Apple Event: May 7th at 7 am PT

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

Location Services disabled after every restart

I have already sent a feedback report to Apple about this issue, but I find it a bit strange that so far nobody else seems to have noticed it or simply does not have the issue at all.

Whenever I restart my iMac (27inch, 2019, 5K) the Location Services (System Preferences > Security & Privacy > Privacy) become disabled and the apps to which I gave permission to use them, are missing from the list. I have to manually switch the Location Services on again, and wait for every app asking for them, to give permission.

This only happens after a reboot (cold or warm), never after waking up the iMac from sleep mode.

iMac 27″, macOS 11.0

Posted on Nov 26, 2020 2:35 AM

Best reply

Wolfgang Textor

Level 1

40 points

Posted on Mar 7, 2021 6:57 AM

Had this as well. Some research in the file system and comparison to a Mac with working location services revealed some old /etc/master.passwd file. While this file is not used by the system usually, it still provides vital data for the early boot phase (when the locationd and geod daemons will start). I had a /etc/master.passwd~orig file as well. The latter file contains the valid entries. Copy it to /etc/master.passwd as root, reboot and you're fine. You probably need to disable the csrutil as well. Mine was off while I was tinkering with the system.

View in context

Similar questions

38 replies

Jan 18, 2021 3:12 AM in response to Deep Sky Diver

Did you try resetting NVRAM?

Old Toad

Level 10

207,697 points

Feb 11, 2021 11:46 AM in response to gdfriendshuh

Google Chrome is a known system resource hog and data miner. If you don't like Safari give Firefox a try. It's much more secure than Chrome.

Old Toad

Level 10

207,697 points

Feb 17, 2021 9:27 AM in response to Walt D in LV

That sounds like a Google Chrome problem. Check with the Chrome developers to see how to configure Chrome so it doesn't do that each time.

Mar 1, 2021 1:38 PM in response to Deep Sky Diver

I have exactly this same problem on a new (iMac 21.5 inch) running BigSur 11.2.2. I wondered if you ever found a solution to your problem? I'd appreciate if you could you let me know.

Mar 2, 2021 12:36 AM in response to Photosuser56

I did not really find a solution for this problem except for doing a clean install of Big Sur (which I actually did for another reason). Only then Location Services behaved nicely.

Mar 2, 2021 12:57 AM in response to Deep Sky Diver

Thank you I’ll try that but as this is a brand new machine with latest update of OS I have a feeling there may be a bug in BigSur

Mar 2, 2021 1:00 AM in response to Photosuser56

That is the understatement of the century...

dbpotts

Level 1

18 points

Mar 7, 2021 7:55 AM in response to Wolfgang Textor

Good to know. Thanks. My location services changes during use, not just after a reboot. Do you know if this solution addresses that, or just the issue with a reboot?

Location Services disabled after every restart