"Use Google Location"

[testeraf]

I'm setting up my first smartphone and I noticed that it is giving me the option to use google location to find my location WITHOUT using GPS.

How does it do it without GPS?

 

[Metroid Prime]

I think if you added info like where you live then it can without it.

 

[breadnatty08]

Without GPS, it can use nearby cell towers to find your location. If you fire up Google Maps without turning on the GPS, it can usually get a pretty good approximation of your local.

 

[testeraf]

If I choose not to use Google Location will the phone then default to using GPS?

 

[Metroid Prime]

I think only if you choose to activate GPS then yes.

 

[jefboyardee]

Triangulation; it measures the distance from three cell towers to your phone; that gets ‘em pretty close.