Is GPS possible with a 3G iPhone used as iPod Touch (with no data plan)?

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Level 1

50 points

Is GPS possible with a 3G iPhone used as iPod Touch (with no data plan)?

Hi, I have a hand me down iPhone 3G and it is currently being used as an iPod Touch - no voice or data plan but has the original SIM card in it. I have purchased full GPS mapping applications that include all the maps (2 different products with 1 GB and 2 GB worth of map data). The GPS in the iPhone does not seem to work. In the 'CoPilot Live' application I receive the message 'Determining Current Location'. If I click on that message it brings me to a GPS Status screen indicating the 'GPS signal detected, determining position.'
My other GPS application (NDrive) - does something similar.
I understand that the iPhone uses assisted GPS but when the maps are already stored on the iPhone on these GPS applications - is there a way to just make the basic GPS work without having a data plan?
Garmin and other GPS companies use the basic GPS free satellites. Is there something blocking the basic GPS functionality working? Thanks

MacBook Pro 2.33 ghz, iOS 4, Logic 9, Final Cut Studio 3, Airport Extreme, Airport Express

Posted on Jul 17, 2010 9:18 PM

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Answer 1

Jul 17, 2010 9:23 PM in response to Joseph Rizzo

Although the iPhone includes A-GPS or assisted GPS, it includes a dedicated GPS receiver. A non-activated iPhone does not disable or prevent GPS access. The assisted part helps to speed up the initial GPS acquisition only. Since you don't have the assisted part unless you are connected to an available wi-fi network that is mapped with wi-fi mapped network the iPhone makes use of in addition to not having location assistance with cell towers, the the initial GPS acquisition will take longer - much longer than A-GPS.

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Answer 2

Joseph Rizzo Author

Level 1

50 points

Jul 17, 2010 9:40 PM in response to Allan Sampson

Allan, thanks for the info. I know in theory it should work but I have left these GPS mapping applications open for 2 hours and neither can get a lock on the current GPS position. (I drove around for 2 hours testing them both as well as just keeping the iPhone outside on my porch). I can understand that it will take longer to get a lock on the location - but if neither GPS application (CoPilot Live USA or NDrive) can work after that long a time period I have to assume that something is not working properly or something is blocking the basic GPS from working.
Is there any setting in the Network settings that you think would need to be changed?

Using iPhone 3G with Version 4.0.1 (8A306) iOS.

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Answer 3

Jul 17, 2010 9:45 PM in response to Joseph Rizzo

You're welcome.

I'm not aware of a setting to reset the GPS receiver.

There may be a hardware problem with the iPhone - with the GPS receiver.

If no change after restoring the iPhone with iTunes - as a new iPhone or not from the iPhone's backup, there may be a hardware problem with the receiver. Do you live near an Apple store? If so, you can make an appointment to have this checked - an Apple store has iPhone diagnostic equipment that should be able to determine if there is a problem with the GPS receiver.

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Answer 4

Serge_25

Level 1

0 points

Jul 21, 2010 7:28 AM in response to Joseph Rizzo

Ok - A couple of pointers with regards to running CoPilot Live on the 3G.

1) To help get an initial fix a data contract would be preferable as the device uses A-GPS in the first instance. This is not required subsequently
2) Without a data contract, you could take the following steps in getting the fix - On the iPhone go into: Settings> General> Location Services - Switch to On next to the CoPilot Live app

Hope this helps

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Answer 5

Joseph Rizzo Author

Level 1

50 points

Jul 25, 2010 12:37 PM in response to Serge_25

Hi, thanks for the information. I have performed a second restore of the iPhone 3G and set up a a 'new iPhone' without any backup. It is running the latest iOS 4.0.1 software. The GPS still does not function. I only loaded 2 full GPS applications the CoPilot Live USA and NDrive (two GPS applications that include full maps). The NDrive application can get a fix if I am still next to my home (via the wi-fi) connection but once I leave the wi-fi - it continually reports the message that it is trying to obtain GPS signal.
The CoPilot live application can't even get a fix when I am still connected to my home wireless network (note the Google maps application does get a general fix via the wi-fi). I do have the Location Services switched on - thus Google maps works via wi-fi, etc. The CoPilot live application will continually report that it is trying to determine the GPS location. I have left the unit outside with a clear view of the sky for several hours and neither application can get a GPS fix.

Since this is my 2nd full clean restore of the iPhone 3G I have to believe either 1) the GPS in the unit is broken or 2) It is intentionally disabled or crippled by the software so as not to function without a enabled SIM card.

It seems odd that the GPS in the unit would be the only thing broken - while wi-fi, bluetooth, everything else functions ok. I will try to bring it to an Apple store soon and see if they can indeed verify that the GPS in the unit is broken.

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Answer 6

D.R.C.

Level 2

227 points

Jul 25, 2010 6:56 PM in response to Joseph Rizzo

@Joseph,
I can confirm that the GPS in the 3G will function in the absence of a SIM card. It will also function with a SIM card installed even if you are completely out of range of any cellular base station. I have used mine in Costa Rica, and while sailing around the Pacific well out of range of any cell towers.

On one trip, the A-GPS got confused due to a microcell that was on board the ship I was on, so I pulled the SIM card. The 3G then locked on to the birds with no problem. At the time, my gps app did not have any cached mapping data, but it happily tracked my location, displayed lat & long, and recorded my tracks. I would display the track in real-time, but on a blank screen! When I got home, I was then able to view the tracks overlaid on map data obtained over wifi.

I did encounter some glitches which I never did figure out. The on-board microcell really messed around with the A-GPS -- it seemed to think we were still in the port where the unit first saw the microcell, even as we were sailing down the Pacific coast. Eventually, I figured out to pull the SIM card. I remember putting it into Airplane mode and back a few times to reset the radios.

Good luck.

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