Your phone isn't being watched; it's doing the math.
In short: GPS is often misunderstood as a tracking system. This video clarifies that your device isn't being monitored by satellites—it is actually performing complex calculations to determine its own location based on radio signals.
The Global Positioning System (GPS) relies on a network of satellites orbiting Earth to transmit precise radio signals. Your phone acts as a receiver, measuring the time it takes for these signals to arrive from multiple sources. By calculating the travel time of these signals, the device determines its distance from each satellite.
To find an exact location, your phone uses a process called trilateration. While three satellites are needed to establish a position, a fourth satellite is required to correct errors caused by the receiver's internal clock. This technology powers everything from navigation apps to hiking trackers.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: How Does GPS Know Where You Are? | GPS Explained
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