Existing users, 
Fix for iPhone 3G GPS problems: turn off 3G
Posted 22 July 2008 @ 10am in Troubleshooting
Several users have reported in an issue in which the iPhone 3G’s A-GPS unit fails to properly discover physical location. As described by Apple Discussions poster “Zlog”:
“GPS in particular was a problem i had with my wife’s 8GB, as it located us in texas. We’re in Oregon.”
The same user subsequently tested a variety of configurations for his iPhone 3G’s networking, with the following results:
- 3G: Off
- BT: Off
- Wifi: On
- Does GPS work?: Yes
——
- 3G: Off
- BT: On (and paired w/ headset)
- Wifi: On
- Does GPS work?: Yes
——
- 3G: On
- BT: Off
- Wifi: Off
- Does GPS work?: NO
——
- 3G: On
- BT: On (and paired w/ headset)
- Wifi: off
- Does GPS work?: NO
——
- 3G: On
- BT: On (and paired w/ headset)
- Wifi: ON
- Does GPS work?: NO
As such, it appears that, as in the case of several other iPhone 3G problems (e.g. Bluetooth echoing), turning 3G network off can result in elimination of GPS accuracy issues.
Readers have reported, however, that turning 3G networking off, pegging a location, then turning 3G back on results in persistence of the accurate results.
Feedback? info@iphoneatlas.com.
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6 Comments
Posted by chashulme_dotmac
22 July 2008 @ 3pm
“Readers have reported, however, that turning 3G networking off, pegging a location, then turning 3G back on results in persistence of the accurate results.”
My observations would appear to agree with the above statement. Definitely some sort of bug…
Posted by versiontracker2007
24 July 2008 @ 3am
What’s with all the bugs that get fixed up by turning off the iPhone’s most touted feature: 3.5G connectivity? It’s so unlike Apple to have new features conflict internally.
Man Apple need to release a major patch!!!! I won’t be buying one until I know they’re ironed out…
Posted by thisboyelroy
24 July 2008 @ 9am
My GPS and location services was working fine this weeend on my 3G but I noticed this week that it’s not working at all. Has anyone else had this issue lately?
I’ve turned done all the combinations in this blog post to see if I can get it to work and the blue whirly thing just keeps spinning. Even when I’m on WiFi it still won’t locate me.
Posted by signatorysign
27 July 2008 @ 10pm
A clear line of sight and NOT being confined within a concrete walled building and/or a tin metal enclosed building, then attempting to locate yourself via GPS seemed to make all the difference.
Also, for whatever reason, as long as you’re attempting to locate yourself under 70 mph during travel has a higher success rate as opposed to traveling above 70 mph.
Posted by macaholic
28 July 2008 @ 4pm
One thing to remember is that the iPhone is sold globally.
And yes, Ameraica is not the beginning and end of the 3G world.
In fact many countries had 3G way before the US.
So, my point is, in my country 3G with the main carrier here and A-GPS works very well indeed.
Posted by macaholic
28 July 2008 @ 4pm
One thing to remember is that the iPhone is sold globally.
And yes, America is not the beginning and end of the 3G world.
In fact many countries had 3G way before the US.
So, my point is, in my country 3G with the main carrier here and A-GPS works very well indeed.