Apple Device’s Locations are incorrect/changing?

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Apple Device’s Locations are incorrect/changing?

Currently using iOS 18.3.1 on my iPhone 13, and iOS 17.6.1 on my iPad Pro 6th gen. I have Verizon as my service provider.

Traveling from Long Island to Manhattan by train, I had been doing some work on my iPad and using my phone as a cellular hotspot. Turned on airplane mode on my iPad to save battery before entering the tunnel into Manhattan. I had received a call during the ride through the tunnel, answered with bad reception, and hung up shortly after while still in the tunnel. Occasionally I saw my reception was poor or even SOS.

I boarded another train that would take me to NJ, when I was asked by someone I share my location with where I was. While sitting on a train in Manhattan, my location on Find My, as well as Life360, was saying that multiple devices were going back and forth between NYC and somewhere just north of Philadelphia, so not close to my actual location at all.

I changed my Apple account password, and had 2FA on already. It took getting into NJ and turning my phone off and on again for everything to appear normal again.

Any reasonable explanation for this? If it’s just an issue with service and my location being undetectable because of being in tunnels, why did it put my location all the way over in Philadelphia?

iPhone 13, iOS 18

Posted on Mar 5, 2025 10:33 AM

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Answer 1

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SravanKrA

Community+ 2025

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Mar 6, 2025 1:18 AM in response to johnnybstacks

If the location of a person on Find My is constantly moving around, it typically indicates that their device has a poor or unstable internet connection. Find My relies on GPS, Wi-Fi, and cellular data to determine and share a device's location. When the connection is weak or inconsistent, the device may struggle to communicate its exact position, leading to erratic or fluctuating location updates.

Several factors can contribute to this issue, including:

Weak Cellular Signal – If the device is in an area with limited cellular coverage, such as indoors, underground, or in a remote location, it may not be able to send accurate location data consistently.
Unstable Wi-Fi Connection – If the device is connected to a weak or slow Wi-Fi network, the location updates may be delayed or inaccurate. This can happen in places with poor Wi-Fi signal strength or interference from other devices.
GPS Interference – GPS signals can be obstructed by tall buildings, tunnels, or heavy tree cover, causing the location to appear inconsistent or jump around on the map.
Low Battery Mode or Background App Restrictions – If the device is in Low Power Mode or if location services are restricted in the background, Find My may not refresh location data as frequently, leading to erratic movement on the map.
VPN or Location Spoofing Apps – If the person is using a VPN or location-altering software, it could cause Find My to display shifting locations.

To resolve the issue, the person should ensure they have a strong internet connection, disable Low Power Mode if active, and check that Find My has permission to access location services at all times. Restarting the device and toggling Airplane Mode on and off may also help stabilize the connection.

To use Find My and Location Services on an iPhone effectively, both your iPhone and the device you're trying to locate must have an active internet connection. These services rely on internet access to share your location with friends and family and to track the locations of devices, people, and items. Without internet connectivity on either end, the sharing and locating features of Find My and Location Services will not function properly.

If you connect to Wifi, doesn't necessarily mean you are connected to the internet. --> nternet not available WiFi and Cellular … - Apple Community

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Apple Device’s Locations are incorrect/changing?

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