Power Apps Map showing incorrect live location (always near Africa)

[Fonsi]

Hi everyone,

I’ve built a Power Apps map to display data points that consist of latitude and longitude values. In addition, I want users to be able to see their live location, so they can immediately view the data points closest to them.

From what I’ve learned through the community, the only way to achieve this (without using a location-based filter) is to use a Power Apps map and then embed it into a Power BI report.

Everything works as expected, except when the app asks to enable location access, the “live location” always shows somewhere near Africa, regardless of where the user actually is. I’ve now tested this on multiple phones, and the issue persists.

Has anyone experienced this or found a solution?

Thanks in advance!

[V-yubandi-msft]

Hi @Fonsi ,
If you receive any update or additional details from the team, please share them here. It will be helpful for other users as well.

Thank you.

[V-yubandi-msft]

Hi @Fonsi ,
Just to confirm, did you raise a support ticket? If not, please go ahead and create one. And if you get any feedback from the support team, sharing it here would be really helpful for others.

Thanks.

[Fonsi]

Hi @V-yubandi-msft 

I am not quite sure how to submit a support ticket. When i press "Submit ticket" i get forwarded to Microsoft Fabrics homepage. 

[V-yubandi-msft]

Hi @Fonsi ,
Apologies for the earlier confusion. Please refer to the official Microsoft documentation below, which clearly explains how to create a support ticket- Create a Fabric and Power BI Support Ticket - Power BI | Microsoft Learn

The article provides a detailed and easy-to-follow step-by-step guide.

I hope you find it helpful. Thank you for your time.

[V-yubandi-msft]

Hi @Fonsi ,

Thank you for providing the additional details and the screenshot, which helped clarify the situation.

Your device is sending the correct GPS values, so the Location function itself is working properly. The issue arises because the app is running inside Power BI, where Power Apps does not have access to certain device features, such as GPS. According to Microsoft’s documentation, the Power Apps visual has limited access to device capabilities when embedded in Power BI.

As a result, since the map control depends on the device’s live location, it cannot retrieve it in this embedded environment and defaults to coordinates (0,0), which is why the map centers near West Africa.

If using live location is important for your scenario, the app should be opened directly in Power Apps, where full device access is supported.

Helpful Reference: Power Apps visual for Power BI - Power Apps | Microsoft Learn

If you need further clarification or if we've missed any aspect of your scenario, please let us know with more details.

[Fonsi]

Hi @V-yubandi-msft 

That makes sense.

The only problem is that the screenshot is taken directly from within Power Apps. The Live location doesnt work in Power BI or Power Apps. It recieves the correct coordiantes, but still shows the live location at (0,0). 

[V-yubandi-msft]

Hi @Fonsi ,

Since the latitude and longitude shown on your label are correct, it confirms that both the device GPS and the Location function are working properly. The main issue seems to be that the Map control isn’t using these values correctly for the live location marker, causing it to default to (0,0).

It doesn’t look like a formula or configuration problem, especially since you’ve tested it on Power Apps, Power BI, and different devices with the same outcome.

Here are a couple of things to double check.

1. Make sure Show current location is enabled in the Map control settings

2. Test specifically in the Power Apps mobile app, where live location tends to be most reliable

If the blue dot remains at (0,0) despite correct location values, this could point to a limitation or bug in the Map control.

If so, consider submitting a support ticket to Microsoft so the product team can investigate further.
Microsoft Fabric Support and Status | Microsoft Fabric

Thanks for your time and for patiently checking all the details

[johnbarson5]

This usually happens when the app cannot correctly access the device’s GPS or location services. Showing a location near Africa typically means the latitude/longitude defaults to (0,0) — the “Null Island” coordinate.

A few things to check:

1. Device Location Settings – Make sure GPS/location services are enabled for the device and for Power Apps specifically.

2. Browser/Permissions – If you’re using a web browser, ensure it has permission to access location and that it’s not blocked by a firewall or privacy setting.

3. Power Apps Location Function – Use the Location.Latitude and Location.Longitude functions directly in your map control to test if the app is reading coordinates correctly.

4. Test on Different Network – Sometimes mobile networks or VPNs can interfere with accurate location detection.

If the app still defaults to Africa, try creating a simple test app that just displays Location.Latitude and Location.Longitude to verify the GPS is being read correctly. Once that works, connect it to the map.

[Fonsi]

Hi @johnbarson5 

Thanks for the input.

We’ve already tested that, location services and permissions are enabled, and the app actually shows the correct latitude and longitude values. We made a label like this in the top of the app: "Lat: " & Location.Latitude & " | Lon: " & Location.Longitude".

I have tried testing on desktop, Power BI mobile, Power apps and Power Apps on browser. 
So it looks like GPS itself works fine, but for some reason the map still defaults to Africa.
I will attach a screendump of my mapp with the label above it here. 

[johnbarson5]

This usually happens when the app cannot correctly access the device’s GPS or location services. Showing a location near Africa typically means the latitude/longitude defaults to (0,0) — the “Null Island” coordinate. A few things to check: Device Location Settings – Make sure GPS/location services are enabled for the device and for Power Apps specifically. Browser/Permissions – If you’re using a web browser, ensure it has permission to access location and that it’s not blocked by a firewall or privacy setting. Power Apps Location Function – Use the Location.Latitude and Location.Longitude functions directly in your map control to test if the app is reading coordinates correctly. Test on Different Network – Sometimes mobile networks or VPNs can interfere with accurate location detection. If the app still defaults to Africa, try creating a simple test app that just displays Location.Latitude and Location.Longitude to verify the GPS is being read correctly. Once that works, connect it to the map.

[lbendlin]

the coordinates return as (0,0) which is indeed off the coast of West Africa.

Trace your data and try to find where it is being dropped.

[Fonsi]

Thanks for your reply.
I’ve checked that part already, the app does receive the correct latitude and longitude values, i verified this  directly with a label "

"Lat: " & Location.Latitude & " | Lon: " & Location.Longitude".

It looks like the map control just ignores them and defaults to (0,0). So I don’t think the data is being dropped, but i also dont know what else it could be. 

[lbendlin]

If you use the same data in a Power BI map visual does it render correctly?

[Fonsi]

Every lat and lon coordinate renders correctly, it is only the live location in power apps i cant seem to fix. Hope that makes sense.