Is it possible to track GPS runs without a SIM card?

[olesatthewheel]

Hello 

I just bought a new phone, and would like to keep using my old iPhone when running.

Does anyone know whether it's possible to use the GPS run tracking feature using an iPhone without a SIM card?

Thanks!

D

Moderator Edit: Clarified Subject.

[SunsetRunner]

I don't know why it wouldn't, unless the phone is using both GPS sats and cell towers to pinpoint your location.

[Rich_Laue]

Hello @olesatthewheel I've moved your iOS question to the iOS board

[Julia_G · Accepted solution]

Hi, @olesatthewheel , for quite some time I used the "connected GPS" features with Fitbits with a phone with no SIM.

My experience was that my phone would not make an initial connection without wifi.  Oddly, once I connected phone GPS to Fitbit, then I needed to disconnect from wifi or the connecton would fail.  So my procedure, when, for instance I wanted to get a map of a run, was this.  

1. Turn Bluetooth OFF on the phone not coming with me.
2. On the SIM-free phone, connect to home wifi and turn Bluetooth on.
3. On Fitbit start exercise ("Run").  When GPS connection to phone is successful, turn wifi on SIM free phone off and start run.

Even though I never could create an initial connection without internet, I did find that it could re-connect when GPS dropped out (tall buildings, dense trees, etc) as long as that drop-out was not for too long.

I hope this helps!  Let us know how it works for you.

Welcome to the forums!

[MarcoGFitbit]

Hello @olesatthewheel, have a warm welcome to the Fitbit Community. It's nice to see you too @Julia_G, @Rich_Laue  and @SunsetRunner. 

@olesatthewheel, I appreciate your participation in the Forums and for sharing your question with us. As a friendly reminder, in case the instructions provided by @Julia_G were helpful for you, please mark her post as a solution. This will be very helpful for other members of the Community that might have the same inquiry as you.

If there's anything else we can do for you, please feel free to reply. 

[Budyeates]

Followed your instructions using an old iPhone 4 and it’s worked a treat. Great, thanks very much.