How can I fix iPhone 14 GPS issues after iOS 18.4.1 update?

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Level 1

4 points

How can I fix iPhone 14 GPS issues after iOS 18.4.1 update?

Hi, since updating my iPhone to IOS 18.4.1 (could be coincidence?), my phone won't lock on to GPS satellite signals properly. I've had the phone for a couple of years since new and use it almost daily for navigation in maps, so the issue is very noticeable and new. Nothing else has changed, same car, same phone case, etc. I've tried everything I can find online, such as resetting network settings and checking that all the location services are enabled as they need to be. The phone will locate using WiFi and cell data only which isn't very accurate, but as soon as you leave a built up area, it freezes on maps. The last thing I tried was to completely factory reset the phone and download an app that lets me see when GPS satellites are locked on. For a few hours after the reset the phone connected to satellites as normal, you could see this in the app and maps navigated fine. After this it would take about ten mins following start of a nav app to pick up satellites, then now it seems to have stopped being able to get a lock at all again. I put the phone side by side to my iPad running the same GPS diagnostic app, and this get a lock to several satellites within seconds. I'm at a loss! Is this a fault with my phone, or is it a software bug on the new IOS version?

Any help appreciated.

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

iPhone 14, iOS 18

Posted on May 8, 2025 03:11 AM

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Answer 1

jldgb228

Level 1

20 points

May 11, 2025 01:06 PM in response to JRGC24

Hey sorry for late reply been non stop!

So Apple plugged my phone in and scanned, they said they could not find any faults, which did not make sense to me.

The technician decided to replace the motherboard (logic board) with all chips and processors obviously.

luckily my phone is under warranty! Motherboard replaced and seems to be all normal since running GPS apps! Every time I drive though I turn on my sat nav apps to keep checking incase.

Apple recommend that after phone being completely erased, just incase it is a bug in the backup copy on iCloud, don’t directly restore iPhone from last backup, set up phone as ‘new’ then choose last option (3rd option down).

Your photos, contacts, notes etc will all

still re-download onto your phone, you’d just have to rearrange your settings and redo passwords all apps, banking apps etc, which is a bit of a schlep.

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Answer 2

jldgb228

Level 1

20 points

May 14, 2025 01:17 PM in response to JRGC24

Yeah no worries. No you wouldn’t be covered as initial phones warranty is 12 months unless purchasing more.

It’s not about wiping everything to set up like new to kick the GPS receiver back into life, it’s more about the fact that if there is a bug on your backup copy on iCloud, when you redownload your backup back onto current or new phone, that bug downloads with the backup copy from iCloud.

I thought I’d try redownloading my last back up ‘with the bug’ a few nights ago just to see, driving on motorway today it happened again even with new motherboard! It froze saying in red on top ‘no gps signal’…

So annoying. I now know it’s a bug in the software OR in my backup. I’ll have to erase again and start again then test again.

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Answer 3

Kurtosis12

Level 9

74,602 points

May 8, 2025 09:02 AM in response to JRGC24

Make an appointment at the Genius Bar to have it diagnosed.

Genius Bar Reservation and Apple Support Options - Apple

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Answer 4

JRGC24 Author

Level 1

4 points

May 24, 2025 09:48 AM in response to JRGC24

Since updating to 18.5 iOS, all problems sorted. Connects to satellites almost instantly every time once again.

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Answer 5

JRGC24 Author

Level 1

4 points

May 8, 2025 11:13 AM in response to jldgb228

Interesting, not just me then! I was hoping to search and find that loads of others have been having the same issues, but until now, just you! Ha!

My hunch is software, I noticed it almost straight away after the IOS update. It’s 100% because it’s not connecting to satellites in my case. Keep me posted with your visit to Apple if you don’t mind please.

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Answer 6

JRGC24 Author

Level 1

4 points

May 12, 2025 07:03 AM in response to jldgb228

Thanks for getting back to me. I've had the phone for about 2 years, I have no idea if it will still be covered under warranty. Curiously though, I've since noticed that after about 15 - 20 mins the sats do sometimes lock on. Once they are locked on they stay locked on so long as maps remains open. All really good signal levels too. This behaviour makes me think it's not hardware related. I might try and wipe the phone and just set it up as new like you say and see if that kicks the sat receivers in to life.

Glad you got yours sorted!

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Answer 7

JRGC24 Author

Level 1

4 points

May 19, 2025 02:53 AM in response to jldgb228

As an update, Apple support scanned the phone remotely and found no issues the same as yours. They advised to download a copy of iOS and completely reload it using iTunes on a PC. Resetting the phone to factory settings only deletes personal data and settings, it doesn’t do anything with the operating system. This has improved things to the point where it is usable again. It’s still delayed picking up GPS, but it does lock on after several minutes in an app. I did reload a back up though. I think I’ll just put up with it for now and see how it is after the next iOS update.

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Answer 8

LD150

Level 10

95,517 points

Jun 2, 2025 12:24 AM in response to jldgb228

jldgb228 wrote:

The technician decided to replace the motherboard (logic board) with all chips and processors obviously.

Apple don't replace motherboards, partly because iphones don't have motherboards, but also because they only replace batteries, screens, or complete phones.

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Answer 9

jldgb228

Level 1

20 points

May 8, 2025 10:04 AM in response to JRGC24

I've been having the exact same issue for a good few weeks on 18.4.1

I’ve been using Waze for years, never any issues. Lately (iPhone 16 pro max on 18.4.1) been having GPS connectivity issues every single day. I’ve done everything! Reset network settings multiple times, reset location & privacy, reset all phone settings, got my network provider (Three mobile) to reset my network connection from their end, still same GPS issue on ALL my sat nav apps, Waze, Google maps & Apple Maps! Deleted and reinstalled the three apps and same issue.

Last night I backed up and erased my whole iPhone, still same issue today! Apple has checked my GPS antenna and all hardware on my phone, they said all working fine.

Sorry but it’s gotta be the software. Have an appointment with Apple tomorrow morning, will get them to plug my phone in and check the phone, will see what they say 🤷🏼‍♂️.

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How can I fix iPhone 14 GPS issues after iOS 18.4.1 update?

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