GPS issues (Navigation in Waze, Maps etc.) - Google Pixel XL Questions & Answers

My Pixel XL GPS doesn't report accurate location during navigation and it causes the navigation app to always show my car a few feet off the road and keep recalculating the route. It is more severe in Waze but it is noticeable in Google Map too. Someone created a video of the issue: See this videohttps://youtu.be/LyOZW3BSQcY
Talked to Google support per usual they say go to Safe mode or reset the device but it didn't help. Anybody else observed this issue? It is common enough that Sprint created a document on how to address it but it doesn't help. People have reported it on Reddit and Verizon forums too but wanted to see what has been the experience here.

no video link. Regardless I have only encountered what you describe once when there was a split in the highway for an exit. After I started pointing a different direction it snapped back into place. Outside of that my GPS has been great. I am on Verizon if that matters.

mehdi_s82 said:
My Pixel XL GPS doesn't report accurate location during navigation and it causes the navigation app to always show my car a few feet off the road and keep recalculating the route. It is more severe in Waze but it is noticeable in Google Map too. Someone created a video of the issue: See this video
Talked to Google support per usual they say go to Safe mode or reset the device but it didn't help. Anybody else observed this issue? It is common enough that Sprint created a document on how to address it but it doesn't help. People have reported it on Reddit and Verizon forums too but wanted to see what has been the experience here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had an incident yesterday where I was continuing on a freeway at 70 MPH,. But Google Maps thought I had veered from its directions by exiting on a low speed very curvy road, so regenerated directions for that. This never happened wth any of my Nexus devices.

Im having this issue as well. Google Maps seems fine, but Waze seems a lot more jumpy and recalculates my route every few seconds. Pretty annoying.

NWTSCL said:
I had an incident yesterday where I was continuing on a freeway at 70 MPH,. But Google Maps thought I had veered from its directions by exiting on a low speed very curvy road, so regenerated directions for that. This never happened wth any of my Nexus devices.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea I never seen this issue on any Nexus. Since it seem to be common,not sure if a replacement would solve it. Posted it on Google product forum too to raise it to Google:
https://productforums.google.com/forum/m/#!category-topic/phone-by-google/y6G3etvT3U0
Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

Me Too...
So are you guys still having problems with this?
It's gotten to the point where I don't want to use Waze anymore - and I LOVE Waze. It seems like it should just be some sort of software tweak to fix this problem...
I hope it at least gets fixed before Waze comes to Android Auto.

Lame was hoping this got better and was looking forward to a working gps on Pixel.
Ive had this issue eventually pop up on every device. Currently on LG v10.. Upsetting :/

clockcycle said:
Lame was hoping this got better and was looking forward to a working gps on Pixel.
Ive had this issue eventually pop up on every device. Currently on LG v10.. Upsetting :/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try deleting the app data and cache. Then uninstall and reinstall the app. So far its worked for me. Need to test it a few more days before I can confirm its a permanent fix.

I saw this post so I turned on Google Maps & used it to navigate home from work, about 15 miles. Not a big test, but it worked fine, followed be closely, always had me exactly where I was on the road down to the lane I was in.

I have had zero issues with Maps. I do not use Waze. (on ATT)

I have had the GPS issue first on the Pixel (was not following my location accurately and would not give me turn by turn directions) spoke with Google support, all their solutions failed including the factory reset so returned the Pixel and upgrades to the XL model have had it for 3 days and started having same issue again today!!! This issue is on maps and I have only downloaded normal certified apps I was very excited about the 1st Google phone as I love their products but this is very discouraging as the exact same problem has now happened with BOTH phone models. I have Verizon service but based on all of these comments am starting to believe it is a hardware issue and not the service provider. Hoping they can get this bug fixed and quickly otherwise I will be returning for a different device.

My Pixel XL was fine for the first few days. Then I put it in a case and rooted it, and ever since then the GPS is acting wonky in Waze, losing its fix, not getting satellites, acting nuts.
Trying to determine the issue...

I find it awful on maps!! I've had it showing me going backwards and the rotation is off!
Tried with waze and it was OK though so I've no idea
Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

Waze and Google Maps both keep losing GPS signal.
Waze starts to go absolutely haywire.
Google Maps just says "seeking GPS signal" every 30 seconds
Ive done a full factory reset and it's still happening.
Maybe something wrong with the GPS chip, or on the underlying OS??
Just spent 2 hours troubleshooting with a Google tech. They will be calling me back son (they just told me to test it after a full factory reset). No luck!

I'm also having this issue with the pixel xl. Seems much worse in Waze but happens in Google maps a little as well.

Well my GPS died some time this weekend. I was loosing GPS lock on google maps. GPS test is no longer shows it lock onto any satellites when my nexus 6 sees 7-9. Replacement is on the way. I would recommend anyone having this problem check with a gps test/info app and make sure the hardware is working correctly.
I replicated the problem on NDE63V, the OS the device shipped on and was working on before, along with NMF26O and NMF26Q.

Waze is unusable now. I am seeing the same behavior. Google Maps is ok, but waze jumps all over the place.
It is pure speculation, but I wonder if it is tied to how the OS is using the accelerometers. I think google Maps uses both the GPS position and accelerometers.
-J

1/2/2017 - Google Confirming Software Issue with GPS
I'm having the same problem.
Last week my GPS on my Google Pixel stopped working. When I open google maps, it shows the blue dot correctly with the compass working properly. However, when I start navigation or driving mode, it does not work. I also tried Waze and that also does not work - just holds on Searching for GPS. I also tried the app 'GPS Test' and it shows 'No Fix' on the GPS Status.
I contacted google pixel support this morning and they confirmed Google is aware of the problem and have identified it as a software issue.

nixforme12 said:
I'm having the same problem.
Last week my GPS on my Google Pixel stopped working. When I open google maps, it shows the blue dot correctly with the compass working properly. However, when I start navigation or driving mode, it does not work. I also tried Waze and that also does not work - just holds on Searching for GPS. I also tried the app 'GPS Test' and it shows 'No Fix' on the GPS Status.
I contacted google pixel support this morning and they confirmed Google is aware of the problem and have identified it as a software issue.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's wonderful! Did they give you any information on how you others can refer to the issue, such as a bug number or anything?
I'm also having the same issue with my Pixel when using Waze, and since stopped using it, due to it being redirected consistently. Switching to Maps Navigation the issue doesn't seem to exists, however, if I just use Maps, I can see that the compass is not oriented in the correct direction, and have to do the figure 8 calibration consistently so that it can be oriented correctly. The blue indicator dot is also not correctly located on the map, and can be off by many feet/meter. This is the only way I have been able recreate the issue I'm seeing with Waze but on Maps this time, it seems that Maps Navigation is more forgiving on the GPS irregularities than Waze, which is why Maps Navigation is a much better experience than Waze on the Pixel or Pixel XL.

Haven't experienced anything drastic with the gps lock, but I do notice that the direction of where i'm facing is constantly off. Tried calibrating the compass to no avail. The direction feature would also throw off driving directions as it doesn't know which way you are headed when stopped.

Related

GPS receiver chip is not the cause of the problem

Guys,
According to this site, the problem with the GPS is the software Google Maps
Read this:
http://samsungi9000galaxys.com/galaxy-s-gps-review-sygic-gps-signal-and-gps-lock-times/
So it seems that using other Navigation software gives very good GPS performance.....
But how come using the GPS TEST software also shows that the GPS is loosing sattelites lock and erratic performance? I mean if the cause of the problem is the Google Map, testing the GPS receiver using GPS TEST should show good signal lock and stable reception isnt it?
widjaja74_us said:
Guys,
According to this site, the problem with the GPS is the software Google Maps
Read this:
http://samsungi9000galaxys.com/galaxy-s-gps-review-sygic-gps-signal-and-gps-lock-times/
So it seems that using other Navigation software gives very good GPS performance.....
But how come using the GPS TEST software also shows that the GPS is loosing sattelites lock and erratic performance? I mean if the cause of the problem is the Google Map, testing the GPS receiver using GPS TEST should show good signal lock and stable reception isnt it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's a software setting: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=7281059
Other android devices have the same problem with a wrong setting.
Its not true, I tried google maps, co-pilot and NDrive and all gave really, really crappy gps performance. Upgrading to JG5 firmware has improved things a lot but its still pretty unusable for me.
You know I was just about to post that I think the issue is with google maps and not the phone. If I apply the ntp europe fix my gps locks very quickly and stays locked to within 16 feet in gps test when driving about.within google maps navigation the performance remains as shocking. Arrrggghhh!
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA App
I wish i could help testing the phone with different GPS/navigation software to validate the analysis, but I already sold my phone last week out of desperation due to the the GPS problem and lag problem and phone freeze problem and signal drop problem when you hold it a certain way....
but i love the design, size of the screen, the thinness of the phone and the super amoled display.....
Ouch...
Why did you not return your phone instead? I have never had my SGS freeze and I have never been able to drop a call by cupping the antenna, altough the signal strength does go down, wich it will on ALL phones with built in antennas since you are shilding the antenna... ( NOT SAME AS IPHONE4 design flaw where you shortcircuit 2 different antennas and that part seems particulary hard to grasp for some on this forum....)
But, to get on subject again, the GPS has been bad, that is for sure and I hope this is a step in the right direction.
Its clear that testing the gps is waaay too subjective and subject to too many factors. Applications have no effect on the gps performance.
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA App
My gps has been working perfectly with 3 firmwares.. it's much faster then the one on my old iphone 3G
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA App
My GPS seems to be very hit and miss, but it has worked on the several occasions that I have really needed it (getting lost).
And widjaja why are you still shambling about this forum when you sold your phone? get back under your bridge.
Once again, another thread started because someone made one change, tested it and it worked, then posted how great it was. Trouble is since the GPS can work fine for days on end, and then not work for days on end, these supposed cures are pretty much all wrong.
The GPS doesnt work, and so far there hasnt been a public explaination as to why, just lots of guesswork, and no fix has been released (in any of the firmwares available today). It's coming, but its not here yet.
TravUK said:
Once again, another thread started because someone made one change, tested it and it worked, then posted how great it was. Trouble is since the GPS can work fine for days on end, and then not work for days on end, these supposed cures are pretty much all wrong.
The GPS doesnt work, and so far there hasnt been a public explaination as to why, just lots of guesswork, and no fix has been released (in any of the firmwares available today). It's coming, but its not here yet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Seems some phones work some dont.On jf3 my gps was shocking but on jg5 it has always been spot on with google navigation and co pilot and ive tested it a lot in all weathers.It has never lost lock and is always bang on with position.I even tested google maps satalite view in the car parked next to a tree and it had me right next to the tree-within 10 feet accuracy.I dont change any settings just leave it on whatever settings jg5 uses.Im in england if that makes any difference
Found a fix on another forum and its been working pretty well for me.
Enter *#*#1472365#*#* in the dialer to enter GPS settings and change the following:
Application Settings:
Operation Mode - MS Based
Use SkyHook - ON
Accuracy - 30
SUPL/CP Settings :
Server - supl.google.com
Server Port - 7276
SUPL Secure Socket - OFF
I was having problems with 3G and WIFI with these settings at first, so I left Operation Mode on Standalone and Skyhook OFF. Works great now. Just tested it and got 9 satellite locks and 5 in use.
source: http://www.mobile01.com/topicdetail.php?f=568&t=1661500&r=2&last=21080924
I'm in Hong Kong btw running local JF7 firmware. Hope this helps.
I'm almost convinced that most of the problems people are having is down to google maps. I'm not saying that tweaking the settings as people have, inc me, doesn't improve maters, but I believe there is an underlying compatibility issue between google maps and the galaxy which is making the issue seem worse than it is.
If I leave gps test running while driving I get at worst a lock down to 32 feet, speed is accurate and never lose lock even when on roads totally covered with big wet trees. It looks spot on.
Google maps navigation can't even get me in an accurate position when stationary, start driving and its bloody awful jumps all over the place and sometimes doesn't even move for 30 seconds after I've pulled away from a junction.
I've updated my supl settings to use google (manually edited the conf file, I don't use the hidden menu screen because even if you change nothing it makes changes to the conf file on exit, delete the file and reboot to refresh it) and updated my ntp settings to use europe.
In the jg5 rom google maps is built in, so I can't reinstall it or seem to be able to clear the cache to see if that helps in anyway.
It wouldn't surprise me if any gps fixed rom released by samsung contains a tweaked version of google maps that works.
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA App

[Q] Google Navigation Troubles Getting Directions

I'm having issues with Google Navigation and I'm wondering if someone can help.
Let's get this out of the way first. I'm running the CM7 Nightlies, but this isn't a GPS issue. I've done the GPS fix. GPS is working fine. I can see myself in Maps to a 20m accuracy even when I'm in my concrete bunker of an office building. Google Maps sees me just fine.
I can scan around in Maps and I'm getting the satellite layer updates. I know where I am and I can see where I'd like to go. I can click on the location and the Places update comes up. I can surf around in there, read reviews and do all that that app offers. So far, so good.
If I click on the Get Directions it will provide me with a list of directions. Awesome. I know where I am, I know where I'd like to be and now I know how to get there. Great!
If I click on the Navigation button Google Navigation comes up. It goes to "Getting Directions" and will just sit there... forever...
I've cleared the app data. I've even reinstalled Maps. It still will not work. Is anyone else having this issue?
Just another piece of information, if I install Waze and all of this works fine. I can even see other Waze users driving around town live. It's not a GPS tracking issue then either. Should I just switch to Waze?
Wow... I can't believe nobody else has this issue. Has anyone else tried this?
Because I really hate it when someone has an issue, fixes it themselves and never lets anyone know how, I bumped this thread to post what the problem was and how I fixed it. That way, if anyone does a search for this problem, they have both a reference and a resolution.
I believe the problem was my overzealousness in deleting apps that I didn't use or didn't believe I used. When flashing a new ROM, the first thing I always do is go through the /system/app folder and delete the crap I didn't want on my phone. One of the things I always deleted was the GoogleQuickSearchBox.apk. I never use the quick search widget because I always pull up the browser for Google searches.
I updated to CM7 Nightly Build 39 yesterday and, instead of pulling that APK I decided to test the GPS, Maps, Places and Navigation interaction. I was able to get an almost instant GPS lock. I could scan around Maps and get the layer updates. I could find the places I wanted in Places. Then, for the real test, I attempted to get driving directions to a local restaurant. It came up in a couple seconds.
So, the morals of the story are to not delete things when you aren't completely sure of everything they are tied to and don't give up solving problems on your own when nobody else is able to help you. I hope this helps someone.
no problems here. i think u deleted something.

gps not working after the forced mango update

There's a problem with gps on my phone Samsung FOCUS ,Gps is not working even in the open sky, tried several app like -> gpsinfo,wingps and others like RunKeeper,RunSat etc
Phone is Dev unlocked as well as Interop Unlocked with internet sharing enabled.
The update was done using forced method.Updated from stock firmware->7008->7032->7043->7720.68.
Versions ->
Diag app-> 0103
firnware - 2103.11.8.1
hardware rev. no. - 3.1.0.7
Bootloader ver. - 5.8.0.2
radio software ver. - 0.0.0.3
Please help?
Microsoft released a statement saying they don't blame people or doing the forced update... it doesn't do anything bad to the phone so I don't think that's the issue. You might want to try rolling it back to nodo, checking your gps and then reloading mango. if still no go. Hardware issue maybe??
Issue solved,thanks anyway
So, what was the problem?
Don't know, flashed mango again.That's it.
Gps locked in under 10 sec inside the room.
Hmm. My GPS will find my location fine but getting directions is terribly slow now and turn-by-turn will always just say "can't connect to satellites." Now I'm wondering if a rollback and updating again to Mango will fix this.
I'm on official Mango on an AT&T Focus (and I didn't force the update), and I'm having problems just like the previous posters with GPS fixes and 'can't connect to satellite' errors when trying to get directions.
I found a solution by going into another application that uses GPS, getting a GPS fix in there, then going back into the maps. The program I use is "GPS & GPX Logger." After that finds the satellites, the maps work as they should.
For background info, my phone went from NoDO->Mango Beta 2 (7661)->Mango Beta 2 Refresh (7712)->Unforced official Mango including "Samsung Update"
I tried the turn-by-turn again this morning and it actually worked. This is the first time it has since updating last wk. I didn't change a thing, so I have no idea why it work suddenly.
GPS works on Samsung Focus even after Tango update
I own samsung focus 1.3 (AT&T). I purchased it in the beginning of Sep. 2012 (quite late). As soon as I got the phone, I connected it to Zune for updates. After having updated to 7.10.7720.68, I started using the phone. The GPS did not work. I then updated it to 7.10.8773.98 with the hope that updates may make GPS working. I tried all possible tricks available on XDA as well as other forums. I tried following tricks with various permutation & combination:
(i) Pulling out the battery for 30 minutes.
(ii) Changing the MOLR CP/UP setting in GPS diagnostic to UP and CP (one by one),
(iii) Rebooting the phone with location off & again rebotting with location on
(iv) Apps like GPS info & others
& few more which I do not recall now.
After having tried for about a month, I reverted back to original OS version 7.0.7004.0 just to ascertain the availability/ functionality of GPS hardware as on some of the forums I read that their GPS stopped working after No-Do updates. The GPS did not work even after trying all above tricks on 7.0.7004.0 version of OS.
Finally I accepted my GPS to be faulty or not being there and again updated to latest OS version.
One day I read on some forum that putting off the location service & then switching on makes GPS working. Wow, I tried it today, IT WORKED. On bing map it locked, initially with a bigger circle & then reducing down to a dot. In areas covered with thick trees or high-rise buildings, the circle used to become bigger but again in clear sky area it used to reduce down to dot. I am keeping my fingers crossed. Let me observe for some more days to ascertain that this trick actually works.
Those who have not been able to make their GPS working with other tricks, please try this & let us have your feedback on this forum/ thread.
GPS not reliable
In continuation to my previous post, the working of GPS is not reliable. It sometimes works very fine & some times doesn't work at all during the entire journey of 15 Km. You cannot depend on this GPS for navigational aid. It appears to be some software issue. But anyway, I am happy that my GPS is not faulty. Hoping for some fix in future which will make GPS work reliably.
A. K. Jain said:
In continuation to my previous post, the working of GPS is not reliable. It sometimes works very fine & some times doesn't work at all during the entire journey of 15 Km. You cannot depend on this GPS for navigational aid. It appears to be some software issue. But anyway, I am happy that my GPS is not faulty. Hoping for some fix in future which will make GPS work reliably.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
GPS working perfectly for me with my Nokia 800 with Nokia Drive.
Some cars have some sort of coating on the windscreen which sometimes blocks GPS, although I wouldn't expect that to be on US cars.
gilesjuk said:
GPS working perfectly for me with my Nokia 800 with Nokia Drive.
Some cars have some sort of coating on the windscreen which sometimes blocks GPS, although I wouldn't expect that to be on US cars.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The issue is not related with car glasses as I have tried a lot in clear sky on foot. The issue seems to be specific to Samsung focus drivers.

Lumia 900 Location (GPS) issues

Hi,
Recently my Lumia 900 is not finding it's location when I use apps like Bing Search or Yelp. When using the built in Bing search it finds my search request but when I click on the directions icon it is unable to find my location and gives me a No Location Information error.
The only app that consistently gets my location is Nokia Drive. I'm getting frustrated that many of the apps that use location are not working. I've enabled location sharing for the phone and all the apps to no avail.
Anyone else seeing this? Any suggestions?
TIA!
ganks said:
Hi,
Recently my Lumia 900 is not finding it's location when I use apps like Bing Search or Yelp. When using the built in Bing search it finds my search request but when I click on the directions icon it is unable to find my location and gives me a No Location Information error.
The only app that consistently gets my location is Nokia Drive. I'm getting frustrated that many of the apps that use location are not working. I've enabled location sharing for the phone and all the apps to no avail.
Anyone else seeing this? Any suggestions?
TIA!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mine is doing the same thing. It used to work fine. Over the last several weeks it has been getting worse. I've uninstalled most of the apps that have access to location to see if they were causing some interference with something but nothing is working. Local Scout fails to load anything half the time now, too. Nothing has changed with my phone. Never dropped, never abused, and used to work like a charm.
awesomeindeed said:
Mine is doing the same thing. It used to work fine. Over the last several weeks it has been getting worse. I've uninstalled most of the apps that have access to location to see if they were causing some interference with something but nothing is working. Local Scout fails to load anything half the time now, too. Nothing has changed with my phone. Never dropped, never abused, and used to work like a charm.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To be honest I can't tell if Local Scout works well or not. It never has what I want (like an option to search) so I just use better apps like Yapf or Yelp. I do know that it took a while for my location to be correctly determined when I was in NYC this past weekend. Today on a drive from southern Vermont to northern New Hampshire, my Nokia Drive lost GPS a few times. It took 5 or so minutes before it was back on track.
Do you guys also have issues with losing/having an incorrect GPS location while using Maps or Nokia Drive?

gps lock

Can someone recommend a good gps app that doesn't rely on Google Navigation? Google maps wouldn't lock any satellites on 4.1.2 and it works even less in kit kat. My wife had a very important doctors appointment today and we almost missed it because it was the 1st time using the navigation on kit kat and to my dismay, it's still garbage!
And I refuse to play the blame game between AT&T and LG as to who is to blame and needs to fix it.
First, let it do an initial fix. Install GPS Status & Toolbox from Play (or don't, use Maps application you already have), go out, enable High precision location (if using Maps, tap on My location button) and wait for a fix. It takes around 5 minutes, if device's GPS wasn't initialised. If devices GPS was initialised but can't get a fix, I suggest installing GPS Status and check the number of available satelites.
osmand uses OpenStreetMap, so you may try with that.
zamajalo said:
First, let it do an initial fix. Install GPS Status & Toolbox from Play (or don't, use Maps application you already have), go out, enable High precision location (if using Maps, tap on My location button) and wait for a fix. It takes around 5 minutes, if device's GPS wasn't initialised. If devices GPS was initialised but can't get a fix, I suggest installing GPS Status and check the number of available satelites.
osmand uses OpenStreetMap, so you may try with that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks zamajalo. I think that may have worked but I didn't test it by going for a drive. But I do have to go into town tomorrow so I'll test it on the road then. But so you know, it's connecting to 10 out of 22 satellites. I applied the fix from gps status but also used another app called gps fix so who knows which one did the trick....lol.
cougar214 said:
Thanks zamajalo. I think that may have worked but I didn't test it by going for a drive. But I do have to go into town tomorrow so I'll test it on the road then. But so you know, it's connecting to 10 out of 22 satellites. I applied the fix from gps status but also used another app called gps fix so who knows which one did the trick....lol.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I usually have a lock on 8 to 10 satellites on open, so that's pretty much OK. If you get a location fix, there should be no more problems.
Yeah it did the location fix but it said something about it only lasting a couple days?
What exactly? I've never seen that message on my phone or others.
When it downloads the extra content for the gps fix. it gives some disclaimer about how it may only last a couple days before having to download the content again. But it doesn't matter. It didn't work. It kept dropping the gps signal every two minutes and the screen would hardly refresh and show the direction properly. It just sits on the starting screen(your starting point), tells me how far down the road to go, then drops signal, doesn't give you directions anymore, and when it finally does pick up the gps signal it takes forever for it to "recalculate" your position. Oh and losing the signal again. Did I mention losing the signal?....lol
This happened with 4.1.2 also so it leads me to believe it's not a software issue but rather a hardware issue. I:E LG sucks for gps!

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