How do I turn off the cellphone antennas and keep the gps on? I guess gsm interferes with avy beacons and despite having the Verizon version I'd prefer turning off everything except gps and the beacon. I'd switch it in and out of airplane mode, but it defeats the purpose of doing live location updates with my partner in the backcountry.
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gps question
- Thread starter Nachoconqueso
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You can't. Airplane mode is the only thing that controls the cellular radios and it also controls GPS. Not sure if this would work for you, but the iPad 3G can turn off the cellular radios and keep the GPS on. It might be possible if you jailbreak your iPhone, but it'd take a bit of learning first.
If you're out in the backcountry, why not get an ordinary GPS like the Garmin gpsmap 62? You can get maps then even if no cell service.
Yeah I know. I was more about reducing the amount of stuff in my pack. I'll just go into airplane mode. We still use 2 way radios and route planning so gps updated between us isn't necessary. Just another silly convenience. We can always radio each other to turn on our positioning too.
If you could keep gps on and everything else off with a jailbreak tweek then damn it apple.
Does GPS really go off in Airplane mode? Why should it, it's only a receiver.
It's silly if it does.
It's silly if it does.
It really does. Airplane mode's role is to turn off all wireless radios, even receiving only ones. Even flight attendants tell you to turn off GPS devices on airplanes.
Unfortunately, it doesn't. Airplane mode turns off GPS and has ever since the iPhone 3G. The only directional things it doesn't turn off it the compass and gyroscope.
turning gps on and off differs on ATT & Verizon
The answers posted so far are a little misleading. It is true that on the Verizon phone you can not disable cell phone but keep GPS enabled. However, on an AT&T iPhone it is possible to do so by removing SIM or by using SIM lock feature. This capability is critical to preserve battery on multi-day backpacking trips, and for this reason the ATT version is a better option for backpackers.
Thorough coverage about using the iphone for gps/mapping while backpacking, including review of apps and detailed instructions for battery conservation:
http://adventurealan.com/iphone4gps.htm
The answers posted so far are a little misleading. It is true that on the Verizon phone you can not disable cell phone but keep GPS enabled. However, on an AT&T iPhone it is possible to do so by removing SIM or by using SIM lock feature. This capability is critical to preserve battery on multi-day backpacking trips, and for this reason the ATT version is a better option for backpackers.
Thorough coverage about using the iphone for gps/mapping while backpacking, including review of apps and detailed instructions for battery conservation:
http://adventurealan.com/iphone4gps.htm
That's kinda cool that it works like that. At least it works somehow. I have the Verizon version so oh well. Hopefully someday they consider allowing a gps only option. I've been successful with pulling it out of the jacket and turning off the airplane mode to double check location. This is kinda random, but you can avoid battery life issues on mult-days with a solar charger. I'm probably going to try one soon.