GPS. You’ve probably heard of it. You may have even used it. But what exactly is GPS? And how does GPS work on your phone? I talk to you in this blog.
What is GPS?
GPS is the abbreviation for ‘global positioning system’. This system determines your location via satellites. For example, you can navigate with GPS on your phone or keep track of distances traveled.
How does GPS work on your phone?
Almost every phone has GPS. Your phone is in contact with satellites so that they can determine your location.
Also read: All Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 specifications
The GPS receiver keeps track of when the signal was received and returned. This way, if you want, the location of your phone is continuously determined.
How do you turn GPS off and on on your iPhone?
Do you have an Apple phone, such as the iPhone 13mini, or iPhone 12 or iPhone 11? Here’s how to turn your GPS off and on:
Also Read: The 5 best design apps for your smartphone
- Open the ‘Settings’ app
- Click on ‘Privacy’.
- Click on ‘Location Services’.
- Slide the slider next to Location Services to the left to turn off your GPS, or to the right to turn it on.
- Do you want to adjust the location services per app? Then scroll down. Here you can see per app when your location is shared. You can also adjust this. Hit the app and you get three choices:
- Never
- Ask next time or when I share
- When using the app
Starting with iOS 14, some apps can also use your exact location. Would you rather disable this so that the app only gets an approximate location? Then you can set the slider to gray.
Also Read: Recognize music: these 5 apps will help you
How to disable and enable GPS on Android?
With an Android phone, such as the Samsung Galaxy A53 or OPPO Find X5 Lite, you can also turn your location services on or off. I explain how:
- Open the settings menu.
- Click on ‘Location’.
- Click on ‘Location access’.
- Turn location services on or off by moving the slider to green or gray.
Would you like to determine per app whether the location services are on or off? Then follow these steps:
- Open the settings menu.
- Click “Apps.”
- Click on an app of your choice.
- Swipe up from the bottom of the screen and click ‘Authorize’.
- Turn location services on or off by moving the slider to green or gray.
Does GPS cost data from your internet bundle?
You do not need the internet to use GPS. GPS, therefore, does not consume mobile data and works without the internet.
Also Read: GPS on your phone: that’s how it works
You can navigate offline by downloading offline maps. Do you want to receive traffic information? That takes data, but not much.
You choose how many MBs you need per month. This way you can be sure that you will always find your way back, even on holiday!
