macOS Ventura 13.5 Breaks Location Services Permissions for Apps

The macOS Ventura 13.5 update that Apple released on July 24 has introduced a bug that affects location services.

macos 13 5 location services
Since July, there have been complaints from macOS Ventura users who updated to the new software and then were unable to access and control location permissions for first and third-party apps.

Under System Settings > Privacy and Security > Location Services, macOS Ventura 13.5 has no apps listed. Users are not able to toggle location services for apps on or off, nor can they see which apps have access to their location information at the current time.

If a newly installed app attempts to request location services, there is no option to enable it for that app, which limits the functionality of some apps that Mac users are attempting to access. The location bug has been present since macOS Ventura 13.5 was released, but it has gone under the radar, perhaps because a limited number of Mac apps request location access.

There is no fix for this bug and workarounds that users have tried have not helped. Apple will need to issue an update to macOS to restore the privacy settings to their original state.

There are no location services issues with the prior macOS Ventura 13.4 update nor with macOS Sonoma.

Related Forum: macOS Ventura

Top Rated Comments

Mr. Dee Avatar
20 weeks ago
And this is why I keep delaying my upgrades. Even when Apple software reaches GM, it’s still a beta for quite some time and that’s usually until the next release.
Score: 25 Votes (Like | Disagree)
goonie4life9 Avatar
20 weeks ago
Folks, not to fear, because Apple Support is on the case! Apple Support has OFFICIALLY CONFIRMED that this is not a bug, because if it was, Apple Support would know about it before any customer did, because Apple Support talks to millions of customers a minute. Now, to address this bug, you'll need to follow the standard troubleshooting steps. First, you'll need to backup and restore your Mac. If that doesn't work, you'll need to Reset Network Settings. If the issue persists, you'll need to Erase and Reinstall your Mac. DO NOT restore your Mac from a backup. If the issue continues, they'll need to gather logs and do an RTA to Engineering. Within 48 hr, Engineering will reply that they are aware of the issue, keep your software up to date, and Apple will provide no further troubleshooting for this issue.
Score: 24 Votes (Like | Disagree)
SilvioInfante Avatar
20 weeks ago
Once upon a time I would have run a macOS software update in the middle of a work day without thinking twice.

These days if I'm working on anything at all, I end up delaying updates for weeks or months. I can't just tolerate Apple's sloppiness and lack of attention today. Too disruptive to the workflow.
Score: 24 Votes (Like | Disagree)
till Avatar
20 weeks ago
Always a little surprised at the kind of bugs that slip out from giant companies like Apple, with dedicated QA teams. This is the kind of thing that could be caught with automated testing.
Score: 22 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Bustycat Avatar
20 weeks ago
It may be a feature for Apple so you're using it wrong
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
svenmany Avatar
20 weeks ago

Folks, not to fear, because Apple Support is on the case! Apple Support has OFFICIALLY CONFIRMED that this is not a bug, because if it was, Apple Support would know about it before any customer did, because Apple Support talks to millions of customers a minute. Now, to address this bug, you'll need to follow the standard troubleshooting steps. First, you'll need to backup and restore your Mac. If that doesn't work, you'll need to Reset Network Settings. If the issue persists, you'll need to Erase and Reinstall your Mac. DO NOT restore your Mac from a backup. If the issue continues, they'll need to gather logs and do an RTA to Engineering. Within 48 hr, Engineering will reply that they are aware of the issue, keep your software up to date, and Apple will provide no further troubleshooting for this issue.
LOL

On the "officially confirmed" part of this post (which I assume was meant to be humorous), I did call Apple support and they quickly confirmed that it was a bug and that they were working on it (but keeping, vewy, vewy quiet about it).

On the official Apple support forums, a volunteer moderator said it wasn't a bug. I'm not aware of any other assertions to that effect. That moderator has received quite a bit of criticism.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iPhone 15 General Feature Black

New iOS Features Coming in 2024 for Messages, Apple Music, and More

Thursday December 28, 2023 7:30 am PST by
2024 is just a few days away, and there are many iOS 17 and iOS 18 features that are expected to launch throughout the year. Below, we have recapped new iOS features expected in 2024, including Stolen Device Protection, collaborative Apple Music playlists, AirPlay on hotel room TVs, app sideloading in the EU, next-generation CarPlay, roadside assistance via satellite outside of the U.S., RCS ...
iOS 17

iOS 17.3 Will Add These Two Useful Features to Your iPhone

Sunday December 24, 2023 8:59 am PST by
Apple released the first beta of iOS 17.3 earlier this month, and the upcoming software update includes two new features so far. iOS 17.3 will likely be released in January like iOS 16.3 and iOS 15.3 were, but February is also a possibility if testing is prolonged. Below, we provide additional details about the new features in iOS 17.3 so far. Stolen Device Protection Earlier this...
iPhone 17 Five Features Header

iPhone 17: Five Features Apple Plans to Save for 2025

Thursday December 28, 2023 2:00 am PST by
Apple's iPhone development roadmap runs several years into the future and the company is continually working with suppliers on several successive iPhone models concurrently, which is why we sometimes get rumored feature leaks so far ahead of launch. The iPhone 17 series is no different, and already we have some idea of what to expect from Apple's 2025 smartphone lineup. If you plan to skip...
Mac Gaming

Apple Discusses Push Towards High-End Mac Gaming in New Interview

Thursday December 28, 2023 6:19 am PST by
Inverse's Raymond Wong today published an in-depth overview of Apple's increasing push towards high-end gaming on the Mac. The story includes commentary from Apple marketing managers Gordon Keppel and Leland Martin. One of the biggest reasons that gaming has improved on the Mac in recent years is the switch from Intel processors to Apple silicon, resulting in MacBooks providing...
Apple Watch Series 9

Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 Available in Apple Stores Starting Today, Online Sales to Resume Tomorrow

Wednesday December 27, 2023 2:28 pm PST by
Apple Watch Series 9 and the Apple Watch Ultra 2 are back in some of Apple's retail stores in the United States today, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Select stores will have availability today, while all stores will have the Apple Watch models back in stock by December 30. Online sales of the devices are set to resume tomorrow by 12:00 p.m. Pacific Time. Apple is able to begin selling ...
iPhone 15 Blue Three Quarters Perspective Camera Closeup Feature

6 Essential iPhone Camera Tips for Taking Great Photos

Tuesday December 26, 2023 3:00 am PST by
Apple's iPhones include several headline camera features that are worth using, such as Portrait Mode and Photographic Styles. But if all you want to use is the standard photo mode, there are still several tools and settings that can improve the composition of your pictures and help you capture the perfect shot using more traditional techniques. Whether you are the owner of a new iPhone or a...
Apple Watch Series 9

Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 Sales Ban Paused by US Appeals Court

Wednesday December 27, 2023 8:49 am PST by
The ban on imports of Apple Watch Series 9 and Apple Watch Ultra 2 models has today been temporarily paused, meaning that the devices can now go back on sale for a short while longer in the United States. Apple filed an emergency request to the United States Court of Appeals following President Biden's decision to decline a veto on the sales ban, allowing it to take effect earlier this week. ...