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

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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.

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38 replies

Jan 18, 2021 1:08 AM in response to cvigo

Thanks for clarifying. In my case, Location Services were disabled after every restart - completely.

Jan 18, 2021 1:50 AM in response to Luis Sequeira1

I have already done that on another thread. There is nothing that is suspicious, unless Google's update "services" (google keystone stuff...) are to be blamed. But if you insist, here it is again:

EtreCheck...

Old Toad

Level 10

215,196 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.

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 12:57 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?

Feb 11, 2021 11:23 AM in response to cvigo

I found it's only when you use Google search in Chrome that turns off Location Services. If you quit Chrome completely . Then unlock sys pref and turn location services on for Chrome. Then restart Chrome. (Running High Sierra)

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Location Services disabled after every restart