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Level 1

25 points

GPS Not Working Abroad

Hi All, I'm currently in Europe and I'm having problems with the GPS; it is not working at all. I cannot get a location in any of my Apps with it. Whenever I try to use it, it searches for a minute and then I get a message saying "Your location could not be determined". I do have data roaming turned off, but I don't think it should matter for the GPS, I've used the GPS with the phone on airplane mode in the US before, and it's not working when I am connected to wifi.

Thanks for you help.

iPhone 3GS, iPhone OS 3.0

Posted on Aug 14, 2009 1:17 PM

36 replies

dave_59

Level 1

4 points

Aug 31, 2009 3:03 PM in response to ostiarius

I had the exact same problem. I went sailing in Washington and went into Airplane mode to avoid international charges. The GPS would only give me a fix for the last location I had the GPS turned on (Portland,Or). After I came back to the US, it started working again.

Dave

ostiarius Author

Level 1

25 points

Sep 2, 2009 7:15 AM in response to dave_59

While still in Airplane Mode?

Ruiner75

Level 1

0 points

Sep 5, 2009 7:28 AM in response to ostiarius

I'm experiencing the same problem. I'm abroad in germany with data roaming deactivated and GPS is not working with off-line apps (like Runkeeper). Prior to 3.0 OS GPS worked normally with data roaming set to off or in airplane mode. Verified both on 3G and 3GS phones so is a firmware related issue I believe.

Ruiner75

Level 1

0 points

Sep 5, 2009 10:20 AM in response to Ruiner75

I've just found out that if you are abroad with data roaming disabled and you switch off the 3G connectivity, the GPS will work again. Just tested this with an iPhone 3GS.

Nnnvcg

Level 1

20 points

Sep 5, 2009 11:15 AM in response to Simon201

Simon201,
actualy I think you'll find that the google earth app has gps and covers imagery of the sea

remainz

Level 1

0 points

Sep 14, 2009 6:03 AM in response to Nnnvcg

hi

I have the same problem. I bought my phone for two things, the phone not being one of them.
Firstly to use wifi from my pocket which is amazingly fast. 5 out of 5.
Secondly to have GPS when travelling. 2 out of 5.

Well I have to say that even at home in the UK when I have no reception I do not get any location with offmaps downloaded and 20 minutes of waiting under clear skies.
Ive just returned from Italy when I had data roaming off and got no location at any time until I turned it on. It then worked for half an hour after I turned it off again but then stopped again. I got charged 7 quid for 3 web pages on payg.

This is very anoying. Anyone who wants to buy an iphone for GPS and may need it abroad I suggest you dont or wait until they have fixed this. But knowing apple I doubt they will as its probably just doesnt work at all!

I have to say that I think this issue exists because GPS is not working on the iphone 3GS and only phone mast signal data works. So it will not work at all outside of your home country and signal area.

DO NOT BUY AN IPHONE FOR TRAVELLING!

GPS Not Working Abroad