Develop Bugs

how to use gps?

Hello all...
I've been using a HTC Prophet since it's been "misplaced" 2 weeks ago. I've then decided to go for an unlocked TP2 and been marveling at it since
So, here's the deal. I live in Mauritius and since this is my first GPS device, I have absolutely no clue on how to use it. The only two things I have GPS related is Google Maps and a QuickGPS app. First, I have to ask. Do I need a data connection for the GPS to work?
If I connect through wifi at home and launch Google Maps, I get a completely wrong fix on my location, sometimes Bolivia and sometimes India. I've tried using the QuickGPS and after it successfully downloads the update, I'm still pointed to a wrong location. I've tried enabling "Use GPS" in Google Maps and I get no satellite connections.
But if I'm on the road, is it right that I should have a data connection for the GPS to work? And what about the wrong location given out by Google Maps?
Thanks for helping me out here

Hi Jedi,
I'll try to help you out here...
So, the phone has a GPS receiver built in. This receiver will work independently of a data connection (GPRS, EDGE, 3G, WiFi) and will get a location fix from the satellites. The phone is also capable of A-GPS (Assissted GPS) which uses the mobile network to assist the GPS in acquiring a location fix. The QuickGPS application will download the latest satellite data to the phone which can help decrease the time it takes to get a location fix.
Now, if you are using Google Maps, you will need a data connection because the application does not store the maps on the phone but actually downloads them as needed. Your inconsistencies with the location fix is most likely because of the WiFi connection you are using. If you have a data plan on your account, you will have much better results getting an accurate location fix using the wireless data from your service provider. Also, if you are inside, the GPS may not be getting good signal from the satellites, so try it again next time you are outside.
Additionally, if you use an application such as Garmin Mobile XT, the maps are stored on the memory card and you do not need any data service to navigate. For example, I have used the Garmin app on my Touch Pro 2 to navigate in my car without a SIM card in the phone or any WiFi connection.
Hope this helps

Following up on Nick's post . .
Make sure your GPS is set to "On" in the location settings under phone. By default, it's probably set to "911". You'll have to do a reset and you'll get a warning about the GPS being enabled (on the first reset only).
In Google Maps, make sure the GPS is selected (Menu, Use GPS) and go outside for the GPS to get it's first lock. You may have to leave the phone outside for a while (half hour or so) to get your first lock, but locks should be within 30 seconds or so after that.

thanks a lot nick for all those helpful info! I'll try to find Garmin Mobile XT but I doubt that they'll have a Mauritius map...

Hi SecretAgentMan. If I go in the Phone settings in TP2, I don't see a GPS settings. I only have Phone (Ring Type, Ring Tone, etc...), Services (Call Barring etc...), Network (Automatic), Band (Auto), Pin1/Pin2, Time Zones, More (Auto pickup etc...) and Advanced (Reject call with message etc...) but no "Location" setting where I can set GPS to "On" and nothing where I can see "911". In Google Maps, I've already set "Use GPS" and will try to leave the phone outside for that long...
Thanks again!

hi all! it works beautifully! I've been using it with Google Maps and I have to keep an open data connection cause of the map updates but it works very well. I got around 5,6 and sometimes 10 sats. It keeps on tracking though even after the data cut which means the GPS is fully functional and it's just google maps that's not being updated so everything's cool. Thanks a lot to you all!

Hi Jedi,
I'm glad to see you got your GPS working. Google maps is great but the Garmin app has superior routing with turn by turn directions and voice prompts. I looked online and they do have maps for Mauritius but I'm not sure the cost. You can do a google search for "Garmin Mauritius" and you may find what you are looking for.

[Q] Network location determined by ...

I was hoping someone can confirm with me if their G2 is working 'properly' with this option enabled: Location & security settings \ Use wireless networks (checked)
Test would be to see if your Google Map (or other apps that needs your location like some weather apps) can find or track you rather than being fixated at your last known position.
Mine seems to only work when using a Wi-Fi network or when I switch to EDGE cell network (2G). Never have seen it work properly with WCDMA (which is HSDPA default) and I have been using Anycut to view the Phone's info to see this portion of tidbits. BTW, I don't have 4G in my area just yet.
Is this just my phone or something in common with all G2s. My G1 does not have this issue at all.
Thanks to anyone that can verify with me.

i can confirm that my g2 has the same issue

hey try using the app gps settings to download agps data. It worked for me in finding my location via the network so it should work for you as well.

icruisin said:
I was hoping someone can confirm with me if their G2 is working 'properly' with this option enabled: Location & security settings \ Use wireless networks (checked)
Test would be to see if your Google Map (or other apps that needs your location like some weather apps) can find or track you rather than being fixated at your last known position.
Mine seems to only work when using a Wi-Fi network or when I switch to EDGE cell network (2G). Never have seen it work properly with WCDMA (which is HSDPA default) and I have been using Anycut to view the Phone's info to see this portion of tidbits.
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The way it works is this; the tower ID numbers are sent from your phone to google. Google then looks up the coordinates of that tower in their tower database, and sends the coordinates back to you. You then have your approximate location. If the particular tower you are connected to is NOT LISTED within google's database, then they will be unable to determine your location.
BTW, I don't have 4G in my area just yet.
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Congratulations, neither does anyone else since there is not a single service provider in north america that has begun rolling out 4G (despite lies to the contrary). You will be able to recognize 4G by the speed -- 100 Mb/s down, 50 Mb/s up. Your phone is NOT CAPABLE of anything even REMOTELY CLOSE to this.
Is this just my phone or something in common with all G2s. My G1 does not have this issue at all.
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Could be a glitch in the software, I suppose, but more likely you are connected to a different tower.

GPS Location Doesnt work...

Hi I recently bought an m8 on ebay. I noticed that the gps doesnt lock on even though the location settings are set to high accuracy. As of now there is no service on the phone. When i connect to wifi it gets my location through A-GPS but without wifi it doesnt track my location even with offline maps. I tried calibrating my compass using the 'GPS Status' app, but it doesnt seem to work. Does anyone know if this is a software problem or hardware? can i replace the gps in the phone?
Thanks in advance for your help.

On the GPS Status app, do you see satellites being locked on? On the circular display, you should see dots, and bar graph below will show signal strength. You can typically lock onto several satellites very quickly, unless there is a hardware issue or in a poor location (sky is blocked).

Problems with GPS signal loss

Good afternoon.
Guys, I've been very angry with Google Maps.
When using turn-by-turn navigation, inside the urban perimeter works fine, but when I move to the rural area I have constant problems of "GPS signal loss".
I noticed that by losing the data signal (4G / 3G), Maps stops navigating. Do you have any way around it? Having a GPS dependent data signal is very infeasible.
Thank you.

Have you tried putting the location mode to "High Precision" or "Device only" in the location settings pane? Sounds like you're not using GPS, but cellular location....

I have already tried both modes and in both the problem is the same.
This problem comes from the time I had a Nexus 5, at the time thought was problem in his hardware, but start to be a bug of the Android itself.

Did you install the app GPS status? If not, please do. It will show an overview of your GPS receiving, and download the latest A-GPS library's.
However put the setting of location on Device only. That's important, it will use the internal receiver instead of network masts.

GPS Issues while non LTE band

Hello I have several issues with GPS when my A2 Lite is on 3G or 2G signals, so the GPS keeps dropping every few seconds but when the 4G signal kicks in, then I have continuous GPS signal with no interruptions until 3G or 2G kicks in again... If I set the phone on Airplane mode, the GPS also works just fine. The curious thing is that I previously had a REDMI 4 (Prada) with Android 6 which had the exact same issue and I thought it was a hardware issue but now with the A2 Lite the issue is the same... I replaced the SIM card just in case with no success at all. I find quite interesting that I have not found this issue in forums all over the internet and I can´t find people talking about GPS on the A2 lite at all, is like nobody uses google maps or Waze on their phones......
So my question is: Is this GPS issue a hardware problem or an OS issue.

Hi, sorry mate for not posting any solution, but assuring you''re not alone in this.
I have similar issue on my A2 lite. When I'm on Gps navigating to somewhere and a call comes in. That disconnects my GPS immediately. My phone signal would jump from 4G to 3G. My waze would state, "searching for Network". Which leaves waze stuck without moving.
I'm no technie, but I believe this phone has issues with the band support. When a call comes in, it jumps from 4G to 3G and we Can't surf internet. Not slow, but the internet just doesn't load at all. This jump somehow disconnects GPS. Intermittently the GPS would start working while on the call, but it's hard to say.

Gps and network are 2 separate things, what you guys describe is not gps dropping but the inability of the device to download maps data. That's the problem with maps apps which don't rely on local maps (downloaded in advance) but on updating the map as you go. The gps itself works really well on this device, it finds a fix in a few seconds within 3 meters. There's Here We Go map which can also use local maps and if you don't need up-to-date traffic info you don't really need internet. There's also an open-source map called PocketMaps which does the same thing and it's a solid app. If you need to test gps there's an app called SatStat which shows the exact number of satellites in use.

celrau said:
Gps and network are 2 separate things, what you guys describe is not gps dropping but the inability of the device to download maps data. That's the problem with maps apps which don't rely on local maps (downloaded in advance) but on updating the map as you go. The gps itself works really well on this device, it finds a fix in a few seconds within 3 meters. There's Here We Go map which can also use local maps and if you don't need up-to-date traffic info you don't really need internet. There's also an open-source map called PocketMaps which does the same thing and it's a solid app. If you need to test gps there's an app called SatStat which shows the exact number of satellites in use.
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Hi,
Me and my wife have the same problem. Me with a Mi Mix 3 and she with a Mi 8 Lite. It's not an online map problem because the map is downloaded and displayed.
Moreover, this problem does not exist on our previous phone (OnePlus 5 and OnePlus 6).

Blm79 said:
Hi,
Me and my wife have the same problem. Me with a Mi Mix 3 and she with a Mi 8 Lite. It's not an online map problem because the map is downloaded and displayed.
Moreover, this problem does not exist on our previous phone (OnePlus 5 and OnePlus 6).
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Click to collapse
I'm not an expert on this but the app SatStat is really helpful in troubleshooting location issues. In the main interface you can see how fast your phone finds satellites, how fast it can use them and how many. There is also a map interface which shows location based on network (cell towers and WiFi access points) which is generally less precise but faster. I'd suggest also testing the issue with Here maps in offline setting where it only relies on gps and local map.