Anyone seeing crazy GPS readings?

I have experienced this exact issue multiple times. I will be using navigation and suddenly the maps are jumping around, saying I’m somewhere other than where I am. Very frustrating. I’ve turned my phone off/on. Checked location services, etc. Can’t find a solution. Any other thought what it could be—could it be issues with my provider? Never experienced this until I updated my phone from an 11 to 14

Hello Tom Wolsky,

Welcome to Apple Support Communities. 

We understand that when using Maps or Google Maps, the location is not reporting correctly. We are happy to help.

Many times restarting your device can resolve many concerns. Let’s start by restarting your iPhone using the steps here: Restart your iPhone - Apple Support

"How to restart your iPhone X, 11, 12, 13, or later

1. Press and hold either volume button and the side button until the power-off slider appears.

2. Drag the slider, then wait 30 seconds for your device to turn off. If your device is frozen or unresponsive, force restart your device.

3. To turn your device back on, press and hold the side button (on the right side of your iPhone) until you see the Apple logo.

How to restart your iPhone 6, 7, 8, or SE (2nd or 3rd generation)

1. Press and hold the side button until the power-off slider appears.

2. Drag the slider, then wait 30 seconds for your device to turn off. If your device is frozen or unresponsive, force restart your device.

3. To turn your device back on, press and hold the side button until you see the Apple logo.

How to restart your iPhone SE (1st generation), 5, or earlier

1. Press and hold the top button until the power-off slider appears.

2. Drag the slider, then wait 30 seconds for your device to turn off. If your device is frozen or unresponsive, force restart your device.

3. To turn your device back on, press and hold the top button until you see the Apple logo."

Please make sure that Location Services has been turned on using the steps here: Turn Location Services and GPS on or off on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch - Apple Support

"How to turn Location Services on or off for specific apps

1. Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services.
2. Make sure that Location Services is on.
3. Scroll down to find the app.
4. Tap the app and select an option:

• Never: Prevents access to Location Services information.
• Ask Next Time Or When I Share: This allows you to choose Always While Using App, Allow Once, or Don't Allow.
• While Using the App: Allows access to Location Services only when the app or one of its features is visible on screen. If an app is set to While Using the App, you might see your status bar turn blue with a message that an app is actively using your location.
• Always: Allows access to your location even when the app is in the background.

From here, apps should provide an explanation of how the app will use your location information. Some apps might offer only two options."

If no resolution, please try the steps here: If Maps isn't working on your Apple device - Apple Support

"If you can't find your current location on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch

• Turn on Location Services and Location Access for Maps. In the Settings app, tap Privacy & Security, then tap Location Services. Make sure Location Services is on, and Maps is set to While Using the App or Widgets.
• Set the date, time, and time zone correctly on your device. In the Settings app, tap General, then tap Date & Time. If possible, turn on Set Automatically.
• Turn on cellular data or Wi-Fi so that you have an active connection. In the Settings app, tap Wi-Fi or Cellular, then select a network or cellular plan.

Location Services uses GPS, Bluetooth, crowd-sourced Wi-Fi hotspots, and cellular towers to determine your location. If you still can't find your current location in Maps, close the Maps app and reopen it. You can also try to restart your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch.

Learn more about Location Services on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch."

These steps may help. Let us know if you have further questions.

Take care.

Wi-Fi improves the accuracy of GPS even when not connected; it “knows” the location of millions of of GPS hot spots around the world, and “listens” for them when navigating, without connecting. When a hotspot is moved it will sometimes give wrong location data until its location is updated; this is done by comparing the Wi-Fi location to the location measured by the GPS satellites, and updating as needed.

But Wi-Fi is needed to assist GPS because GPS requires a clear enough view of the sky to receive at least 4 satellite signals (more is better), and can be blocked by foliage cover, heavy precipitation or tall buildings.

I shouldn’t have to ask you, but do you have Wi-Fi turned on?

As Apple Maps and Google Maps (and Waze and Find My) use the same location tracking source I would expect either all or none to work.

You can also download the free app “GPSDiagnostic” https://apps.apple.com/us/app/gps-diagnostic-satellite-test/id1020967894 to help troubleshoot.

As a completely different possibility, Solar storms are predicted for this weekend, which can interfere with GPS signals.