SpaceX has decided to disable a hidden feature that allows coordinate determination via Starlink user terminals. According to ArsTechnica, starting May 20, 2026, antenna location data will be completely removed from the Debug Data section of the mobile app. This is reported by Ixbt.com reports .
Although this feature was not officially marketed as a navigation tool, researchers and enthusiasts have used it for positioning, navigation, and time synchronization. In environments where GPS signals are jammed or spoofed, Starlink has served as a much more stable alternative.
The low-Earth orbit satellite constellation provides a stronger signal than traditional GNSS systems, making it harder to jam. Furthermore, two-way communication and directional antennas make the system more resilient to spoofing attacks.
Currently, Starlink cannot compete with GPS in terms of precision, as its standard accuracy level is approximately 10 meters. Nevertheless, research teams have proven that by further processing the signals, coordinates can be calculated with meter-level accuracy.
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