The xperia play is a UK SIM free version running 2.3.4 - and is being used in Greece with a Greek SIM card (phone bought from the UK as is half the price).
My main interest is in achieving a GPS lock with no data (wi-fi nor mobile data). Although I have a data plan here I avoid using data whilst roaming due the preposterously high charge. I am using Copilot live premium for navigation.
GPS lock is quick, ranging from less than 10 seconds to 20 seconds or so and is accurate.
However, a short time after achieving the lock it loses it. It then regains a lock (taking 20 seconds or so), but after a short time loses this again. This process carries on and on, rendering the GPS useless as turns are missed.
I have installed GPS status - cleared AGPS data - set it to never download AGPS. But this makes no difference. GPS status also loses its lock (and then regains it etc) as Copilot does. I have tried clearing maps cache, weather cache - but to no avail.
Although to be 100% sure I need to test this more, but I have noticed that if I allow a mobile data connection the GPS then works reliably. But that is what I am trying to avoid - the enabling of data.
It also works reliably when I use an external bluetooth GPS receiver, as you would expect. This is the only way I use it now when I know that I will need to rely on it. But obviously it is a bind having to remember to carry the bt receiver with the phone.
I have researched this for hours and have read threads that mention editing the gps.conf file, but again the changes relate to using different servers which means data useage…..
I suspect that the GPS functions correctly, but then some other process –be it Android native or installed by me – starts to interfere with it.
My questions are:
1. Why can I not use the GPS reliably with data disabled – even with a stand alone app like Copilot?
2. Is it even possible to use Android GPS functionality without data? (like I have been for years with symbian Nokia handsets where you disable the network GPS assistance and then simply wait longer for a lock).
Having read through the Copilot forums it is clear that this problem is affecting a large number of users. It seems that the GPS function on Gingerbread 2.3.4 is not working properly with Copilot Live premium. Naturally users are fuming there, but I'm not convinced that the problem is Copilot related.
With my bluetooth GPS receiver the Copilot navigation works perfectly. But the same lock loss/regain/loss problem is exhibited by GPS status when using internal GPS receivers.
After further testing it seems that if I allow mobile data, Copilot then works perfectly using the internal GPS.
It would seem to me that GPS functionality on Gingerbread 2.3.4 (on the Xperia Play at least) has a problem if a mobile data connection is not allowed - which points to there being an issue with the GPS being able to function without AGPS data.
I have tried using GPS status to download AGPS data, but when you activate Copilot there is immediate data transfer - even if you have only just switched it off and then back on again.
I am completely new to Android, therefore would appreciate any information or experiences from other users attempting to use GPS without allowing mobile data.
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 voilà 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
I have recently purchased a Samsung Galaxy Note II N7102, and realised after a week of use that the compass and GPS don't work. I have downloaded several compass and GPS apps on my phone but none seem to work, so I think it might have been a hardware problem. I have then downloaded the app Z-Device Test and ran the app on my phone to test out these hardware features. The test results indicate that while the compass and GPS icons have been ticked (to indicate that they are working), there are however no signal or data generated to indicate they do actually work. I use the compass and GPS quite often, so I am desperately looking for a cure to the problem. Does anybody know a fix to this problem? Many thanks in advance.
Dear friends,
I have the following question, I'd like to replace my now defuct car radio with a Nexus 7 in the dash. I've seen many youtube videos about how to do it and feel confident that I can manage it. The only problem atm would be that I can't really afford to get the super top of the line version which includes the sim support (nor pay for a second sim to leave inside it), therefore I'd buy the wifi only model. For my job I frequently used the navigation system of my defunct radio / multimedia system, so my big concern here is if I'd be able to use the Nexus 7's GPS to navigate without having a data connection. I can download offline maps before putting it in the dash.
Thank you so much for the info guys,
Best regards,
Roby
Yes, GPS navigation works without data connection, but you may occasionally experience slow location lock after start up because GPS 'almanac' takes more time to download from a satellite. The almanac needs to be updated after a few months. Online/assisted AGPS also uses other methods to speed up location lock, but it is optional.
Cheers
:good:
Hi – I've recently started using a HTC One M9 (himaulatt, developer version). I've realised it won't connect to any satellites and so navigation doesn't work (not accurate enough just using mobile data to track my route). It was originally on MM but I went through all the OTA updates to bring it to N (7.0), version 4.30.617.12. I then unlocked and rooted, installed lineage 14.1 and all seemed well until I spotted the navigation issue. I tried the latest Venom ROM that offers some GPS initialisation. I've now returned the phone to stock 4.30.617.12, again with no improvement.
I've followed all the steps for resolving I've been able to find, including at https://www.technobezz.com/fix-android-gps-issues/ - and I've been using the GPS Status & Toolbox app as well as GPS Testing Tools. I've repeatedly cleared AGPS data and downloaded it again using GPS Status. I've removed other apps that access GPS and cleared cache on those remaining (Google Maps, and the two mentioned above).
The apps report very occasional single satellite fixes being made, not sufficient to help with positioning. The phone detects that there's as many as 25 satellites in view, once AGPS is loaded, but doesn't use them. On GPS Status, some are reported in blue (“only rough orbital data (almanach) is available”), and sometimes some in yellow (“all orbital data is available, but the satellite is not used” - THIS IS VERY PUZZLING). Another phone that works well with GPS reports the same / similar satellites above, with compass giving a 10deg different result even after several rounds of calibrating..
I'm now looking at the GPS.conf file, have tried several available online for UK, and have edited it myself in response to online advice. Any tips? The one given via stock has the following last few lines, does it look OK? )...
SUPL_VER=0x20000
PHONE_TYPE=UMTS
CAPABILITIES=0x33
Advice very welcome and appreciated – otherwise I'll have to sell it on with the fault declared, probably at a quite low price.
Many thanks, Geoff
Flash back to stock and start over. Its a bug. The other symptom is false location reports.