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Usage of Bluetooth for Find My & Location Services

I have zero use cases for switching on Bluetooth so it’s always off. But then I saw this in Bluetooth settings.

Does “Find My” feature & Location service use Bluetooth? Does it make any sense for me to switch on Bluetooth? If yes, will this consume my iPhone’s battery significantly?

Thanks!

Posted on Apr 27, 2023 7:59 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Apr 27, 2023 8:17 AM

You already know one reason. Bluetooth helps with location accuracy.


But, imagine if someone stole your phone. The first thing that thieves do is turn off the phone so the owner can't track the phone.


But, even if your phone is turned off, Bluetooth will continue to operate for the next few days. If there are any other iPhones in the area, they will pick up the Bluetooth signal to help report on the location of your phone when you use Find My to try to locate the phone.


If Bluetooth is turned off, you have about a zero chance of ever locating the phone.

3 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Apr 27, 2023 8:17 AM in response to Sangeet1234

You already know one reason. Bluetooth helps with location accuracy.


But, imagine if someone stole your phone. The first thing that thieves do is turn off the phone so the owner can't track the phone.


But, even if your phone is turned off, Bluetooth will continue to operate for the next few days. If there are any other iPhones in the area, they will pick up the Bluetooth signal to help report on the location of your phone when you use Find My to try to locate the phone.


If Bluetooth is turned off, you have about a zero chance of ever locating the phone.

Usage of Bluetooth for Find My & Location Services

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