Tile Permission Settings

Tile collects location data exclusively for accurate finding. We don't share data unless you ask us to, and we won’t sell this data or use it for advertising purposes.

Required permissions and settings

iOS (Apple) devices:

The Tile app for iOS devices makes checking your permission settings easy.  To check that you have enabled permissions correctly:

1. In the Tile App, tap Settings.
2. Scroll down to and select Permissions Status.
3. You'll see a checkmark next to each permission setting if it is set up correctly.
4. If you see any permissions setting that have the Warning icon (exclamation point inside a triangle), tap the Warning icon. This brings you to your device settings where you can select the correct permission as listed below.

iOS Permissions:

• Bluetooth: Set OS-level permissions and App-level permissions to On so you can activate Tile enabled devices, ring Tiles within range, and update the location of your Tile.
• Location preferences: Set to Always to see the most up-to-date, accurate location of your Tile on a map and find your phone. Tile cannot guarantee accurate finding unless location preferences are set to Always.
• Background app refresh: Set to On so your things can be found and their locations will update even when the app is not open.
• Motion & Fitness: (Only applicable for Premium and Premium Protect subscribers. Set to On so Tile has access to sensor data to reduce “false alerts” when using Smart Alerts.)
• Notifications: Set to On so the Tile app can send you alerts for permission settings, battery level, and Notify When Found updates. Notifications are also necessary if you have Smart Alerts to let you know if you left a Tiled item behind.
• Focus modes: Beginning with Apple iOS 15, if you happen to be using a Focus mode, you need to check your device's Focus mode settings:
  • • On the iOS device home screen, tap Settings.
    • Scroll down to and select Focus.
    • If any of the Focus modes (Do Not Disturb, Work, Personal, and Sleep) show “Set Up”, that means Focus mode is not set up yet and there is no need for you to do anything for that mode.
    • If a Focus mode is already set up, and you would like to add Tile as an Allowed App:
      • • Tap the Focus mode that is already set up.
        • Under Allowed Notifications, tap Apps.
        • Tap Add App.
        • Scroll down to and select the Tile app.
        • Tap Done.
        • Force close the Tile app from the recent apps page and relaunch it so the changes take effect.
    • You will receive push notifications even if the Tile App is not allowed, you can just open the group notifications.

Android devices:

• Bluetooth: Set to On so you can activate Tile-enabled devices, ring Tiles within range, and update the location of your Tile.
• Location preferences: Set to Allow all the time to ring a Tile, use Tile's Find My Phone feature, and allow the Tile app to provide the most up-to-date location of your Tile on the map.
  • • Beginning with Android 12, set Location permissions to Precise to obtain a more accurate location.
• Notifications: Set to On so the Tile app can send you alerts for permission settings, battery level, and Notify When Found updates. Or, if you have Smart Alerts, notifications to let you know if you left a Tiled item behind.

Enable location services on your device

iOS Location Settings:

1. On your device home screen, tap Settings.
2. Scroll down to and select the Tile app.
3. Tap Location.
4. Select Always.
   • Location services must be set to "Always" for your Tile features to work accurately.
5. To allow Tile to obtain a more accurate location, you can also enable Precise Location from the screen.

Android Location Settings: 

Note: Each Android device may vary -- like Samsung vs Nexus -- so if you're unable to find your Location Services settings, see your phone's manual or support site.

1. Go to your device's Settings screen.
2. Tap Location.
3. For Pixel devices:
   • • Tap the Tile app.
     • Tap Allow all the time.
     • Toggle on Use precise location.
4. For Samsung devices:
   • • Tap App permissions.
     • Tap the Tile app.
     • Tap Allow all the time.
     • Toggle on Use precise location.

If you set location preferences to "While Using the App" or "Never", some Tile functions will not work

It is important that you set your permissions to Always to receive accurate location updates for your Tile. 

If location preferences are set to While Using the App, Tile will be able to perform some, but not all, of its main functions.

• The Tile app will still be able to ring your Tiled item if it is in range.
• The location of your Tile will only update if the Tile app is open and in range, or if the Tile comes within range of someone in the Tile Network.
• For iOS - If location is set to While Using the App, Tile will not be able to find your phone.

If location preferences are set to Never:

• The Tile app will still be able to ring an item within range for iOS devices, but it will not work for Android devices.
• The location of your Tile will only update if it comes into contact with another Tiler whose Tile app is running on their device.
• You will not be able to find your phone. 

Tile's Privacy Policy

To help ensure you can find items when they are lost, the Tile app will collect location data even when the app is closed or not in use. Tile won’t sell this data or use it for advertising purposes. See our Security and Privacy Policy and full Privacy Policy.