using your original ICloud account?

Yes, I signed in using my original iCloud account.

And did you put a backup back (from computer) on your phone afterwards or not?

I honestly didn't have much to back up besides my Contact, which was the most important thing. Everything else, I will download along the way when I need to.

When you say you got it working by unlinking iCloud. What do you mean? if I restore my phone with no backup, sign into iCloud, it works fine, but if I restore from iCloud backup, something in my backup is causing this issue. I can not start from scratch, over 150 apps, app data, app organisation and other items that iCloud does not cover and only in the backups.