GPS issues - Epic 4G Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

has anyone elses GPS EVER WORKED for anything becides the navigation? example: foursquare or facebook?
im running on syndicate frozen rom.
edit: i got it to work once on facebook when i was OUTSIDE, why do i have to be OUTSIDE? that completely defeats the purpose.
and what does "use wireless networks" option do?

It uses data networks to help pinpoint your location.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App

I am running Frozen Syndicate Rom as well and i use it for Google Maps, Google Navigation, and FourSquare.
Prior to that i had the DK28 stock and before that BONZI4ALL. I havnt had any issues with it.
I am now seeing your EDIT about you wanting to know why you have to be outside for GPS to work.
Do you actually understand how GPS works? Its line of sight signals from sattelites in orbit. It was designed to be used OUTSIDE.
Heck you can be outside in dense foliage (trees) and still NOT get a signal. GPS does not penetrate concrete, steel, or any other dense sturcture.
Also if your in a down town urban area with skyscrapers that too will throw off the signaling aspect of GPS.
Use wireless netowrks is an option for when your inside a building or in an area with poor GPS coverage, it will attempt to use triangulation from the GPS being recieved by the Netowrk.
with GPS you can get accuracy of about 5-15 feet. With Network assisted GPS you can get about 50 feet accuracy. Its a big improvement from NO GPS.

my gps didnt work but i fixed it with ##RTN# reset. backed up my crap did that then rerstored my crap, walahh, gps works. now i got a replacement phone, gps worked when i got it. on eb13 and genocide with all my apps, gps works still now. few examples, foursquare, gps speedometer, and navigation are all working well.

thanks for the replies guys. i guess i didnt really understand why facebook and the other apps have the "places" part when you cant even use it unless your outside... so for instance: if your going to the club on Saturday night and you want to tell people where you are, you have to walk outside of the club, wait for gps to work and then go back inside and select the place? lol..

Just turn on the wifi locations option. It will use any nearby wifi to determine your rough location even if you can't connect to them.

Related

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.
Click to expand...
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.
Click to expand...
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 Gone Wild

My wife and I are presently on vacation in Malaysia. We're not roaming, using our phones with wifi only. I took the attached screenshot in Kuala Lumpur yet my phone claims it's in Anchorage, AK. It ain't 10 degrees here either (it's in the 90's and muggy). The phone will occasionally report my location as Little Rock, AR or Lahaina, HI but never Kuala Lumpur. It does this whether I'm at a coffee shop, restaurant or in my hotel room. When we were in Taiwan it showed the location properly.
My wife's E4GT correctly says it's in Kuala Lumpur and it delivers local weather. When I ask Urbanspoon for a restaurant recommendation it offers me places to eat in Los Angeles. My pictures are geotagged as Alaska. Netflix refuses to let me watch, correctly assuming that I'm in a location they can't serve. And Google Places always places me in Kuala Lumpur, it even tells me (correctly) what hotel I'm in.
The GPS on this phone was always lousy but I never expected this. So, can anyone give me a clue about what's happening with my E4GT's GPS?
there is a fix just a few post down
i thought the weather and many of those other apps used location services and NOT GPS....i.e. wifi or cell signal for location, either way if your wifes phone is getting the correct info and you are not then thats odd.
are both phones on the same rom/kernel?
Both phones are not rooted, everything shows the same on about phone screen.
GPS most always on smart phones. Try downloading GPS status toolbox (app). You can recalibrate GPS.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda premium
I tried GPS Status, after reset the download goes into a rotating update circle that would go on all day if I'd let it. Any other ideas?
GPS gone wild just sounds dirty
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda premium

Anyone in the NYC area have working GPS?

I have been having terrible GPS. It either won't lock in or if it does (on Google Navigation) i get the large blue circle around the nav arrow indicating that it won't lock in. I tried GPS Status and it helps a little but it by no means solved the problem. I also tried the app FASTER LOCK that supposedly helps the GPS lock in faster but it does not work either. I also tried the thread in the DEV section with the flashable zip. All of the above was done on Calkulin's and then after a fresh ODIN to stock rooted EL29 ROM.
After exhausting all these options I actually called SPRINT. They advised me that they are doing some maintenance on the antenna or satellites or some nonsense and say the ETA for the fix is 2/1/12. This service is supposed to be in the BKLYN/Queens and part of Manhattan area. In a nutshell I want to know if any of you NYers have experienced any problems with the GPS working properly. Please let me know because this is driving me F'n nuts and I don't really take Sprints word about these "repairs"
SantinoInc said:
I have been having terrible GPS. It either won't lock in or if it does (on Google Navigation) i get the large blue circle around the nav arrow indicating that it won't lock in. I tried GPS Status and it helps a little but it by no means solved the problem. I also tried the app FASTER LOCK that supposedly helps the GPS lock in faster but it does not work either. I also tried the thread in the DEV section with the flashable zip. All of the above was done on Calkulin's and then after a fresh ODIN to stock rooted EL29 ROM.
After exhausting all these options I actually called SPRINT. They advised me that they are doing some maintenance on the antenna or satellites or some nonsense and say the ETA for the fix is 2/1/12. This service is supposed to be in the BKLYN/Queens and part of Manhattan area. In a nutshell I want to know if any of you NYers have experienced any problems with the GPS working properly. Please let me know because this is driving me F'n nuts and I don't really take Sprints word about these "repairs"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mine too, but I almost never use GPS. I remember trying a while back and it wouldn't work (I'm not outside right now, so I can't try). I live in Bay Ridge and work in Manhattan and go to college in Staten Island.
I don't trust Sprint about any "upgrades" they claim to be doing. Since last January, they told me they were doing "upgrades" to fix 3G data speeds, and mine are still garbage. Better than they used to be but still garbage.
thanks for the input Fred. This nonsense is really pissing me off! Everything works great on this phone except for this GPS. The funny thing is that I don't use it that often but when I do use it I want and need it to work properly. There is nothing worst than being on the highway relying on Google Nav to get you to your destination and all of a sudden you get a "GPS single lost" notification.
Hopefully this gets straightened out one way or another
...i just took mine back yesturday to get a new phone mailed to me in the next couple days...apparently its a global gps issue meaning all e4gt have it at least the first batch...i got mine in october and my gps worked here in ny for awhile but recently same problems you described...most ppl report having better luck with a new phone...yours should b covered under warrenty so you get it for free...well ive heard some have to pay 35bucks unless you have insurance...id advise taking it to sprint and complain and demand a new phone...if rooted just make sure you remove root and if on custom rom make sure u go back to stock
lunchboxVA said:
...i just took mine back yesturday to get a new phone mailed to me in the next couple days...apparently its a global gps issue meaning all e4gt have it at least the first batch...i got mine in october and my gps worked here in ny for awhile but recently same problems you described...most ppl report having better luck with a new phone...yours should b covered under warrenty so you get it for free...well ive heard some have to pay 35bucks unless you have insurance...id advise taking it to sprint and complain and demand a new phone...if rooted just make sure you remove root and if on custom rom make sure u go back to stock
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So should we stay away from any specific sirial number? because i've tried the flashable zip and i still dont get a GPS lock... (Charlotte NC)
Running Calk's 2.8.1 and gunslinger 1.4.1 w/ gpsfix.zip
It is indeed with a lot of people. I have the same issue for a long time. I just recently got a new phone via insurance cause I lost my old one. It still has GPS lock issues. I can't say if it is a new model however.
What works for me (TO A POINT) is turning Wifi on for it to narrow down. Its really upsetting because I have my old Evo next to me and it gets GPS locks no problem. It is an issue with the phone.
I know that I have good company in regards to this problem. To illustrate my point I went to a Sprint corporate store in Brooklyn today and asked him about this GPS situation. To be honest he didn't know his ass from his elbow but the only upside was that he has the Epic 4G as his personal phone so I asked him to step outside of the store with me and open NAVIGATION and then MAP to see if it locks on. Sure enough, his phone wouldn't get a lock either.
Too make a long story short it seems that this phone has messed up GPS or maybe Sprints network in my area really is undergoing some repairs. Whatever the case is it is very irritating to me. I sold my NUVI GPS because my old EVO had some kickAss GPS but this phone has been a nightmare. I'm going to give it a few more days and call SPRINT again. I'm not going to be stuck with a phone w/o working GPS for another 1 3/4 years!
The thing is that GPS has nothing to do with network. Even if something was wrong with the towers and you couldn't use network location to pin you onto the map, GPS itself is totally independent and should work. Maybe it's the LTE rollout?
Product F(RED) said:
The thing is that GPS has nothing to do with network. Even if something was wrong with the towers and you couldn't use network location to pin you onto the map, GPS itself is totally independent and should work. Maybe it's the LTE rollout?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your guess is as good as, if not better than mine considering you do tech work on Sprint phones. All I know is that the day is going to come when I need to get somewhere by car and the fact that I can't rely on my "award winning smartphone" to get me there pisses me off.
You bring up a point that I am interested in. Like you mentioned, I thought that our GPS signal is directly related to the GPS satellites and the only thing data is needed for is to load the maps. In theory we should be able to use a NAVIGATION type app w/o data at all if the full map was installed to our phone and we have satellites for the GPS?
Does Sprint have their own GPS satellites or does everyone on the planet use the same one? I have no idea how that kind of thing works.
SantinoInc said:
Your guess is as good as, if not better than mine considering you do tech work on Sprint phones. All I know is that the day is going to come when I need to get somewhere by car and the fact that I can't rely on my "award winning smartphone" to get me there pisses me off.
You bring up a point that I am interested in. Like you mentioned, I thought that our GPS signal is directly related to the GPS satellites and the only thing data is needed for is to load the maps. In theory we should be able to use a NAVIGATION type app w/o data at all if the full map was installed to our phone and we have satellites for the GPS?
Does Sprint have their own GPS satellites or does everyone on the planet use the same one? I have no idea how that kind of thing works.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
GPS isn't touched by Sprint. Another thing you can try, in case it IS the phone trying to pick up your location by the tower, is to turn off network location and only use GPS. See if you can get a lock like that.
PS I don't work at Sprint anymore; my boss was a total douchebag pothead.
SantinoInc said:
In a nutshell I want to know if any of you NYers have experienced any problems with the GPS working properly. Please let me know because this is driving me F'n nuts and I don't really take Sprints word about these "repairs"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
BUMP!
I can't believe that with all of the prior issues, that we have yet another basic device function that DOES NOT WORK. What's weird, is that it seemed that there was a time when it DID work ok, but tonight I used it for the first time while navigating (kept my in-dash GPS on for comparison), and this thing could not find it's way out of a box. Even when there was a GPS lock and I was driving on a highway (in NJ), it had me on back roads and was spewing nonsense directions.
I also have GPS Stats, and all of the other suggested 'fixes' installed, and this is just plain broken. I was on all EL29, though recently my Kernel was moved to EL26. I'm going to go back to EL29, but I seriously doubt that will help.
If anyone has more information on this, please share.
Capp5050 said:
BUMP!
I can't believe that with all of the prior issues, that we have yet another basic device function that DOES NOT WORK. What's weird, is that it seemed that there was a time when it DID work ok, but tonight I used it for the first time while navigating (kept my in-dash GPS on for comparison), and this thing could not find it's way out of a box. Even when there was a GPS lock and I was driving on a highway (in NJ), it had me on back roads and was spewing nonsense directions.
I also have GPS Stats, and all of the other suggested 'fixes' installed, and this is just plain broken. I was on all EL29, though recently my Kernel was moved to EL26. I'm going to go back to EL29, but I seriously doubt that will help.
If anyone has more information on this, please share.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm here in NYC, midtown, and my GPS works fine, indoors and outdoors. I'll check again when I go out for lunch, but here in the Sprint office, it works fine.
I'm in queens, it works 100% of the time.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda premium

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?
Click to expand...
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

[Q] Latitude and Galaxy s3

Does anyone use Latitude with their GS3? My wife and I have it set up and it constantly shows us in the wrong locations. She'll be at work and it will show her a few miles away almost every single time. Has anyone found a fix for it?
slicetwo said:
Does anyone use Latitude with their GS3? My wife and I have it set up and it constantly shows us in the wrong locations. She'll be at work and it will show her a few miles away almost every single time. Has anyone found a fix for it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
especially indoors it can be hard for precise location... if you want it to be more accurate make sure all the gps settings are enabled and also being connected to wifi/or at least having it on will narrow down location...problem is, these run down battery
with poor gps signal the app will grab closest cell tower and guess a location based on cell reception.. which can be several miles.
That's not the issue here. All signals GPS and tower wise are perfect. The map finds us no problem when we open it, but latitude still puts us miles away. All settings are correct, as well.
I've noticed the same problem as well. Nothing I did fixed it either. I've came to the conclusion that it's a problem with the phone. My s3 works fine and my wife's infuse only works some of the time. Lemme know if you resolve this.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda premium

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