Fix for iPhone 3G GPS problems: turn of 3G

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 [1] “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. [2] 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? [3] info@iphoneatlas.com.

credit - http://www.iphoneatlas.com/2008/07/22/fix-for-iphone-3g-gps-problems-turn-of-3g/