Develop Bugs

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

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.

GPS problems

Why is it that Wi-Fi is so tied to GPS. Ever since I launch day, GPS has sucked. But I notice even if I have no Wi-Fi to connect to or even saved at all, just turning on Wi-Fi than turning it off makes GPS work correct. Is there another solution?

I was having problems with GPS signal and call Sprint customer Service and they walk me to some trouble shooting steps with no luck. Messing around with my Note4 I notice that the Network mode was set to LTE/CDMA and I changed it to Automatic. The phone reboot to apply the change and GPS is working great even with Wi-Fi turn off. Hope this Help

kenifer said:
I was having problems with GPS signal and call Sprint customer Service and they walk me to some trouble shooting steps with no luck. Messing around with my Note4 I notice that the Network mode was set to LTE/CDMA and I changed it to Automatic. The phone reboot to apply the change and GPS is working great even with Wi-Fi turn off. Hope this Help
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, but I have it a try user now and it didn't help any. Still the only thing the makes it lock on is Wi-Fi.

My gps is horrid. Can't ever get a lock indoors. (I used to be able to get dead accurate locks with my S3 in malls.) When I'm outside I keep doing this floating thing. It makes GPS maps a pain as I keep flying off the road. I also use my phone to play Ingress which is a location based CTF game. It's so unstable I'm pretty much not able to play anymore.
I'm really hoping someone is able to come out with a heavily updated mod that will help with it.

My GPS is awesome! I've owned many HTC phones, and the Note 2 an 3. The Note 4 has the best GPS on any phone I've owned.
MyroIII said:
My gps is horrid. Can't ever get a lock indoors. (I used to be able to get dead accurate locks with my S3 in malls.) When I'm outside I keep doing this floating thing. It makes GPS maps a pain as I keep flying off the road. I also use my phone to play Ingress which is a location based CTF game. It's so unstable I'm pretty much not able to play anymore.
I'm hoping someone is able to come out with a heavily updated mod that will help with it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I play Ingress too, I hope you're Resistance! I'm level 12 with enough AP for level 14 but need 1 more Gold, so I'll skip level 13 when I get that Gold. I already have 2 Onyx/black Badges and 3 Platinum, so I just need 1 more Platinum for level 16.
Anyway, Ingress is better on my Note 4 than my Note 3, Evo LTE, and 2013 Nexus 7. I suspect an issue with your GPS
SwiftKey'ed from my Note 4 using XDA Premium HD

I've also noticed unreliable GPS, I'm using stock rooted NK2, no xposed or any other mods. I've found often I cant get a lock at all until I reboot the phone. Hoping this is a fixable software issue.

[Q] GPS reset? My GPS is loosing signal alot now

My GPS looses signal alot of the time anymores.
It started happening a few months ago.
Is there a GPS reset somewhere in the settings?
My note 4 is on DPD1.
And it does not update itself anymore, nor can I update it manually.
Since I enabled the wifi hotspot, I believe.
Can any-1 suggest a GPS perk-up so it will act as before?
Thanks alot.

jimmbomb said:
My GPS looses signal alot of the time anymores.
It started happening a few months ago.
Is there a GPS reset somewhere in the settings?
My note 4 is on DPD1.
And it does not update itself anymore, nor can I update it manually.
Since I enabled the wifi hotspot, I believe.
Can any-1 suggest a GPS perk-up so it will act as before?
Thanks alot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I noticed that this started when I upgraded to the latest version of Google Maps. I went into the app settings and uninstall the latest version. And it reverted back to the original version on the original ROM. The GPS is working great again. But now I don't get to use the offline maps as my version does not have that like the latest version did.

I use Waze and this happens, so I don't see how this is related to Maps.

i just replied to a thread about this. my phone just absolutely cannot lock onto or find gps sats now.
dunno if its the custom rom, google maps, the radio being corrupt, kernel, or whatever.. its bugging me becuase im always out using my maps.

I had no GPS in till I uninstalled Magisk.
Sent from my trltespr using XDA-Developers Legacy app

i think my gps is toasted. odin flashed the newest dqf1 rom, then updated to dqg1
gps cant get a lock, cant find sats, got worse. using google maps.
any ideas?

If you'll goto Google Play and view Google Maps app description, you'll see some linked suggestions to improve location.
It's the first time I've seen the suggestion and directions to calibrate the compass. Mine had been wide and possibly pointing wrong direction but the calibration actually seems to work as described in the animation.
https://support.google.com/maps/ans...&visit_id=1-636379607505080322-483943454&rd=1
I haven't been having GPS signal lost issues but directions and redirects could be more accurate and timely to be less confusing. I'm testing the Google Maps beta app now.
Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk

trip to st louis was frustrating, gps signal in and out and google maps was just not accurate or timely.
my gals iphone however was spot on.
starting to wonder if the qualcomm gps chip is starting to show its age or firmware damage. the calibration helps for a moment, then gps is lost again.

TorxT3D said:
trip to st louis was frustrating, gps signal in and out and google maps was just not accurate or timely.
my gals iphone however was spot on.
starting to wonder if the qualcomm gps chip is starting to show its age or firmware damage. the calibration helps for a moment, then gps is lost again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Long trip last Tuesday with Google Maps beta was without issue. I did notice the wide compass indication when on data; I tried the calibration again in my driveway but it stayed wide. My GPS usually is spotty near home. Navigated fine without GPS lost warnings.
Just as I started navigating, app said it would download maps along my route to improve navigation. I took the phone back in the house to sync that data first. Not a chance Sprint data would be any help here. Minor inconvenience; I had searched the location a day prior to check the estimated time of arrival but didn't get that prompt to download maps.
The beta app has updated twice since then. I'll test again on a return trip. Get the feeling Maps has always been beta.
I'm on UN7 custom ROM. I followed the prerequisites of that ROM on install; PJ1 stock tar and verifications included GPS lock prior to ROM flash (made a TWRP backup). When the modset for that ROM was released, I eventually started over with my PJ1 stock tar TWRP backup, flashed UN7 ROM and then flashed modset.
Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk

The problem is the contacts on your phones mobo have become compressed and or oxidized. . You need to dissasemble the phone. Remove all screws and seperate the phone from the screen to get to the back of the mobo...
IMPORTANT... When you pry the case from the screen you need a heat source hair dryer or heat gun to soften the adhesive holding the frame to the screen. .. You will need a plastic tool or guitar pick to pry it apart.... Again it is important you use a heat source to soften the adhesive or you will break the digitizer and or screen. .. Once you have the case separated from the screen and motherboard the contacts will be on the upper right of the motherboard. .. Gently pry them up so they make better contact to the antenna in the case...
Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk

took back cover off, and used a needle to pry up all the metal contacts on the back to touch the cover antenna sticker.
gps hasnt dropped yet, been using all week in the city. i'll see how it goes on the interstate out of town.

Gps issues

Ok so this started today, gps is constantly losing lock, then gaining it back. Happening in Google maps, Waze and Pokemon go. I booted up gps status, and it's constantly going from double digit satellite lock to 0, then jumping back to double again. Phone wasn't dropped or anything. Is this thing defective now?
Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

had that issue on two nexus 6ps and a nexus 5. now on the pixel 2xl aswell.

brnhrd said:
had that issue on two nexus 6ps and a nexus 5. now on the pixel 2xl aswell.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Were they ever resolved with a software update?

phamine said:
Were they ever resolved with a software update?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No. But I recently found out that if I turn off high accuracy and instead use device only mode, it works a lot more consistently. Received my RMA Pixel today, will report back if anything changed.

brnhrd said:
No. But I recently found out that if I turn off high accuracy and instead use device only mode, it works a lot more consistently. Received my RMA Pixel today, will report back if anything changed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Any luck? im having issues myself.

I don't typically use GPS for long periods of time. Mostly just in an app that's trying to get my location once instead of continually following my location like navigation does and in those cases I have not had any issues.
In the cause of actual navigation, in the 5 weeks I've had my Pixel 2 XL I've used navigation maybe a total of 2 hours. It's not a very big sample size but so far I haven't had any loss of satellite lock.

jimv1983 said:
I don't typically use GPS for long periods of time. Mostly just in an app that's trying to get my location once instead of continually following my location like navigation does and in those cases I have not had any issues.
In the cause of actual navigation, in the 5 weeks I've had my Pixel 2 XL I've used navigation maybe a total of 2 hours. It's not a very big sample size but so far I haven't had any loss of satellite lock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1
Sent from my Google Pixel 2 XL using XDA Labs

Jalh said:
Any luck? im having issues myself.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try the following:
- Close all apps that use location.
- Go to Location settings, switch to 'device only'.
- Then turn off location/GPS completely.
- After that, open Google Maps. It will ask you to turn on location services. Click OK on both dialog boxes.
Following this procedure I could resolve my problems with GPS on 4 different Android phones.

So looks like I'm not the only one with this problem. I also realized that turning off high accuracy fixes the issue. However, I strongly believe that with high accuracy, it makes use of cell tower information for faster location lock.. and if your cell reception is not good, it screws up the device-only GPS signal as well.
The reason why I say this is because when I was on vacation for the past week, I drove long distances and was on roaming (drove across Malaysia to Thailand), thus having poor reception. That is when I had GPS issues. In Singapore where I reside, the cell reception is much better and I do not have such issues.
Now setting the GPS setting to device-only isn't a permanent solution. Apps like FB needs it to know where you are.
I think Google needs to fix this. Has anyone logged this yet?

MasK said:
So looks like I'm not the only one with this problem. I also realized that turning off high accuracy fixes the issue. However, I strongly believe that with high accuracy, it makes use of cell tower information for faster location lock.. and if your cell reception is not good, it screws up the device-only GPS signal as well.
The reason why I say this is because when I was on vacation for the past week, I drove long distances and was on roaming (drove across Malaysia to Thailand), thus having poor reception. That is when I had GPS issues. In Singapore where I reside, the cell reception is much better and I do not have such issues.
Now setting the GPS setting to device-only isn't a permanent solution. Apps like FB needs it to know where you are.
I think Google needs to fix this. Has anyone logged this yet?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I haven't had the issue again since 8.1, so I'm hoping it's fixed.
Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

murso74 said:
I haven't had the issue again since 8.1, so I'm hoping it's fixed.
Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unfortunately not

Any update on this? I'm having the exactly same issue. Pixel 2 XL.

I finally resolved this issue by changing my carrier. Any other attempt to solve this failed in the long run.
I realized my carrier or sim-card was the culprit when I once enabled airplane mode while navigating - suddenly I got an instant GPS lock that stayed.

brnhrd said:
I finally resolved this issue by changing my carrier. Any other attempt to solve this failed in the long run.
I realized my carrier or sim-card was the culprit when I once enabled airplane mode while navigating - suddenly I got an instant GPS lock that stayed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Changing carrier sounds a bit extreme but wouldn't everyone on that carrier have that issue? Which carrier was it?

EeZeEpEe said:
Changing carrier sounds a bit extreme but wouldn't everyone on that carrier have that issue? Which carrier was it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes I know, maybe it was my sim-card which I have had for years. It does not make much sense to me anyways. It was "Drei"/"3", a carrier in Austria.
I really tried lots of settings and combinations of settings and at some point I figured out the following:
When I still had that carrier, GPS worked flawlessly only when I
- enabled flight mode OR
- when turning off mobile data OR
- when set to '2G only' mobile data.
So maybe if you have that issue you can try these settings to check if it's similar to my issue.
Ever since I changed carrier (and sim-card ofc), my GPS problems went away.