For Vicinity to detect proximity in the background, it needs specific location settings in iOS. Incorrect permissions are the most common reason alerts don't work.
Required permission: Always Allow
Vicinity needs Always Allow location access (not just While Using the App). This is the iOS permission that allows an app to check your location when it isn't actively open on screen — which is how background proximity detection works.
How to set Always Allow
- 1Open your iPhone's Settings app.
- 2Scroll down and tap Vicinity.
- 3Tap Location.
- 4Select Always.
- 5Make sure Precise Location is turned on.
iOS may periodically ask you to reduce an app's location access. If you tap "Change to While Using" by mistake, background proximity detection will stop working until you switch it back to Always.
Background App Refresh
Background App Refresh must be enabled for Vicinity to periodically check proximity. If iOS has turned this off to save battery, proximity alerts may be delayed or missed.
- 1Open Settings → General → Background App Refresh.
- 2Make sure the master toggle is on.
- 3Scroll to Vicinity and ensure it's enabled.