Use this troubleshooting guide to fix your iPhone 14 Pro Max GPS if it’s not working.
GPS (Global Positioning System) technology has revolutionized navigation, allowing users to easily find their way around unfamiliar places. The GPS feature on your iPhone is one of the most useful and frequently used features, enabling users to navigate, get directions, and locate places easily. However, like any technology, the GPS on your iPhone 14 Pro Max can experience issues from time to time, such as not working. Sometimes, you encounter a "Location not available" message on your iPhone 14 Pro Max. Sometimes GPS stops working when you’re using the phone for navigation. Either way, in this article, I’ll explain why GPS is not working on your iPhone 14 Pro Max and show you how to fix the problem.
Note: information in this article apply to iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max.
Why is GPS not working on iPhone 14 Pro Max?
- Poor internet connection:
GPS on an iPhone often relies on a strong and stable internet connection to accurately determine your location. Without a good internet connection, GPS may not work properly. If your iPhone is having trouble connecting to Wi-Fi or cellular data, GPS may not be able to get a fix on your location. - Location services not enabled:
Location Services must be enabled on your iPhone 14 Pro Max for GPS to work properly. If you’ve turned off Location Services for a particular app or for your iPhone as a whole, GPS won’t be able to determine your location. - GPS app not updated:
If you’re experiencing GPS issues with a particular app, it may be due to a bug or glitch in the app that has since been fixed in an updated version. - App permissions:
Some apps may require additional permissions to access GPS data, such as access to your location even when the app is not in use. If you’ve denied these permissions, GPS may not work properly for that app. For example, some apps might use Wi-Fi and Bluetooth to determine your location. - Software issues:
Occasionally, software issues can cause the iPhone 14 Pro Max GPS to malfunction. This could be due to outdated software, a bug or glitch, or conflicting apps. - Hardware issues:
Finally, GPS issues could be due to a hardware problem with your iPhone 14 Pro Max. This could be due to damage to the GPS antenna or other components that affect GPS performance.
How to fix GPS not working on iPhone 14 Pro Max
1. Make sure location services are turned on
The first and most straightforward solution to fix GPS issues on your iPhone 14 Pro Max is to enable location services. Location services are the backbone of GPS, and if they are not enabled, your GPS will not function correctly.
To check if location services are enabled on your iPhone 14 Pro Max, follow these steps:
Step 1: Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services.
Step 2: Make sure that the Location Services toggle is turned on.
Step 3: Scroll down to find the app you are having GPS issues with and make sure that it has permission to use your location.
If your location services are enabled, but your GPS is still not working, try resetting it by turning Location Services toggle off and back on. Toggling location services off and then on again is a simple trick that works for many iPhone 14 Pro Max users. Occasionally something gets stuck that benefits from a quick reset.
2. Check your internet connection
GPS on your iPhone 14 Pro Max often relies on an internet connection to accurately determine your location.
According to Apple, the iPhone Location Services uses GPS, Bluetooth, crowd-sourced Wi-Fi hotspots, and cellular towers to determine your location. So, without a strong and stable internet connection, the iPhone 14 Pro Max GPS may not work properly. Here are some things you can try to ensure you have a good internet connection:
- Check that your Wi-Fi and cellular data are turned on and that you’re connected to a network.
- Move closer to a Wi-Fi router or try restarting your Wi-Fi router if you’re having trouble connecting to Wi-Fi.
- Toggle Airplane Mode on for 30 seconds. Then turn it off and try your GPS again.
- Check that the app you’re using has permission to access the internet in your iPhone settings by going to Settings > Cellular.
3. Restart the GPS app
If your iPhone 14 Pro Max GPS problem is only with one app, restarting the app you’re using can help. This essentially closes the app completely and starts it again, which can fix any glitches or bugs that might be causing GPS to malfunction. Here’s how to do it:
Step 1: Swipe up from the bottom of the screen and hold in the middle of the screen until the app switcher appears.
Step 2: Swipe left or right to find the app you want to close.
Step 3: Swipe up on the app preview to close the app.
Step 4: Once you’ve closed the app, wait a few seconds, then open it again and see if GPS is working properly.
4. Check for software updates
Apple regularly releases software updates to address bugs and improve the performance of its devices, including the iPhone. If your iPhone 14 Pro Max GPS is not working correctly, it might be due to a software issue that can be fixed with an update.
To check for software updates on your iPhone, follow these steps:
Step 1: Go to Settings > General > Software Update.
Step 2: If there is an available update, tap on Download and Install.
Step 3: Follow the prompts to complete the installation.
After updating your iPhone 14 Pro Max, check if the GPS is working correctly. If the issue persists, try the next solution.
5. Update the app
If you’re experiencing GPS issues with a particular app, it may be due to a bug or glitch in the app that has since been fixed in an updated version. Here’s how to update the app on your iPhone:
Step 1: Open the App Store on your iPhone.
Step 2: Tap on your profile icon in the top right corner of the screen.
Step 3: Scroll down to the "Available Updates" section and tap "Update" next to the app that’s experiencing GPS issues.
If you don’t see an update available for the app, it may already be up to date.
After updating the app, open it again and see if GPS is working properly. If not, you may need to try other troubleshooting steps below.
6. Check for Obstructions
Sometimes, GPS may stop working on your iPhone 14 Pro Max due to physical obstructions around you. These obstructions can include tall buildings, trees, and other structures that could block the GPS signal from reaching your phone.
If you’re in an area with tall buildings or trees, try moving to a more open area to see if your GPS signal improves. Additionally, ensure that you’re not in a location where you’re surrounded by metal structures or inside a building, as these can also interfere with GPS signals.
7. Calibrate the Compass
Sometimes, GPS not working on iPhone 14 Pro Max could be due to a calibration issue with the compass. When the compass is not calibrated correctly, it can cause incorrect GPS readings, which can lead to navigation issues.
To calibrate the compass on your iPhone, follow these steps:
Step 1: Open the Compass app on your iPhone.
Step 2: Hold your iPhone flat and move it around in a figure-eight motion until the compass is calibrated.
Step 3: Restart your iPhone and open the Maps app to check if the GPS is working correctly.
8. Check Date & Time Settings
Another reason why GPS may not work on your iPhone 14 Pro Max could be an incorrect date and time setting. If your date and time settings are incorrect, it can interfere with the GPS signal and cause it not to work correctly.
To check your date and time settings, follow these steps:
Step 1: Go to Settings > General > Date & Time.
Step 2: Make sure that Set Automatically is turned on.
Step 3: If Set Automatically is turned on, turn it off and on again to refresh the settings.
After checking your date and time settings, open the Maps app to see if the GPS is working correctly.
9. Delete and re-install the GPS app
If the date & time is not the cause of your iPhone 14 Pro Max GPS issue, you may want to try deleting and re-installing the app. This will completely remove the app from your iPhone and then download a fresh copy from the App Store. Here’s how to do it:
Step 1: Press and hold the app icon on your home screen until all the icons start to wiggle.
Step 2: Tap Delete app.
Step 3: Tap "Delete" to confirm that you want to delete the app.
Step 4: Go to the App Store and search for the app you just deleted.
Step 5: Tap "Get" or the cloud icon to re-download the app.
After re-installing the app, open it again and see if GPS is working properly. If not, you may need to try other troubleshooting steps below.
10. Reset network settings
Another solution to fix GPS issues on your iPhone 14 Pro Max is to reset your network settings. Resetting network settings can fix connectivity issues that might be causing the GPS problem.
To reset network settings on your iPhone, follow these steps:
Step 1: Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset.
Step 2: Tap on Reset Network Settings.
Step 3: Enter your passcode and confirm the action.
After resetting your network settings, check if the GPS is working correctly. If the issue persists, move on to the next solution.
11. Reset All Settings
If your GPS is still not working after trying the above solutions, you can try resetting all settings on your iPhone 14 Pro Max. This solution will restore all your iPhone settings to their default state, which can resolve any issues that might be causing GPS not to work.
To reset all settings on your iPhone, follow these steps:
Step 1: Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset.
Step 2: Tap on Reset All Settings.
Step 3: Enter your passcode if prompted and confirm the action.
After resetting all settings, check if the GPS on your iPhone 14 Pro Max is working correctly. If it’s still not working, try the next solution.
12. Reset Location & Privacy Permissions
Sometimes, GPS not working on iPhone 14 Pro Max could be due to a privacy setting that is preventing location services from accessing the GPS. To fix this, you can reset location and privacy permissions to ensure that the Maps app has permission to access your location.
To reset location and privacy permissions, follow these steps:
Step 1: Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset.
Step 2: Tap on Reset Location & Privacy.
Step 3: Enter your passcode if prompted and confirm the action.
After resetting location and privacy permissions, open the Maps app to see if the GPS is working correctly.
13. Restore iPhone
If none of the above solutions have resolved the GPS issue, you may need to restore your iPhone 14 Pro Max to its factory settings. This solution erases all data on your iPhone and restores it to its original state, which can resolve any software issues causing GPS not to work.
To restore your iPhone, follow these steps:
Step 1: Connect your iPhone to your computer using a USB cable and launch iTunes or Finder.
Step 2: Select your iPhone from the list of devices in iTunes or Finder.
Step 3: Click on the Restore iPhone button.
Step 4: Follow the prompts to complete the restoration process.
After restoring your iPhone 14 Pro Max, set it up as a new device, and check if the GPS is working correctly. If it still doesn’t work, check the last solution below.
14. Contact Apple Support
If none of the above solutions work, there may be a hardware issue with your iPhone 14 Pro Max. In this case, you should contact Apple Support for further assistance. They can run diagnostics on your iPhone and help you identify and fix any hardware issues that might be causing GPS not to work.
Conclusion
GPS not working on iPhone 14 Pro Max can be frustrating, but ty trying these solutions, you can ensure that your GPS is working correctly on your iPhone and avoid any navigation issues. If none of these solutions work, there may be a hardware issue with your iPhone, and you should contact Apple support for further assistance.
