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Using iPhone GPS without a sim card

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Posted by cakesy
Using iPhone GPS without a sim card

Hi, I have read somewhere that you can still use GPS on your iPhone, when in another country, even if you don't have a sim. Does that sound right to anyone, and is anyone in a position to test this?

I do find GPS very useful in this phone, and it would be great to know. I went to NZ last year, and got a good deal on a pre-paid sim (Vodafone), which gave me 300mb of data over 3 months, which was a great deal, very handy for downloading maps. Don't want to do that for every country i travel in though.

Posted by basketball
Using iPhone GPS without a sim card

GPS function works without a SIM card installed, but only the GPS apps from the app store that display location as latitude/longitude/altitude will work without the SIM. It will take longer to find the satellite signal and it will only work out in the open because without the SIM the GPS must function without the assistance of the cell towers.

You will not be able to see anything on the maps, unless you're on Wi-Fi, since the map data is downloaded from google and not stored permanently.

Posted by windows7
My research

I have done my research. How earth do you fit a dedicated GPS chip in a mobile chipset considering the RF implications as well as power constraints.

The same way everyone else does it these days: with the help of clever electrical engineers. :)

The iPhone does have a dedicated GPS receiver. Specifically, it's Infineon's Hammerhead II (PMB2525) which does A-GPS and plain old GPS too.

I'm amazed at how small all this stuff is nowadays. The last GPS chipset I handled was a few square centimetres in size.

Conclusion, Iphone GPS is able to use without a SIM CARD, unless the GPS programme need internet =)

Posted by Guest
GPS without DATA connection

I could manage to use the GPS without a Data Connection on my iPhone 5S.
Initially I had to set the path, and then switched off the Data Connection to test the device whether it works.
I did not remove the SIM.

I wanted to know when i travel aboard whether i could use this way.!!
Please comment if it is not the case with you guys!

Posted by basirb
Re: GPS without DATA connection

Hi
You have to preload maps before your travel, or download maps over a WiFi connection while abroad. Otherwise you'll probably see a GPS mark showing your position on a blank/black map.

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