GPSense Support

GPS Test & Status for iPhone and Apple Watch, by Andadasi

Frequently asked

Why does GPSense not show how many satellites I see?

iOS gives apps no satellite count, signal strength or raw GNSS data. GPSense shows only what iOS really reports: your position, its accuracy, altitude, speed and course. The fix type (3D or 2D) and the source (GNSS, Wi‑Fi or cell) are worked out from the accuracy iOS reports, and the app says so. The Predicted sky view is computed from the nominal GPS constellation and is labelled as predicted.

Why does it say "Network position" instead of a fix?

When the accuracy is too wide to come from satellites, the position is almost certainly a Wi‑Fi or cell estimate, typical indoors, underground or in a tunnel. Step outside with a clear view of the sky and give it a minute.

Why is altitude empty or different from a map?

GPS altitude is only shown with a 3D fix and is less precise than the horizontal position, often by 10–20 m. On iPhones with a barometer you can also calibrate a barometric altitude to a known elevation or the local sea-level pressure (Status → More → Barometric altitude).

Does recording a track drain the battery?

Recording keeps GPS running, also with the phone locked, until you stop it, so it uses more battery than the screen alone. iOS shows the location indicator while it records. A pause longer than 30 minutes (5 minutes on the watch) switches GPS off; Resume turns it back on.

My recording stopped when I closed the app

If you swipe GPSense away while recording, iOS stops location for it. When you open the app again the track comes back paused, so you can resume it or stop and save it. Nothing recorded is lost.

How do I get a track recorded on my Apple Watch?

Stop the recording on the watch. It is sent to the Tracks list on your iPhone automatically as soon as the phone is nearby, then removed from the watch. Without the iPhone app, tracks stay on the watch, where you can share them as GPX or delete them.

How do I use GPSense with Siri or the Action button?

Say “Where am I in GPSense”, “Save a waypoint in GPSense” or “Start recording in GPSense”. The same actions appear in the Shortcuts app and can be assigned to the Action button in iOS Settings or on Apple Watch Ultra.

Where are my tracks and waypoints stored?

Only on your devices. GPSense has no accounts, no servers and no network access. Export a track as GPX from its screen if you want a copy elsewhere. Deleting the app deletes its tracks and waypoints.

Reporting a problem

If something is wrong, email support@andadasi.com with:

• what you were doing when it happened, and whether you were indoors or outdoors,
• your iPhone or Apple Watch model and OS version,
• the app version from Settings → About GPSense.

Screenshots help. Please do not send GPX files or coordinates of places you would rather keep private unless we ask.

Privacy

GPSense collects no data. The full policy is at andadasi.com/gpsense/privacy-ios.html.