Location services can't locate my MacBook Air when attached to monitor through Thunderbolt

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Level 1

8 points

Location services can't locate my MacBook Air when attached to monitor through Thunderbolt

I recently purchased an M4 MacBook Air and sometimes use it with my desktop monitor, lid closed. When it is attached to the monitor through a Thunderbolt 4 hub, location services can't locate my position. When I use the laptop standalone, location services works just fine. When I have it connected to the hub with the lid open, location services works fine. If after having the lid closed for a while, I open it up, turn off location services and turn it back on, it starts working again. In the past, I used a Mac mini with the monitor, so this issue never came up. Is that normal or can it be fixed?

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

MacBook Air 13″, macOS 15.5

Posted on May 22, 2025 5:14 AM

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Answer 1

a brody

Level 10

85,382 points

May 23, 2025 5:56 AM in response to dmeek

Location services ultimately run based on the IP address assigned by your internet provider to your modem. Unlike the cell phone there is no GPS chick that picks up signals from satellites to identify your actual location. If that signal is blocked by your firewall, you won't have access to it. Location Services are part of System Settingsi n Apple menu. Some Apps by default have them blocked. So check if the apps have them blocked or not.

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Answer 2

dmeek Author

Level 1

8 points

May 23, 2025 8:10 AM in response to a brody

I think you misunderstood the problem. Location services work fine when the laptop lid is open but do not when it is connected to an external monitor with the lid closed.

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Location services can't locate my MacBook Air when attached to monitor through Thunderbolt

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