[Q] gps issues - AT&T, Rogers, Bell, Telus Samsung Galaxy S III

i am now on kitkat on my note 3 att sm-900a phone.
however, when i search for location in the setting it says that location access is turned off.
when i try to open it then it shows it is set to highest accuracy.
but it is for sure not working as applications like moves fails to work.
i also tried some more apps like dragon assistant to get direction for home and it shows the same error message.
s-health also does not count steps.
any idea?

Might have better luck getting help on the note 3 forum, not the s3 one.

vikceo said:
i am now on kitkat on my note 3 att sm-900a phone.
however, when i search for location in the setting it says that location access is turned off.
when i try to open it then it shows it is set to highest accuracy.
but it is for sure not working as applications like moves fails to work.
i also tried some more apps like dragon assistant to get direction for home and it shows the same error message.
s-health also does not count steps.
any idea?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. Easiest and most reliable way. Try this first!
Enter the Samsung service mode by typing this code into the dial pad *#197328640#
Then go to Mainmenu>UMTS>Common>NV REBUILD>NV REBUILD> (Important: don't exit the menu yet!)
Wait 30+ sec
Long press power button and select "Restart / Reboot"
Now check your GPS from any software that may use GPS like "Maps" or "GPS Status"

Theres a good chance that will be different on the Note3. Unless confirmed to be the same I would proceed cautiously.
As stated before, probably best to address this in the correct forum for the device.

Related

[Q] Nexus won't see GPS satellites

I've had the nexus toro (LTE) for 5 days now and have had issues with the GPS since the start. It simply says 'searching' all the time and will not lock. I've installed GPS status, and it shows that it rarely if every sees a satellite (one might pop up, be gray for a second, then disappear).
Here's a pic comparing my OG droid to the nexus right next to each other:
imgur.com/VFc3s
(sorry i'm not allowed to post links yet)
Anyone have any ideas? I've turned GPS on/off, reset the gps cache using GPS Status, and can't think of anything else.
I have the same problem gps locks less than 50% of the time.
Galaxy nexus s LTE.
Its the same on the GSM version. Not much you can do about it unfortunately.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1387263
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1393678
I feel like a dolt because I chatted with Samsung support and they had me soft-restart which fixed the issue.
thespot84 said:
I feel like a dolt because I chatted with Samsung support and they had me soft-restart which fixed the issue.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't; that is not a solution. On my Samsung Fascinate soft restarts would help get a lock on, but shortly after the GPS would lose connection to satellites.
Having to restart your phone every time you need to use GPS is a ridiculous inconvenience. This seems to be a major flaw in the chips / radios that Samsung chooses for GPS.
i get gps locks in 2-3 seconds.works fine.
I'm glad to see others are noticing this problem. I posted a thread in another forum complaining about this:
http://www.droidforums.net/forum/ga...ssions/189067-problem-nexus-locating-gps.html
Does anyone know if this is definitely a hardware issue? Is it possible that it's a bug in Google Maps that's causing the problem with ICS?
It doesn't have to be Google Maps it self. I have it in other apps as well which use the GPS.
Might be hardware, might not.
One of the main reasons I upgraded from the Galaxy S (fassy) was that it's GPS chip went from working not very well to not working at all. If I'm paying for a smart phone, I would like a to have GPS and maps.
So far I have not been disappointed with the GNex's GPS at all. Maybe I lucked out. Try downloading GPSfix from the market and see if that helps.
I have the exact same problem here in Sweden, went for a run and it would not lock on to any satellites at all during half an hour. Really disappointing, thinking of returning it due to this...
Has anybody found a solution to the problem maybe???
was having same problem
Hello fellow GNex users having the GPS issue.
I was having a GPS problem as well where when using Google Maps or Navigation, the GPS status would say 'searching for GPS' forever.. maybe after 10 minutes it would get a lock and operate normally after that.
I downloaded an app from the android market called GPS Test to try to get some better idea of what could be going on.
When I ran the app, I noticed my phone would pick up a few satellites (satellites in view) usually 4 or 5 satellites, but it would never use them, they would just appear as in view without being used for a location, and the GPS test app was never able to report my location. From within the GPS app settings I was able to clear aGPS and update aGPS, but the same behavior would reoccur where the satellites would be in view but would not be used for location.
I tried toggling Wi-Fi, clearing out other location methods, and even going into airplane mode to use GPS only, but same behavior.
What I finally did was clear aGPS once more and then immediately power off the phone, pull the battery, wait a couple minutes and then replace battery and power back on.
Upon going back into GPS test, I did an update aGPS, and then I started to immediately pick up satellites and use them for location. Toggling all the same data connectivity settings (Wi-Fi, location using towers, airplane mode etc) I was continuing to get the same positive response.
I have tried to use google maps and google navigation again and am getting near immediate GPS locks. Comparing this to my Nexus One, the lock is much faster and with about the same accuracy.
This seemed to solve my problem for now, I hope it might help anyone else.
Phone information:
Verizon Galaxy Nexus
Stock Android ICS 4.0.2 Build ICL53F
subsonicbug got it right...
I had the same problem of never syncing GPS, I follow the suggested method and voilĂ  2 secs GPS sync...
You save my day
Thank you
My gnex was having similar issues, after reboot it would lock quickly, but after a while it would take forever and never lock
Been using this to reset / download agps and it helps a ton!
https://market.android.com/details?id=com.eclipsim.gpsstatus2
subsonicbug's method was the only thing that got my GPS back to usability after several very frustrating days during which my GNex could barely see two or three satellites (and not get a fix on any of them) even under an open cloudless sky.
He or she is clearly on to something...now let's hope that we (and by "we" I mean people way more knowledgeable than me) can figure out why a significant number of Galaxy Nexus devices get so far out of whack that only a soft GPS state reset followed by a battery pull can get GPS working again.
there's actually an easier way that doesn't involve a battery pull. download the app "gps status & toolbox", press menu, tools, "manage a-gps state", reset, after a soft reboot go back into the app, follow the same process but instead of pressing "reset" press "download" after the download you should be good to go. hope this helps!
FasterFix works for me, make sure you have busybox installed.
The unit I'm currently using says location unavailable after resets, pulls, wipes. Hardware problem? I do get intermittent flashes of use.
Here is a fix that may work. I had the same problem and this worked for me, got a gps lock with gmaps in less than a minute. I have the VZW GNex, rooted bootloader unlocked, works with any rom.
Conditions needed:
1. Phone needs to be rooted, I believe, if you have success with out root please share.
2.file explorer, I use root explorer
Now follow these steps:
1. Open root explorer, or any other file explorer
2. Navigate to /etc
3. Ensure the system is mounted r/w, if using root explorer press mount r/w
4. Open gps.conf with text editor
5. The first line will say NTP_SERVER=north-america.pool.ntp.org. Where it says north-america it could list a different continent depending on your location.
6. Edit this line by removing the north-america
7. It should now read NTP_SERVER=pool.ntp.org
8. Save the file and exit
Now open open any app requiring GPS and you should get an instant lock, or pretty close to instant.
hmm my issues seems sorta wiered too -.-
http://g.co/maps/apn3k
tracks seem always loosing lock and so does navigation and other tools

Very slow GPS

Anyone know how to speed up the GPS on S8500 Bada 2?
Sometimes, it doesn't even connect and makes me crazy.
I think GPS is useless on Wave
Yes, GPS is very slow. For me, that is one of the two big 'let downs' of the Wave. Don't get me wrong, I think the Wave is a lovely piece of hardware, except for the GPS. To find out if the GPS is working at all, do the following:
1. Enter *#7092463*# (This will get you into the internal menu)
2. Select 4. Module Setting > 4. COMM > 2. Lbs (This is your starting point for several adjustments)
3. Select 4. Settings > 5. Assist Method. Select AGPS (This will make sure, that the phone uses only the internal GPS, and it's not aided by network location)
4. Now go back to the Lbs menu (starting point as mentioned earlier). Select 1. Tracking test. (Start it preferably outside or close to a window, this will help with reception).
You'll see a list of data: GPS-time, Latitude, longitude,.... position source should be GPS. Now you just have to wait. This could take longer than 10 minutes, the first time. So just be patient. After that, it probably takes 2-3min, depending on reception.
What is also suggested by many others, is using the app "GPS status". If you want to get a quick(er) lock for navigation or some sports tracker, start that app up first. Wait to you get the lock and then start the app you want.
Hopefully this will help you. Good luck!
Vangarm
have you ever seen the one from galaxy s3??
that one is faasst
GreekBlood said:
have you ever seen the one from galaxy s3??
that one is faasst
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
On a phone at least twice the price and couple years younger, I expect it to be better too
@Vangam thanks never tried like this,Worked perfectly
hero355 said:
@Vangam thanks never tried like this,Worked perfectly
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're welcome. I've had some trouble with getting a GPS fix too and found several possible solutions via google. This was the solution that worked for me. So when I saw the call for need, I just helped out
Thank you Vangarm
can someone please give me a network connection because when i flash my wave 2 .. all setting was deleted..
Thx best Regards
GPS is working already THX love it
Well, the GPS is still weak/slow even in AGPS mode

Preparing Network ongoing

So I got a Galaxy Tab 3 for free with my new Galaxy S5 yesterday. And on the notification bar there is a prompt saying preparing network. I have full bars on the signal but have no connection to the network. I tried rebooting, turning on airplane mode and trying to reboot the signal. But have no luck.
Is there anything that I can try to fix this? The Tab is stock and I haven't changed anything yet...
Any help would be great!!
Which tab 3 model?
Are you on the "right" network? Does you network have a hidden SSID? Are you using any security on the network? Check the network settings on your PC and copy them to the tab. If you are not sure, then open your network and see if the tab connects. If so, then you can close the network again.
I have the same issue but mine is working all networks. It started when I tried to connect to a new wifi at a wing place and the icon has been on ever since.
Same problem
So no one has any info or any suggestions? Nothing? Also I'm on Sprint.
I havent figured out anything , I have tried messing with sync and wifi options and nothing has changed.
I have looked at all the "Tab 3" devices since you did not indicate what model you have. With that in mind the search is very broad and data found could/could not be affecting your connectivity. But this is what I found.
All Tab 3, except Tab 3 Lite 7, use 802.11 a/b/g/n WLAN Standards. The Tab 3 Lite 7 only has 802.11 b/g/n. Why? I don't know.
So, make sure that your location has one of the three, 802.11 b/g/n working. You tab should auto acquire unless you have a setting that is specifically looking for a unique channel. Confirm all your parameters and the parameters of the WiFi source.
tab 3 prepping service solved
Ok so got 2 tab 3s from sprint today and same issue. To resolve this.......they are not activated! Run on wifi and go to settings and at the bottom left it will show a small phone icon and say activate this device. Click on that and let the live activation happen. The tab 3 will then reset and function on sprint networks!
Ok so that takes care of it initially and then it comes back on switching to and from wifi. You can get rid of the icon by going into the app manager, select all apps, and force stop samsung dm. Looks like it is a samsung software issue to me!
Man, the folks at Sprint aren't even aware of the issue yet. My Tab3 just sat there and wouldn't activate or connect at power on. So I have to skip all setup and go to activate in settings and it activated. Tried a factory restore so I could do setup again and no connection again and the preparing network problem. Switching to CDMA works. On the phone with support for like 30 minutes and they couldn't see my device on the network at all even while on LTE. Thanks for service reference. I was going to return this unit until I saw it was a software issue. It makes for a nasty setup/activation with no wifi around.
Sometimes activation fails and just gives a LTE error, sometimes it fails and sends data usage stats. When it completes it posts a backup pin and phone number. I'm guessing this happens with store pickups because they let it update on powering it up and that broken service starts messing things up.
Go to settings and then to activate this device and as soon as it starts to try and activate its self press the volume down 4 times and then you will see a screen that says IQTHiddenMenu....Scroll down to LTE mode and select it you will see a screen thatb has four boxes on it...select the one that says "enable LTE Mode" after you selct that then just hit back button a few times and let it try and activate again and this should fix your issues. You may have to do this twice. For the last 2 weeks this has been the only way we can activate anyones tablet is using this method, it has somehting to do with our Network not communicating properly with the Tablet.
Hope this helps.
megan23247 said:
Go to settings and then to activate this device and as soon as it starts to try and activate its self press the volume down 4 times and then you will see a screen that says IQTHiddenMenu....Scroll down to LTE mode and select it you will see a screen thatb has four boxes on it...select the one that says "enable LTE Mode" after you selct that then just hit back button a few times and let it try and activate again and this should fix your issues. You may have to do this twice. For the last 2 weeks this has been the only way we can activate anyones tablet is using this method, it has somehting to do with our Network not communicating properly with the Tablet.
Hope this helps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hidden screens. One has to love technology. So then one also has to ask, what else is the tablet doing that we do not know about? Reporting back to the mother ship?
Solution
So I had this same problem and I called sprint today and they were able to help me. THIS WILL RESET YOUR TAB AND YOU WILL LOSE EVERYTHING ON IT. Make sure to back up if you have anything important.
You have to open the calculator and type (+30012012732+ when the next screen pops up, type ##786#, the RTN menu will open, press Reset, it will ask you for your MSL, type it in and that will do it. Hope it helps.
BTW you will have to find a way to find your MSL as I never had to. I'm sure if you call your carrier they will give it to you once you tell them why you need it.
megan23247 said:
Go to settings and then to activate this device and as soon as it starts to try and activate its self press the volume down 4 times and then you will see a screen that says IQTHiddenMenu....Scroll down to LTE mode and select it you will see a screen thatb has four boxes on it...select the one that says "enable LTE Mode" after you selct that then just hit back button a few times and let it try and activate again and this should fix your issues. You may have to do this twice. For the last 2 weeks this has been the only way we can activate anyones tablet is using this method, it has somehting to do with our Network not communicating properly with the Tablet.
Hope this helps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Looks like they are still having this issue. Mine was stuck on Preparing network. 3G and wifi worked, but no LTE or GPS. I did the hidden menu trick and now that all works, but I still have the "preparing network" notification. Is there any way to remove this? Could I do a ##RTN to clear network configs, then enable LTE through hidden menu, then activate?
Something to try that worked for me for the time being
I just thought I would share with anyone else having issues with the persistent Preparing Network message.
If you go to Settings>Activate Device and launch the Self Service application, there is a hidden menu accessible via the Menu Key, And you can then choose Reset Cellular Data.
Your device will then reboot, and it will go through Self Provisioning when it reboots.
I Had to do this twice, and 2nd time seems to have been the charm this time as the Preparing Network Message is gone!
Finally got rid of "Preparing Network"!
rastassjr said:
I just thought I would share with anyone else having issues with the persistent Preparing Network message.
If you go to Settings>Activate Device and launch the Self Service application, there is a hidden menu accessible via the Menu Key, And you can then choose Reset Cellular Data.
Your device will then reboot, and it will go through Self Provisioning when it reboots.
I Had to do this twice, and 2nd time seems to have been the charm this time as the Preparing Network Message is gone!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I spent 2 hours on with Sprint live chat, did a Kies reset, software hard reset, and everything else I could find...yet this solution was the simplest and the only one that actually worked!
Someone let Sprint support know how to fix their own device, please!
Thank you rastassjr, you saved me a trip to the Sprint store.
This is a common problem with an easy fix.* Long press the notification on the task manager.* A button will appear saying APP INFO.* Press that and you will see the app info page.* Clear the cache and data and more inportantly, deselect the notification checkmark.* Thats it!...*
OTA 4.4.2
Just got it on a new SG Tab3 7" and it cleared the "Preparing Network" icon. I had done a MSL reset yesterday and it had cleared it before I bricked it. I returned it, got a new one and it cleared it on its own after the 4.4.2 update.
Solved!
I solved mine after several weeks. First, oddly enough this error was preventing me from getting the 4.4.2 android update and the system said the operating system was up to date on 4.2. You need to download the samsung Kies program into your computer and perform a manual firmware update. The system will tell you that indeed you have the latest update but you'll do it any way. Once the OS is reinstalled, you will see that the PRL will be updated properly, which is the reazon for this problem. Then the system will allows you to receive the 4.4.2 upgrade which does not suffer from this problem. The key is to upgrade to android 4.4.2.

[Q] how to bypass or get rid of "activation agent"

I put ATT sim card in Verizon note 4, everything seems to be good (I got 3G, no LTE, but that's okay), except the annoying message "the sim card is not from verizon". I checked it, and it was from "activation agent". Does anyone know how to get rid of it? Thanks.
liyapunov said:
I put ATT sim card in Verizon note 4, everything seems to be good (I got 3G, no LTE, but that's okay), except the annoying message "the sim card is not from verizon". I checked it, and it was from "activation agent". Does anyone know how to get rid of it? Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
give this a try - go into settings -> applications ->swipe to all tab, this will list all the apps and services, scroll down to 'setup wizard', tab on it and turn it off.(disable).
Thanks for the suggestion. Unfortunately, the "turn off" (of setup wizard) is grey. Same thing happened to "activation agent". Does this mean I need to root (which is not available right now) first?
buhohitr said:
give this a try - go into settings -> applications ->swipe to all tab, this will list all the apps and services, scroll down to 'setup wizard', tab on it and turn it off.(disable).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just Force Stop the application. It'll stop showing the annoying message.
Update: just notice that there are two "setup wizard". One can be turned off, one can't. I turned the first one off, but it didn't help, i.e. message still pops up when the phone restarts.
liyapunov said:
Thanks for the suggestion. Unfortunately, the "turn off" (of setup wizard) is grey. Same thing happened to "activation agent". Does this mean I need to root (which is not available right now) first?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
area5x1 said:
Just Force Stop the application. It'll stop showing the annoying message.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That works, but I hate to do that every time the phone is turned on. Want to find a more permanent solution.
liyapunov said:
That works, but I hate to do that every time the phone is turned on. Want to find a more permanent solution.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This should help:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/note-4-verizon/general/disable-knox-ota-root-t2972263
I was able to disable activation agent through this, and havn't noticed any adverse effects.
in adb shell use the following command:
adb shell
pm block NAME_OFTHE_SETUP_WIZARD_APP
then it should be blocked and you won't see it.
I can't find the exact name of setup wizard so you have to find how the app is called in android. something like com_XX_XX
VzwActivationAgent.apk = com.samsung.vzw.activationagent
The defroster works for it as well. I deactivate the little notification and it's app after I switched my phone to cricket wireless
Install Debloater by Gates Jr. and the Samsung USB drivers. Enable USB debugging on your phone. Launch Debloater and it will read all .apk packages. For the S4 you will need to check off the Samsung (and not the Google) setup wizard. Once complete, you will no longer see the Verizon icon in your system tray, as well as the annoying message.
tw426 said:
VzwActivationAgent.apk = com.samsung.vzw.activationagent
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The package and command that worked for me on s8 plus:
pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.sec.android.app.setupwizard
Old thread, sorry, but my old Galaxy S8+ is actually still usable as a WiFi based browser and it has some games and Titanium Backup (phone was rooted). I'd like to use it to play some of those games and browse via WiFi at home with it to save wear & tear on the S20 Ultra. I would really like to know what I can use Titanium Backup to turn off so I don't see the "Activation Incomplete" message.

Unable to tap OK or Install

Whenever I try to install an APK I downloaded, I am not able to tap on the Install button of the prompt with the app permissions. I can tap on Cancel, but nowhere on the Install part. (phone is configured to allow untrusted sources, otherwise it wouldn't even launch the package manager).
I also am unable to hit OK when trying to connect to a VPN, but I can tap Cancel.
Is this some silly LG "safety feature". I posted on the Tmo forum but someone mentioned they have the similar APK issue on a Verizon model, so I pose the question to every one else here.
I am unrooted, and running the stock T-Mobile version. I have debloated my phone with the Debloat tool, but I can't think of what I could have disabled that would create this odd behavior.
Edit: I had MDM installed on my phone that had some administrator profiles enforced, but I have removed them and I am still unable to tap on Ok for VPN or Install for APKs.
havanahjoe said:
Whenever I try to install an APK I downloaded, I am not able to tap on the Install button of the prompt with the app permissions. I can tap on Cancel, but nowhere on the Install part. (phone is configured to allow untrusted sources, otherwise it wouldn't even launch the package manager).
I also am unable to hit OK when trying to connect to a VPN, but I can tap Cancel.
Is this some silly LG "safety feature". I posted on the Tmo forum but someone mentioned they have the similar APK issue on a Verizon model, so I pose the question to every one else here.
I am unrooted, and running the stock T-Mobile version. I have debloated my phone with the Debloat tool, but I can't think of what I could have disabled that would create this odd behavior.
Edit: I had MDM installed on my phone that had some administrator profiles enforced, but I have removed them and I am still unable to tap on Ok for VPN or Install for APKs.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What other Apps are have you installed? I read somewhere that certain Screen Filter Apps reproduce this issue just in case yo have one installed.
GUGUITOMTG4 said:
What other Apps are have you installed? I read somewhere that certain Screen Filter Apps reproduce this issue just in case yo have one installed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I heard about that too. No screen filter apps.
It's strange that it is only that part of the screen that is not tappable, or rather, it does not create an action on the button. If I enable screen taps in the developer menu, I can see the taps, they are just not registering.
If you have something like Lux installed, disable it, continue w/ your install, then re-activate the culprit app(s). I had the same problem installing APKs where pressing INSTALL did nothing, but CANCEL was ok.
havanahjoe said:
I heard about that too. No screen filter apps.
It's strange that it is only that part of the screen that is not tappable, or rather, it does not create an action on the button. If I enable screen taps in the developer menu, I can see the taps, they are just not registering.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Would you post a list of apps you debloated? You may exclude all T-mobile ones as they are not the problem.
alamo76 said:
If you have something like Lux installed, disable it, continue w/ your install, then re-active the culprit app(s).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, well, well, that did it. The Lux service breaks this, even though I never see it on top of anything because it just runs in the background. Hopefully this will show up when people search for the issue and they can easily fix it.
Thank you!
No problem-o. I was stumped initially and also can't exactly wrap my head around why some buttons work and some don't. I read somewhere that in the context of INSTALL it was to prevent malicious software from being installed. Or something.
For those who may be having a similar problem, you can go to Setup->Advanced in Lux. Enable the "Use Alternative Overlay" option and it should allow you to get the tap to work and still have Lux enabled.
Fyi the OK/Install eventually works, just give it about 10 seconds

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