Search "BeiDou" in app stores, and you’ll find dozens of apps claiming to use China’s satellite system. But official sources confirm:

● "BeiDou has never developed any mobile navigation apps."

iOS Example: "BeiDou Navigation - HD Satellite Map" admits: "Apple phones use GPS; this app has no relation to BeiDou."

Android Warning: These apps misuse the name. Real BeiDou works via hardware, not software.

How to Actually Use BeiDou Navigation

The secret lies in your phone’s chip – not an app.

1. Chip Compatibility

● Your phone must have a BeiDou-enabled positioning chip (e.g., HiSilicon, Qualcomm, MediaTek).

● Chips must support LPP protocol (standard for satellite data).

2. Check Your Device

● Most Android phones (2018+) support BeiDou.

● iPhones exclusively use GPS (hardware limitation).

BeiDou 2.0: Free Lane-Level Precision (1.2 Meters!)

GPS: 5-10 meter accuracy → Misses exits, confuses lanes.
BeiDou 2.0: 1.2-meter accuracy → Knows exactly which lane you’re in.

Why Can’t Everyone Use 2.0?

Good News: Upgrading requires no hardware changes – just manufacturer updates.

Behind BeiDou 2.0: Science Serving the Public

● Developed by: China Academy of Information and Communications Technology (CAICT), a national research institute.

● Mission: "National think tank, industry innovation platform" – not profit-driven.

● Global Impact: Pushed BeiDou standards into 5G/3GPP international protocols.

180 million+ daily users benefit from this free, stable service – a result of CAICT stepping in when commercial players hesitated.

Key Takeaways: Using BeiDou Right

1. Forget "BeiDou Apps" – They’re scams.

2. Check your phone’s chip (Android: HiSilicon/Qualcomm/MediaTek; iPhone: GPS only).

3. BeiDou 2.0 needs manufacturer support – Contact your brand to request updates!

4. 1.2-meter precision is free – No subscriptions, no ads.

5. The Future: More users = stronger "BeiDou Ecosystem." Spread the truth, not myths!