Can Bluetooth improve GPS accuracy on mobile devices?

[Ez4u2cit]

Can someone explain why the GPS on my phone is improved when Bluetooth is on?

 

[FactChecker]

Do you mean better satellite signal strength or more accuracy from the same signal strength?

 

[Ez4u2cit]

When I turn on the GPS on my phone, the phone (Apple SE) tells me to turn on Bluetooth for better accuracy.

 

[FactChecker]

It means that it will get GPS information from a nearby Bluetooth GPS device if it can. A dedicated Bluetooth GPS is often more accurate than a cell phone. It also means that the cell phone can conserve the battery power by getting GPS from a nearby device instead of receiving GPS satellite signals.

 

[anorlunda]

Are you sure that it does not ask you to turn on WiFi rather than Bluetooth? Most WiFi routers can be associated with an IP address and thus a street address.

 

[FactChecker]

This link has a detailed discussion of how the Apple SE uses WiFi and cell phone towers to help locate the phone. Although it is detailed, it may still leave many questions. http://www.macworld.com/article/1159528/smartphones/how-iphone-location-works.html

 

[Ez4u2cit]

Thanks. Seems odd though. Chances of it hooking onto a Bluetooth GPS seem kind of slim - I assume it would need to be within 30 feet and would require an initial ppairing with the device.

 

[FactChecker]

Thanks. Seems odd though. Chances of it hooking onto a Bluetooth GPS seem kind of slim - I assume it would need to be within 30 feet and would require an initial ppairing with the device.

I agree. It sounds like it is just in case there is a bluetooth GPS near by. I had read before about pinging the cell towers and how that can make a phone GPS more accurate than a stand-alone dedicated GPS.