Mac has a fixed menu bar showing on the top. It comes with few default icons/items like Control Center, Spotlight Search, date/time, etc. You can also add or remove the icons for quick access in the menu from Settings app. However, did you ever notice an arrow symbol dynamically pops up in the menu bar and hides after few seconds. The arrow symbol on Mac menu bar indicates an app or service is using Location Services. Here, we will discuss more about finding which app uses the service and whether you can get rid of the arrow.
Summary
- A bright white or white inside blue dot arrow indicates an app is currently using Location Services in your Mac.
- A grey arrow indicates an app or service used your location in the past 24 hours.
You can click on the arrow or Control Center to find the apps using Location. Go to privacy preferences/settings to disable the apps from using your location.
1. On macOS 12 or Earlier
If you are using macOS version 12 or earlier, then here are the details.
1.1. Checking Arrow Symbol on Mac Menu Bar
Press “Command + Spacebar” to open Spotlight Search. Type “maps” and open Maps app. Now, you will see a white color arrow icon appears on the menu bar to the left side of all existing icons.
Since Maps app needs your location to work properly, it will show an arrow symbol indicating the app uses Location Services on your Mac.
1.2. Finding More Details
Click on the arrow symbol on menu bar and you will see more details about which apps are currently using Location Services.
The arrow will show “Apps Using Location:” and list down the name of each app. As you can see, though I only opened Maps app, there are multiple apps using Location Services. It includes:
- Destination Predictions
- Location-Based Suggestions
- Networking & Wireless
- Significant Locations
All these items belong to Mac System Services which use your location to provide precise and customized suggestions.
1.3. Managing Location Services on Mac
Select the “Open Privacy Preferences…” option showing when you click the arrow symbol. This will take you to the “Location Services” section under “Security & Privacy” preferences on your Mac.
- First click the padlock icon, provide your admin password or use Touch ID to unlock the screen for editing.
- After that, scroll down in the app list and you will see a grey arrow symbol showing against the Maps app. The grey symbol against the app indicates, the app used Location Services in last 24 hours. If you find any unnecessary app is using Location on your Mac, uncheck the box to disable the service.
- You can also completely disable Location Services by unchecking the box against “Enable Location Services” option showing on the top. This is not recommended and Mac will also warn you that features like Find My will not work without Location access.
- Scroll down to bottom of the list where you can find the grey arrow shows against the “System Services” also. Click on the “Details…” button.
- A pop-up will appear showing a list of System Services using Location Services on your Mac. Here, you can disable the services that you do not want to access your location. Make sure to enable “Show location icon in menu bar when System Services request your location” option. Otherwise, you will not see the items in the list when clicking on the arrow symbol on your menu bar.
Note: Spotlight Search, Safari, Reminders, Maps and many other default apps use Location Services in Mac. For example, the query you type in Spotlight Search will be sent to Apple when you Location Service is enable for the app. So, check the list of apps thoroughly and disable location access for all unnecessary items.
2. On macOS 13 or Later
If you are using macOS version 13 or later, you will see a tiny arrow inside a blue dot right side of the Control Center icon when Location Services is used by an app. The arrow will blink then changes to white or grey color before disappearing.
2.1. Checking Apps Using Location Services
Click on the Control Center icon and you will find the apps using the location. As you can see in the below screenshot, Maps and System Services are using the location currently on my Mac.
Click on the item(s) button and you will see further details about the usage.
2.2. Managing Location Services on macOS Ventura or Later
The option to access Location Services preferences from menu bar is removed in the latest macOS version. To disable apps using your location follow the below steps:
- Click the Apple logo and select “System Settings…” menu.
- Go to “Privacy & Security” section and select “Location Services” option.
- From there you can disable complete Location Service option, disable for individual apps or for System Services. You should provide admin password or use Touch ID for making any changes.
- For System Services, click the “Details…” button and then disable the items from the list.
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