GPS inaccuracy across all apps

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Level 1

8 points

GPS inaccuracy across all apps

Over the past few weeks I've noticed that my iPhone 13 Pro (running fully up to date software as of today) keeps getting my location wrong on maps. It seems like it is generally able to tell what direction I'm traveling in, but is around 100ft off from where I actually am. When I use any app (Google Maps, Apple Maps, Waze etc) for driving directions, this manifests in the GPS constantly trying to reroute me to the actual path from wherever it thinks I am ~50-100ft away. I've included a screen recording of this behavior while I was on a train: (just close the 'sign up' prompt window to view the video). The green line is the train that I was sitting on, and for the first few seconds of the video you'll see that it had my location right, but then it just goes off to the side, still following the general direction of the route but still significantly inaccurate.

I've tried everything from switching airplane mode on and off, turning location services on and off, resetting network settings. Nothing seems to fix the problem, and there's no telling when the problem will manifest. Could this be a hardware issue, or are there other steps I could be trying?

Thanks in advance for your help.

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iPhone 13 Pro

Posted on Jan 16, 2022 9:10 AM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Lawrence Finch

Level 10

229,276 points

Jan 16, 2022 9:16 AM in response to ani krishnan

When you are on a train, if the train has Wi-Fi it will attempt to use the location of that Wi-Fi as a reference point. Also, if it is receiving a GPS signal, it is probably only receiving 3 satellites because you are inside a metal container that will block all directions except the window view, and it needs 4 to get 10 meter accuracy.

For an accurate test try standing outside with a clear view of the sky. And in your car put the phone as close to the windshield as possible. And if you have heavily tinted windows that can block satellite signals also.

But, as all map apps use the same data the error is expected to be the same for all of them.

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Answer 2

ani krishnan Author

Level 1

8 points

Jan 16, 2022 9:33 AM in response to Lawrence Finch

Thanks for your response. I only shared the train example because I couldn’t record while driving. This problem happens regardless of whether I’m in a metal train carriage or in my car (untinted, phone mounted near windshield), at home, or standing outside with a clear view of the sky. As I mentioned, the error is significant enough for any map app to constantly try to reroute me because it thinks I’m somewhere else. And in the car there are no Wi-Fi networks for it to connect to. Also keep in mind I’m experiencing the issue even in airplane mode. Right now, I’m sitting at home and the blue dot keeps jumping between my actual location and somewhere 100ft east of that.

edit: should also mention that while driving I have a “control” device so to speak, in the form of my spouse’s iPhone 11. No such inaccuracies when we have to fall back on her phone for directions.

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Answer 3

Jan 16, 2022 10:34 AM in response to ani krishnan

Then you probably have a hardware problem. Use the Get Support link at the top of this page to contact Apple.

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GPS inaccuracy across all apps

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