Warning: iOS 16.1 Beta Breaking GPS on iPhone 14 Pro Models - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Warning: iOS 16.1 Beta Breaking GPS on iPhone 14 Pro Models

iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max owners should be aware that the iOS 16.1 beta is preventing the GPS from working properly on the devices for many users. Anyone who relies on location tracking should avoid the beta for now.

iPhone 14 Pro Dynamic Island Maps
Bugs are common with beta software, but this issue affects a core function of the iPhone, prompting us to share this warning. iPhone 14 Pro users who already installed the iOS 16.1 beta will have to downgrade to iOS 16.0.1 or wait until a later iOS 16.1 beta fixes the issue in order to restore GPS functionality. A cause of the bug is unclear.

Like the Apple Watch Ultra, iPhone 14 Pro models feature dual-frequency GPS support. This means the iPhones can receive signals from GPS satellites operating on both the legacy L1 frequency and the higher-power L5 frequency, which can better travel through obstacles like buildings and trees. A combination of the two signals should lead to improved location accuracy in mapping apps and more.

The standard iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus do not have dual-frequency GPS support.

Related Forums: iOS 16, iPhone

Top Rated Comments

UltimateSyn Avatar
46 months ago

iOS 16.0 - Bug for activating. IOS 16.0.1 (day one update required). IOS 16.1 bug… not a great start.
It’s a beta.
Score: 75 Votes (Like | Disagree)
46 months ago

Queue the Apple apologists.
I have never understood people who install Beta's on their main device and then freak out when something doesn't work right. It's baffling!
Score: 32 Votes (Like | Disagree)
46 months ago
The more knobs you add to a Swiss Army knife, the more things are prone to break
Score: 25 Votes (Like | Disagree)
CodeSpyder Avatar
46 months ago
This is why betas should not be used on one's personal devices. Of course, that won't stop folks from doing so.
Score: 22 Votes (Like | Disagree)
46 months ago
iOS 16.0 - Bug for activating. IOS 16.0.1 (day one update required), IOS update 16.0.2 to resolve the vibration camera issue. IOS 16.1 bug… not a great start.
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
bmustaf Avatar
46 months ago
Oh great, the “but it’s a beta” crowd again.

Betas are actually for devs to build and test apps before release. This is a pretty big impediment for testing GPS functionality as it’s one of the things that you can’t test well in the simulator, or down level versions if you’re developing against the newer APIs.
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)