GPS not working properly - Nexus 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Ever since I got my N4, I've had a problem with the GPS not always turning on at the right time, and turning on when I'm not using it. I notice this mainly when I play Ingress or when using Google Maps, though about 1-1.5 months ago, the GPS started working just fine, and I was having no issues whatsoever. Then just a couple of weeks ago, it started happening again. The first time I had the issue, when playing Ingress, if I had switched to a different app, the GPS would remain on, and when I reentered Ingress, it would not update my location, and the location would start to drift, or if I had been in a different app long enough, the GPS would stop and wouldn't turn on when I reentered Ingress, forcing me to go into the GPS settings and toggle the "GPS Satellites" check box. Also, if I had been trying to use Google Maps/Navigation, the GPS wouldn't turn on and I would again have to toggle the check box in the GPS settings. About a month to a month and a half ago, it started working properly. If I switched apps while playing Ingress, GPS would shut off normally, and then when I reentered the app, GPS would start up again, and would update my location properly (same with Maps/Navigation). Then a couple of weeks ago, it stopped working again, and it randomly starts searching for GPS signal, even if I'm not even using my phone at the time. I thought it had something to do with the location sharing settings in G+, because I had changed a few settings in G+ a couple of weeks ago, but when I reverted to the previous settings, nothing changed. If I could get some help, I would greatly appreciate it.
Sent from my Nexus 4/Nexus 7

Just curious, do you have the Yahoo Weather App installed? This app was known to break the GPS (until a reboot).
Anyway, I would suspect some app with GPS function is causing the issue.
You may have to remove them one at a time (and reboot) to find the culprit.

SpookyTunes said:
Just curious, do you have the Yahoo Weather App installed? This app was known to break the GPS (until a reboot).
Anyway, I would suspect some app with GPS function is causing the issue.
You may have to remove them one at a time (and reboot) to find the culprit.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yahoo weather? No.
Sent from my Nexus 4/Nexus 7

Slender Troll said:
Yahoo weather? No.
Sent from my Nexus 4/Nexus 7
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
weather uninstall has worked on my side! thx
Alex

Related

GPS always on...

Hey guys. Had my X10i for 2 months now. Just an hour ago, my gps went on by itself and I've turned the phone off and back on twice and its still on. Any reasons this could be happening? I went into the settings and and GPS satellites and Assisted GPS are on, but that was normal.
I know it may sound like a dumb question but I'm not that much of an idiot, or am I? Any helps would be appreciated.
Thanks.
It will probablybe an application you've installed which uses location services or a website that can use location services. If you always have GPS enabled it will do this every now and again.
MisterzaK
thanks misterzak. this is the first time ive seen this since ive had the phone. i'll keep an eye out on it. it stopped when i shut off maps with task panel after i posted but it came back on a few mins ago.
Try checking which apps you've recently installed. You can check whether they use location services in the Application sub-menu in the X10 settings. Some apps may let you switch off the location services they need.
Part of the reason I've replied is that I could see this topic going waaaaay out of control with loads of people saying they're having the same issue and that it is there is a massive fault in the phone.......a question like yours luckily had a simple answer.
People may have even thought it is Google checking up on them every 2 minutes, being "Big Brother" and all....

Google Maps keeps running!

Google maps is keeping my phone awake, I cleaned the cache and forced stop but keeps running, It used 12% of my battery in 2 hours so is a issue, any way to fix it?
Uninstall the Google Maps update. Others have had the same issue.
Sent from my LT15i using XDA App
Check if you have Latitude running. It can restart google maps. Also, you might want to do a search on your own, you're not the first one with this problem.
I ripped out crap I didn't use and it helped with speed and responsiveness. Maps was definitely one to go. I can always install it later if needed.
I'm pretty sure it's Latitude that's causing the problem.
dmora01 said:
Google maps is keeping my phone awake, I cleaned the cache and forced stop but keeps running, It used 12% of my battery in 2 hours so is a issue, any way to fix it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've had this same problem. For me, Latitude was the problem. I don't use it, so I used Ti Backup to get rid of it.
However, my wife uses Latitude and the way she solved the problem is by going into the Latitude settings and turning off the auto-update location feature, which was waking her phone up every 10 mins or so to update her location. Now she has it set so that she has to manually update her location and the battery use issue has gone away.
Latitude was the problem for me also. I turned off Latitude and it was fixed.
How do you keep it shut off? I have the same problem with Latitude but it just keeps starting up again. Only thing working is unchecking using both wireless networks and gps but then no applications can use that stuff which isn't super cool. Latitude is ofc still running doing this but at least it's not draining my battery.
calanbalan said:
How do you keep it shut off? I have the same problem with Latitude but it just keeps starting up again. Only thing working is unchecking using both wireless networks and gps but then no applications can use that stuff which isn't super cool. Latitude is ofc still running doing this but at least it's not draining my battery.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is what worked for my wife:
VisedMonk said:
My wife uses Latitude and the way she solved the problem is by going into the Latitude settings and turning off the auto-update location feature, which was waking her phone up every 10 mins or so to update her location. Now she has it set so that she has to manually update her location and the battery use issue has gone away.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In Latitude > Settings > make sure "Do not update your location" is checked and "Enable automatic check-ins" is not checked. Then sign out of Latitude and you should be good to go.
tmcquake said:
Latitude was the problem for me also. I turned off Latitude and it was fixed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's not a solution, though, is it? FWIW, I made a bug report: http://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=17356
VisedMonk said:
However, my wife uses Latitude and the way she solved the problem is by going into the Latitude settings and turning off the auto-update location feature, which was waking her phone up every 10 mins or so to update her location. Now she has it set so that she has to manually update her location and the battery use issue has gone away.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can I ask what good is latitude without the auto update feature? So your wife keep on manual updating everywhere she go?
ykphuah said:
Can I ask what good is latitude without the auto update feature? So your wife keep on manual updating everywhere she go?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't use it, so I can't say. I imagine she uses it to check in places, kind of like foursquare, which would be easy enough to do manually, I suppose.
ykphuah said:
Can I ask what good is latitude without the auto update feature?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not much, really. Well, if you sign out completely you can't even see where your friends are.
Anyway, disabling the updates for my own location in Latitude's settings didn't make any difference for me.
As of 4.1.2 Maps is running permanently unless I disable Google Apps Location Access. LAME.
this has been an issue with me since ICS. I've uninstalled maps several times because I was getting such horrible battery life. I've seen my phone die in 3 hours in standby because maps was constantly running. Couple the map issue with your phone searching for a data signal, and it's easy to kill your battery from a full charge in just a few hours. Something needs to be done, severely!!
You can notice an instant, DRAMATIC increase in battery life after uninstalling/freezing maps, btw....I'd recommend giving it a shot to anyone having battery life problems.
heinrich said:
As of 4.1.2 Maps is running permanently unless I disable Google Apps Location Access. LAME.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I read that all location requests by all Apps goes through Google Maps, when WiFi and Mobile network location is enabled.
I too have been experimenting with different ways to boost my battery life, trying out disabling:
1. Signing out of Latitude
2. Turning off WiFi and Mobile Network Location
3. Turning off Google Now
4. Manually disabling Wifi and Mobile network etc...
So far I realize that its actually #2 that causes battery issues for me. Keeping latitude signed in doesn't seemed to have much impact if #2 is turned off.
I have ended up just uninstalling it because it was by far the most battery draining app on the phone, on the days where I was barely using it maps kept the phone awake for 3+ plus hours, making me charge the phone every day when I didn't even use it!!
My advice is when you need it, install it OR the day before, input the route/address/location you need and after the use for it ended, uninstall it. It'll be in your play store app list anyway so the above process, wont take too long.
littlebigsnafu said:
I have ended up just uninstalling it because it was by far the most battery draining app on the phone, on the days where I was barely using it maps kept the phone awake for 3+ plus hours, making me charge the phone every day when I didn't even use it!!
My advice is when you need it, install it OR the day before, input the route/address/location you need and after the use for it ended, uninstall it. It'll be in your play store app list anyway so the above process, wont take too long.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can also freeze it with Titanium Backup or similar. More practical way to do it, IMHO.
By the way, if you freeze it, location services will be in their own process.
Just disable Location access.
Sent from my Nexus S using xda app-developers app
polobunny said:
You can also freeze it with Titanium Backup or similar. More practical way to do it, IMHO.
By the way, if you freeze it, location services will be in their own process.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good advice! I'll try it that way in the next couple of days when I have a few job interviews coming up. However, I DO wish EL goog sorts this problem out sooner or later, it's only maps in the core Google apps that really has this problem.

Searching for GPS wont go away

i came from 4.2.1. updated to 4.2 and now my tablet wont stop saying searching for GPS (i am indoors and no GPS lock can be found).
nothing has changed, i have the same APPs haven't removed or added anything except updating via OTA yet now after the update this searching for GPS wont go away and i have to toggle it off now.
i have always left GPS and Wifi on with 4.2.1 and didnt have this problem and its draining my battery so i disable GPS.
anyone else see this on theirs?
1) turn GPS off
2) download gps status
3) wait until you are outside and stationary
4) turn on GPS and run gps status to see if you are getting any kind of fix on satellites.
Zillow (an app in the Play Store) causes this on my device. If I force closed it, the GPS icon would go away. If you're not using Zillow, maybe another app is the cause. Try force-closing anything you think might be using GPS
while google nav is running in background (searching for gps..) Hit the home button Go to settings . Toggle gps Of then back on..
You might have to then exit google nav off then back on.. Sometimes it will take a few tired..
This randomly happens to me sometimes if i start google Nav with the gps enabled.. Was present in 4.1.2 after the latest maps update .
I had the EXACT same problem.. I had updated in my "bunker" where I work (no GPS signals get in here) and until it finally got a signal it tried for like 2 hours. Once it did it, it was happy.
I really, really wish there were some way to see GPS usage history. There has got to be a way to do that. A log of what apps used the GPS, how long, etc
Same here. I also noticed this today and the battery drained quickly. It looks like the Weather Channel app was causing it in my case. It had an unusually large share of the battery consumption (according to the Android battery monitor) and uninstalling it seems to fix the issue (will take another day to confirm). This was working fine on 4.1.2.
Mine also has gone AWOL. I tried the on-off trick, all styles, but no joy (and waiting 2 hours was not a possibility... I needed it there and then).
I'll try the apps suggested, but as Gps is a core service, and one Google relies upon, it's disappointing that this crops up after an update to 4.2.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
szeiger said:
Same here. I also noticed this today and the battery drained quickly. It looks like the Weather Channel app was causing it in my case. It had an unusually large share of the battery consumption (according to the Android battery monitor) and uninstalling it seems to fix the issue (will take another day to confirm). This was working fine on 4.1.2.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for bringing this up. I was having this problem, and I have The Weather Channel too so I went to uninstall it and right when I did the GPS notification went away. It's looking like it may be a problem with the app then and not the GPS. Maybe something changed in the background and they have to make some modifications to the app to fix it.
I reinstalled TWC and when telling it to find me through GPS on the first run, it doesn't seem to want to get my location. I did it indoors before so I don't know why it wouldn't pick it up now. But at least it doesnt seem to be constantly accessing the GPS. I was going to do a factory reset to figure out if it was a problem with the system update itself but I'll just chalk it up to an app problem right now.
It's strange though, in 4.1.2 I don't remember getting any notification that the GPS was searching\locked on unless it was Navigation or Maps doing something. Either way, I dislike this new GPS notification thing overall. On the other hand, it's a good thing that we know the GPS was being used improperly. I hope they update The Weather Channel app soon. Weather Underground is slow even on the Nexus 7.
I'm having the same trouble after the update.
I left The Weather Channel uninstalled and had the GPS on again... still a lot of usage so I've just turned the GPS off until I need it. This is very unnecessary though. It has to be something in the operating system (I don't have any apps running in the background that should be using it so much when fine location isn't required).
Has anybody else tried a factory reset to see if this alleviates this problem? I really don't want to be the first and then lose important things I have saved to memory. :/
In 4.1.2 when using Navigation, GPS would be lost at times. Firing up GPS Test Plus would show no satellites, then rapidly find them, and suddenly Navigation would work again. I sometimes had to toggle GPS, sometimes didn't.
In 4.2 so far, I've had GPS vanish in Navigation, and stay vanished in GPS Test Plus. Toggling GPS doesn't seem to help. Rebooting is required to locate the satellites. Annoying.
About to delete 5gb of data to see if my 16GB model will magically speed up from the constant heavy lag.
A factory reset seems to have fixed my GPS problem.
same problem.i found a advertisement module in heywire caused it.as i force closed heywire,it is gone.before that,it continues for 7 hours.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
zhj said:
same problem.i found a advertisement module in heywire caused it.as i force closed heywire,it is gone.before that,it continues for 7 hours.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry for the bump but it seems even after uninstalling The Weather Channel and the factory reset I still get GPS activation for a long time from time to time. I seem to have found the process in the battery usage that's causing it. "Fused Location". Not sure what uses this or what it is, it has an android icon. I force closed it and GPS stopped searching. Probably not a permanent fix. I sent feedback from the OS on this process.
I've seen this in 4.2 on my Nexus 7 AND my Galaxy Nexus.
Not nailed it yet, one culprit was Shazam (turned off Location in the settings for that and it went away)
Checking my Battery stats again, Shazam is on 12% and I've not even run it! Gonna remove the homescreen widget, see if that helps.
jmbillings said:
I've seen this in 4.2 on my Nexus 7 AND my Galaxy Nexus.
Not nailed it yet, one culprit was Shazam (turned off Location in the settings for that and it went away)
Checking my Battery stats again, Shazam is on 12% and I've not even run it! Gonna remove the homescreen widget, see if that helps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i suggest you to to Settigs -> Apps -> Running (Tab)
Individuall kill/stop the application that you think might have caused the problem..
You will eventually know which Apps has caused it because the GPS icon goes away after you killed the erring application...
This worked for me. The problem App was "Perfect World Clock"
That solution is rather clunky. I have created a couple of simple Tasker profiles to get rid of this annoying notification. Works flawlessly for me. What it does is it shuts off GPS when the screen turns off, and restarts it after a short delay when the screen turns on. The delay is the real key here, as it circumvents the initial GPS search and, hence, no annoying message. Google Maps and Google Nav are not affected, as the GPS is always on when the screen is on, i.e. GPS is on whenever it is actually needed and off only if it is not needed. And, these profiles do not significantly impact battery, as they are Event triggered rather than State triggered. In fact, it probably saves battery, given that it turns GPS off when it's not needed. There are two profiles needed, which I have called "GPS Suspend" and "GPS Restart." Their associated tasks both utilize the Secure Settings plug-in which is needed to turn GPS on or off. As you will see, I have also added "If" conditions to each task's GPS command, to ensure that the command is executed if and only if the screen is in the correct (on/off) phase.
Here are the profiles and their associated tasks...
Profile: GPS Suspend
Event: Display Off
Enter: GPS Suspend
A1: Secure Settings [ Configuration:GPS Disabled Timeout (Seconds):0 ] If [ %SCREEN ~ off ]
Profile: GPS Restart
Event: Display On
Enter: GPS Resart
A1: Wait [ MS:0 Seconds:3 Minutes:0 HConfiguration:GPS:enabledours:0 Days:0 ]
A2: Secure Settings [ Timeout (Seconds):0 ] If [ %SCREEN ~ on ]
Try it and see!
modestdave

Gps won't grab a lock

So I the only thread I found on this was really old with no resolution so I'm starting a new one.
My gps will show like 0/24 on gps status immediately and not fix any. Earlier I got 2 satellites to fix ad that was all. This is outside in my car with a clear view of the sky. has anyone had any luck fixing gps issues?
Sent from my VS980 4G using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
th3drow said:
So I the only thread I found on this was really old with no resolution so I'm starting a new one.
My gps will show like 0/24 on gps status immediately and not fix any. Earlier I got 2 satellites to fix ad that was all. This is outside in my car with a clear view of the sky. has anyone had any luck fixing gps issues?
Sent from my VS980 4G using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you using the GPS Status app (developer MobiWIA)? I ask since that app allows you to add all the extra details in the notification bar while the GPS is searching for a lock. If so, have you tried getting a GPS lock in any other app (like Maps)? I can get a lock in all my other apps, as well as other GPS diagnostic app EXCEPT for the one developed by MobiWIA for some reason. I keep it installed though as I like to see the status in the notification bar.
I'd suggest downloading the GPS Status app if you already don't have it (the MobiWIA one), and go into Menu > Tools and click on Manage A-GPS State. Then click on Clear Cached GPS Data. Then click on the button that says Download Additional Files (well, says something similar to that). Then open up a different app and see if you can get a lock. I had to clear my GPS data and download those additional files before I could get a timely lock as well, but now I get a lock within 10 seconds while inside the house. This assumes that you haven't rooted tour phone. If you're rooted, you can do all this (and more) manually. Just clear GPS Cache and Data, and open up /system/etc/gps.conf to add any additional servers to the list, as well as tweak other GPS setting.
ya i tried those before, it's acting even dumber now, the top bad with the gps icon is solid indicating a lock. However any gps status app that I use will show no satellites locked. I get it to lock a couple after sitting there for a while on gps status sometimes though but its really shady
My past g2 did that, I returned it. Got a replacement, afraid to even root this beast.
unfaix said:
My past g2 did that, I returned it. Got a replacement, afraid to even root this beast.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
so after you replaced it the problem was solved?
Same issue. The GPS on this phone sucks. It'll be 4 miles off sometimes and that's even if I can get it to lock.
Sent from my VS980 4G using Tapatalk
Looks like the Verizon G2's GPS reception was compromised with the addition of wireless charging. T-mobile D801 here and I get a lock within a few seconds indoors.
th3drow said:
so after you replaced it the problem was solved?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope, still as ****ty as ever.
Although it doesn't happen as often, it still more often than others.
I'm past the remorse period.
So yeah.
Here's one from yesterday where I needed to get directions while driving, it locked but didn't do jack ****.
unfaix said:
Nope, still as ****ty as ever.
Although it doesn't happen as often, it still more often than others.
I'm past the remorse period.
So yeah.
Here's one from yesterday where I needed to get directions while driving, it locked but didn't do jack ****.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well I guess atleast that means it most likely isn't completely hardware related.
Mine (T-Mobile) locks in just a few seconds, even indoors!
I always have data on, so it makes the process even faster (A-GPS makes use of the cellular antennas to acquire a lock faster). It works really well actually. I have at times the GPS off and even then, my location gets pin-pointed very quickly!
Cheers!
I have the GPS lock issue sometimes. What I have found to work for me is I turn airplane mode on let it sit for a second, then turn airplane mode off. By the time airplane mode is off and BT, LTE/CMDA signal notification are coming back to life my GPS has a lock and is working like it should.
YMMV on this, but it does work for me.

Have you experienced GPS lock issues?

I've found that sometimes I can't get a GPS lock and have to restart the phone to get one. It makes using Waze a pain.
No.
Sent from my XT1575 using XDA Free mobile app
I'm having the same issue. Annoying.
Never had any issues. In fact this is the first phone in a while that does a pretty decent job of it
on XT1575
checking my gps using "gps status" app (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.cochibo.gpsstatus&hl=en)
GPS is on, able to see 20 satellites. I have a lock on 0 / 20.
No GPS locked quickly
You been outside or inside house?
Outside
I've had to toggle from the settings to get it to work without rebooting.
X10D3 said:
I've had to toggle from the settings to get it to work without rebooting.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've never had an issue with my GPS. You should go to settings> location and see if you phone is in high accuracy mode. Both my moto X's came with battery save mode as the default.
Tried.
I've also factory restored. I will try again this evening.
TrenchKato said:
I've never had an issue with my GPS. You should go to settings> location and see if you phone is in high accuracy mode. Both my moto X's came with battery save mode as the default.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It was already there. I use Waze every day. Sometimes it won't lock. I have to toggle GPS to get it to work again.
I think it might be a Waze problem. When it happens to me I just close Waze, start GPS Status app, and restart Waze with both running, and it locks right away. No other apps have this problem. Waze still hasn't fixed the semi-random shutdowns that it does in the past 2 years of use, so I don't expect a fix for this GPS problem either.
I never had the problem with my 1+1. It was always immediate. Waze hasn't shut down on me with either phone.
Random GPS lost fix during Waze navigation - suddenly Waze reports GPS lost fix - only happened to my with my Sony Xperia Z3. It happens when I put the phone on my lap - I guess putting it in a mount close to the windshield will improve this issue.
Still very disappointing as OPO, Meizu and other cheap chines phones never gave me this issue.
GPS lost
I'm experiencing the same issues since the beginning. It happens in all GPS applications. Not only in Waze.
I'm using Endomondo to track my runs. I have gaps of several kilometers. Sometimes, the lock won't come on without switching the GPS off and on.
The same issue for Pokemon Go.
I returned my phone and they replaced the mainboard.
That didn't fix the problem!
Did anyone fixed the problem?
I frequently get a message in Waze about no GPS. Typically if I kill Waze and restart then I get the GPS signal.
I only see GPS problems in Waze.
I got this all the time in Dirty Unicorns 10.6, when I switched ROM's I had no more issues.
I'm still on stock image. Not rooted yet.
I applied
Code:
fastboot erase modemst1
fastboot erase modemst2
which is suggested for Moto X Play (http://forum.xda-developers.com/moto-x-play/help/gps-issues-x-play-t3248283) and Moto G (http://forum.xda-developers.com/mot...-gps-custom-rom-backup-special-t2909768/page3).
Simioni (post 15 http://forum.xda-developers.com/moto-x-play/help/gps-issues-x-play-t3248283/page2) suggests it's related to 3G connection.
I will do some trials.
If your rooted try FasterGPS, if not GPS Status & Toolbox can update aGPS info... Might help too.
I went for another run today and the part that was missing was now tracked perfect.
"Erase modemst" seems to fix my problem.

Categories

Resources