Develop Bugs

[Q] How to make GPS work ?

Hi,
Since I am new to the DHD I still do not know the correct way to get the GPS to work.
I have the GPS turned on, and I launched the Navigation app and it says "searching for GPS". It has been searching since the last 30mins without any luck.
Is this a hardware or software issue ? Anything I am doing wrong ?
MJ

You sat inside by any chance?

Yes I was inside my room but I was standing by the open window with the phone outside.

mjehan said:
Yes I was inside my room but I was standing by the open window with the phone outside.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, I have had similar problems and posted similar questions....
the first gps fix will take some time....the 2nd, likely a lot less...
What worked for me:
- I have setup gps to not work with network (wifi or 3G), this means it only uses the gps module....
to get a gps fix, especially in the car, it helps if you put the DHD near to the windscreen, so it is better able to pick up the GPS signal...
when I was inside my home, it took forever to get a fix, when I now put it in behind the windscreen, my DHD with silicon case gets a fix in about max 1 minute....if I use the Wifi or 3g network it is even less....
hope this helps

Try the miui site gps fix
http://www.miui-au.com/howtos/faster-gps-fix/
It works extremely well for me, and i do it every time i flash a new rom.
You could also try
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1252011
I don't see that much of a difference, but i guess its because i don't have a network connection on most of the time.
You can also try different navigation software. There are heaps of free ones on the market, and they seem to get a much faster GPS lock (Than google or HTC navigation).
I just realised that this thread was from ages ago :/
I'm also not too sure how i got to this thread in the first place...

Get gps fix or gps status & toolbox from the market to lock
Sent from my HTC Desire HD A9191

try a few of the suggestions from Q14 from ARHD thread. Updating the gps.config file as described (Q14:5) sorted it for me. I get a sat lock in seconds now.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=840040

GPS stopped working... any idea before i'll send it for RMA?

Hi all
Few days ago i realized that GPS on my Defy is not working anymore...
It cannot get fix in any location, and GPS status tells me that is actually sees few satellites - 3-7 but readings are not stable (they dissapear from time to time) and it can not get fix...
I am on Froyo - official.
Any ideas?
I just tried it out again - it got fix, but after 130 seconds..... ...normally on a cold start it used to get a fix in below 30 seconds....

Same issue here, stopped working Thu 21st or Fri 22nd. Couldn't get any fix. Restored to factory with no success. On Sun it was working, after a few days it got better, but sometimes the startup time is long, the signal fluctuates and the accuracy (with GPStest) jumps between 4.5m and 45 or even 98m)
Also the GPS indicator sometimes doesn't show up on the status bar while gps is working.
Official Froyo here as well.
Must be some conspiracy
Maybe to get us buy Defy+

Same problem, GPS was working until last week... On Motorola forum there are some other people, which GPS stopped working this month, what's going on? By "stopped working" I mean, that I can not get GPS fix ie. with data connection off or I need to wait 30 minutes until I get GPS fix. For those 30 minutes I see 10 satellites, but no fix. Before month I had GPS fix w/wout data in 30 seconds.

Also been reading about this on the Motor forums. I have not been having the issue (California). Bought mine in November US when they first became available. Official 2.2, T-Mo. Green lens, FWIW.

Same problem here. Bought it in January but around June it stopped being able to hold a lock on any satellites. It can see 10 satellites very easily, and it will lock for a few seconds, but then it drops all of the sats and starts over.
It stopped working on official Froyo, but no joy on CM7 either.

There are a number of article on the net about GPS jamming. In the US Homeland Security routinely cuts GPS and if you are a pilot you will receive an advisory. But there is this:
http://www.economist.com/node/18304246
May not be related. Also, on another pilot forum, they are blaming certain types of GPS antenna for being jammed by cell towers.

I have the same issue. It worked ok for me yesterday while driving a long distance, but lost GPS after about an hour.
I can sometimes get a good enough fix to check in on foursquare, but not often.
I'm on official tmobile us froyo and have done factory reset, but it didn't help any.
Sent from my MB525 using XDA App

tlongren said:
I have the same issue. It worked ok for me yesterday while driving a long distance, but lost GPS after about an hour.
I can sometimes get a good enough fix to check in on foursquare, but not often.
I'm on official tmobile us froyo and have done factory reset, but it didn't help any.
Sent from my MB525 using XDA App
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Click to collapse
Where are you located?

scrannel said:
Where are you located?
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Click to collapse
Iowa, USA. My standalone GPS device works perfectly here.
Sent from my MB525 using XDA App

My gps seem to be faulty too. In uk.
Sent from mobile.

I always read this stuff just before I buy a phone:/ So it's a wide spread issue?
Might be getting that HTC 7 pro now

tlongren said:
Iowa, USA. My standalone GPS device works perfectly here.
Sent from my MB525 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A link on a pilot forum tested (not sure if it was a phone or other device) a GPS drop-out the pilot was having consistently on the way to his airfield. He finally noticed that when he drove between two cell towers his GPS dropped signal. He retested this several times and with the same result.
John Deere is fighting a 40,000 cell tower development which would disrupt GPS on farm tractors which rely on GPS for movement. This is a Sprint deal with LightSquared.
Look around this site for more GPS woes: http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/GPS_Side_Issue_LightSquared_Broadband_204980-1.html

My gps actually worked today! Figured I'd try it going from hotel to water ski show, took about 2 minutes to get a gps signal. But once it did, it worked well and got us to our destination.
Nothing has changed with phone setup, so it's a bit inconsistent it would seem.
Will be trying it again in a few hours. Wish me luck.
Sent from my MB525 using XDA App

Mine (UK stock Froyo 2.2) was the same, with A-GPS and data and WiFi all switched off it was struggling to get a fix, intermittently.
All GPS Status/Monitor apps showed that it finds many satellites but no locking.
Yesterday I got this app GPSFix from the Android Market and it locked in 1 min. After that all apps and monitors lock without any problem. I need to try more to be sure it was due to the app...

That's interesting Aeron_11. I'm gonna give GPSFix a try. Here's the market link if anyone is interested in trying it:
https://market.android.com/details?id=com.androidlab.gpsfix
The reviews seem to be very good.

GPSFix doesn't do any good for me. It's the same old story. Sees lots of satellites but can't hold a lock on any of them for more than a couple of seconds.
Running CM7

Well, I did some more tests, and I think GPSFix wasn't quite as reliable as I originally thought !
Basically it is still very intermittent. Sometimes it takes 5min or more and sometimes 1min. I think it depends on many parameters:
- I would say weather is a factor, cloudy, windy etc.
- Standing next to a wall or a building - even if not tall it blocks the direct view
- Also I find if you are moving, it will be a lot harder. Stand completely still and not just stop walking but don't move the phone about too much !
- The latest I found is the direction you are holding the phone (and possibly angle) !? Experiment and you see it picks more satellites in certain angles !
All in all, I get a fix but it just takes a long time sometime. A good GPS antenna/hardware in a phone probably is much more reliable than this (my records is 9min, which to be honest puts it pass the practical use). Although this is with all the data and WiFi and other connections switched off.
The funny thing is once it locks it won't let go !? It keeps it locked and won't drop it - accuracy is so so.
By the way, the number of satellites found is not important, it's the strength of their signal (I think it might be called SNR - some monitors show the strength and you can see that until it finds 3 or 4 satellites with 25+ SNR it won't lock.)
I'm no expert, these are just my impression/experience, that's all....

GPS Problem

Hi guys,
Trying to figure out if this is just me that has this issue. New nexus as of yesterday on o2. I do have the volume issue for what its worth, but I am getting off topic.
I have been having a problem with the GPS. I have tried it indoors and out. I have restarted the app, cleared cache, re-ticked all the location boxes, and nothing seems to help my get a lock. The closest it comes is about 4700 metres. This is with WiFi turned on as well as an active Sim card in it. My old iPhone without a sim instantly drops the pin on my house. So I guess I am trying to see if others have the issue, and if there is a fix or I have to send it back.
For the record I am pretty new to Android....as in this is my first one, so go gently! Other than this issue I love the phone!
Cheers,
J

JeepoUK said:
Hi guys,
Trying to figure out if this is just me that has this issue. New nexus as of yesterday on o2. I do have the volume issue for what its worth, but I am getting off topic.
I have been having a problem with the GPS. I have tried it indoors and out. I have restarted the app, cleared cache, re-ticked all the location boxes, and nothing seems to help my get a lock. The closest it comes is about 4700 metres. This is with WiFi turned on as well as an active Sim card in it. My old iPhone without a sim instantly drops the pin on my house. So I guess I am trying to see if others have the issue, and if there is a fix or I have to send it back.
For the record I am pretty new to Android....as in this is my first one, so go gently! Other than this issue I love the phone!
Cheers,
J
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That definitely does not seem normal. See if you can replicate the problem in a less built-up area. But at the moment, if I were having the same problem (which I'm not, I get great GPS reception) I would take it back for a replacement.
Hope you get it all sorted.

oscillik said:
That definitely does not seem normal. See if you can replicate the problem in a less built-up area. But at the moment, if I were having the same problem (which I'm not, I get great GPS reception) I would take it back for a replacement.
Hope you get it all sorted.
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Click to collapse
Well I live in the country side, so that hopefully is not the issue. I turned wifi off and it made zero difference, so it looks like something with the GPS.......
I just tried the GPS app in the market called GPS Test
It says that GPS is on, but it can't find me. Bad sign.

I tried the GPS test app from the market too the other day and it didn't locate any satellites. I think it's a problem with that app itself. No need to panic yet.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA App

I've been suffering from the same problem. I'm used to the GPS icon on the SGS2 showing me a (blinking) dot in the GPS icon. But now nothing.
GPS test app also shows it's on. I'm going to try the GPS out a bit more, but have the feeling somethings up with the GPS.
Using the Wi-fi it's working 'fine'. But I don't feel like sharing info while using this feature.

The captivate had a very similar problem when it came out. Not sure if it ever got fixed. But ultimately that's why I turned my captivate back in.

If you are in the country with no wifi around then I wouldnt expect wifi location to do you any good. Still though, it should locate much better than what it is. I'm in Afghanistan, in the middle of no where and mine locks while only using GPS to within like 30 meters.

original SGS line of phones were famous for their "awesome GPS"
no, it never got fixed because it was a hardware issue...

I'm having the same problem. I'm constantly unable to find my location using GPS. Wi-Fi and mobile networks work but this surely needs to be fixed.

GPS seemed to work after my little trip outside. Sadly as soon as I got back in, nothing. I'll be able to do some 'proper field testing' tomorrow.

Ves said:
GPS seemed to work after my little trip outside. Sadly as soon as I got back in, nothing. I'll be able to do some 'proper field testing' tomorrow.
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Click to collapse
GPS normally does not work well indoors.

I know but because I managed to get a location with the GPS on the SGS2, even if it took a while.
I was hoping for similar results (or better) with the GN.

GPS on my GN isn't working at all. Unless Wi-Fi and mobile network location is ticked, the phone can't find my location with GPS. Argh.

Have you tried any GPS apps to see if it's just bad reception from the satellites? That's one way to find out what's going on with the GPS on the phone.

My GPS locks almost instantly, and this is without a SIM card, and in Manhattan with tall buildings blocking most of the satellites. Much faster than with my N1.

no problems here.fastest phone ever with gps and i got 10 phones around 3 years with the function.
sitting in my room on the couch in the second floor.WiFi of only 2G network
and got within 5 to 7 sec a gps fix about 10 meters.
I reapeat,... in my house!not on the street or on the window!
sitting in front of my tv
never got a phone who can give me a signal in my house

my GPS also seems to work fine but during tracking it always goes off lock and relocks
and it bounces on corners like a gummybear
http://g.co/maps/apn3k

GPS is suddenly EXCELLENT!

My GPS has all of sudden started working FLAWLESSLY. I have changed nothing on my phone in the last couple of weeks. While sitting sitting in my living room today, I decided to turned on my GPS as I do often in the same spot. The only difference, instead of picking up zero satellites, I picked up at least 5 and Google maps is working great.
Has anyone else noticed sudden improved GPS?? I hope this lasts...
Sent from my SPH-D710 using XDA App

I can't offer much historical performance, as I just got my Epic yesterday, but I was able to quickly get a gps lock at my house last night, and while driving today. I leave GPS on all the time.

I'm pretty sure this is due to me wearing my tin foil hat.
You're welcome.

Maybe this is a dumb question, but how do you check?

SRT300 said:
Maybe this is a dumb question, but how do you check?
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Click to collapse
You can do this a few ways.
1) Make sure GPS is on, and go into Google Maps. See if it finds your location when you are indoors.
2) Make sure GPS is on, and download GPS test from the market. It will tell you how many satellites you are connecting to, and how strong the lock is. It also tells the accuracy of your location, in meters.

http://www.spaceweather.com/

GPS Status & Toolbox is another great free app from the market. Tells you how fast the GPS locks in seconds, number of satellites, longitude, latitude, compass bearing, etc. It will let you clear and download A-GPS data as well which one should do regularly.

tokuzumi said:
You can do this a few ways.
1) Make sure GPS is on, and go into Google Maps. See if it finds your location when you are indoors.
2) Make sure GPS is on, and download GPS test from the market. It will tell you how many satellites you are connecting to, and how strong the lock is. It also tells the accuracy of your location, in meters.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
These are the methods I use.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using XDA App

perhaps a neighbor cut down a tree which has been blocking the gps signal to your phone. haha.

Awesome!!!!
Mine says I'm at home too... Even though I'm currently at work about 10 miles away.
The GPS on this phone stinks!!!! But everything else is flawless.

I noticed a huge improvement a week or two before el29 went officially OTA. I was already running the leaked el29 modem/kernel mind you. Maybe Sammy/sprint changed something to play nice with the new release *shrugs*. Before this it would take awhile for GPS Status to lock on sats, now it usually locks in under a minute!
Sent from my SPH-D710 using XDA App

crzchn said:
http://www.spaceweather.com/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
^^this
The massive solar storm probably had a lot to do with it.

Not sure how the epic touch works, but I believe most phones do not use true GPS. The GPS module is usually assisted by the cell radio. Sprint probably improved cell coverage in your area.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk

Yes the phones do use the towers as a "rough location" while searching for satellites.

and if we have no tower signal.. we get no GPS
GPS should work.. cell signal or not. boooo A-GPS.

autoprime said:
and if we have no tower signal.. we get no GPS
GPS should work.. cell signal or not. boooo A-GPS.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You should be able to uncheck the option to use the cell network to assist with GPS lock. I think it's under Settings, Location, or Security. It will then only use the GPS antenna to determine your location. It will probably take about a minute to get a lock, however.
I haven't tested this out, so it's all theory, but on paper, the theory should be sound.

My old Samsung phone had major gps issues but once I got a good lock and started using gps regularly it worked fine till I started trying out different roms. This phone gps seems to be working fine so far

I've never had a problem with GPS, but I live in an area with good cell coverage

GPS problems only in my country?!

I'm constantly losing the GPS signal during navigation.
I've already replaced the phone two times through warranty and the mainboard got replaced each time.
The last time was just one month ago.
The problem always remained though.
The last days I could observe that this issue seems to be caused by my provider. Is this possible?
I have travelled through 4 bordering countries the last few days. The GPS worked great.
As soon as I passed the border to my country and the network switched to my home provider the GPS signal got lost shortly after and lost signal continuously frequently.
We were joking a lot about it because it happened every single time.
Is it possible that my provider's network can somehow cause theaw GPS drop outs?
Can I fix?
I'm happy about any help!
Thanks

I guess I am alone with that

TheLostOne said:
I guess I am alone with that
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Click to collapse
Try using this app to clear or update assistance data (AGPS).
I have also found that a GPS connection is made much faster when the data is turned on.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.eclipsim.gpsstatus2&hl=en_GB

Thank you, but unfortunately this doesn't help. I've already tried it many times.
I only have the problem in my country or rather with my provider.
I should try a friend's SIM to confirm it.

The problem really seems to be related to my mobile connection.
As soon as I turn on the airplane mode the GPS works perfectly.
Anyone got an idea what the issue may be?

TheLostOne said:
The problem really seems to be related to my mobile connection.
As soon as I turn on the airplane mode the GPS works perfectly.
Anyone got an idea what the issue may be?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you tried to set LTE/4G to 3G and tested?
Do you use Custom Rom?

Currently I'm using CypherOS 4.2, because I was hoping that the GPS will work better.
I am using 3G because my plan doesn't include LTE.

TheLostOne said:
Currently I'm using CypherOS 4.2, because I was hoping that the GPS will work better.
I am using 3G because my plan doesn't include LTE.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do You urgendly need GPS With 3G or is only GPS enough? Have you Tried only GPS?

I usually don't have offline maps and I'd like to be connected while navigating or be able to receive messages.
Besides that it's a fault that shouldn't happen with the phone. Using GPS should work without limitation.

TheLostOne said:
I guess I am alone with that
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've being using Navigon Europe for the last 6 years. First in LG-P880 and last 2 years with G4 H815. Sometimes, but only sometimes, maybe weather, high buildings, I don't know.... I have problems with GPS.
I've use it in Poland, Germany, The Netherlands, Belgium, France, Spain, Portugal, Italy and Luxembourg.
My location is set for "High Accuracy" (GPS and Networks), no matter if DATA is ON or not.
Of course that when DATA is ON my location is detected almost instantly.
But if you see that network is messing with the GPS, try to limit network access on your network settings. Maybe it works.

RuedasLocas said:
I've being using Navigon Europe for the last 6 years. First in LG-P880 and last 2 years with G4 H815. Sometimes, but only sometimes, maybe weather, high buildings, I don't know.... I have problems with GPS.
I've use it in Poland, Germany, The Netherlands, Belgium, France, Spain, Portugal, Italy and Luxembourg.
My location is set for "High Accuracy" (GPS and Networks), no matter if DATA is ON or not.
Of course that when DATA is ON my location is detected almost instantly.
But if you see that network is messing with the GPS, try to limit network access on your network settings. Maybe it works.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly what I meant.
Yes GPS should work without limitation, but if Your provider has messed something up,its his fault.
And like You said it works in other countrys so its not Your device.

uweork said:
Exactly what I meant.
Yes GPS should work without limitation, but if Your provider has messed something up,its his fault.
And like You said it works in other countrys so its not Your device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Or GPS is fine but the software not... I mean, the apk might not be the best.
How can a provider mess with the GPS? The signal are where they are, not possible to shake, move them, hide them...
Maybe the lack of signal from the provider might counts concerning the maps. If the data needed to navigate is downloaded and how fast.
Also, with no data, how it's possible to use GPS without offline maps??

RuedasLocas said:
Or GPS is fine but the software not... I mean, the apk might not be the best.
How can a provider mess with the GPS? The signal are where they are, not possible to shake, move them, hide them...
Maybe the lack of signal from the provider might counts concerning the maps. If the data needed to navigate is downloaded and how fast.
Also, with no data, how it's possible to use GPS without offline maps??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Use GPStest from play store https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.chartcross.gpstest and make sure you are getting enough satellites. Also with that app you can reset and retrieve the a-gps data.
Just a thought

My GPS is fine!
Stop answering my posts as if I have an issue.
Thank you

It's definitely not a faulty device since the motherboard got replaced already two times.
It's somehow an incompatibility between my provider's network and my phone's GPS.
I am using GPS test since many years and love it. It doesn't help in this case though. The GPS status there also freezes when the GPS stops working.
To answer the question how I can use navigation without data:
Google Maps caches the maps so I can use it also offline.

TheLostOne said:
It's definitely not a faulty device since the motherboard got replaced already two times.
It's somehow an incompatibility between my provider's network and my phone's GPS.
I am using GPS test since many years and love it. It doesn't help in this case though. The GPS status there also freezes when the GPS stops working.
To answer the question how I can use navigation without data:
Google Maps caches the maps so I can use it also offline.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Install a navigation apk like "Navigon" or "CoPilot", something like that.

I know these apps but I don't want to turn off data when using GPS.
I was hoping that someone is familiar to this problem and knows a fix.

TheLostOne said:
I know these apps but I don't want to turn off data when using GPS.
I was hoping that someone is familiar to this problem and knows a fix.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And you don't have to turn OFF data while using them.
And once again, maybe there's nothing wrong with your device or carrier, maybe the app that you're using, or how accurate and updated are the maps of a specific country.
In Portugal, there are places where the GPS goes crazy, just because of the maps.
In Poland, sometimes I'm driving on the grass. The roads where deviated but the map was not updated. So, I know that is a problem of the map because I know how the roads where before and now.
Someone who don't will say that the GPS is crazy...
BTW, in The Netherlands, 6 years ago, I use to drive over the water most part of the time :silly:

Hi,
have you found a solution to this?
I notice very similar issues now and then during road navigation, gmaps (and others previously). GPS signal repeatedly disconnects and then reconnects after a while, and velocity reading becomes 0 or odd.
I thought it was overheating, but a carrier incompatibility issue seems plausible,.

Hi!
No, unfortunately I didn't find a solution. Replacing the motherboard didn't help either. I have a new phone now and don't have the problem anymore.