GPS tracking inaccurate after iOS 26

Question

elbenoit Author

Level 1

24 points

GPS tracking inaccurate after iOS 26

GPS broken in iOS 26

I use Nike Run Club (NRC) to track my outdoor run distance duration and pace.

After updating to iOS 26, iPhone 14 pro tracking distance is now completely wrong.

A mile plus run is being shown as completing only half a mile. This is totally inaccurate.

A phone restart sometimes resolves the problem and sometimes it does not.

The problem started immediately after the iOS 26 update.

The issue is not the area I am running in which is un-obscured by buildings, trees etc, so please don’t bother trying to tell me it is a satellite related problem.

iPhone 14 Pro

Posted on Feb 6, 2026 9:34 AM

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Answer 1

LD150

Level 10

102,054 points

Feb 6, 2026 9:48 AM in response to elbenoit

Standalone iphone, or apple watch workout?

Use a standard Outdoor run workout instead. If that is accurate then the fault lies with the nike app.

If just as inaccurate then uninstall NRC and try again.

If still inaccurate have your device checked.

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Answer 2

Jeff Donald

Level 8

45,948 points

Feb 6, 2026 11:15 AM in response to elbenoit

Hardware could have had a firmware update. App may not be updated yet to be compatible with firmware update.

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Answer 3

LD150

Level 10

102,054 points

Feb 6, 2026 11:35 AM in response to elbenoit

elbenoit wrote:

..Appreciate the attempt to assist, but use logic please.

Phone hardware - no

NCR app - no

iOS - yes.

If you want to trade qualifications I have been running for 40 years, with various tracking devices in the later years. And I've been diagnosing on here for 13+ years.

If you come here with a closed mind there is no helping you

So

Phone hardware - possibly

NCR app - possibly

iOS - possibly

Please Try Strava. Is it accurate?

Yes -it's NRC at fault

No -it's probably your phone gps

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Answer 4

Jeff Donald

Level 8

45,948 points

Feb 6, 2026 10:00 AM in response to elbenoit

When was the last time you recalibrated your Watch? iPhones cannot be calibrated for outdoor run workouts. Any kind of calibration would be through the Nike app. Have you talked to the Nike app’s support team?

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Answer 5

elbenoit Author

Level 1

24 points

Feb 6, 2026 10:44 AM in response to LD150

As I said in my initial post, it's an iPhone 14 pro running the latest NRC app and iOS 26.2, not a watch.

I run 3-5 days a week. Zero problem tracking distance and pace until the iOS 26 update.

I know my routes distances, durations and pace. I've been running them for years.

You don't suddenly go from a 8 to 9 min mile on 4 mile run, then update your phone OS and cover the same route and see a 23 min mile and .75 mile run.

iOS 26 is broken, but thanks for trying to help.

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Answer 6

LD150

Level 10

102,054 points

Feb 6, 2026 10:57 AM in response to elbenoit

elbenoit wrote:

As I said in my initial post, it's an iPhone 14 pro running the latest NRC app and iOS 26.2, not a watch.

I run 3-5 days a week. Zero problem tracking distance and pace until the iOS 26 update.

I know my routes distances, durations and pace. I've been running them for years.

You don't suddenly go from a 8 to 9 min mile on 4 mile run, then update your phone OS and cover the same route and see a 23 min mile and .75 mile run.

iOS 26 is broken, but thanks for trying to help.

Until you try my suggestions in principle it cannot possibly help. If you don't have a watch install Strava instead of NRC, and check accuracy.

You must isolate the phone's gps as a possible cause and that means eliminating NRC.

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Answer 7

elbenoit Author

Level 1

24 points

Feb 6, 2026 11:13 AM in response to LD150

I've been running with this same phone strapped on my arm for years without issue but the day after I update to iOS 26, my phone's GPS is suddenly broken and my run distance is completely wrong.

Appreciate the attempt to assist, but use logic please.

After literally years without this problem, what changed:

Phone hardware - no

NCR app - no

iOS - yes.

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Answer 8

elbenoit Author

Level 1

24 points

Feb 6, 2026 1:22 PM in response to Jeff Donald

If that's the case why does it sometimes work fine after a simple reboot of the phone?

I've stopped mid run when I notice the distance is totally wrong, rebooted the phone and then had it work fine.

I guess this post can be considered a warning for anyone updating to iOS 26.

I held out until Apple started pestering me every other day to update and then went even further by stopping to issue security updates for the prior OS.

Thanks again

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Answer 9

LD150

Level 10

102,054 points

Feb 6, 2026 2:07 PM in response to elbenoit

I think we are done here, if you just want to rant and have no inkling of diagnostic procedure.

"This post can be considered a warning for anyone" coming here apparently asking for help but not really wanting any.

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