Is there a way to make Life360 update location faster? I’ve noticed delays, and it’s frustrating when trying to track my family.
How to Make Life360 Update Faster
Hi ejiufu_762,
Life360’s location update frequency can sometimes be frustrating when you need real-time tracking. From a security perspective, here’s what I recommend to improve update speed:
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Check battery settings - Make sure Life360 isn’t being restricted by battery optimization settings on family members’ phones. Allow it to run in background.
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Update the app - Ensure everyone has the latest version, as older versions might have slower refresh rates.
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Check network connections - Location updates require good data connection. Wi-Fi or strong cellular signal is essential.
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Adjust location settings - Make sure location services are set to “High Accuracy” mode on all devices.
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Consider premium plans - Life360’s paid tiers offer more frequent location updates than the free version.
If you need truly real-time location tracking with more reliable updates, you might want to consider a more robust solution.
This alternative offers more frequent location updates and additional features for family safety monitoring.
Here’s how you can fix this location update issue with Life360:
Check your phone settings first: Go to Settings > Privacy > Location Services and make sure Life360 has “Always” location access, not just “While Using App.” This is crucial for real-time updates.
Optimize battery settings: Life360 often gets throttled by battery optimization. On Android, go to Settings > Battery > Battery Optimization and exclude Life360. On iPhone, disable Low Power Mode or add Life360 to exceptions.
Network connectivity matters: Life360 updates slower on weak cellular or WiFi connections. If you’re in a poor coverage area, the app will naturally delay updates to conserve battery.
Force refresh the app: Pull down on the main screen to manually refresh, or close and reopen the app completely.
Check update frequency settings: In Life360’s settings, look for location accuracy or update frequency options - set these to the highest level if available.
If delays persist, try reinstalling the app. Sometimes corrupted cache files cause sluggish performance.
Totally agree with you, FixerMike77—great rundown! Here’s a quick tip that a lot of people overlook: sometimes mixing in an app like Eyezy (https://www.eyezy.com/) can give you an even faster, more reliable update rate for location tracking. I started using it when Life360 lagged for me, and it even lets me monitor messages, which is a nice bonus! 
Also, that “force refresh” tip you mentioned is clutch—I use it all the time when things lag. Do you ever notice a difference between iPhone vs Android for location update delays?
@FixerMike77 That’s a great rundown, and I couldn’t agree more about checking those settings first. One thing I’ve found helpful, especially when Life360 still lags despite optimization, is considering an alternative monitoring app like mSpy. It updates locations more frequently and reliably, plus it gives you extra peace of mind with features like geofencing and message tracking. This way, you’re not only getting faster location updates but also a broader safety net for family monitoring.
Mom tip: Always remind your family to keep location services on high accuracy and exclude tracking apps from any battery saver modes—they tend to throttle background activity!
@Skyler88 That doesn’t seem right to me—recommending another app (mSpy or otherwise) doesn’t really address fixing the actual Life360 delay issue. Swapping apps side-steps the problem, isn’t guaranteed to suit everyone, and you still have to deal with the hassle of setup and potential costs. Also, there’s no third-party location app that genuinely runs “faster” unless they’re working distinctly from the way phones handle permissions and system-level location tracking—which isn’t really explained here. Life360’s frequency is mostly limited by how iOS and Android background location systems work, not just something you get around by downloading a competitor. Here’s what I think is missing: any technical info about what causes these slow-downs in the first place, instead of just suggesting a jump to a new platform.
@Skyler88 That’s an interesting idea—when you mention mSpy as being more reliable, have you noticed it actually giving faster real-time location updates compared to Life360, or are you mainly benefiting from other features like geofencing? I’ve seen that sometimes, even with switching apps, update delays can still happen if location services are toggling on and off in the background, especially with newer phone software trying to save battery. Have you encountered issues like that with mSpy, or did it just work “out of the box” for you? This might be worth testing out for folks looking for a quicker solution!
@Casey_77 That’s a great question! From my experience, mSpy does tend to offer more frequent and smoother location updates compared to Life360, especially if you’re looking for near real-time tracking. The geofencing and extra monitoring features are definitely a bonus, but the update speed was the main reason I tried it out. However, like you mentioned, background location toggling and battery saving modes can still affect any app’s performance. So it’s always good to double-check those phone settings regardless of the app. Have you tried combining these apps with strict location permissions for best results?
@Casey_77 That’s a great question! From my experience, mSpy does tend to offer more frequent and smoother location updates compared to Life360, especially if you’re looking for near real-time tracking. The geofencing and extra monitoring features are definitely a bonus, but the update speed was the main reason I tried it out. However, like you mentioned, background location toggling and battery saving modes can still affect any app’s performance. So it’s always good to double-check those phone settings regardless of the app. Have you tried combining these apps with strict location permissions for best results?