iPhone Tips

How to Fix iPhone GPS Not Working in iOS 16/17

by Jenefey Aaron   Updated on 2023-09-01 / Update for  iPhone Fix

I upgraded to iOS 16 on my 11 Pro and my Fitness app seems to have lost all past GPS recordings made from the Activity app on my Apple Watch"

-- From Reddit

Issue like iPhone 6 GPS not working used to be a hot topic few years ago. However, there are many iPhone users who have the similar GPS problem in the latest iOS 16, such as "GPS randomly stop working" or "Fitness App doesn't capture GPS". So, we write this post to help solve such issues.

Common Solutions to Fix iPhone GPS Not Working in iOS 16/15

Solution 1: Give Location Permissions for Apps

If you don't give the permission for apps to access this feature, you will never be able to use GPS in your target Apps. To check the statement, you should go to: Settings >> Privacy >> Location Service. You may need to switch the button and choose "While Using the App" or "Always".

gps location service

Solution 2: Refresh Location Service

If you find the settings of location permission is normally set, but GPS is still in abnormally function. You then can try to refresh your location services, you should just turn it off and turn it on after a few seconds later. The location of this feature is on the top of location permissions.

Solution 3: Reset Location & Privacy

You can also reset your location and privacy settings to factory to resolve iPhone GPS not working in iOS 16. To reset Location & Privacy, go to: Settings >> General >> Reset, and then tap on Reset Location & Privacy option. After doing this, you need to enable location permissions for apps again.

reset location and privacy

Solution 4: Reset Network Settings on iPhone

You can also try to refresh the data for your GPS by resetting network settings. This function can also be used to solve GPS signal poor issue and location service not working problem. Users should go to: Settings >> General >> Reset >> Reset Network Settings. This reset will erase your saved Wi-Fi passwords, VPN and APN settings on your iPhone 14/13/12/11/X/8.

Solution 5: Repair iOS System without Any Data Loss

If all simple tips and tricks cannot solve the iPhone GPS GPS not working issue, you may try to fix your iOS system for iPhone. With the help of Tenorshare ReiBoot, users don't even worry about any data loss, just in few clicks you can get a better iPhone you've ever have.

  • Download and install the software on computer.
  • Select "Repair Operating System" from the main interface, then click "Fix Now" to get started.

    click fix now on reiboot
  • Follow the steps to download or import iOS 16 firmware package and start system recovery.

    download firmware on reiboot
  • Follow the steps to download or import iOS 16 firmware package and start system recovery. Then, click "Repair Now" to start system recovery.

    repair ios 14 system on reiboot
  • The whole process may take you few minutes. Patiently wait and try to use GPS function after your iPhone get restart.

    repair ios 14 system successfully on reiboot

For most of the cases, users can easily fix the problem with the help of this article, but if your GPS is still workable, we suggest you to wait for the next iOS update or take your iPhone to the Apple official store and check the hardware. Hope you can soon get your problem solved!

Part 2. A Funny Tip about How to Fake GPS on iPhone/iPad

Tenorshare iAnyGo is also a popular software in related field. With this tool, you can easily change iPhone location to anywhere. Here's a video for you.

Freely Change GPS Location without Jailbreak!
  • 1-Click to change current location on iPhone
  • Plan a route by selecting two or multiple spots on the map
  • Easy to simulate GPS movement based on customized route
  • GPS joystick to take better control
  • Import GPX file to start a designed route