Apple, Google Maps locations are not accurate

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Level 1

14 points

Apple, Google Maps locations are not accurate

I have an iPhone 12. When I use Apple Maps or Google Maps, the map lags behind my actual location by 30-50 feet, enough that I am often through an intersection before the map shows me arriving at it. This is particularly frustrating if I am using driving directions in unfamiliar places. If I increase the map zoom to maximum, my vehicle often appears beside the road I am driving on. The inaccuracy does not appear to be confined to a single direction (e.g. north, south, east or west). The problem affects Apple Maps, Google Maps, and Waze equally.

Is this a known defect? Is there a solution? Should i exchange my phone?

iPhone 12

Posted on Nov 22, 2021 6:50 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

tgok23

Community Specialist

Nov 23, 2021 9:56 AM in response to pcd-in-61

pcd-in-61,

We appreciate this extra information! You've completed a lot of isolating steps for this issue. You'd also want to go to Settings > Privacy> Location Services, and check each app to see if Precise Location is enabled too.

We'd suggest contacting your provider to share your issue. They might have suggestions for you on which settings work best with their network.

If you continue to encounter this issue, you can contact Apple Support for further assistance here: Contact Apple Support. They'd be able to assist you with testing out your iPhone.

Take care

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Answer 2

pcd-in-61 Author

Level 1

14 points

Nov 23, 2021 8:41 AM in response to tgok23

tgok23,

Thank you for the suggested reading. I had reviewed this documentation prior to creating my post here. I am a longtime iPhone user, and this is the first phone - and carrier - that has demonstrated this defect. I used an iPhone SE and iPhone 10 on Verizon Wireless, across multiple iOS versions without any problems. I switched to xfinity mobile a few months ago, and got an iPhone 12, which was on iOS 14, not iOS 15. The defect was present from the start. I have tried all of Apple's recommended troubleshooting recommendations except a complete device reset back to factory settings. I have resisted taking this last drastic step because I cannot imagine it will work, given that none of the other reset recommendations made any difference.

Is it possible that my iPhone's GPS itself is defective? Is there a way to test it other than using mapping apps?

Is it possible that my carrier - xfinity mobile - is at fault?

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Answer 3

tgok23

Community Specialist

Nov 23, 2021 8:04 AM in response to pcd-in-61

Hello, and welcome to Apple Support Communities pcd-in-61,

Thanks for posting! It sounds like you are having trouble with the GPS accuracy on your iPhone 12.

Let's see if the info in this guide helps you: About privacy and Location Services in iOS and iPadOS. We're offering this because it does explain Location Services. We'd like you to focus in on the section "How your device uses Location Services" because it lets you know that your location depends on data services which can change. It also explains how you should defer to posted signs if there is a difference from your iPhone to your actual location. There is even a suggestion included in "Improve GPS accuracy" which might make a difference as you use these apps.

We hope this helps you!

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Answer 4

Nov 23, 2021 10:45 AM in response to pcd-in-61

Do you have WiFi turned on? Having it on (even if not connected to a network) will noticeably improve the accuracy of your Location Services.

Have you updated to iOS 15?

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Answer 5

pcd-in-61 Author

Level 1

14 points

Nov 25, 2021 6:30 PM in response to IdrisSeabright

I have WiFi turned on.

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Apple, Google Maps locations are not accurate

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