Can we disable Beidou in iPhone?

I am hesitate to upgrade my iPhone due to hesitation of Beidou service. Is there any chance that through the iOS update or the new model could enable us to disable a selected locations service providers?

iPhone SE

Posted on Jul 28, 2021 11:51 PM

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Posted on Aug 2, 2021 6:37 AM

There really is nothing to disable. An iPhone doesn’t transmit anything to any satellite navigation system. The aGPS system only receives information from the various satellite systems to determine location coordinates. GPS and location services are purely passive systems. They just receive data without transmitting anything.


The system will accept data from any available satellite system - whatever is overhead and available and is transmitting data. Just as it will simultaneously use cell tower data and BT micro-beacon data, if available. So there are no settings for iOS location services other than turning it on or off and limiting what apps or iOS services can access it.

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Aug 2, 2021 6:37 AM in response to clkbrian

There really is nothing to disable. An iPhone doesn’t transmit anything to any satellite navigation system. The aGPS system only receives information from the various satellite systems to determine location coordinates. GPS and location services are purely passive systems. They just receive data without transmitting anything.


The system will accept data from any available satellite system - whatever is overhead and available and is transmitting data. Just as it will simultaneously use cell tower data and BT micro-beacon data, if available. So there are no settings for iOS location services other than turning it on or off and limiting what apps or iOS services can access it.

Jul 30, 2021 7:22 AM in response to clkbrian

Hello clkbrian,


Thanks for using Apple Support Communities! We see you have a question about Location Services that Apple uses, and we'd like to do what we can to help.


Looking at the iPhone 12 Pro Max - Technical Specifications, for example, you'll see that Beidou is one of the Location sources used:

"Built-in GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, and BeiDou

Digital compass

Wi‑Fi

Cellular

iBeacon microlocation"


Here's information on Location Services & Privacy

If desired, you can Turn Location Services and GPS on or off on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch


Take care!

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Can we disable Beidou in iPhone?

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