batbyz

Q: Location Services for "Phone"

I have searched the Internet at length but due to the (what will be obvious) "generic" terms involved I can find nothing.  I am running iOS 9.3.2.

 

Navigating to "Settings > Privacy > Location Services  and scrolling down the list of Apps will take you to an "App" called "Phone".  On my iPhone the setting was blank (implying no choice had been made).  Selecting "Phone" gives the usual Location Services options of "Never", "While Using the App", and "Always".  I was now forced to choose one option.  I chose "Always" but would rather choose "Never" if it isn't needed.

 

What is up with this?  Why does the App "Phone" need Location Services Permissions?  It's a native iOS App with, presumably, system-level permissions.  Emergency Services?  Replies to this question like, "Try Never and see what happens" are non-starters so don't go there.  It isn't obvious what functionality is disabled by selecting Never and the phone still seems to work.

iPhone 6, iOS 9.3.2

Posted on Jun 18, 2016 2:09 PM

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Q: Location Services for "Phone"

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  • by ChitlinsCC,

    ChitlinsCC ChitlinsCC Jun 19, 2016 4:01 PM in response to batbyz
    Level 5 (7,580 points)
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    Jun 19, 2016 4:01 PM in response to batbyz
  • by batbyz,

    batbyz batbyz Jun 19, 2016 4:09 PM in response to ChitlinsCC
    Level 1 (8 points)
    iPhone
    Jun 19, 2016 4:09 PM in response to ChitlinsCC

    Thanks for the link.  Reading through it doesn't offer any clues as to what enabling Location Services does for the "Phone" app.  When I first saw the App in the list the Location Services setting was blank which would imply (according to the article you reference) that the Phone has never requested Location Services.  So I still have to ask...What do Location Service do for the Phone app?  Maybe it's a future "feature"?

  • by ChitlinsCC,

    ChitlinsCC ChitlinsCC Jun 19, 2016 4:17 PM in response to batbyz
    Level 5 (7,580 points)
    Notebooks
    Jun 19, 2016 4:17 PM in response to batbyz

    I wonder if it might have something to do with "Find My iPhone" - if your fone should ever be lost or stolen?

    Perhaps it has to do with "Share my locations with others"? - as you move around with your fone, folks can see where you are on a Map.

    ADDED

    Maybe it is just the "Place" in Settings for that "switch"... gotta put it somewhere!

     

    I don't have one, so I am actually clueless... maybe tt2 will poke his head in.

  • by elcpu,

    elcpu elcpu Jun 19, 2016 4:16 PM in response to batbyz
    Level 6 (15,946 points)
    Photos for Mac
    Jun 19, 2016 4:16 PM in response to batbyz

    I had seen that article yesterday and decided not to reply to you as I had no explanation. FWIW my own phone does not show up under Location Services; don't know why yours does.

  • by Phil0124,

    Phil0124 Phil0124 Jun 19, 2016 4:24 PM in response to batbyz
    Level 7 (26,946 points)
    iPhone
    Jun 19, 2016 4:24 PM in response to batbyz

    Nothing. The Default Phone App does not require Location services.  If there is an App called "Phone" on the Location Services App list it is not the actual default Apple Phone App. It probably is something from some other App you have installed.

  • by ChitlinsCC,

    ChitlinsCC ChitlinsCC Jun 19, 2016 4:28 PM in response to elcpu
    Level 5 (7,580 points)
    Notebooks
    Jun 19, 2016 4:28 PM in response to elcpu

    We Texans are fine with "just about" and "over yonder"

  • by Michael Black,

    Michael Black Michael Black Jun 19, 2016 4:37 PM in response to batbyz
    Level 7 (24,146 points)
    Jun 19, 2016 4:37 PM in response to batbyz

    Just checking on my iPhone 6, I too do not have an app named "Phone" listed under Location Services?  So I'm not even sure what this app is, how it came to be on your phone, or what it does? There are Phone apps in the app store, related to wifi calling services.  Have you installed anything like that at one time, trying out a service like WePhone?

  • by batbyz,

    batbyz batbyz Jun 20, 2016 6:24 PM in response to Michael Black
    Level 1 (8 points)
    iPhone
    Jun 20, 2016 6:24 PM in response to Michael Black

    Thanks.  Guess it's some app I have (no WePhone).  Although I can't think of anything obvious...