iphone 13 pro max gps problems

Update 12/17

Apple has my log files and multiple screen recordings showing the problem, and it's been about 1 week since I've heard from anyone at Apple.

Instead of waiting for Apple to birth a magical solution, I went did a fresh install of iOS 15.2. I did not restore my data from an iCloud backup, so it's as if the phone has a clean version of IOS without any of my previous data and settings. It's been one week since the fresh install and I have not had any issues with GPS. It works great!

This is the same solution that Slick1978 deployed in his DEC 7 2021 post on this thread, and I can attest that this works for me as well. This leads me to believe the problem all along was a software bug and not the GPS hardware.

If you can't wait any longer on Apple for a software patch, I strongly suggest you use this solution (erase all content and settings; do not restore from iCloud backup). You will have to go through the serious pain and suffering of re-installing all of your apps. But, to me, it was worth the ROI of an accurate GPS experience. If you do any driving that requires turn-by-turn navigation, a malfunctioning GPS can be dangerous.

FWIW to anyone else considering this method, I completely erased my iPhone 13 Pro Max last night, did not restore from a backup and I did a test drive this morning and the GPS was still acting up just like before I wiped my phone. It didn't help me at all.

I also wiped it, went through the setup, then wiped it again and went through the setup a final time. Not restoring from backup either time.

I was hoping I would have the same luck as the other 2 posters, but that's not the case.

Just for comparison to anyone else, I have the blue iPhone 13 Pro Max on At&t in the US.

Just out of curiosity did you wipe the phone from settings or do a clean install using a pc/Mac? It’s strange because if it was hardware related the GPS wouldn’t work at all right? Or is that the issue you have?

I guess you’ll have to wait for Apple to get back to you.

What I did the first time when I made that post was that I did a clean install using a pc/mac, then I went through the setup assistant without restoring from a backup, but then I immediately did Erase All Content and Settings from the General > Reset menu. Then I went through the setup assistant again, and again I didn't restore from a backup. The second wipe is out of habit from old days in IT. After going through these 2 wipes and testing, GPS was just as bad as it was before.

Yesterday, I decided to do a clean install again using a pc/mac. This time I didn't do the 2nd wipe from the General menu. I haven't gone for a drive yet, but so far while sitting in my house, the GPS locks onto my location like it should. Before, I would just get the big circle that covers about 5 houses around me and it would never zoom all the way onto my house. So I'm optimistic now that it should work better while driving. It has only been 24 hours so far.

If this works, then it seems like doing the Erase All Content and Settings from General > Reset breaks GPS, even if you don't restore from a backup afterwards. If this is the step that breaks GPS, then I'm curious if someone tries doing the clean install from a pc/mac then restores from backup if that would work or not.

Same issue here. My wife and I also both got new iPhone 13s. Typically gps is off by a considerable distance when leaving home. Seems likely when going between 5G and Wi-Fi and can’t quite reset. Need to reboot or turn location services off and on to get gps accurate again. Never an issue with other iPhone versions I’ve had. I’m guessing if not hardware that it’s a software issue related to 5G. A huge hassle one a supposed upgraded phone

Update 12/27

I just returned from a 1500-mile trip where I heavily used GPS and turn-by-turn on the Google Maps app. I can confirm that my GPS issues remain resolved after my reset to factory settings on my iPhone 13 Pro Max on December 17.

Looks like I'm GPS recovered for 10-days and 1500 miles now! Thank you, GPS Anonymous and Slick1987, for your help!

I’ve updated to 15.2, did all the other “fixes” and my GPS on both Apple Maps and Google maps is wildly inaccurate. It’s causing serious problems with turn by turn directions. Apple needs to fix this. My husband has an ancient 6S and has no problems.

Updated to 15.2 last night, issues remain whether apple maps, google maps, or strava. both recording workouts on my watch or phone, GPS is not correct and relates the same issue as seen in the navigation applications. I have never hated a phone more than this 13 pro max and wish I kept my X at this point while apple has acknowledged nothing.

[Image Edited by Moderator to Remove Personal Information]

I am having the same issues. It is really dangerous. I needed to navigate to a doctor appointment and it was re-routing me like crazy. I was almost late to the appointment. I have screen recordings and screenshots of the apple/google maps. Restarting the phone is only a temporary fix.

Literally the same issue. This is really dangerous. It shows that I'm driving through houses and waterways. When you really need the GPS and it re-routes you 100 times--ESPECIALLY ON THE HIGHWAY. Apple really needs to address this before a serious accident occurs. I have screenshots and screen recordings as well.

So, after two weeks with one of apples distributors in the country I live in they told me on two separate occasions that after consultation with apple my phone works perfectly well and on both occasions I showed them proof of the contrary. After raising a massive fuss, I have been called back and told that my device would be replaced. Of course I will insist that we check that the gps works. If not, refund, and will wait until apple addresses this issue. Very frustrating that with all the resources and brand equity in the world, apple would be better served to face up with honesty and transparency. For now I will remain a client of apple but I must say that this incident has been a real disappointment.

I have the same issue. It happens on any gps app I use so it’s not the app and definitely the iPhone 13 pro itself. I have recorded how the gps is and talked to apple support but apple doesn’t believe it’s an issue with the phone itself which is absurd and annoying. Hoping for an update that fixes the gps accuracy

I did troubleshooting with Apple’s Senior support and had some interesting findings. At my house, if I completely disable cellular data and wait for it to drop and only use WiFi then Maps zooms in on my precise location.

If I turn off WiFi and only use cellular data then I get a large .25mi - 2mi radius circle and it never zooms in.

I’m on AT&T and I did the same test between 5G and LTE and that didn’t seem to make a difference.

After sending them diagnostic data, they’re saying it’s a carrier issue.

Hello everyone,

my iPhone once again came back for servicing from the apple distributor in my country, and again they described my phone as perfectly working. I had to once again convince management to take a car ride with me and to no surprise the gps continued not to work. After a few more days of back and forth, I received a new phone, one that works. It seems from the thread that 15.3 update hasn’t addressed the issue but it is looking more and more likely that it is a hardware issue in some phones. Good luck to everyone here and hope they are able to get a new phone or a refund. Apple, get on this.

Thank you Mike. Maybe the Apple support person can tell us the best process to follow. Should we all make genius appointments and try to get our phones replaced? Is it bad to share serial numbers on this thread. Maybe it was a batch of phones that had bad gps units? Were people early purchasers of the 13 pro? Seems like apple is not trying to get to the root so maybe we need to do some sleuthing of why we (and not the whole world of iPhone 13 buyers) are experiencing this.