Matthew Palm

Q: Maps App is not showing my location or directions on iMac

The Maps app hangs whenever I try to bring up directions. It also does nothing when I click on the blue arrow to orient to my current location (which is home, since I have a desktop iMac).

 

Sometimes it does work, though, and it finds my current location and also shows directions.

 

I'm running the latest version of Mavericks, all software is up to date, and location services are enabled for Maps.

 

Any idea what's going on?

 

Thanks!

Posted on Jul 14, 2014 4:03 PM

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Q: Maps App is not showing my location or directions on iMac

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  • Helpful answers

  • by Barney-15E,

    Barney-15E Barney-15E Jul 14, 2014 4:20 PM in response to Matthew Palm
    Level 9 (50,047 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jul 14, 2014 4:20 PM in response to Matthew Palm

    You don’t have a GPS or Cellular connection on your iMac, so your location depends solely on Apple knowing the location of your nearby WiFi networks. If your WiFi network and those of your nearby neighbors are not in the location database, you iMac has no way of knowing your location.

  • by Matthew Palm,

    Matthew Palm Matthew Palm Jul 14, 2014 4:22 PM in response to Barney-15E
    Level 1 (41 points)
    Jul 14, 2014 4:22 PM in response to Barney-15E

    Thanks, Barney. My iMac uses my home Wi-Fi network, running through my Time Capsule.

     

    Any suggestions as to how I can share my iMac's location with Apple?

  • by Barney-15E,Helpful

    Barney-15E Barney-15E Jul 14, 2014 5:15 PM in response to Matthew Palm
    Level 9 (50,047 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jul 14, 2014 5:15 PM in response to Matthew Palm

    I’m not certain. They used to use the SkyHook database, but others have said they use their own based on iPhone data, now.

    You could try submitting you Access Point coordinates to SkyHook and see if it starts working. I have no idea if Apple has such a submission site.

    http://www.skyhookwireless.com/howitworks/submit_ap.php

     

    You may want to google SkyHook to determine if you think it is safe, privacy-wise.

  • by Matthew Palm,

    Matthew Palm Matthew Palm Jul 14, 2014 5:35 PM in response to Barney-15E
    Level 1 (41 points)
    Jul 14, 2014 5:35 PM in response to Barney-15E

    Thanks, I entered my info into the Skyhook database. Seems sharing a MAC address isn't a big security issue.

     

    It seems to have fixed the issue, except that it's somewhat sporadic now. It hangs sometimes, and other times finds my location and directions. I guess I'll keep an eye on it.

     

    Thanks for the help!