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Anyone know if the GPS works in Flight Mode on the 4?

I am flying to Chicago in the morning and I'd love to be able to watch my track to match up what I see with what's on a map. I've always wanted to do this. Does it work on the 4?

Thanks.

clone, Windows 7, none

Posted on Jul 18, 2010 9:28 PM

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30 replies

Jul 18, 2010 9:47 PM in response to StevenB4

StevenB4 wrote:
hmm According to this, GPS is disabled in airplane mode

http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1355

I switched on airplane mode on my phone and it appears gps is still working


Well of course, when you switch to airplane mode, everything is disabled, wi-fi is turned off, bluetooth is off.

But you can still turn on wi-fi even if it is in airplane mode.

Also even if you are in an airplane mode, the app "Map" will still show pictures, you can still scroll around, zoom in and out, but what it will not do is, that it will not find locations if you don't have wi-fi on.

Jul 19, 2010 5:17 AM in response to Kwopau

Sitting at home with Airplane Mode on and Wi-Fi specifically turned on, the GPS does not work for me. The indicator spins and spins and then I get a message that tat says something to the effect that your location can't be found.

I was hoping that the phone would/could use the GPS sats and wi-fi to provide location but it doesn't seem to work.

Jul 19, 2010 5:29 AM in response to Rick Wilson

What the **** does wifi has to do with gps in the first place? You need the gps radio to work which requires CLEAR SKY above the phone, and I doubt you could take the phone out while flying, but you can try.

Wifi is only required to maps to download pictures, but if you use TomTom's gps app or Igo you don't need wifi.

Jul 19, 2010 5:45 PM in response to Etek

Well, wifi is how one gets the maps using the Maps app on the iphone. The iphone's location services gets it's location by using a combination of wifi locations, cell towers and GPS sats.

One of the reasons I'd be interested in using Airplane mode and allow location services to work is so that when traveling outside the country, the phone could be used with all of its capabilities with the exception of cell data and calling (international calling and data roaming) which is expensive. Then it could also be used as a GPS and display one's location, etc. For calls, one could use Toktumi ($14.95 per month) and have a phone using wifi that would be free of extra charges when used to call the US.

I wonder if Location Services works with the sim card removed? I haven't tried that.

Jul 19, 2010 5:54 PM in response to sperkinsCIO

sperkinsCIO wrote:
I am flying to Chicago in the morning and I'd love to be able to watch my track to match up what I see with what's on a map. I've always wanted to do this. Does it work on the 4?

The built-in GPS CANNOT work on a plane if you follow the rules and turn on Airplane mode, as the maps are downloaded over the air as needed. Which means you need a 3G signal (which is illegal on a plane) or WiFi, which will only work if the plane has a hotspot on board. Very few do, and those that do charge for it.

Jul 19, 2010 6:08 PM in response to Lawrence Finch

If you buy the Tom Tom or Navigon app, the maps are stored in the phone. So in that case, wifi off would be OK. However, location services must be on and working.

Removing the plane from the equation, how would one turn the phone off to prevent making or receiving calls, prevent getting data from cell towers BUT still be able to use wifi, the location services functions, camera, ipod, apps, etc.?

Anyone know if the GPS works in Flight Mode on the 4?

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