[Troubleshooting Guide] How to Fix iPhone GPS Not Working?

"For months, my GPS(iPhone 13) has not been working at all. I've taken it to two places and they both don't know the problem. I've reset all settings, and have considered doing a factory reset. Any ideas?"

- from Reddit

GPS (Global Positioning System) is an important feature on the iPhone, widely used for navigation, maps, social media check-ins, and more. However, some users may encounter issues with the iPhone GPS not working properly, such as inaccurate location, lost GPS signal, or the inability to obtain a location altogether. Why is my GPS on iPhone not working? This article will explore common reasons why iPhone GPS stopped working and provide detailed fixes to help restore normal GPS functionality. (GPS not working on Android?)

Part 1. Why Is My GPS on My iPhone Not Working?

Before fixing the issue, it's important to understand the possible reasons that could cause the iPhone GPS to fail. If your iPhone GPS is not working properly, the potential causes include:

• Signal Issues: GPS requires a stable cellular signal or Wi-Fi connection, and weak signals can affect GPS accuracy.
• Location Services Not Enabled: If your iPhone's location services are turned off, GPS will not function properly.
• App Permission Restrictions: Some apps may not be authorized to use GPS, preventing location tracking.
• Low Power Mode Impact: iPhone's Low Power Mode may limit GPS functionality to conserve battery life.
• System or Software Bugs: Errors in the iOS system or apps may interfere with GPS functionality.
• Hardware Damage: If the GPS module is damaged or there is an issue with the motherboard, repairs may be necessary.

Part 2. How to Fix iPhone GPS Not Working

Once we identify the root cause of the iPhone GPS not working, we can implement the following 10 solutions to fix the issue.

Fix 1. Make Sure Location Services Are Enabled

iPhone's Location Services need to be enabled in order to use GPS. If this feature is turned off, no apps will be able to access your location. Follow the steps below to check if Location Services on your iPhone are disabled:

Step 1. Open "Settings" > "Privacy & Security" > "Location Services".

Step 2. Make sure the "Location Services" toggle is turned on.

Step 3. Turn off "Location Services", wait for 10 seconds, then turn it back on, and check if the GPS stopped working on iPhone issue is resolved.

Fix 2. Enable Location Access for Apps in Use

If GPS is only not working in certain apps, it might be because those apps are not authorized to access Location Services. Here are the steps:

Step 1. Go to "Settings" > "Privacy & Security" > "Location Services".

Step 2. Find the app(s) where GPS is not working properly (e.g., Google Maps, Apple Maps) in the app list.

Step 3. Select "While Using the App" or "Always" to allow location access.

Fix 3. Toggle Airplane Mode

If your iPhone GPS does not work, you can toggle Airplane Mode to refresh the GPS signal. Airplane Mode quickly resets the iPhone's network connections, which may help restore the GPS connection.

Here is how to do it:

Step 1. Open the "Control Center", tap the "Airplane Mode" toggle, and wait for 10-15 seconds.

Step 2. Turn off "Airplane Mode" and then test if the GPS is working properly again.

Fix 4. Force Restart the iPhone

Sometimes, a simple device restart can fix many system bugs, including the GPS stopped working on iPhone issue.

To force restart the iPhone, follow the steps below:

• iPhone 8 and newer models: Press the "Volume Up" button, then the "Volume Down" button, and finally, press and hold the "Power" button until the Apple logo appears.
• iPhone 7/7 Plus: Press and hold the "Volume Down" button and the "Power" button until the Apple logo appears.
• iPhone 6s and earlier models: Press and hold the "Home" button and the "Power" button until the Apple logo appears.

Fix 5. Reset Location and Privacy Settings

If the iPhone's location permissions have been incorrectly modified, it can also cause the iPhone GPS not to work. Resetting the Location and Privacy settings can restore the default values. To do this, follow the steps below:

Step 1. Go to "Settings" > "General" > "Transfer or Reset iPhone" > "Reset".

Step 2. Select "Reset Location & Privacy" and enter your password to confirm.

Step 3. Turn the GPS back on and check if it is working properly again.

Fix 6. Update iOS System

If your iPhone is running an older version of iOS, it may cause GPS functionality issues. It is recommended to update to the latest system version.

Here are the steps:

Step 1. Go to "Settings" > "General" > "Software Update". (iPhone software update failed?)

Step 2. If an update is available, tap "Download and Install".

Fix 7. Turn Off Low Power Mode

Low Power Mode may limit GPS functionality and affect normal location tracking. To fix the iPhone GPS not working issue, you can turn off Low Power Mode. Here are the steps:

Step 1. Go to "Settings" > "Battery".

Step 2. Turn off "Low Power Mode" and then test if the GPS is working properly again.

Fix 8. Use iOS System Recovery

If GPS is still not working, it could be due to an iOS system error. iOS System Recovery is a professional iOS system repair tool that can fix iPhone GPS issues without data loss.

Key features of iOS System Recovery:

• Fix iPhone GPS not working without data loss.
• Fix a variety of iOS system issues, including battery drain, black/red/blue/white screen of death, getting stuck on the Apple logo or DFU mode, iTunes error 4005/4013, and more.
• Simple and safe to use.
• Free upgrade and downgrade the iOS version.
• Compatible with all iPhone models (iOS 18 supported), including the latest iPhone 16/15/14/13/12/11, and more.

Free Download for PC

 

Free Download for Mac

Here is how to fix iPhone GPS stopped working using iOS System Recovery:

Fix 9. Restore iPhone to Factory Settings

If the above methods do not resolve the issue, restoring your iPhone to factory settings may be the final solution (please back up your data first).

Here is how to do it:

Step 1. Go to "Settings" > "General" > "Transfer or Reset iPhone".

Step 2. Select "Erase All Content and Settings" and enter your password to confirm. (iPhone won't erase?)

Step 3. Set up your iPhone again and check if the GPS is working properly.

Fix 10. Contact Apple Support

If your iPhone still cannot use GPS, it may be a hardware issue, and you will need to contact Apple Support.

In a Nutshell

iPhone GPS may not work properly due to network, software, or hardware issues. This article provides 10 solutions, with iOS System Recovery being the most recommended option. It can fix iOS system issues and restore GPS functionality without data loss. If GPS still doesn't work, it's advised to restore your iPhone to factory settings or contact Apple Support for repairs.

We hope this guide is helpful to you!

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