Support

If you have problems with the Grid Ref app try comparing the results with the standard Maps application as well.
If your location isn't shown on the map as a blue ball the GPS isn't working with the map application either.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Assisted GPS ?

An accurate GPS fix relies on the phone carrier supplying hints for the GPS location algorithms, such as which satellites visible and whether they are approaching or receding which in turn affects what frequency to listen for them.
If you have no Mobile data coverage or WiFi the signal strength is too low for reliable data it can take a long time to get a fix.
Typically the first location you get is from the Skyhook database of WiFi Hotspot locations or the location of the cell tower your phone is using which may be several kilometres from your actual position.

Can the iPhone get a GPS accurate location without Mobile coverage ?

Yes - but it can take up to 15 minutes, The Assisted GPS engines in iPhones and the iPad 3G work most efficiently in terms of speed and power if they can request the most up to date information on the GPS satellites from the Mobile company over an internet connection. If that information isn't available it can take 15 minutes from a cold start to collect the neccessary almanac information from the satellites themselves.

Why do the grid references have a different numbers of digits ?

The accuracy returned by the iPhone location services varies with the source of the information.
If the GPS gets a good fix the accuracy better than 150 metres so the Grid Reference can be shown to the nearest 100 metres with 6 digits and when the accuracy is better than 50 metres it shows 8 digits.
Tap the displayed Grid Reference to see the alternate all numeric 12 or 13 digit format

How do I use National Grid References ?

The Information panel of an Ordnance survey Explorer™ or Landranger™ map gives an example of how a National Grid Reference is composed from a Easting measuring along the bottom of the map and a Northing up the side.
See this guide on the Ordnance Survey Website

What do the two letters mean ?

Fully numerical Grid Reference coordinates actually have two (or even 3 in the case of Orkney or Shetland) significant digits dividing the country into 100 Km squares. These are conventionally represented as a pair of letters. If there's no ambiguity as to which area you are in these letters can be omitted.

Does this Application run my battery down ?

Grid Ref is intended to be an application that you run for short periods to get a reference, the iPhone location service is run for 50 seconds and then stopped. If the accuracy of the supplied location gets more accurate it keeps going slightly longer.
Once the spinning disc stops the location won't be updated until you hit the start button again.

Can I obtain a Grid Reference during a call ?

Yes - unlike the built-in Maps application which requires an internet connection to load map tiles, Grid Ref CAN run during a call.

Does the Application work outside the UK ?

If you try to get a fix outside the region covered by the British National Grid you get a message that says "Not in the UK"

Why doesn't it cover Northern Ireland or the Channel Islands ?

These regions of the UK use a slightly modified model of the earths surface and need a different datum.

Trademarks: Ordnance Survey, Explorer and Landranger are Trademarks of the Ordnance Survey