Finally, after years of crippling GPS units in their smartphones, Verizon has let the GPS free on BlackBerry devices. I was ecstatic to learn this a few weeks ago, even though it only works on BlackBerry Maps and not the vastly superior Google Maps. I suspect, however, that a few Verizon users are still scratching their heads. They’ve booted up BB Maps, but still can’t get a fix on their location. Most Berry users know how to do this, because they have active GPS units. However, this is for those not in the know.
Go to Options, Advanced Options, GPS. Once there, go to the second option, GPS Services, and click the trackball. Select Location On. It will be on 911 Only by default.
There you have it. Now you can open BlackBerry Maps and see exactly where you are, or have it calculate where you’re going.
23 comments… read them below or add one
Thanks Joe, finally I got it going. I have to test it and see if it really gives turn by turn directios. Very helpful article.
Not so fast. I changed that the day you told us about it and I’m still waiting for the “Searching for satellites” message to go away.
I’m on Verizon with data plan on a curve on version 4.5.0.77. Doesn’t work for me? Anyone else feel my pain?
For those who can’t can’t get this working. I have no idea. I’m running 4.5.0.77 on an 8330, and it works perfectly for me.
Trevor: Sounds like an article I should write. I’ll try to get it up by Friday.
Hi,
I have a curve 8330 on VZ and this doesn’t work for me. When I open Blackberry Maps and select Options the “GPS Source” is “none” and cannot be changed (aka no other options). I’ve had the other settings as you indicated for many months
thx
So – how about for those of us who uninstalled BB Maps? What’s the easiest way to get it back?
I eagerly installed OS 4.5.0.77 on my Verizon Blackberry Curve to finally get access to the long crippled GPS. And I almost jumped for joy until I learned, as you did, that Google Maps is shut out. Not only is Google Maps locked out so is Neosistec’s CarFinder, and every other GPS application.
I then found out that in order to get BBMaps working with GPS (via the OS 4.5 install) I also lost the ability to use standard 3-connector earbuds, headsets, and most importantly the 3.5mm connection to my car stereo. After some experimentation I found that using the earbuds etc sounds great until a call comes in. With OS 4.3 the sound from the phone call would come through the earbuds and the microphone in the blackberry would change to speakerphone mode. For earbuds you might think I’m being a bit anal, but when its connected to my car, the person’s voice comes out in beautiful surround sound and the microphone in the blackberry changed to speakerphone mode. This meant when I answered a call I’d just hit the green button and leave the blackberry on the center console and have a great chat. Now when I hit the green button the other party can hear me just fine but I hear nothing but the slightest buzz. To solve this I had to go out and buy an iPhone 4-connector 3.5mm with inline microphone to 3-connector 3.5mm adapter. Here’s the link (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16855998908). Now after spending $20 I can use my car again.
So instead of jumping high with both feet I merely lifted up one leg…
I have it working on the BB storm. I just wish it would work with other apps.
Kelly,
Google Maps still will not work with a Verizon BlackBerry. Only BlackBerry Maps will function for the time being.
Link McGinnis, the ideal condition for satellite coverage is out in the middle of an open field on a cloudless day – for you urbanites you can substitute a big mall outdoor parking lot. The first few days after I changed to OS 4.5 I couldn’t get a signal because we were getting deluged by rain and there was no way any signal would penetrate the intense clouds. When the weather finally cleared I tried it again and within 2 seconds it picked up 11 satellites. I then walked indoors to a small convenience store and it immediately cut-out and began “searching for satellites.”
Even in my car I have to keep the blackberry on the dash pushed out to the windshield as far as possible (just like you see with people’s TomToms and Garmins)to get the best satellite signal. When I put my blackberry in my center console it works well on perfect days but doesn’t work so well when its very cloudy.
I haven’t had a whole lot of time using it yet so these are just my initial observations.
P.S. Right now there its moderately cloudy with stratus clouds outside. My 8330 is 4′ 6″ to the interior of a window that is 4′ 6″ high and a hundred feet wide…and it is “Searching for satellites.”
You really need to be outside for this to work best.
I’ve had trouble getting Google Maps to work with my now-unlocked-by-Verizon internal GPS or my external Bluetooth GPS since I upgraded my BlackBerry Curve 8330 to OS 4.5. But I haven’t spent a lot of time experimenting, so I can’t draw a conclusion yet.
I also am having trouble getting Google Maps to work with the internal GPS of my new BlackBerry Storm 9530. Again, I haven’t dug too deeply into this to understand better.
P.P.S. Now that I have no GPS signal I have the reminder of my initial frustration: once you don’t have a GPS signal and you close down the app that way, you can’t get a new GPS signal until you reboot the blackberry. I haven’t done enough researching to absolutely confirm it, but now when I open BBMap and then click on “Start GPS Navigation” I merely get the message in black on yellow, “SPACE = Hide dashboard.” I’ll wait to see if when the clouds go away and I go outside if it can come back, but I seem to remember that I couldn’t get it to work again till after a reboot. Hmm.
Nope. When the clouds went away and I went outside it still said “SPACE = Hide dashboard”…and when I did it again hours later it still said it too. I guess once you lose the GPS signal you lose it till the next reboot.
With my Bold it’s sufficient to Power Off and power it back on to regain the GPS signal. Obviously much faster than a full reboot.
I have it working with ab 8330 but if I exit BB Maps I have to hard reboot to get it back
try GPSed for blackberry, works good to solve some of those connection issues, wasn’t happy at all till i implemented this very usefull gps app
Failing to activate my GPS, what can I do? The response is there is data source for GPS.
My GPS SYSTEM DOES NOT WORK .. Tried the setting as suggested steps as mentioned it gives error : UNABLE TO ACQUIRE GPS LOCK.
have no gps function on my bb8520 even if i go to options then advanced options there is no gps setting, I did have it but done and update and it has gone can someone please help me to get it back.
help, i dont have GPS option in my BB 9300 curve OS 6 i already check in options>advance options and it;s nothing, i installed google maps v4 but it doesnt work, does anybody can help??? thanks.
Absurd. Get a real phone.
I have recently purchased BlackBerry Curve 9300. Tried to activate GPS. But there is no advance Options and also no GPS …what do I do to activate ..pl pl.. help me..
I have a BB 8520. Have tried all settings but the phone is perpetually searching for sattelites. Haven’t got a position till now, event in the open in a bright sunny day / clear skies at night. Is there a lock and if yes how do a unlock it.