Level 1

56 points

Location GPS not working during navigation - iPhone 17 Pro

I am experiencing very poor GPS location accuracy when using any and all navigation apps (Apple Maps/Google Maps/Waze). This happens when the app is run natively (not using CarPlay)

Things I have tried:

Reset network settings

Reset location settings

Restored handset and then used a backup of the handset from cloud

Restored handset and wiped phone (no backup used)

**Replaced phone** I thought the handset maybe faulty so replaced it with a new iPhone 17 Pro

To elaborate on the problem - Waze will say it’s trying to connect to GPS and doesn’t

When Apple Maps is running I see GPS symbol (arrow at the top) appear and disappear sporadically

Whichever navigation app you use, you do not get turn by turn navigation and the map updates based on an estimate of where you are - this is slow and sometimes massively inaccurate

I’m flat out of ideas. This is my first iPhone ever (I’ve always had an android in the past) so you might understand why I am disappointed with this.

In store, the customer assistants I asked said this was not a problem they had seen on the 17 pro.

Is anyone else having this problem? Or does anyone have a solution?

iPhone 17 Pro, iOS 26

Posted on Oct 30, 2025 12:51 PM

Top-ranking reply

VDDKKL

Level 1

14 points

Posted on Nov 21, 2025 12:16 AM

I have a new 17pro max 2T with eSim, never dropped the phone, never gone into water either. Having the same problem with weak GPS signal, causing problem with map navigation. I've tried everything I can including updating software, restart, turning on and off airplane mode, location button, precise location button, wifi, reinstall the apps, network reset, reset the phone, removing phone case, installing different sim cards, dial *3001#12345#* to have a complete network signal table, ... nothing worked out. So, at last, I went to Apple genius bar to replace a new PCB Circuitry Board (they refused to replace a new phone), and I went to service provider and replace a physical sim card (though they say it's the same), and now, the phone is working with all maps. Having to pay the money, and still have to go through all these is ridiculous ... !

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98 replies

Dec 6, 2025 10:47 AM in response to Michael Blazer

Hi,

the issue with GPS not working started when I updated from 18 to 26, and now persist with 26.1

I power cycle the phone to correct the issue but it stops working soon after, the same day.

I did notice that the issue occurs much more often when in areas with low or no cellular reception.

Nov 6, 2025 3:56 AM in response to Michael Blazer

My friend’s iPhone 12 was on 18.7.1. Your theory holds. Seems to be 26/26.0.1 issue.

Nov 13, 2025 12:21 PM in response to DaZhiMa

All mapping apps, Google, Apple, Waze, business apps that track you, or any other use the same GPS module in the iPhone, so any problem with one will be a problem with all.

Nov 13, 2025 1:54 PM in response to ahmedre88

iOS 26.1 has fixed this for me!

Nov 17, 2025 5:53 PM in response to ahmedre88

I recently Upgraded from a 14 Pro that was running IOS 26.1 to an 17 pro I was experiencing this in all nav apps I also replaced my handset and the issue still persists.

Nov 5, 2025 7:39 AM in response to ahmedre88

I have the exact same issue. I am located in Central Europe. Where I had no issues two weeks ago with my 12 Mini Waze on my Air sometimes randomly drops gps after few minutes of working just fine. Restarting helps, so does waiting another 5-10 minutes. I am kind of glad I read here the issue is not just about Air but other phones also. I hope it is just software issue that will be fixed soon.

A_W_B

Level 1

14 points

Nov 5, 2025 9:39 AM in response to ahmedre88

Same issue - UK based - iPhone 17 pro. iPhone 14 was working fine until I switched to the 17 a couple of weeks ago.

Navigation apps just freeze and say no GPS etc.

Saw a post about making sure the phone isn’t in a case or mag case - tried that, same issue.

Nov 5, 2025 10:33 AM in response to Michael Blazer

The Mini is on 26.0.1. I do not think it was updated since I replaced it but I could be wrong about that. But I was on last 3 public betas of iOS 26 on that mini and I did not notice any GPS malfunctions.

Nov 5, 2025 10:35 AM in response to A_W_B

Agree. It is not case issue. Or car issue. Or carrier issue (which has nothing to do with GPS). Nor is it location issue. I drive the same route, same car, just Air instead 12 Mini. GPS just randomly drops.

Nov 6, 2025 7:13 AM in response to Lawrence Finch

Fair, I just meant the users in this chat as everyone. No I do not have a VPN. And as other users report it works fine and then catches and the location doesn’t move at all. At first I could switch between navigation apps and continue but now when it happens it persists through all navigation apps. I’ve tried deleting and reinstalling the navigation apps to no avail. I’ve found restarting the device the only method to temporarily resolve the issue.

Nov 8, 2025 9:09 AM in response to ahmedre88

Same issue using iPhone 16pro max 1tb. Apple Maps just doesn’t work at all, displays a map of the USA without ever discovering the gps location. Switched to Google Maps, either freezes, loses the navigation coordinates or shows no lines and no vocalization. Absolutely horrendous..

Nov 8, 2025 1:26 PM in response to Brian Rossman

Exactly the same with me. And I’m on ios26 on iPhone 17. Driving with Google Maps and all of the sudden it is no longer updating where I am on the map. Same with Maps and Waze. If I pull over and restart the phone it’s good to go. But then also only works correctly for about 10 mins. Then freezes again.

The weird thing for me though, is that I have had this phone on iOS 26 for about 2 weeks and this issue only started appearing 3 days ago. I can understand if this problem started as soon as I got the new phone. But why would it seemingly out of the blue start this issue?

Nov 9, 2025 10:08 AM in response to beninmsp

I have had the new iphone every year for the past 10+ years, this is the first time in awhile I've had such serious issues on early days of launch. Just before my iphone 16 pro was working fine, navigating no issues. Upon switching to iphone 17 pro i have had issues every single time I'm in the car using google maps or waze. The lag and navigation issues are night and day compared to few weeks ago when I had my iphone 16 pro eveything was working fine. This is completely unacceptable, if anyone has a fix please let me know.

Nov 9, 2025 8:17 PM in response to ahmedre88

I’m having the same issue, started with iOS 26. I’m on iPhone 17 Pro in Seattle, WA.

I’ll be navigating with Apple Maps in CarPlay and I will notice that the map hasn’t been moving, and it thinks I’ve stopped moving.

Restarting the phone is also the only thing I’ve found to fix.

Nov 10, 2025 4:51 PM in response to ahmedre88

The same thing is happening to me. It’s getting very annoying. I have the iPhone 17 Pro Max. I’ll be in the middle of driving and pass right by everything and won’t even notice because it won’t even update. On my iPhone 16e no issues there must be something either with the phone or the software.

Location GPS not working during navigation - iPhone 17 Pro