IPhone 3GS GPS problems

I upgraded to a 3GS a month ago. I noticed on a trip with my family that my GPS wasn't working properly. The GPS wouldn't find my position accurately, there was no pulsating blue ring around the blue dot, and the GPS wouldn't track when we were driving. My brother and sister-in-law's GPS was working perfectly on their iPhones. Just mine wasn't tracking.
So I went to the AT&T store and they replaced my iPhone 3GS with another brand new one. The GPS still isn't working properly.
So I went to the Apple Store in SoHo and found that none of the iPhones on display would get an accurate coordinate either. All of them were about a block off with to the west or north and none of them had the pulsating blue ring around the blue dot.
My brother and sis-in-law purchased and use their iPhones in a different city and their GPS works fine. My iPhone (purchased and used in NYC) and the SoHo store (in NYC) iPhones all did not work.
Do NYC used/purchased iPhones only have this issue? It really bothers me that on my 3G the GPS worked fine in the city, but after I upgraded to the 3GS and 3.1.3 the GPS no longer works. Also, the compass app ALWAYS needs to be reset whenever I use the app.
Any other NYC users having this problem?
Message was edited by: fasheezy
Message was edited by: fasheezy

There's a lot of discussion about receiving the GPS signal indoors. As the USAF Frequency Manager, who licenses the GPS Satellites, I'd like to weigh in on this subject.
The GPS signal is extremely weak, too weak to be received indoors more than 5-10 feet from a window.
A GPS receiver must receive at least 3 GPS satellite signals to get a fix.
For those who believe you're receiving the GPS signal indoors, what you're receiving is the triangulation of the cell phone towers, which is why it's not accurate.
For those in NYC or other highrise building areas, your GPS signal will not be accurate, if even received, because of the reflection of the GPS signals bouncing off of the highrise buildings. As the GPS signals bounce around among the buildings, they're delayed, and therefore not accurate when the GPS receiver finally locks onto them.
Since upgrading to OS 3.1.3, my iPhone 3G GPS has been having fits as well. I'm in Los Angeles, but when it gets cold (sitting in front of the A/C vent in it's holder) it stops working and shows that it's in Boulder, Colorado. It becomes accurate again after letting it warm back up, or turning off 3G. Go figure.
Mike

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IPhone 3GS GPS no longer working-What should I do?

I have a very annoying problem with my iPhone 3GS.
I have invested a considerable amount of money on Navigation applications and applications that use GPS.
GPS reception started to get unreliable and it was deteriorating over time.
At the beginning my navigation application (Navigon) was losing the GPS signal at random times.
Usually, after every iOS update the GPS reception was fine for a week or so, then problems started again.
Now, GPS is almost not working at all.
All the gps applications on my iPhone can detect where I am, however the precision is in unusable levels. It may show a position 300-400 meters away from where I really am. This happens in Navigon, Maps, etc.
Navigon always shows the red bar on the top telling me that the GPS reception is not adequate.
What should I do? Is there any case that this is a software related issue? Is there any way I can fix this? Some users suggested that I set up as New, but this will be my last resort as I have a lot of data that I want to retain on my iPhone.
Or is this really a hardware issue?
Any suggestions would be highly appreciated.
Thank you

If you've restored the phone and then reinstalled the SW, it may be a HW problem. There's a way to test to see if the GPS is working in 'standalone mode". It's valid for the 3G, I think it works for the 3GS as well.
On the 3G, the GPS receiver is tied to the cellular transceivers. If it's in Airplane mode the GPS doesn't work. Taking the phone out of Airplane mode, but removing the SIM card (and therefore no cellular connection) it works just fine (OK, it's a bit slower, but it still works).
As a final test, take the phone out of Airplane mode, remove the SIM card and run any GPS aware programme (Maps is good, it's an Apple App, so that removes the 'I wonder if the app is at fault' question). Place the phone in a location where it has a good view of an unobstructed sky, and wait. After 10 or 15 minutes press the "find me" button on the bottom left of the screen. If the "blinking" little blue dot doesn't appear, or if it says that your location can't be determined (there won't be a map), it sounds like the GPS is dead.
BTW, Apple doesn't reply to posts on the forum.
Good luck,
coop

IPhone 3GS GPS

Hi,
The GPS on my iPhone 3GS appeared to stop working. I traveled overseas recently and tried to locate myself with Maps app, and it failed to locate me. (I had cellular off, Wifi ON, LocationServices On, 3G off). The compass app also shows the previous GPS coordinates and never updates to the new location I am in at the moment.
I have tried rebooting my iphone numerous times, resetting network settings, resetting location services, tried different GPS mapping application, tapping the iphone against my hand, standing outside the house hoping to catch any GPS satellites, tried different combination of cellullar/3G/Wifi/LocationServices on/off states, and doing the steps that others suggested (after Google-ing) - all failed to provided me with a working GPS.
If I read "support.apple.com/kb/HT1975" correctly, then when I switch off both cellular and Wifi, iphone 3GS should be using the internal GPS to pinpoint me.
But, according to "support.apple.com/kb/HT1355", the GPS module is switched off if I switch off cellular...which contradicts the KB above..
I tried switch on & off cellular, but my GPS coordinates (as displayed in Compass app) remain wrong. Anyone has similar experience ? Do you think my iphone GPS module is faulty?
Any suggestions would be grateful. Thanks.
Information:
===========================================================================
"support.apple.com/kb/HT1975":
"If you're not within a clear line of sight to a GPS satellite, iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS find you using Wi-Fi. If you're not in range of a Wi-Fi hotspot, iPhone can find you using cellular towers."
"support.apple.com/kb/HT1355":
"When airplane mode is on, [icon] appears in the status bar at the top of the screen, and no cell phone, radio, or Bluetooth signals are emitted from iPhone (and GPS is not available)."

Same problem here. On a trip abroad the GPS AND Compass completely stopped working. It worked for 7 days abroad before malfunctioning. It has been working flawlessly since I bought it 7 months ago. I´v tried all of the above measures and some more. At times the compass flickers around for a second before locking at Zero degrees North. Maps works as long as i dont try to locate myself. Then the blue haircross-button starts with the "spinning-Wheel" of loading, and just keeps going.
I´ve also noted that since this issue started last week the phone drains the battery a lot faster, even when I´m not fiddling around alot. I did a test some days before this issue and reached 20% in more than 5 days (>120h)!
The only test that I´ve read about and haven´t tested is the "rm -rf"-command witch requires a Jailbraked phone. I argue that I shouldn´t need to jailbrake it to get it to work properly.
So? Is it hardware or software?
Glad for responses.
Wisconxin, did you get it right?
/G

IPhone 3GS multiple problems with calls and text

I have AT&T for service provider and I am having these problems with the THIRD Iphone 3Gs that I have received since Jan 12.
I turned off 3GS again after newest update, not sure if it willl help or not.
Also, I have the same problems with this phone as previous 2 Iphones I got at Apple Stores:
* sporadically drops calls - even if I don't move from the spot I originally called from. This is my only phone, so I need to make and receive any calls to this phone.
*"Searching", "No Service", so text messages don't get sent, but I don't know that unless I check back to see the red ! and I keep trying to resend...
* No SIM card - but, only know this if I check, not good when busy and waiting for a call or text.
Do I need to go to an Apple store again (not nearby me) to replace it before my replacement warranty runs out?
Thanks for any help!

Try powering the phone off, then removing and replacing the battery, and powering the phone back on.
Then try dialing *228 send and option 2 on the phone to update the PRL.
Then try closing down applications that you are not using on the device.
From the home screen, touch the applications tab (located at the bottom of the display).
Touch Settings.
Touch Applications.
Touch Running services.
Touch a service you are not using then.
Touch Stop.
From the home screen, touch the applications tab (located at the bottom of the display).
Touch Settings.Touch Applications.Touch Running services.
Touch a service you are not using then.
Touch Stop.
Repeat steps as needed.

IPhone 3GS - Reception Problem Discovered

I was taking a stroll through my backyard and found an issue with reception.
I have isolated the cause to the lemon tree I have.
Is there some sort of weird signal attenuation that occurs due to the highly acidic nature of lemons?
I have posted a video of my problem here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsfXa5brR28

It seems Apple dropped the ball on this one in a major way (iPhone Reception and some other issues).
I just got my SMT5600 (smallest windows mobile device) replaced by iPhone 3GS (16 Gig version) about 3 days ago.
The problems so far I have encountered are as follows:
1. Poor reception (the Blogsphere is full of iPhone owners complaining about this) I drive regularly in the 85/I-280/Lawrence ExpWay area (all within about a mile of Apple HQ I have had repeated dropped call with iPhone (repeatedly calling back) but never with other phones with the same provider (AT&T).
2. Feature/Functionality (my opinion is Apple is good at 80/20, they do 80% of the needed features very well and the other 20%, they not only NOT do it, they make it impossible to work around)
a. Eg.1 You cannot selectively delete recent calls
b. Eg. 2 You cannot enter non-numeric characters in the phone number (Outlook let's you do it, and iPhone syncs but then it doesn't recognize the phone number as legitimate, for instance I have one of the pager number fields populated as "408-555-0000 joe's second mobile number" My Windows Mobile device got it right -i.e. when I had a call from that number it woudl display Joe's Pager, but with the same scenario, iPhone just displays the number)
In any case, I can live with lack of features, but I am thinking of returning my iPhone because of reception issue.

Hello Everyone! Iphone 3GS Screen problem, any ideas?

Hello Guys I would just like to ask a question about my iphone 3GS the screen brightness touch is all okay but i seem to have a problem with the contrast which is especially noticeable when trying to take pictures. The best way i can describe it is the dark parts and shadowy of the image/photo are really dark! Its similiar in way if you had your laptop with you and you were looking straight at the screen but then you tilt the screen back and you stay in the same position certain parts appear dark! Can anyone help me with this because i know the 3gs can take briliant photos! Many thanks Oli x

Try taking a picture and then emailing it to someone. Then look at the pic on a computer.
If the contrast of the pic is the same on the computer, it's not an issue with your screen, it's an issue with the camera. It might not be an issue with the camera at all, it doesn't do well in low-light situations.
That's all I can think of to say...

IPhone 3GS GPS not working

So I am gonna try this because I know others haven't got a response they have liked or helped…
I have a 3GS, running iOS on my iPhone 3GS, but still am having issues with the GPS, I am sure others are still having this issue. I found this thread awhile ago, but there wasnt much follow-up on this from Apple, Go to a Genius Bar, plus people in this thread have said that they did that and nothin has worked, or the Mac Genius suggested it might just need the SIM card replaced… I really dont think that would help
http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=11248780
So… Apple can you guys just give some clarity on whats is up with this, I mean I am loyal and keep buying your products, but it is only fair that you share just a lil bit of info like: "an update is coming soon to fix this or its a hardware issue, come on in and it will be resolved."
Let me know if anyone else is still having issues or has a resolution
Thx

What Modem Firmware are you using on the phone?

IPhone 3GS Internet problems

The Internet on my iPhone 3GS slows or stops entirely until I restart the phone. This happens on both wifi and 3G and my Internet settings are unchanged from default. What are the possible problems and solutions? I have tried restoring and that seems to work for about 2 days at a time. The Internet freezing/slowing usually happens about twice an hour if I am watching videos or reading articles.

Bump
If any additional info is needed just let me know and I'll add it

Iphone 3GS battery problem

have a problem with my battery on iphone 3gs, i charge it untill 100% and after few min it turns off and it says that battery is empty so i can use it only while its plugged in..i went to store and told them to change battery and they said they have tested it and that nothings wrong
what do I do?

Phil,
You wrote:
"Since many of us are not having the problems you cited, I suspect yours was abnormal in some way, whether the "genius" wanted to admit it or not."
I'm not really interested in arguing about it, but your comment really struck me, so here are my two cents:
Given the amount of complaints both on these forums and externally around the internet, coupled with the numerous reviews by a variety of different magazines, tech sites, and other sources regarding poor battery performance of the 3Gs, I hardly think that "abnormal" is really the appropriate term. Perhaps for working batteries, but not for the terrible results that I and many others have experienced. Indeed, lower expectations than the published promises seems par for the course.
Moreover, the fact that not one Apple representative with whom I spoke on the phone or in person (totaling 4) acknowledged that they had heard of any problems with regard to battery performance in the 3Gs shows at best an utter failure to do any due diligence on a product they are selling, and at worst a total lack of respect by lying to a customer. I would be genuinely shocked if these employees, who are in customer care, have, as they purported, heard nothing regarding battery issues with the 3Gs. In fact, I simply don't believe it.
I noticed that you post a lot. I'm curious, do you work for Apple?

Badly need your help: How to fix my iphone 3gs restoration problem

it's been for a month now that i could not use my iphone 3gs. i encountered some problem which i have difficulty to fix or resolve the problem: Currently my iphone 3gs is in recovery mode (which it seems got stucked). When I plug my iphone to restore it via itunes the message appeared as follows: The iPhone"iPhone" could not be restored. An unknown error occurred (1). I already tried to search the web but could not find any suggestion how to fix it. If there's anymore that encountered the same problem, I highly appreciate if you could assist me step by step. By the way, i bought my iphone 3gs "open or unlocked", so I don't jailbrake. thanks.

You could try to use another USB port, check your security software settings or see if you can restore on another computer.
iTunes for Windows: Troubleshooting security software issues

IPhone 3gs Software problems?

Hi.
Since recieving a Warranty replacement iPhone 3gs 16gb, i have been experiencing weird problems. For example, sometimes (usually when on the phone) it will randomly turn itself off. This happens rarely, but is very annoying halfway through a conversaton! What could be causing this?
Also, more annoyingly, the phone will not "lock" when put on charge in the evening. About 90% of the time, the phone will beep so say it is charging, then instead of the display turning off when "locked" it will dim but not turn off. Nothing then happens if i press the home button, etc, unless i take the charger out. If i leave the charger in, then the phone reboots itself and carries on with the problem. Has anyone else had this problem? and if so please may you let me know of anything i can do to stop this problem.
Thanks

Connect you phone to iTunes, when your phone appears in iTunes on the left sidebar click on it. Go to the Summary tab at the top and click on Check For Update (under Version).

IPhone 3GS screen problem - green colour missing (intermittent)

Hiya,
My iPhone 3GS has started to play up this morning. It is the first time that anything out of the ordinary has happened with this phone since I purchased it 8 or so months ago.
It is like the green colour stops working. The problem is intermittent, it comes and goes after it goes to sleep. It has started happening after I put the phone in my bag this morning - never been dropped or exposed to water, I have always taken very good care of it (like my first born even). Power-cycling the phone does not fix the problem.
Does anyone have any ideas whether this is a hardware or software fault or any tips that i can try to rectify this? I will be trying a backup/restore tonight then the Apple store for warranty tomorrow if I can't fix it.

The basics from the manual are:
Restart
Reset
Restore
http://manuals.info.apple.com/enUS/iPhone_UserGuide.pdf

IPhone 3Gs Connection Problems IOS 5.1.1

I have an iPhone 3Gs on IOS 5.1.1 and when it loses connection to my carrier, also wifi is not connected. It worked before on ios 5.0. Is there a way to fix this?
Thanks!

I came across this post as my iPhone 3Gs had gone into recovery mode on its own accord.   I had hundreds of photos unsaved and was gutted when I saw this post, I felt even worse as it was not the information (gdgmacguy) I wanted to read.
Unfortunately, the above post is simply wrong! A system cannot destroy information in a blink of an eye.   If it were that easy, the forensic teams across the world would have a hard time. A criminal could simply force a phone into recovery to remove all the data. Please!
I managed not only to take the phone out of recovery mode but also, salvaged all the data held on it.
To be fair, I am a little annoyed at Apple for not offering a salvage option on the device for such a situation. And it may be that they will not like me sharing this information, in which case I believe this view to be morally wrong because photos are so important. We all make mistakes, in terms of forgetting to backup from time to time.
What I used was the Redsn0w software, running as an administrator in XP compatibility mode. In the ‘Extras’ section it as a Recovery Fix option. It simply runs some software that takes the device out of recovery mode. I had to run it twice for some reason but the second time (out of desperation) worked a treat. The phone is now exactly as it was before it went into recovery mode. More to the point, it allowed me to backup all the photos and videos that I had failed to do before hand. And let’s face it, photos and videos are usually the most valuable stuff we keep on our phones.
I hope this help anyone in the same situation. I really hope someone from apple reads it and is able to convince the bosses that a recovery option is very important. And to take note that YES it is possible to recover data on a phone stuck in recovery mode. And more than likely it would be easier for apple, compared to other non-apple professionals.
Good luck.

IPHONE 3GS UPDATE PROBLEM! PLEASE HELP!!

I went to update my iphone 3gs. an error popped up froze my phone and now it says i must factory reset my phone.....i do not want to clear my phone! it will not even attempt to connect to itunes without the restore! PLEASE PLEASE HELP!!!

cjkeith, you've every right to be frustrated, but now you're coming across as well, let's just say "unsmart".
First, what on earth does paying 500.00 for a phone and thousands of dollars in other apple products have to do with anything?
Second, do you think any of us care about your idle threat to save your money and buy a non-Apple product?
Third, and what makes you seem the most "unsmart" is your last statement. We're not Apple here on this user to user technical support forum. We're users just like you! So your last statement is just so ridiculous.
It's always easier to place the blame for our own misfortunes on someone else, rather than take responsibility for our own action. As Dr. Al stated, you learned a lesson the hard way.
Time to move on.

Iphone 3GS skype problem

Hello, I am experiencing some difficulties on skype using with my iphone. My problem is that whenever I use skype to make phone calls on my iphone, it always quits the skype and goes to the iphone home page when I type more than 6 digits. I can't even type the complete the phone number on skype. Why is that and how do I fix this problem?
I am so looking forward to hear anything soon!
Thank you

hi, phil. i found this website where people demonstrate exactly the same problem i have: http://forum.skype.com/index.php?s=02e1a0b9ee34a0a3d67e1b5e84084a28&showtopic=41 7451
It seems that there is a bug in the newest version skype so I guess I will try to get the old version on my iphone. Don't upgrade the skype on your iphone
I will let you know if it works...

IPhone 3GS GPS problems

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