iPhone XS GPS issues

I have a brand new iPhone XS which I got 3 weeks ago. I just noticed the GPS only works when I’m outside in the open, but once I’m inside buildings it has problems with Apple Maps, Google Maps and other apps that requires GPS, even though the network (data) has no problem. Other phones running apps that require GPS seems to work indoors.


I have tried everything: resetting the network, factory resetting the iPhone, etc. nothing seems to work. I’m running iOS 12.1

iPhone XS, iOS 12.1

Posted on Nov 11, 2018 10:12 PM

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3 replies

Jan 8, 2019 6:30 AM in response to RT1225

Any update?

I just got the XS moving from android for years, and I've quickly noticed how my Google Pixel 3 had a way better GPS strength, ie it picked up my location easily inside buildings or in the metro, where the XS simply doesn't catch anything until I'm almost outside.

It's annoying as things like checking for the next nearby bus in Transit app are impossible until I get outside, so now I can't tell if I need to run for a bus or not anymore until it's too late lol 😒

Jan 9, 2019 6:13 AM in response to nikolas4129

Hi nikolas6129. I have been doing experiments comparing my XS with hand held Garmin GPS unit (for bicycle) and older iPhone models. Most of the distances I record on the XS are about 9% higher than they should be, due to GPS bounce (jumpy GPS). I recontacted Apple support today and will continue to post with any significant progress. I am not too optimistic, unless they agree to a replacement phone. Otherwise it can be used for approximate distances and traces (using the app RideWithGPS and other sports apps).

My Google maps and Apple maps work fine and location accuracy is quite acceptable.

Dec 21, 2018 11:00 AM in response to helvetiica

I have a similar problem (and see that so far 11 other people indicate they have the same problem as you do). I find that the GPS trace on some of the tracking software that I use, like RideWithGPS, is not very accurate. Sometimes the trace does not follow the route well, other times when I am in a building it shows me moving all over the place when I am not moving at all. I used a nice paid app called GPSDiagnostic to show the strength of the GPS satellite signals and it shows that the iPhone XS is much worse than my iPhone 6S and iPhone 5. I will be calling Apple support again to see if they can resolve the issue but so far I don't have much hope. Last time they focused on the RideWithGPS app as being the problem rather than the phone. If I get any great solution from them I will post it here. Good luck!

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iPhone XS GPS issues

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