Why is my GPS not working on iPhone X?

Thank you. I did. I have an appointment to drop the phone in a week or so. Hopefully they'll find out what's wrong with it. I was hesitant to mention that the problem is related to a system update, however, I spoke with a couple of coworkers and family and reported the same issue just after upgrading to 11.2. I have 11.2.1. It can't be a coincidence, right?

That's my understanding based on all the troubleshooting I've done. Today I decided to check the Compass app, which I never do, and I notice that North was pointing to three different location within the hour. It's like the compass it self is broken. I'm wondering if this somehow affects the GPS. I suspect it does.

The only thing that I can think off that could affect my phone so badly is the magnetic car mount I have on my car. And before everyone starts to freak out about this, I want to let you guys know that is the same car mount I've been using for years with a 6s, 7 and now X. And when I got the iPhone x, it worked great until after I updated to 11.2. Which is interesting, since I read that 11.2 was supposed to correct an issue people where complaining about regarding the GPS in 8 and X. Perhaps it was the same issue we're having but instead of fix it it broke the phones that were not experiencing the issue?

Maybe that worked for your iPhone X, but not mine. I’ve done EVERYTHING Apple Support has recommended, including spending more than 3 hours of my time getting a brand new X at the Verizon store. NONE of the recommendations worked and I still don’t have GPS on my X.

Both my wife and I are having the same issue with GPS and iPhone X in multiple apps (waze, google maps) . She is running iOS 11.2. I am running 11.2.5 (beta). GPS has been reset multiple times on both phones. Location services are on and apps are all set to use GPS while app is running. Hard resets accomplished. Problem is intermittent after resets. Whats the deal. Paid waaaayyyy too much money for this phone to have these issues.

So, after doing all the troubleshooting that was mentioned again and again on this post, plus resetting the phone twice (once with an iCloud restore and another one setting the phone as a new one), I finally toke the phone to the Apple Store. The Apple Genius (I'm not trying to be sarcastic. I think that's how they call themselves), basically told me that I did everything I was supposed to, so he replaced my phone with a brand new one. I restore the new phone with my iCloud backup and I can confirm and that I finally have a phone with a working GPS. Let's hope it lasts. For all of you with this issue, just go to the Apple Store.

What did they told you at the Apple Store? I asked what are they going to do if the issue persists. They said that they wouldn't be able to do much else since they gave me a new phone. And I asked them what that meant. And they told me that I would have to keep a defective phone until Apple eventually maybe has an update for iOS that fixes the issue. I really didn't know how to answer to that. I hope that the issue doesn't show up again.

Well folks, I figured out what was causing the GPS problems with my iPhone X. Apparently it was the magnetic phone holder (Koomus) I had in my vehicle. The holder worked great and did not affect the GPS on my previous phone (Samsung Galaxy), but tge GPS worked very haphazardly on two (2) iPhone Xs when I used them in the holder. Since I’ve stopped using the magnetic holder, the GPS has been functioning great with Apple Maps, Google Maps, and Waze.

Thank you.

I was having the same issue.

GPS turned on correctly but maps not keeping up with me or drifting. Direction pointing opposite way etc.

I don’t use my phone on a mount as I have been a passanger in the car with this issue.

Your post made me think what was around me. I use my phone case to hold my bank cards which have a magnetic strip. Once I took my phone out of my case my gps issue was fixed. The magnetic strip must have been interfering with the gps.

No, it’s not related to the vehicle, but to the cell phone holder I had in the car. Apparently the holder type that uses a magnet adversely affects the GPS in the iPhone X. I’ve also read that certain cell phone cases that have magnetic clasps also negatively affect the GPS usage on the iPhone X.

For me it has something to do with my vehicle. Holding the phone close to the dashboard and the GPS doesn’t work but if i move it away it does. I had my phone on a windshield mount that wasn’t magnetic but either way if I took it off the mount and just held it close to where the radio is the gps goes all wacky. I’ve tested this in other cars too and it’s something specific with my Hyundai Sonata.

Hi everyone,

I solved the problem. To make your GPS work fine, improve the live of battery and iOS speed you must download the iOS Global version from ipsw.me for you iX and install the Global version.

I didn’t realize it until you mentioned it, but if I just hold my iPhone X, without a case or car holder, in the same position where my magnetic cell phone holder used to be (on the dash right under my car’s navigation screen) the GPS goes whacky. It might possibly be something in the car’s navigation system or in the dash. I just ordered a non-magnetic cell phone holder, so I will let you know how that works when I install it.

Running into the same issue. On my second iPhone X and Maps, Google, and Waze still do not work in my 2013 Sonata. Works perfectly in my wife’s car though. Spent a while troubleshooting with Apple. Still running into same problem though.

I’m having what sounds like the same issue. My gps works fine if I’m stationary. If I’m moving/driving no gps found. Mapping apps like Apple maps and google maps don’t find my location again until I stop at a light or stop sign. I’ve had 3 calls with Apple support, two with whatever their tier 2 support is called. I’ve done all the things they have requested including restoring as new from iTunes without any of my settings applied. No luck. The 11.2.5 update today made no difference either. My gps worked fine prior to the last week of December. Apple made an appt for me at the “Genius Bar” this coming Sunday to do a diagnostic. I even sent the support person a video of my map as I navigated and the requested log files which didn’t show a gps malfunction. With all the discussion around magnetic interference I wonder if wireless charging is related to this issue, isn’t that an electromagnetic field? I did start charging wirelessly in December.

AE0KU wrote:

With all the discussion around magnetic interference I wonder if wireless charging is related to this issue, isn’t that an electromagnetic field? I did start charging wirelessly in December.

Yes but...

I don't know the "X" well. Do you charge wirelessly while driving? If not, I'd be more inclined to blame something else and my money is on the physical location of the iPhone inside the car. On the dash with a clear view of the windshield is best.