iPhone experiencing GPS problems after 2.0.1 update?
While some complaints after any firmware update are to be expected, there seems to be a decided uptick in the number of reports of problems with the iPhone's GPS (ranging from general wonkiness to all out failure) after the most recent 2.0.1 update. As the responses on the MacRumors forums indicate, however, the problems are far from across the board (or confined to the iPhone 3G), and GPS problems haven't exactly been that rare of an occurrence before this latest update either. So, we'll open it up to you, dear readers -- have you had any newfound iPhone GPS problems?
[Thanks, Mike]
[Thanks, Mike]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
wildebeest @ Aug 11th 2008 4:59PM
what is this iPhone that you speak of?
boss-hogg @ Aug 12th 2008 9:42AM
It seems like there has always with this device, cracking and now GPS whats next?
radiationman @ Aug 11th 2008 5:37PM
My GPS has been a bit flakey since I got the iPhone, but since applying the 2.01 update it's gotten noticeably worse.
The phone has been having problems locating itself. Before the 2.01 update, rebooting the phone would resolve the issue now that doesn't work.
I found a thread from last month in the Apple Support forums that mentioned turning 3G off until the phone gets a fix and then turning it back on. That resolved the problem when I couldn't get a fix yesterday. Haven't had another issue yet, but I'm sure one is coming.
What's really frustating is that there is no way to access signal information. It's impossible to tell if the problem is actually signal related because you're someplace that just doesn't have a clear view of enough satellites or if there is something else going on... That small piece of info would at least tell me if the GPS was malfunctioning or if I just needed to move...
Micah @ Aug 11th 2008 6:43PM
I tried using the GPS right after the update and it kept putting me in Portland, OR (i'm in Houston), after about 5 minutes Maps finally figured out where I was.
Of course I only use maps when I'm lost so it was tad frustrating
SergeantSalad @ Aug 12th 2008 2:41AM
Whoa dude.... I actually live in Portland, OR, and today it kept showing me in Houston, but then you're right, it would correct itself after a bit.
That's odd/interesting
Rykalov @ Aug 13th 2008 9:23AM
*chuckles* my 1st gen has been doing that every once in a while since I got it 3 months back. But here's the funny thing. I'm in the San Francisco area. And it keeps saying I'm in one of these three places : Portland Oregon, Houstan Texas, and some city on Canada. I don't even understand the Canadian one since my version shouldn't work there any how.
The strainge thing is, the 2.0.1 update fixed it all for me. Now my not-gps phone is dead on with only the edge signal *scratches head*
Dylan @ Aug 11th 2008 6:54PM
I have experienced this issue. Before the update it was i'd say good enough to use on a regulare basis with some areas occasionaly being non-responsive. After the update though, its total crap, I'll be driving down a straight road and it will follow me but by putting me a block north, then a block south then a block north...all the way along, then it will stop working all together and say it can find me.
The other day I was in a spot leaving work where it had found me many times before yet now it finds me in the middle of lake ontario, (i'm in toronto) and work a good 5km north of the lake. There's definitely something wrong, sometimes it takes forever to work and sometimes it take only a few seconds but it will be 3-4 blocks off which is useless. They need to fix this.
lakersin2025 @ Aug 11th 2008 7:16PM
My GPS works perfect. Finds me in no more than 5 seconds.
tanky @ Aug 11th 2008 9:01PM
so i do,my GPS are very slowly sometime...
greg @ Aug 11th 2008 9:55PM
First time it took like a full minute to do anything. After that, it worked fine.
Nicka @ Aug 12th 2008 3:01AM
weird, my iphone gps said I was in Houston, TX and im actually in portland, OR
mrT @ Aug 12th 2008 4:01AM
Mine says I´m in Cupertino. Is Steve trying to tell me something?
CoreyZ @ Aug 12th 2008 10:10AM
Before the update, mine would be a lil off here and there but could still follow me pretty closely. Now... its about a block off IF it even can find me!!!
I live in Denver... so its not some small area. Plus I dont even have 3g turned on most of the time, so that doesnt help.
jason @ Aug 12th 2008 10:30AM
I guess the "It Just Works" line does NOT apply to this phone.
firesign @ Aug 12th 2008 11:07AM
8gig iphone 3g. no gps problems. found me in seconds in a field outside of georgetown, ohio on sunday. took forever to load the google map on edge though, of course.
Karthik Prasad @ Aug 12th 2008 11:32AM
My 16 gb 3g iphone seems to have a problem locating me when the 3g is on...weird, i switch back to edge and it locates in like 2 seconds
firesign @ Aug 12th 2008 12:01PM
oh, i guess i should add that i haven't had problems yet with it on 3g after the update either.
Mathew @ Aug 12th 2008 12:31PM
I thought i was the only on in the country who couldnt get the GPS to work on an easy iphone. Shit...
Wont work. I live in washington state and it shows me in Houston TX sometimes.
Chris B. @ Aug 12th 2008 1:01PM
I live in Portland, OR and so does my buddy Jason. No, wait, we just south of Houston, ya'll.
After a few minutes, we're magically transported to Stumptown. Then the phone rings, and it's back to Houston!
Joshua @ Aug 13th 2008 3:33PM
I live in Portland and get the same issue with Houston fixes. I have to type in Portland and let the gps find me first and then press locate me. I am very unimpressed that iphone would leave this issue unfixed with the last update. Actually, unless it is adding new features, an update is like admitting your product was not tested to the fullest at release.
BennyBing @ Aug 14th 2008 3:23PM
I am trying to download the new update for my 3G iphone and its been loading for 3 hours is that usual?
ramkam @ Aug 26th 2008 12:52AM
bought the 3G/8GB on aug. 18th, updated to firmware 2.0.2 on that same day. this morning, my gps stopped locating at all. i tried many times all day long in different areas (open areas, narrow downtown streets) but still nothing. i also tried toggling the wifi/bluetooth/3G/location switches in various combinations possible.
so far, this iPhone fuzz is very disappointing. i want to return it to the store. the phone tends to take longer to respond too now.
joanne @ Sep 14th 2008 10:37AM
i have a 3g iphone, purchased during labor day weekend. the gps worked perfectly and found me everywhere i was but since the upgrade to 2.1 on friday the gps can not locate me. very frustrating!
jim @ Dec 14th 2008 12:46PM
I have had 3 iphone 3G's so far, all have worked fine at first then gradually the GPS gets more and more Flakey, sometimes working ,most times not, then dropping signal etc. but i think i have found the problem, i dont know how they connect the ariel or if it has one but by flexing the case my gps works fine, if it looses the signal i just flex the phone and hey presto gps comes alive.
poor build quality i would say!!!!
hope it helps because its really frustrating.
Ken @ Feb 23rd 2009 5:13AM
This works for me too. it seems dodgy.
Tariq @ Apr 7th 2009 6:56AM
hey i have an iPhone 3G i just bought it yesterday and im trying to work th gps and its telling me that im in china when im actually in israel can anyone help me?????????????