Q: gps not working properly after iOS 9.3 update

I upgraded to the new iOS update. Today, driving to work, Waze still did not have GPS, but the Apple Map program worked much better.  Will keep an eye on this in the coming days.

Follow-up: got to test the GPS when I went to pick up my son from school.  It worked flawlessly. I am going to call this antenna replacement a success.

I have posted (3 days ago) on this thread the same issues with GPS running Apple, Google and Waze maps. The way my problem was finally resolved was to spend 3 hr. with tech support level 1, (backing up to cloud, erasing all content, restoring all data) then level 1 tech support moving the issue to level 2 tech support, and having level 2 tech support authorizing a replacement for the phone. My total cost was 3.5 hours of time (tech support and waiting at the Apple store). I use the GPS daily and I'm happy to be able to use it again. I would recommend to others, and have recommended to my brother the Apple iPhone, because Apple resolved the issue on a product that was out of warranty. 

I went to Genius bar today again hoping that they would replace my phone but it didn't happen.... I called technical support,, they took this issue like they have never heard of... I was told that they are going to call me back.  If they don't fix this issue or replace my phone for free I am getting a galaxy..

Apple replaced my iPhone for free as I was having the same issue. My phone was out of warranty so when I went to Genius bar they refused to accept there is a problem in software. I was told to pay money to replace the phone. I contacted Apple customer support and my case was for open for a month. We tried different tests. Eventually the person I was talking to was nice enough and finally I got replacement phone. Call them everyday and argue so they will forward your case to their manager.

i've complain to apple for more than 1 month. and now i just received a phone call telling me that it is the hardware problem and i will be responsible for the cost of repair.

this make me really disappointed. they even suggest me to go to the service provider i blacklisted earlier (and which i already complain to apple earlier).

I got apple direct contact actually because i complain for the service provider earlier.

The service provider does;t seem to be professional at all. They are multi brand service provider. And the technician there told me that they actually do nothing, they just accept the unit and then ship to another country for further checks. And they require few weeks just for that(Not including repair).

somehow, whenever i mention that a lot of other people having the same problem, app cs insist that complain on the forum are not formal complain, and there are not a lot of this case.

Logically, if this is not the software upgrade issue ( or software upgrade causing hardware damage), there cant be these many people having the same problem at fairly the same time . Unless Apple also have hardware batch defect.

I really encourage people having the same wifi and gps problem after software upgrade to file a complain to apple. So apple have no more excuse saying that this is not a common problem.

Apple cs keep insist to have a phone call instead of reply me by email. Which is really weird, as if apple is hiding something.

I have had the same problems As everyone else.  Weak wifi, poor gps and Bluetooth. Phone burning hot sometimes. For me it also started around iOS 9.3.1. Which lead me to believe it was software related. I have tried every advise given in this thread. Reset network settings. Reinstall apps. Reinstall iOS. Complete restore. Nothing worked. At some point I went to my repair shop. They found nothing wrong with the phone.

A week ago I stumbled upon this discussion https://www.ifixit.com/Answers/View/267135/GPS+%26+Bluetooth+work+sporadically.

i figured to give it a try and found the spare part for about 10$ online. The tools to do the repair cost me about 30$. Tonight I had the time to do the repair. Took me 75 minutes. A bit tricky but absolutely doable.

Now my phone works as a new again. Full power on the wifi. Endomondo can find my position, even indoor.

I Don't think that the problem is the software now. Maybe a hardware failure caused by software or a loose connection somewhere that got fixed during the replacement of the flex cable. Maybe a poor quality flex cable - it seems that most of the phones in this discussion are about the same age. Failing about the time of installing 9.3.1 may be a coincidence.

Anyway. My phone is working again. I'm happy. But not Apple's fault.

Try it!!

Hello Guys

I had the same issue since updating to 9.3.1, my LCd was scratched so I took the opportunity of replacing it and opening to replace the Wi-fi BT and GPS antenna flex. eveything is working again. it costs me 5 € and an hour of labour. It's really doable if you take your time and have a good tutorial.

Good luck

Thanks for your comments. I was able to follow the instructions and get the wifi and GPS issue fixed on my wife's phone.

Any luck with the most recent visit to genius bar? I have already followed all steps you've mentioned and am curious to what they say after that.

I have been having the same problem for the last 2 months. I have gone into apple twice now (the second time was yesterday) and each time they have not been helpful in addressing the situation. I have done everything that I know of to fix this problem such as draining the battery, restoring the iPhone completely without using my backup, turning off and on the network, and replacing the SIM card. The only other thing I can think of is bashing this phone because I'm beyond annoyed. Apple refuses to replace the phone (I'm past my warranty) even after their diagnostic test showed nothing wrong with my phone. They won't admit that their software update messed up my GPS/location services. Instead all they could come up with was its most likely my networks (Verizon) fault. Their reason for not replacing the phone was due to the fact that apple has millions of phones around the world and they can't replace everyones phone when something goes wrong. I'm sorry but thats TERRIBLE customer service and I'm FRUSTRATED that Apple is so stubborn and won't admit that their software is garbage.

I am in a same situation like you.  I visited the genius bar three times, called apple support but no solution.  I ordered my part and I am going to fix it myself.  Its so frustrating to deal with apple customer support.  Instead of paying $199.00 for replacing my phone, i would just wait a few months and get a samsung phone for free.  Goodbye apple.

My favorite part is how the employees at the genius bar say they have never heard of these problems before and that a simple fix is turning on your wifi. I'm sorry but when I'm driving in downtown LA (one of the biggest cities in America) and my phone cannot be picked up while using apple maps, there is a MAJOR problem. I should not be responsible to replace my 299.99 phone when I have kept it in perfect condition over the last year and a half and it won't work after their software update. Thats on them, not me. Plus, its dangerous driving on highways with apple maps that doesn't work. Instead of keeping my eyes on the road, I'm having to look at overview on maps and guess where I am and where I want to go. That honestly could lead to a car accident or a death since messing with your phone while driving is illegal in California.

I just replaced the Wifi Antenna Signal Flex Cable Ribbon.  Works like a charm.  At this point GPS is working fluidly and general Wifi and bluetooth connectivity/range are back to new!  I bought the part from Amazon for $5.59 and paid a local shop here in Memphis $50 plus tax to install.  I will update this post if things change.  Thanks to everyone who researched this topic.

I've been having this issue since December, after trying everything (except for these two things) it worked

I reset my privacy and location settings and it worked for a bit but stopped again. Then as someone else here had said, I slammed my phone against my hand and it did the trick for now at least. I think it must have something to do with that cable that everyone seems to be replacing.