Develop Bugs

Need peoples help to prove GPS HW or SW issue?

So to my surprise I do not see this topic for the Galaxy Nexus yet. I want to see if this is a batch issue or an actual SW bug most haven't noticed yet.
Basically, if I only have GPS turned on my nexus running 4.0.1 will not find a GPS signal. I've used the GPS tool on the market to confirm that only when I enable the Google assisting using mobile towers and wifi will I get a signal. But GPS is still searching. My wife also has the same phone bought at the same time with the same scenario.
After Googling this I see that Google forums and the android community forums have topics like this indicating similar issues. Some posts even have someone comparing with a colleague if their nexus under the same condition works and sure enough it does. Other posts indicate Samsung mentioning that there may be a problem.
Can people try to turn off the mobile tower and wifi assistance then see if GPS locks on quick (or at all) then post their comments? I'm going to exchange these phones and need as much proof of defect as possible.
I appreciate the time.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA App
Edit Starts here:
So first, I appreciate the responses.
Second, my story in more detail:
- I bought the phone and wanted to prevent battery drain so I unchecked the "Google's location Service" box.
- Once I started Maps, by Google, I noticed my location wasn't being found at all. In fact the Searching for GPS timed out and said that this is temporarily unavailable
- I checked my wife's phone that was purchased at the same location and found the same issue.
- Accuracy with the "Google's location Service" box was up to 50 meters. It did NOT improve...
- After looking online, I found these two forums:
https://groups.google.com/a/googleproductforums.com/forum/#!topic/maps/bGfGFRWCmIA
http://androidforums.com/verizon-galaxy-nexus/467949-galaxy-nexus-gps-issue.html
This is where I found people comparing devices...
- Today I downloaded a GPS Status app and found that the search was yielding no satellites.
- No Joke, I updated my Maps program (google market notification) and now I have no issues. No matter what setup I have I am found within 9 seconds with just GPS and accuracy to 10 meters. while with aGPS I'm found with accuracy to 5 meters...
The latest release for Maps has a mention of "Bug fixes for newer devices"
Make your own conclusions.

Try 4.0.3 and see if that fixes it for you? Battery life is way better than 4.0.1 anyway

When I ran 4.0.2 stock my GPS was connecting in under 30 seconds, currently on a 4.0.3 rom it connecting in about the same time

Gps is slower without agps. These arent dedicated gps units. Starting a new thread about it isnt going to solve the issue any better either.
My grandma beat me down and took my nexus. Sent from a jitterbug with beats by dre.

@rbiter said:
Gps is slower without agps. These arent dedicated gps units. Starting a new thread about it isnt going to solve the issue any better either.
My grandma beat me down and took my nexus. Sent from a jitterbug with beats by dre.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And why does it matter? Is it really that inconvenient to check one extra box?

joshnichols189 said:
And why does it matter? Is it really that inconvenient to check one extra box?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, I would not wait 5 to 10 minutes to get gps fix.

This has been discussed time and time again...
The phone must download orbital data or an almanac for the GPS satellites in order to establish a lock. With assisted GPS, the phone can download what it needs via the mobile network, however, with assisted GPS turned off it must download it from the GPS satellites which can take a very long time - anywhere between 15 minutes and a half hour.
There is nothing wrong the the GPS in the Galaxy Nexus - mine locks on me, in my house, within a 5 meter radius within 5 seconds.

actually hes right. i too dont get locks till about 4-5 mins on just gps, w/o agps. this shouldnt be the case. Gnex has GPS+GLONASS support with barometric assistance built in. It should be locking in very quickly w/o agps. My captivate, with the galaxy S broken gps, locked on in 3-4 mins w/o agps. It must be some kind of software issue.
As to the questions of why you need it, say you are in another country, you wouldnt be able to use your gps, and would be in deep **** if you got lost or watever. I was in the Bahamas and it would never lock in for me, even when outside.

I'm on 4.0.1 bought in sweden late november and in roughly 1min i get a fix with satelite only.. a few min after first test i enabled airplanemode and got a fix within seconds.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium

psycho2097 said:
actually hes right. i too dont get locks till about 4-5 mins on just gps, w/o agps. this shouldnt be the case. Gnex has GPS+GLONASS support with barometric assistance built in. It should be locking in very quickly w/o agps. My captivate, with the galaxy S broken gps, locked on in 3-4 mins w/o agps. It must be some kind of software issue.
As to the questions of why you need it, say you are in another country, you wouldnt be able to use your gps, and would be in deep **** if you got lost or watever. I was in the Bahamas and it would never lock in for me, even when outside.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually the Galaxy Note has GLONASS, not the GN, i'm sorry to say :/
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium

Here's a general rule: Don't turn off the A-GPS unless you want it to take a long time to get the initial fix. Pretty simple.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA App

From in my work (Near window) I locked on to GPS with only GPS sats clicked on with in 7-8 seconds.

faizalmzain said:
Yes, I would not wait 5 to 10 minutes to get gps fix.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It doesn't take that long if you just check both boxes.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium

with just GPS, I get a lock quickly. I connect daily with cardio trainer.

Let me explain myself a little more
So first, I appreciate the responses.
Second, my story in more detail:
- I bought the phone and wanted to prevent battery drain so I unchecked the "Google's location Service" box.
- Once I started Maps, by Google, I noticed my location wasn't being found at all. In fact the Searching for GPS timed out and said that this is temporarily unavailable
- I checked my wife's phone that was purchased at the same location and found the same issue.
- Accuracy with the "Google's location Service" box was up to 50 meters. It did NOT improve...
- After looking online, I found these two forums:
https://groups.google.com/a/googleproductforums.com/forum/#!topic/maps/bGfGFRWCmIA
http://androidforums.com/verizon-galaxy-nexus/467949-galaxy-nexus-gps-issue.html
This is where I found people comparing devices...
- Today I downloaded a GPS Status app and found that the search was yielding no satellites.
- No Joke, I updated my Maps program (google market notification) and now I have no issues. No matter what setup I have I am found within 9 seconds with just GPS and accuracy to 10 meters. while with aGPS I'm found with accuracy to 5 meters...
The latest release for Maps has a mention of "Bug fixes for newer devices"
Make your own conclusions.

Reason for me to uncheck Agps is to use pree loaded maps when going abroad and still need to find my way around so it is a good thing to be able to turn off network location assistence.. using data when in another country can cost you PLENTY of money
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium

there is absolutly no reason to uncheck agps.
unchecking it DOES NOT increase your battery life.
at least not drasticly. the agps is only used when you use apps that are location aware. such as maps, alfred, google+ and many others.
if you just leave agps on, it will not decrease your battery at all until it is being used.
as as it's been brought up, and as you saw, your lock time goes from a few seconds to 5-12 minutes.
i just took a trip up to orlando, and while traveling at 80Mph my galaxy nexus got a GPS lock with agps on EDGE, not 3G, in about 5 seconds.

sometimes people want to hike 50 miles into the woods where there is no cell service, and still use their GPS. sometimes people travel to china where they dont want to pay roaming, and hence use their GPS with no data enabled. hopefully most people understand this point now.

Tjotte said:
Reason for me to uncheck Agps is [...]
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is no option in ICS to "uncheck" A-GPS.

RogerPodacter said:
sometimes people want to hike 50 miles into the woods where there is no cell service, and still use their GPS. sometimes people travel to china where they dont want to pay roaming, and hence use their GPS with no data enabled. hopefully most people understand this point now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So why not purchase a pre-paid foreign SIM for the people who use roaming as their excuse? Or better yet... Why not purchase a dedicated GPS device? People these days.

Is my GPS broken? (running stock jellybean) - UPDATE see post 6

Ive had my phone for about 2 weeks now, and the GPS is basically unusable. It takes up to 5 mins to get a lock, and sometimes it just never gets one. Even when it does, its not very accurate.
Ive read somewhere that the upgrade to jellybean caused this, and ive been running JN since i owned it, so maybe thats my problem? Anyone else experience this issue? Anyway to test if its just the software?
Id like to figure it out, so if i have to send my phone back i can. Thanks.

I think the Jellybean connection was more coincidental than anything else, since a lot of people were having GPS issues (on both ICS and JB ROMs) around the time that the JB OTA began rolling out.
Try disabling "Google's location service" in the location services setting and see if that helps. If it works, then try reenabling it and try again. That seemed to resolve the issues of most people who were having GPS issues a few weeks ago.

athakur999 said:
I think the Jellybean connection was more coincidental than anything else, since a lot of people were having GPS issues (on both ICS and JB ROMs) around the time that the JB OTA began rolling out.
Try disabling "Google's location service" in the location services setting and see if that helps. If it works, then try reenabling it and try again. That seemed to resolve the issues of most people who were having GPS issues a few weeks ago.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
With it enabled, i just get the huge circle, and it says my location is somewhere in there. With it disabled, i get "waiting for location", and then "your current location is temporarily unavailable."
Anything else i can try. Like i said before it works, but maybe 1 out of 10 times. Even if it worked half the time it would be useless. If i cant depend on it then its really not worth anything to me.

Try this GPS fix. It worked like a champ for me and many other people.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1789543

azanboy said:
Try this GPS fix. It worked like a champ for me and many other people.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1789543
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
im not rooted.

Ok i just called google play, and asked what i should do. He suggested i do what ive already done (check and uncheck google services, factory reset), both of which had no effect on my GPS. He then told me that a fix should be coming out within the next few weeks, and it should fix it on all devices.
So right now im debating flashing a custom ROM like AOKP or something to see if that fixes it. Im a little worried about doing this to a phone that may be faulty in the first place though. Should i even bother, or should i just wait the few weeks for a fix. If googles OTA fix doesnt fix it back to google it goes.

another update: GPS now works (not sure what made it start), but it still takes forever to lock, and is extremely inaccurate. Usually when you use nav, itll tell you when a turn is coming etc, but the gps thought i was over 100yds behind were i actually was. Even when im in my house, it has no idea where i am, closest it can get in down to 3 houses wide.
Im having flashbacks to my captivate - which didnt work at all - but if a gps only works sometimes and when it does doesnt work very good - then its basically worthless. Am i really going to trust it when i need it?

GPS status from Google play store. Install it and let it download agps data. That should greatly increase accuracy and decrease lock time. You don't need root to use it.
Hope it helps
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda app-developers app

fix
try this download gps test from google play run then it should fix the problem 100% worked for me

Yet another uncommon GPS problem

Okay, this seems just another common GPS problem with a DHD. But I find it intriguing.
It happens to me since I bought the phone, second hand.
I've already made the mod to the antena (soldered wire) and use the AGPS Patch and FasterFix to choose the server. Nothing solved it.
So, when the GPS works, it works really fine, no abnormal signal loss, not too much lag.
Note that it only works fine when I turn data ON, so it can download agps info.
There comes a day when I turn data on, go outside, turn Sygic on (or other gps program), and no satellites at all. GPS Status indicates the same.
I can go for more than 15 minutes without gps fix. It can go for longer, but I don't have the patience. I reset the AGPS info with GPS Status and download a fresh one and the problem remains.
If I restart the phone, 99% of the times, it solves the problem.
Now, I found out that a program called Quick Reboot (https://play.google.com/store/apps/...Glub3NvZnQuYW5kcm9pZC5RdWlja1JlYm9vdEZyZWUiXQ) avoids me having to restart the phone. Plus, GPS Doctor is quite efficient too.
So, I have to run Quick Reboot, then GPS Doctor, then Sygic or other Nav Program. Not very handy, if you're already driving...
Now, what on earth is this?
Hardware seems fine, because it doesn't fail, for example in a 300 km trip. If it gets a fix, it stays on nicely.
It sounds a software problem, deep in the OS itself.
I'm on Android 2.3.7, CM 7.2, but tested this on various CM based roms, ICS, rooted OEM ROM and it behaves the same.
If anyone can help... or share experiences... Any devs?
Thanks

I dont think it is going to get any better than that. I have the same experience as well with ICS ROMs. However, some ROM's dont do it so often.

i have same issue on default rooted rom wwe3.12.405.1.....
it may be problem with some specific models or all od dhd series
and its very random and happens on trips mostly
agps /wifi/mobile data nothing fixes it
restart fixs issue instantly ...
once after restart gps gets fixed it works perfectly ...

I have this exact same problem, and I'll try your tip for using the Quick Reboot app.
I'd also recommend the app AGPS Injector which enables you to start GPS based apps e.g. navigation etc. 'via' AGPS injector. It automatically downloads AGPS info before starting the navigation app. You can even create homescreen shortcuts for navigator apps which do it all with one click. Perfect!
I'm going to try combining this with a Quick Reboot using Tasker, again so that it does it all with just one click. I'll report back if it works.

Yep, automated steps would be great, like:
auto data on / agps injector / auto data off / run gps program
or even
Run Quick Reboot / quit Quick Reboot / auto data on / agps injector / auto data off / run gps program
:silly:

Just got a total GPS blackout an hour ago, and the combination Quick Reboot + AGPS injector (bought the full version) didn't worked for me, despite 5 or 6 atempts.
Then gave up and just went for a try with Quick Reboot + GPS Doctor and got it working without rebooting. :good:

Sounds like I need to try GPS Doctor. I've had good success with AGPS Injector. For me, I spent ages trying to find an app which gave the same results as using the AGPS reset and download in GPS Test, and that did it. Maybe there's some regional variation.
Do those apps just force a download of the links in the gps.conf file?
Have created setups using Tasker which I'll try tomorrow. Also found the app Fast Reboot which does a similar thing to Quick Reboot, so I'll compare the two.
Sent from my HTC Desire HD using xda app-developers app

Yes, could be a regional variation.
Don't really know what the AGPS info download does.
I've used that Fast Reboot Pro program, but didn't do the trick for me.

[Q] is your gps working with the wifi location disabled?

For some reason and before I system update the tablet once more... Is your GPS working at all? so far I cannot lock to any satellites with GPS hardware enabled and google access turned on?! I do have the wifi location disabled do I need that enabled to make the built in GPS work?
I havent rebooted yet after initial boot and first system update and have the icon in top left corner saying there is another 55.1mb update...
everyone elses gps working without wifi location enabled?

i think enabling wifi allows gps to get a more accurate single by pinging the access points but it should still work with wifi disabled.

slyr114 said:
i think enabling wifi allows gps to get a more accurate single by pinging the access points but it should still work with wifi disabled.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So far its still not working need verification from a new owner and gps test and gps status

skyhawk21 said:
So far its still not working need verification from a new owner and gps test and gps status
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Powered off tablet and back on, finally got a gps icon searching, didnt find satellites at my desk where my galaxy s3 and sero 7 pro tablet get 9-17 locks..
Went by window and got 3 satellites not locked. quit gps status tried gps test and the gps icon is gone again and gps wont come on although its enabled. What gives? defective nexus 7? anyone else with same or similar issues?

No issues, using gps test, it locked on within 15 seconds or so, 12 of 17 sats. indoors.

Got it working finally, took awhile... Had to follow the directions here:
http://productforums.google.com/forum/#!topic/maps/q24Cq4sQAtc
did not update maps from the stock one installed already.. went by window waiting 2 minutes and it finally downloaded AGPS data and finally saw 19 sats and locked on to 6-10 of them.. Now when I test with GPSTEST and GPS STATUS and MAPS everything is working like it should and it finds my location in about 15 seconds or so and its dead on 3-5 meters in MAPS and pointing correct direction for magnetometer sensor inside..
So if anyone else has issues try the instructions above!

skyhawk21 said:
Got it working finally, took awhile... Had to follow the directions here:
http://productforums.google.com/forum/#!topic/maps/q24Cq4sQAtc
did not update maps from the stock one installed already.. went by window waiting 2 minutes and it finally downloaded AGPS data and finally saw 19 sats and locked on to 6-10 of them.. Now when I test with GPSTEST and GPS STATUS and MAPS everything is working like it should and it finds my location in about 15 seconds or so and its dead on 3-5 meters in MAPS and pointing correct direction for magnetometer sensor inside..
So if anyone else has issues try the instructions above!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is there a notification showing the agps data was downloaded?

No notification and still having gps issues who else out there is?

skyhawk21 said:
No notification and still having gps issues who else out there is?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm still having issues too. Followed the map uninstall and data clear steps in your linked post. Works for about 30 minutes then goes back to no signal.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app

blckngldhwk said:
I'm still having issues too. Followed the map uninstall and data clear steps in your linked post. Works for about 30 minutes then goes back to no signal.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try this
Knock on Wood, I think I got the gps problems nipped in the butt!
I had to reset the tablet from system settings after having both updates installed, when setting up tablet (initial boot) enable all location stuff except for the new android 4.3 wifi location while off option.. Also make sure to disable backup and restore options while doing the initial install.
Now so far GPS has been working steadily ever since first initial boot, no need to reset and power up again and after trying it for an hour all gps apps back and forth its still finding signal sometimes instant sometimes 20 seconds or so but no issues like before this time...
Working like it should now! I guess a hard reset after all updates was needed to reconfigure things!

skyhawk21 said:
So far its still not working need verification from a new owner and gps test and gps status
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
WiFi allows a quick load of the agps almanac data. Without it, it may take several minutes with a clear sky view to get a complete load of the satellite almanac once loaded, it should be good for a rapid fix for several days. If used often enough, it will keep the almanac current and always get a fix within seconds..

GPS hardware failure...I think?

The aGPS works well enough that I haven't spent a lot of time troubleshooting, but sometimes I do need a full on GPS, and it flat out doesn't work.
I followed all the instructions for GPS Status & Toolkit, accidentally left it for a couple hours outside (fortunately it stayed nice), and it never found a single satellite.
I then installed Faster GPS, and tinkered with the gps.conf settings a bit, and it made no difference.
One thing notable is the GPS_DEBUG was set to 1 = "Error"...not sure if that is related, but even after changing that variable and confirming it stayed after a reboot, no improvement.
I also took it apart and the blue antenna appears to still be intact and properly seated, so I don't think that's a factor. Didn't see any burnt chips though, either.
Any ideas?

batpot said:
The aGPS works well enough that I haven't spent a lot of time troubleshooting, but sometimes I do need a full on GPS, and it flat out doesn't work.
I followed all the instructions for GPS Status & Toolkit, accidentally left it for a couple hours outside (fortunately it stayed nice), and it never found a single satellite.
I then installed Faster GPS, and tinkered with the gps.conf settings a bit, and it made no difference.
One thing notable is the GPS_DEBUG was set to 1 = "Error"...not sure if that is related, but even after changing that variable and confirming it stayed after a reboot, no improvement.
I also took it apart and the blue antenna appears to still be intact and properly seated, so I don't think that's a factor. Didn't see any burnt chips though, either.
Any ideas?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Looking at your troubleshooting methods this seems to be a software issue. Has the gps just recently stopped working or is this something that has just recently stopped working? Any new software updates installed recently? Applications? Etc.

My GPS doesn't work either; I didn't notice it until after I started using PACMAN ROM. It doesn't work with my Lollipop ROM either. I read around on google and lots of Samsung phones have this problem with lots of carriers. I too am looking for a fix..

I had this same issue. I had to get an app from the play store to fix it but it will erase/wipe your phone. I'll try to find the thread
It was called "CSC changer". It was free.
Again, it will reset your phone.
Sent from my SGH-M919V using XDA Premium HD app

It says it won't work on 4.2 and up... I'm on 5.something. Any other ideas?

Roll back. Run it. Flash 5.0 again.
Remember back up your data!
Also there are several ones on the play store. I had to try 2 or 3 before one worked
Sent from my SGH-M919V using XDA Free mobile app

I have a similar problem. However, my phone detects up to 28 sat but will not fix to any of them. I tried the GPS Toolkit stuff and FasterGPS but that didn't work at all. I even restored stock in order to make it work but it did not help fix my GPS. Does anyone know how to fix it?