---
title: Why is a user's location outdated or unavailable?
description: "Android version 3.71+ iOS version 3.38+ Note: Android 11+ should use Zello version 4.115+ 2. Users may be on the latest version, but location services may..."
---

[Skip to content](https://support.zello.com/zw/why-is-a-users-location-outdated-or-unavailable#main-content)

English

Show submenu for translations

[More support](https://support.zello.com/zw/kb-tickets/new?hsLang=en)

[![wordmark@2x](https://support.zello.com/hs-fs/hubfs/2024%20Trial%20series/wordmark@2x.png?width=92&height=16&name=wordmark@2x.png)](https://zello.com/)

Open main navigation

Close main navigation

- English
  
  Show submenu for translations
- [More support](https://support.zello.com/zw/kb-tickets/new)
- [Contact us](https://zello.com/contact/new-ticket/)

[Contact us](https://zello.com/contact/new-ticket/)

 Hello. How can we help you?

- There are no suggestions because the search field is empty.

1. [Zello Work](https://support.zello.com/zw?hsLang=en)
2. [Using Zello](https://support.zello.com/zw/using-zello?hsLang=en)
3. [Features](https://support.zello.com/zw/using-zello?hsLang=en#features)

April 8, 2026

# Why is a user's location outdated or unavailable?

This article is written for: ✅ Zello Work  ❌ Zello Friends & Family.

There are a few reasons why a user's location is outdated (purple dot) or unavailable. The most common reasons are:

1\. Users must use the Zello Work apps supporting location tracking. They will not appear on the map if they're using previous versions.

- Android version 3.71+
- iOS version 3.38+

***Note:** Android 11+ should use Zello version 4.115+*

2\. Users may be on the latest version, but location services may be turned off from their Android or iOS settings. 

3\. Users may be in a place, like inside a building, where GPS signals are unavailable. This means they could be online, and able to call, but you won't see their location in real time.

4\. The user is not connected to the network. This means Zello may be in standby mode, and therefore, Zello can't get an updated location.

5\. Zello is not running. The app needs to be running and online in order to send the most recent location. The user may have exited the app or his phone may just be off.

6\. You have [configured](https://support.zellowork.com/hc/en-us/articles/207382438-Suggestions-to-reduce-battery-drain-on-user-devices) location tracking in the management console to be only active while the user device is plugged in or battery level is above a certain level. In that case location tracking will be temporarily turned off until the specified conditions are met (i.e. device is connected to a power source or battery charges above the set level). 

**If the user's location has been unavailable for longer than 20 minutes, they will not appear on the map unless "Hide Old locations" is toggled off. You can however still search for this user, and see their historical location.**

- [Getting Started](https://support.zello.com/zw/getting-started?hsLang=en#main-content)

    - [Trials](https://support.zello.com/zw/getting-started?hsLang=en#trials)
    - [Admins](https://support.zello.com/zw/getting-started?hsLang=en#admins)
    - [Users](https://support.zello.com/zw/getting-started?hsLang=en#users)
    - [Dispatch Hub](https://support.zello.com/zw/getting-started?hsLang=en#dispatch-hub)
    - [Intro to Zello](https://support.zello.com/zw/getting-started?hsLang=en#intro-to-zello)
- [Admins](https://support.zello.com/zw/admins?hsLang=en#main-content)

    - [User Management](https://support.zello.com/zw/admins?hsLang=en#user-management)
    - [Channels](https://support.zello.com/zw/admins?hsLang=en#channels)
    - [Dispatch Hub](https://support.zello.com/zw/admins?hsLang=en#dispatch-hub)
    - [Network Settings and Configurations](https://support.zello.com/zw/admins?hsLang=en#network-settings-and-configurations)
    - [Zello Enterprise Server](https://support.zello.com/zw/admins?hsLang=en#zello-enterprise-server)
    - [Payments, Subscriptions, and Billing](https://support.zello.com/zw/admins?hsLang=en#payments-subscriptions-and-billing)
- [Using Zello](https://support.zello.com/zw/using-zello?hsLang=en#main-content)

    - [Dispatch Hub](https://support.zello.com/zw/using-zello?hsLang=en#dispatch-hub)
    - [User Communications](https://support.zello.com/zw/using-zello?hsLang=en#user-communications)
    - [Channels](https://support.zello.com/zw/using-zello?hsLang=en#channels)
    - [Settings](https://support.zello.com/zw/using-zello?hsLang=en#settings)
    - [Features](https://support.zello.com/zw/using-zello?hsLang=en#features)
    - [Windows PC App](https://support.zello.com/zw/using-zello?hsLang=en#windows-pc-app)
- [Accessories](https://support.zello.com/zw/accessories?hsLang=en#main-content)

    - [Rugged/Specialized Phones](https://support.zello.com/zw/accessories?hsLang=en#rugged-specialized-phones)
    - [Network Radios](https://support.zello.com/zw/accessories?hsLang=en#network-radios)
    - [Headsets](https://support.zello.com/zw/accessories?hsLang=en#headsets)
    - [Speakers/Mics](https://support.zello.com/zw/accessories?hsLang=en#speakers-mics)
    - [Wireless Buttons](https://support.zello.com/zw/accessories?hsLang=en#wireless-buttons)
    - [Gateways](https://support.zello.com/zw/accessories?hsLang=en#gateways)
- [Partners & Developers](https://support.zello.com/zw/partners-developers?hsLang=en#main-content)

    - [Partnerships](https://support.zello.com/zw/partners-developers?hsLang=en#partnerships)
    - [New Mobile SDK (iOS, Android, React Native)](https://support.zello.com/zw/partners-developers?hsLang=en#new-mobile-sdk-ios-android-react-native)
    - [Legacy SDK (Android-Only)](https://support.zello.com/zw/partners-developers?hsLang=en#legacy-sdk-android-only)
    - [API and Integrations](https://support.zello.com/zw/partners-developers?hsLang=en#api-and-integrations)
- [FAQ](https://support.zello.com/zw/faq?hsLang=en#main-content)

    - [Functionality](https://support.zello.com/zw/faq?hsLang=en#functionality)
    - [Accessories](https://support.zello.com/zw/faq?hsLang=en#accessories)
    - [Troubleshooting](https://support.zello.com/zw/faq?hsLang=en#troubleshooting)
    - [Network](https://support.zello.com/zw/faq?hsLang=en#network)
    - [Compliance](https://support.zello.com/zw/faq?hsLang=en#compliance)
- [Videos](https://support.zello.com/zw/videos?hsLang=en#main-content)

    - [Android](https://support.zello.com/zw/videos?hsLang=en#android)
    - [Management Console](https://support.zello.com/zw/videos?hsLang=en#management-console)
    - [iOS](https://support.zello.com/zw/videos?hsLang=en#ios)
    - [Channels](https://support.zello.com/zw/videos?hsLang=en#channels)
    - [Dispatch Hub](https://support.zello.com/zw/videos?hsLang=en#dispatch-hub)

[![wordmark@2x](https://support.zello.com/hs-fs/hubfs/2024%20Trial%20series/wordmark@2x.png?width=92&height=16&name=wordmark@2x.png "wordmark@2x")](https://zello.com)

Zello Inc Help Center

Copyright © 2025, Zello