My Apple Watch continues to show that I have not authorised location services when I start an Outdoor Walk workout, despite Location Services being turned on in Settings on the watch and on my iPhone. This has been the case since I bought the watch months ago, so has persisted through multiple software updates.
Does anyone else have the same issue, is this a known bug?
This is a known issue that affects some Apple Watch users where the Outdoor Walk workout shows a "location not authorized" prompt despite Location Services being enabled. It's been reported by multiple users and persisted through several watchOS updates. Here's how to fix it:
Fix 1: Check the specific Location permission for the Workout app
The Workout app on Apple Watch has its own location permission separate from the general Location Services setting:
1. On your iPhone, go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services
2. Scroll down and tap "Apple Watch Workout" (or just "Workout")
3. Make sure it's set to "While Using" or "Always" — not "Never" or "Ask Next Time"
Fix 2: Toggle Workout app location permission off and on
1. Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services > Apple Watch Workout
2. Set to "Never", tap back, then return and set to "While Using the App"
Fix 3: Toggle Location Services completely
1. Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services
2. Toggle off, wait 15 seconds, toggle back on
3. Open the Watch app and start an Outdoor Walk to test
Fix 4: Unpair and re-pair Apple Watch
This is the most thorough fix for persistent permission issues:
1. On iPhone, open Watch app > your watch > scroll down > "Unpair Apple Watch"
2. Set up the watch again as new (or restore from backup)
3. When the workout app requests location permission during the next Outdoor Walk, grant it
Fix 5: Reset Location & Privacy
1. On iPhone: Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Location & Privacy
2. Note: This will reset all location permissions for all apps, which you'll need to re-grant
If none of these work, this is indeed a bug — please report it at https://feedbackassistant.apple.com with your watchOS and iOS version to help Apple track and fix it.
This is a known issue that affects some Apple Watch users where the Outdoor Walk workout shows a "location not authorized" prompt despite Location Services being enabled. It's been reported by multiple users and persisted through several watchOS updates. Here's how to fix it:
Fix 1: Check the specific Location permission for the Workout app
The Workout app on Apple Watch has its own location permission separate from the general Location Services setting:
1. On your iPhone, go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services
2. Scroll down and tap "Apple Watch Workout" (or just "Workout")
3. Make sure it's set to "While Using" or "Always" — not "Never" or "Ask Next Time"
Fix 2: Toggle Workout app location permission off and on
1. Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services > Apple Watch Workout
2. Set to "Never", tap back, then return and set to "While Using the App"
Fix 3: Toggle Location Services completely
1. Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services
2. Toggle off, wait 15 seconds, toggle back on
3. Open the Watch app and start an Outdoor Walk to test
Fix 4: Unpair and re-pair Apple Watch
This is the most thorough fix for persistent permission issues:
1. On iPhone, open Watch app > your watch > scroll down > "Unpair Apple Watch"
2. Set up the watch again as new (or restore from backup)
3. When the workout app requests location permission during the next Outdoor Walk, grant it
Fix 5: Reset Location & Privacy
1. On iPhone: Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Location & Privacy
2. Note: This will reset all location permissions for all apps, which you'll need to re-grant
If none of these work, this is indeed a bug — please report it at https://feedbackassistant.apple.com with your watchOS and iOS version to help Apple track and fix it.
Apple Watch: Location services not working for Outdoor Walk
