iOS 14 Local Network Privacy Feature – To Allow Apps Or Not?
Last updated on September 26th, 2020 at 07:46 pm
Posted in TILs by Tyrone on July 29, 2020
Facebook Local Network Access prompt in iOS 14.
A pop up is displayed the first time you open an app that performs such actions. You’re asked if you want give your permission. There are two binary options: Don’t Allow or OK!
Don’t worry if you’re not sure how to react. Any decision that you make can be undone later on in the Settings app.
However, if you’re really keen on privacy you might refuse the access in the first place.
If the app in question doesn’t work as you expect it to, you can follow the steps listed below and modify the permission in the Settings app.
How Does The Local Network Privacy Feature Work?
Apps that require local network access trigger a prompt the first time you open them. All the communication with the local network is blocked until you grant the permission.
If the app developer is proactive he will edit the pop up text and explain why the app requires local network access. Else, the standard text will be displayed:
‘Title: [app name] would like to find and connect to devices on your local network.
Body: This app will be able to discover and connect to devices on the networks you use.’
Conclusion: Hit ‘Don’t Allow’ or ‘OK’ to close the prompt and move on.
How To Edit Local Network Access
If you reconsider and want to change the permissions for one or more apps follow these steps:
- 1. Open Settings on your iPhone or iPad.
- 2. Scroll for Privacy.
- 3. Tap on Local Network.
- 4. Enable / Disable access to your local network for the listed apps.
Important: Be aware that most apps that require local network access, want to connect to other devices in order to provide all the advertised features. If you restrict access, the app in question might not work as it should.
What’s your take about this new Local Network access filer in iOS 14? Have you disallowed an app? Which one and why? Let us know in the comments section available below!
We’ve already reported about another new iOS 14 Privacy option that allows you to offer third party apps only Select Photos access. However, the most important new privacy enhancement in iOS 14 is the fact that you’re now able to only share your approximate location with apps that ask for your GPS coordinates, but don’t necessarily require your exact location.
Related: Fix for issue that prevents users from granting Facebook access to your local network!
I’m unable to allow Facebook videos to stream to chromecast, allow button is not showing up on the page…
Hi Martin. Open Settings -> Privacy -> Local Network -> Facebook (enable it). Does this fix it?
A potential fix has been found. Please check this article and let us know if you are able to solve it:
https://www.iphonetricks.org/how-to-allow-facebook-local-network-access/
That’s the wrong link (.org, not .com). You meant:
https://www.iphonetricks.org/how-to-allow-facebook-local-network-access/
That’s correct Jimothy. Thank you very much for pointing this out. It was a strange auto-fill. I corrected it!
Same issue with me. Ios14. No option to allow local network for Facebook
Shane, thanks for commenting. Can you delete and reinstall Facebook app on your iPhone to see if this solves the issue?
Reinstalled Facebook, reduced font size and still not able to see option to enable network.
Also switched of private address on wifi. No luck.
Shane, thanks for sharing your feedback. We’re waiting for Apple to provide a fix in an upcoming software update.
Hi, My Alexa app is not asking for access to local network, and There is not an option to toggle it on in the settings. What do I do? I cant Launch any skills in the Alexa app bc it says there is no Alexa enabled devices detected on my account. But I can Connect to the WiFi?? Help! Plz!
Thanks for reporting. Have you tried to offload the app and install it back to see if it triggers the Local Network permission request?
Me too
Doesn’t work for me
Kevin can you please be more specific. What doesn’t work?
Facebook does not pop up allowing me to enable or disable it…helpppppppppppppppp
Kevin does it help if you delete Facebook and reinstall it? Does Facebook show up now in Privacy -> Local Network ?
I tried deleting and reinstalling yesterday did nothing
I’m using iPhone 8
Kevin can you please try this and let us know if it works:
1. Open Settings on iPhone or iPad.
2. Tap on Wi-Fi.
3. Tap the blue ‘i’ icon next to your Wi-Fi networks name.
4. Disable ‘Private Address’.
Private Address is a new iOS 14 privacy feature that is enabled automatically. It assigns a different Mac address to your device every time it connects to a Wi-Fi network. This makes it less trackable but could interfere with Apple TV or Chromecast connectivity.
More details here: https://www.iphonetricks.org/how-to-turn-on-iphone-private-wi-fi-address/
Tried WiFi setting same issue.
Kevin we finally have the fix. Please check it out here. Scroll for fix No. 5: https://www.iphonetricks.org/how-to-allow-facebook-local-network-access/
I followed the directions and Facebook app does not appear in privacy list.
I subscribed to Bloomberg news, and downloaded their app. After update to iOS 14, upon opening the app, I got the generic message. I clicked don’t allow for now until I can find out why they want to access devices on my local network. I suspect it wants to use my LAN WiFi internet access.
Hi Nicholas. Good move. You can always give them access from the Settings app, so better double-check before. Let us know if you find the reason.
That did not work either.
Kevin the fix has been found. Please check option No. 5 at the end of this article:
https://www.iphonetricks.org/how-to-allow-facebook-local-network-access/
Did not work
Kevin, you sure that you’re doing it properly. Everyone else confirms that the fix works. You need to reduce the text size from Settings in order for the Facebook local network access screen to display full-screen and get access to the OK button. Also try in Settings -> Display & Brightness -> Text Size and reduce text size.
Same issue for me. Facebook doesn’t show up in local network apps
Thanks for your feedback John. Please attempt to reinstall Facebook on your device and see if it helps.
I read the precious comments. Having the same issue. Unable to enable local network access on FB. The pop-up does not scroll down to allow me to select. I already deleted the FB app and reinstalled… didnt help. Still can’t access : (
Maria thanks for commenting. Can you please mention what device you are using iPhone / iPad? What model?
I have an iphone7
Maria are you attempting to cast directly to your smart TV or using Apple TV?
same for mw facebook does not work im not deleting face book unless soome one says it fixes it
Hi James. Apparently it doesn’t fix it. Hold on, we are looking for other fixes. The problem is that we can’t replicate the issue on our own devices. This is why we need more info from you guys to see if we can distinguish a pattern. Please mention what iPhone or iPad model you’re using. Do you get the pop-up when you open Facebook for the first time after updating to iOS 14, that ask you to allow local network access?
i dleted and reinstalled the ap and it still does not aallow me to grant acess and cast videos to chromcast
Do you at least get the pop-up when you open Facebook, that asks you to grant permission for local network access?
got a pop up that just locked the page. when i opened netflix and you tube i got a different pop up to click grant permission which worked. The facebook was different and said i need to grant acess to my local network and it was froze
James thanks for the clarifications. We are looking into this and will update the article with a solution as soon as we find it.
I don’t get the popup from Facebook, very annoying!
Peter, are you on iPhone or iPad?
also thus only happened when i updated to os14 My phone is a I-phone se
Got it. Thanks for adding.
My facebook won’t now stream to my tv. I get a pic of 2 people watching football on the tv and the heading Allow local network access to watch videos on your TV. Under that it says … To cast to your TV, you need to give Facebook access to your local network. Once access has been given, you can tap the cast….and that is as far as it gets
David thanks for posting these details. We are looking into it and will update with a fix as soon as we find one.
Hi guys same problem no pop deleted and installed fb not showing in local network option on iPhone 7. Any help would really be apprecuated
Thanks for commenting Nicky. Apparently this is a widespread issue. As soon as we have a fix we will update this article. Thanks for your patience.
Same issue here on an iPhone 7. My in-laws phone. Get the photo of people watching tv. Started after the new software update.
I phone SE SAME issue. No scroll or close. Can’t see bottom of pop up page. No way to close. No button visible. Can’t mark under Privacy settings.
I am having the same issue on my Iphone. I have deleted the app several times and its not giving me the option to allow. I was able to chrome cast video’s from Facebook last week before the new update.
Forgot to mention my phone is iphone 6s.
Teresa we recommend you to update to iOS 14.0.1. The change log doesn’t mention any fix for this problem, but sometimes fixes are also included without to be mentioned. More details about iOS 14.0.1 are available here: https://www.iphonetricks.org/ios-14-0-1-software-update-includes-5-bug-fixes/
Would appreciate if you can let us know if the update patches the Facebook local network access issue.
I have done the ios 14.0.1 update. I deleted Facebook again and still can’t chrome cast. Just get a picture of 2 people sitting on a couch. Allow facebook to access your local network it is not giving me that option. Very annoying considering the last few weeks I have been able to cast from my phone on facebook to my TV.
Thanks for your reply. We’ve created a new topic that targets Facebook screencasting problem and encouraged users to post a fix if available.
Link available here: https://www.iphonetricks.org/how-to-allow-facebook-local-network-access/
It’s difficult for us to provide a solution because we can’t replicate the issue.
Anyone else allowing access, but the apps (Twitter, Insta, Facebook, etc) still aren’t working or refreshing feeds? I have an iPhone 7
Stacy thanks for sharing your experience. We can’t replicate this issue on our own devices. Have you updated to iOS 14.0.1?
I do have the updated iOS. I actually figured out if I go to Settings>WiFi>click on my WiFi network, and turn off the private address setting, it all works perfectly fine. Not sure what that even is, but my phone works now.
Thanks for letting us know. Wi-Fi private address is a new iOS 14 privacy feature that assigns a different Mac address for every Wi-Fi network that your device connects to making it less trackable. More details available here:
https://www.iphonetricks.org/how-to-turn-on-iphone-private-wi-fi-address/
With my iPadPro Facebook does not pop up to allow or disallow when I try to cast to AppleTV.
My iPhone 8 brings up the screen saying I need to give Facebook access but the message takes the entire screen and does not have the buttons to allow or not.
Larry thanks for letting us know. Can you attempt to bypass Apple TV and screencast directly to your smart TV?
No. My iPad has the symbol to tap to switch from iPad to another device but when you tap on it nothing happens.
Also, Facebook is not listed under Settings, Privacy, Local Network
I just figure it out…
in the Display and text size… just large font off, and choose a small text size.!!! Now U can see the entire screen with the “yes” button
thanks it fixed it
Thanks for confirming James.
YESSSSSSS!!! This was the problem! Fixed! Thank you!!’n
Thanks for confirming Dina! Enjoy!
Same problem …everything is ready… (privacy, permission) but the screen in fb, the one with a drawing of 2 persons with a tv in the background. and the message that says…” allow local network acces to watch videos on tv….” don’t scroll down to tap the “ok” button.
(iphone 6s and iphone 7 )
I just figure out…
in the Display and text size… just large font off, and choose a small text size.!!!
Great find Pacheco. Thanks for your feedback and for adding value to this topic. I will update the fix in the article.
Where is that in the iPhone Settings app?
accessibility/ Display and Text size/ larger text… set it to off…. and and then choose a small size text
Thanks again Pacheco we’ve update your fix in the content of the article. You’re a rockstar!
Same problem here. Everything worked fine until I install iOS 14 on my iPhone 8. Now I can not cast to my tv. Keep getting message to allow access to local network. Tried to access for Facebook bu no luck. Is there a way to to go back an uninstall iOS 14?
David the fix for this problem has been published here. Please check No. 5:
https://www.iphonetricks.org/how-to-allow-facebook-local-network-access/
I tried all the steps including step 5. Does not work on the latest iPad mini.
Nick. We’ve also updated step 6. The idea is to make the text display smaller and this will force the Facebook local network access screen to display properly and you’ll get the option to tap OK.
5 and 6 (definitely 6) together fixed the issue on my 8plus. Thank you!
You’re welcome CBM. Thanks for confirming!
My question disappeared but I tried the text reduction and found the button on the page with the two people on it clicked on it and everything fell into place can now cast from iPhone FB app. Thanks for help!!!!!
Kames you’re welcome. Thanks for confirming.
Thanks for the tip. The tip about text size resolved the issue for me. I had been very frustrated over this. Due to text size I was not seeing the option to select OK at the bottom.
Kevin thanks for confirming. Glad that we could help. Enjoy those videos!
I have the same problem the page is too big for my iPhone 7 can’t see the commands at the bottom so it freezes my Facebook every time i try to use it…
i have the settings right … hope they fix this soon!
Phyllissan, have you used tips No 5 and 6 from this troubleshooting guide? They will help you display the Facebook local network access permissions page correctly on your device: https://www.iphonetricks.org/how-to-allow-facebook-local-network-access/
Anyone have a ‘fix’ for the same issue on an IPAD? I’ve tried all of the above but nothing works.
Mary, what happens when you attempt to screencast from Facebook on iPad? Do you get the Local Network permission prompt? Please provide more details.
No, I do not get the Local Area Network prompt and it is not an option under the Privacy/Local Area Network setting.
The “TV” prompt/icon is in the upper right corner of the screen but nothing happens when I tap on it. 🤷♀️
Absolutely nothing is working for me and I have no software updates to fix any bugs. Also how do I get the Fb icon back on my screen
Mayrose, thanks for the feedback. To get the Facebook icon back to the Home Screen you need to swipe the pages until you reach the App Library. In the library look for the Facebook icon or use the search field to find it. Long-press on the icon and drag it back to the Home Screen. Let us know if this helps.
Software Update is available in Settings -> General -> Software Update, unless you’re not already running iOS 14.1.
I’m having the same problem with Whatsapp.
I have an iphone Xr and since upgrading to ios14.1 i cannot make whatsapp phonecalls.
Neither does Whatsapp appear in my Local Network so i can’t give it access.
Will the same fixes work ?
1) make text size smaller
2) delete Private Address in WIFI
any help greatly appreciated.>.!
Shane 2, thanks for commenting. This is the first report that we receive about WhatsApp. You can try the fixes out and let us know if they work. Also, as we speak iOS 14.2 has been released. We recommend you to update and confirm if this problem is solved: https://www.iphonetricks.org/ios-14-2-software-update-10-features-15-fixes/
I was having the same issue with WhatsApp, unable to receive calls while on my home WiFi network. I tried everything, WhatsApp help told me to do , 1) sign on /off from my WiFi network 2) turn phone on/off 3) check modem is on (duh) . I uninstalled and reinstalled the app and nothing changed . Off my WiFi network everything worked perfectly. That made me zoom in that some setting was causing an issue. Apple latest release went nutty with the privacy issue.
SOLUTION: Go to SETTINGS IN IOS -> PRIVACY -> WhatsApp swipe switch to ON (green) . Allowing access to local networks.
Al, thanks for your feedback. Yes, the WhatsApp local network access setting is available in Settings -> Privacy -> Local Network -> WhatsApp.
Help. Facebook doesn’t show up in local network apps, my phone is iphone x and it’s updated to ios 14.2
Mae, I suggest you to upgrade to iOS 14.3 and let us know if the problem is fixed.
Hi I didn’t allow my foxtel go app access to local network, now I need it to have access but it is not in the list !
Have you tried to delete the app and reinstall it? You might be able to re-trigger the Local Network permission request.