Related
Hi all,
I am new to the android OS, got my galaxy s a week ago.
I still keep my HD2 and to be honest I may sell the galaxy due to the poor gps reception and keep the hd2 for the next year.
The other thing I do not like is the fact that I cannot program the buttons behaviour.
Any way my question is, is it possible to disable the build in gps and use an external Bluetooth GPS Receiver?
The gps on my hd2 is miles, miles better.
I dont think its possible in this version of android. There is no way to tell the app to use the external gps instead of the internal one.
All we can hope for is a fix from Samsung.
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA App
what is all the fuss about android then...
it doesnot support such a basic thing...
absolute joke
GPS won't start
Hello, I am experiencing an issue with my phone and I was wondering if anyone knows a solution.
Basically the GPS receiver won't turn on when an application requests it, so it won't get any location information (the gps notification icon doesn't appear at all). This is definitely a software issue, because if you go to the settings menu and keep fiddling with the location settings (gps on<->off, wireless on<->off) at some point it WILL turn on and work correctly (and the gps icon appears), but randomly afterwards it will go back to not starting up again and you have to go back to the settings menu.
Is there a workaround for this? I'm hoping that a firmware update will fix it, but in the meantime is there anything that can be done? (I'd prefer to wait for the official firmware before flashing it).
Not really a fix but Extended Controls can make a switch on your home screen that will flip the gps function on and off, that will save some time if you have to go into that menu a lot.
darnap said:
Hello, I am experiencing an issue with my phone and I was wondering if anyone knows a solution.
Basically the GPS receiver won't turn on when an application requests it, so it won't get any location information (the gps notification icon doesn't appear at all). This is definitely a software issue, because if you go to the settings menu and keep fiddling with the location settings (gps on<->off, wireless on<->off) at some point it WILL turn on and work correctly (and the gps icon appears), but randomly afterwards it will go back to not starting up again and you have to go back to the settings menu.
Is there a workaround for this? I'm hoping that a firmware update will fix it, but in the meantime is there anything that can be done? (I'd prefer to wait for the official firmware before flashing it).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can confirm the same issue, rumour is that the upcoming firmware is going to improve the GPS a lot.
You can also use the 'Power Control' Widget that comes with the device.
Here you can turn On/Off a number of items, one being GPS.
I had this issue but it's just a case of going into settings and toggling the gps off and on again.
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA App
Good to know about the GPS on/off switch.
I was always rebooting my phone to get the GPS back to work.
There is an option in the secret GPS menu where you can set it to cold start, instead of hot start. Fixed it for me.
More here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=725748
not sure this will work but...
not sure this will work but found thin in Android market...
3 x w. appbrain dot com/app/googoo.android.btgps
Cleaner
Bluetooth External GPS
Hey guys. I wanted to know if we can 'natively' from within Android 2.1 / Samsung Galaxy S use an external bluetooth gps...
In the bluetooth menu I can conenct to the TomTom bluetooth gps module but it can't be paired...
however after some digging I found this app:
http://www.androlib.com/android.application.googoo-android-btgps-AtDE.aspx
It does what it says. I get satellites straight away.
Now one big big problem with this app is that it closes as soon as I try and open another app by pressing the home button or even holding down the home button to switch between apps...
when the app closes it ends the connection between the TomTom bluetooth gps module meaning by the time a satnav app has opened the message box pops up and says 'do you want to enable gps'
why does this app close when you try open another app? No other apps like Asphalt etc close like this...
is there a way to use the external gps?
many thanks
From my limited understanding, no it's not possible. I don't know why, but Android has been a bit slow on the uptake for Bluetooth.
It's taken to FroYo to actually get Bluetooth Hands Free dialling - we'll see how good Google is in interpreting what you say to it, so far, it hasn't been successful for me on the phone itself let alone Bluetooth.
With regards Bluetooth GPS, I understand that it isn't possible. There would at least have to be some kind of underlying interface to overrule the internal GPS and feed the Bluetooth GPS information into the OS in place.
I want it to be possible, then we wouldn't care so much about broken GPS's.
Cya
Simon
Another GPS fix
Hey guy give this a try and let me know if it works for you.
http://theandroidrevolution.blogspot.com/2010/07/android-tips-tricks-samsung-galaxy-s.html
working like a charm, faster fix and i can actually use the GPS while driving (EU)
Isn't this like turng skyhook on?
Ie ,..whilst locki it uses wifi to identify where u are?
this fix it seems very accurate in Maps, whereas all other "fixes" did not work for me.
i don't notice anything different in GPS tester (i still hardly get any satellites if any) but in Maps my position seems to be very accurate....i'm just inside in my flat, but all other fixes never helped me before even in this situation.
Hello
Thanks for your suggestion for a GPS fix
Immediate I can not see the big difference in standard configuration and the change which you refer to.
I still have a unsettled GPS fix when I use Google maps.
However, I think I can see a slight improvement in the Google navigation. Now I remain almost always in the correct lane.
I use (default) I9000XXJF3
I've read that a newer version should resolve the GPS "problem", but is it possible to change the parameters of GPS I9000XXJF3 match the parameters of the new versions. ?
And just one question more.
If I close the GPS from the phone to calculate my position after mobile mast or WIFI.
How do I get it to find my location by WIFI.?
Hope for a response.
Thanks
Herman
This fix gives an instant , i mean instant gps fix with a clear sky.
on gps test gets 8-9 satellite now , when previously i could max get 1-2, that too not connect.
thanks a ton for this.
outside this fix i also had operation mode as ms based and had skyhook on.
I found this suggested fix a few hours back as well and have been trying it out.
I didn't get much better results from it to start out with but having played the accuracy setting I've found putting this up to 150 seems to make a big difference. Once I made this change GPS Test seems to show that the Galaxy is a bit less picky about the signal strength it needs before making a lock.
I've not gone any further in testing accuracy numbers beyond 5, 20 (the default I believe) 50 and 150. It might be worth trying other values.
There seems to be MANY factors that affect the GPS on these tablets and exchanging one for another *may seem* to get you a better unit. I bought a second a500 unit today and when I first brought up google maps, it had my fix as soon as the screen opened. Cool, this must be a better unit than my other right? Not necessarily because I believe the new unit used my wifi for the quick fix. As soon as I turned off the wifi assistance, the unit no longer gave me immediate fixes. I loaded gps status and the new unit struggled to find just 1 satellite. My other unit which I've had 2 weeks, is now suddenly a gps 'mofo' as it finds and locks position really quick, sometimes in 5 or 10 seconds (wifi assist turned off). The only thing I installed recently is gps monitor, but that's just gives you a monitoring status in the taskbar. It does state that it's turning off gps when you exit maps, which if it does may help conserve battery.
So I'm not sure why my A500 decided to suddenly work really well with GPS. When I first bought it, it was actually kind of terrible. Of course I have the 3.1 update on my unit, but the new one is still 3.01. I don't know how much of a difference that makes either. I had planned on buying an Asus unit today, but could not find the 32gb unit locally (not settling for 16gb).
My unit is stock and not rooted. I don't see a need to root it because so far it's working quite well. If only the microphone pickup was better, but I can live with talking louder at it or into the top of the unit. I have to do that with my samsung galaxy phone also.
Rob
It's funny, the very first time I used the GPS It took forever to find & lock on to sats. Now it's really fast. I'm thinking it has a " learning curve" ?
Update : Tried in the same place tonight , it only picked up 1 sat & didn't lock.
It is aGPS which means Assisted. It uses WIFI to set your location and search for satellites based on that location.
There are a number of factors which affect the GPS on this unit, as the original poster stated. I've been researching this for sometime, and found a number of things that could lead to a replacement unit working better than a current unit.
I've another thread on this subject, but I'll post the cliff notes here.
The following can affect GPS on your unit:
Obstruction (Roof, Cover)
Weather (Clouds vs Sun)
Internet Access
Nearby magnets
Compass Calibration
Your almanac server (gps.conf)
For starters, download a program called "GPS Test", not to be confused with "GPS Status and Toolbox", which you should also have for different reasons.
Plug your unit in and set it up in a spot where you know you can get a signal on other devices (phone, etc). This does not include your basement, but it also doesn't have to be outside. A woodframe house will not usually obstruct the signal enough to interfere. Use your best judgement.
Start up GPS Test and go into the settings menu. Select the option where the screen stays on all of the time. Check to see if your unit will ever pick up any satellites. If it takes more than 30 minutes and you are sure you should be picking up satellites, this indicates a problem. The first step should be diagnostic.
Leave it run overnight. If you look at it in the morning and find a multitude of satellites then your GPS receiver is working fine. This means your GPS can see the satellites, but the only way it can find them is through sheer dumb luck. It needs to be told where to look, and its having problems getting that information. The problem is likely with your compass or almanac.
If you arrive in the morning to find no satellites at all, then your GPS is likely broken (not unheard of) or you need to try again in a better location.
If you know your GPS transmitter is working, the next step is the check your compass. This is where GPS Status and Tools comes into play. The first screen you see when you open the program will be the compass. Make sure north == north. If it does not, almanac data is useless because the tablet won't know which way to look. GPS Status and Toolbox comes with a compass calibration tool. Use it. If your compass will not stay pointed north, then your compass is broken. If it works, then its time to look at your almanac.
Unless your system is rooted, there is no point in reading further. All the following steps require root access.
There are two files that you need to be concerned with. They are /etc/gps.conf and /etc/gps/gpsconfig.xml
You either need to edit them manually, replace them with pre-configured optimized versions for your region (link below), or use a program (fasterfix) to edit them for you. Results with each approach may vary.
I won't go into this step into detail since its been covered a million times on the forums already. I will provide a link:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1068416
This is the one that helped me the most, but there are others.
Best of luck. And remember: Hardware failure is a real possibility, but so is a crappy environment. Make sure there is no outside interference and you're not trying to get your location from an underground bunker and wondering why it doesn't work. A little common sense goes a long way.
Cheers,
-PW
long time lurker on this site.
I just bought an A500 and have been trying to get this GPS to work.
The first one I got had 3.01. I first tested GPS and it worked fine. Was able to get connected to the satelites no problem. Downloaded and installed 3.1 on it and now GPS doesn't work at all. Tested it with the two programs: GPS test and GPS utilities.
Stood outside on a clear day and nothing happened. Tested all the settings and still not one satellite.
After reading a lot of the threads and doing a lot of searching I exchanged it for another one.
Did the same thing. Tested it on 3.01 and it worked then installed 3.1 and it didn't work again on this second one. Went throug all the troubleshooting steps: deleted the cache, reset the gps, etc. Even left it on over night sitting at GPS Test and Google Places.
Doesn't make sense that it works on 3.01 and not on 3.1. Sounds more of a software issue than a hardware issue. But for it to work with some others with 3.1 then I may exchange it for another one again.
Wondering if it was during a certain build that other are having the same issue. Both of the ones i got were manufacturered in April. Could April just be a bad month or several months before that?
3.1 does not have any problem with GPS
Wifi assist turned off, get lock with sygic and can use the navigator.
(but)
- if you go under an express way (like I got in my country they are highway), you lost the signal very quick
HOW TO FIX ?
- buy a GPS enhancer and put in your car, that will increase the signal received and give the tablet a very big help
the poor part of the GPS tablet is the antena... the receiver is not that happy behind a metal case, and oftenly... GPS antena should be on the roof of the car, or external for better signal.
I got locked in 15s
sanaell said:
3.1 does not have any problem with GPS
Wifi assist turned off, get lock with sygic and can use the navigator.
(but)
- if you go under an express way (like I got in my country they are highway), you lost the signal very quick
HOW TO FIX ?
- buy a GPS enhancer and put in your car, that will increase the signal received and give the tablet a very big help
the poor part of the GPS tablet is the antena... the receiver is not that happy behind a metal case, and oftenly... GPS antena should be on the roof of the car, or external for better signal.
I got locked in 15s
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My guess is that Acer subcontracts out parts production for items like the GPS antenna used in the A500 and the quality of those antenna has been very inconsistent (same with the microphone). I have an A500 with a June build date and it has very good GPS pickup. It doesn't lock instantly like the Xoom does, but usually within 10-20 seconds (sometimes sooner) which is still acceptable. Surprisingly, this unit also has a fairly good microphone that picks up my voice well while holding it at any angle. It's still running 3.01 unmodified since it hasn't got the OTA yet. I previously had an A500 with an April build date (it's on the back of the box) and both the GPS and microphone performed rather poorly even with 3.1.
Rob
going to exchange this one at a different bestbuy store and see if they have a different manufacturer date. I did the exchange on Monday and hope they have a different lot.
tekageek said:
long time lurker on this site.
I just bought an A500 and have been trying to get this GPS to work.
The first one I got had 3.01. I first tested GPS and it worked fine. Was able to get connected to the satelites no problem. Downloaded and installed 3.1 on it and now GPS doesn't work at all. Tested it with the two programs: GPS test and GPS utilities.
Stood outside on a clear day and nothing happened. Tested all the settings and still not one satellite.
After reading a lot of the threads and doing a lot of searching I exchanged it for another one.
Did the same thing. Tested it on 3.01 and it worked then installed 3.1 and it didn't work again on this second one. Went throug all the troubleshooting steps: deleted the cache, reset the gps, etc. Even left it on over night sitting at GPS Test and Google Places.
Doesn't make sense that it works on 3.01 and not on 3.1. Sounds more of a software issue than a hardware issue. But for it to work with some others with 3.1 then I may exchange it for another one again.
Wondering if it was during a certain build that other are having the same issue. Both of the ones i got were manufacturered in April. Could April just be a bad month or several months before that?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The 3.1 you're installing is OTA or you are downloading it from somewhere ? My first unit failed with 3.1 with a downloaded 3.1 (it seemed to be the correct for Spain) ... I exchanged the unit, and this new one offered me OTA. It's working perfect with OTA 3.1
I did a test one day with GPS and found it to be marvelous if used properly.
Here is what I did.
1. I cleared my agps data with program GPS Status
2. Redownloaded the data and waited until I had like 6 up 11 fixes
Then I went out and waited at bus station and got a lock with Google maps and I travelled about 75 kilometers and had a perfect fix the entire time, I had about 5 satellites fixed constantly on average. And this was using stock everythings I love the GPS it works fine now.
In the 3.01 version I did the exact same test and it didn't work, everytime the train or bus started moving the signal was gone and stayed gone.
Now its fine! You just have to remember. That this is Agps not GPS A is for assisted, so you use the internet abit and download the data and you're fine! Just learn to use A-GPS!
I have tried everything, and nothing works. What a ****ty thing to screw up on a tablet. I'm trading mine in tomorrow, and if I have the same issue, I'm rooting and switching roms. This is ridiculous ..........
Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk
well well well, this one worked. I exchanged for another one.
3.01
turned it on and opened Navigator. in 10 seconds it locked into the gps. Installed gps test and saw 6 to 7 satellites, in use= 6 looked at the map and it found my location. Opened both Navigator and Places
3.1
Installed 3.1 OTA, once rebooted i opened gps test and now i see 7 satellites! Opened Navigator and worked fine. Opened Places and also worked fine. Both found my location and saw 6 to 7 satellites.
4.010.13.comgen2
wish there was a list of what this update does. installed this update and gps still works. Seeing 6 to 7 satellites. navigator and places still work.
Before i even took this tab i asked the sales guy the manufactured date. This one is from: May
GPS fix
Initially, my gps did not work that well. When I compared my gps.conf with the 2 A500's whose GPS worked very well I found that their GPS.conf contained only this
"NTP_SERVER=north-America.pool.ntp.org". I'm in US, by the way. After I rooted my A500, my GPS worked alot better. After I edited my GPS.conf the fix time was improved.
Before: outdoor : cold start and there.after
Time to fix= 5 min to infinity and 3 mins to infinity
Indoor = no GPS.
After: outdoor= 30 sec to 211 sec. and 10 sec to 90 sec
Indoor= 110 sec to 5 mins. and 29 sec to 90 sec
Hope that helps.
I'm on rooted stock 3.1.
I guess I got lucky then.
When I start mine up, it locates for the weatherbug app update feature and I've never seen it fail.
I haven't done any GPS-specific stuff with it yet, but much of the time I'm using an ad hoc connection from my phone, so it's not a wif AGPS fix.
Interesting read. Makes me want to explore the GPS feature more.
One other thing that is universal across any device using GPS, both commercial and military---your device needs to know where in the sky the satellites are. The initial gps fix will always take more time because the device doesn't have a reference fit the sats. This will also be the case the longer you go between fixes as the device will lose track of the sats over time. Aside from physical obstructions this is often the biggest contributing factor to the length of time required to get a fix.
Sent from my T-Mobile G2 using XDA App
Noob question here. So this is assisted GPS. I assume it needs the WiFI to access the aGPS servers, but they aren't necessary if a) you have a confirmed working device and b) everything is calibrated properly. Is this correct.
I just don't understand the inconsistency in the GPS fix. I have a rooted A500, with 4.010.13_COM_GEN2, manufactured in April. For some reason, I cannot get a consistent, day-to-day lock on position. I have installed and used successfully in the past:
Fasterfix
GPSFix
GPS Test
GPS Status
I have edited the gps.conf file manually to use, separately, both north-america.pool.ntp.org as well as us.pool.ntp.org;
I have used the "manage A-GPS status" to reset the status as well as downloading the assist data in GPS Status;
After several unsuccessful attempts last night, I was able to gain a GPS lock from my living room in about 20-30 seconds. Today, in the clear open air I could not obtain more than a partial lock on more than 3-4 satellites at a time, and only once obtained a fix, and then for only 20 minutes while stationary. I am now in the exact same position as I was last night, and cannot find a single *blinking* satellite.
While traveling home on the Interstate, I could see more than two satellites at a time and never got a lock on position. In contrast, my Droid (2.3.3) obtained a lock in about 5 seconds with GPS Status. Using a Bluetooth GPS unit and a Bluetooth Mouse GPS, I obtained a position lock in 2 seconds on the A500.
So what gives here? Is it a hardware problem? Why does it work so well one day and then not at all the next, with all other things being equal? It does not seem to be a software issue or sky visibility issue.
UPDATE, 8/9/11: I noticed that in the current configuration as described above, the only satellites that could be seen were those on a bearing of 000, and largely on the horizon. When a different satellite was seen, it would only appear in the northern two quadrants. I restored a back-up from two days ago, and uninstalled FasterFix but manually edited the gps.conf file to us.pool.ntp.org. The GPS fix was improved - not lightning fast, but at least 4 satellites were seen relatively quickly, without particular preference for hemisphere. Position fix still takes a few minutes - two to five minutes or so. Still working on consistency, but may switch to a custom ROM.
UPDATE, 8/11/11: This thing is driving me nuts - no clear consistency on when the GPS works or not. Tried two custom ROMs, same lack of consistent lock. Back to square 1. Droid-1 picks up 10 sats (w/o network checked), A500 only 4. Got a lock away from home this morning, cannot get one at home tonight. Taking it in for exchange tomorrow. Since the first sat it does see is always at 000 and at the horizon, I am wondering if the internal referencing for the GPS unit within the A500 is somehow not set up to handle the assist data format properly. Sort of like it is reading the data, but things are off a space or two. Thus, the GPS unit seems to look, but is looking in the wrong direction. Comments?
Hi,
I've recently aquired a Google Nexus 7. One of its great uses, I believed, would be as a driving aid, w/ cached Google Maps or with an alternative driving/location app, such as CoPilot. But, after testing it for two days I see that the device can't get hold of a GPS signal at all.
What the problem seems to be:
- The device is stuck at "searching for GPS". It never actually gets a response; no GPS at all.
What I've tried so far:
- Resetting the device to factory settings -- since it's brand new and I only had a couple of apps installed, I thought that a fresh start would be a good idea just in case.
- Moving to various locations and checking whether it was a location problem. I've tried both "on the go" -i.e. in a car- and static. No GPS at all cases.
- Downloaded GPS Status. It's always at "Looking for GPS location". My longest record so far is 10 minutes of it -- still, no GPS.
- Checked with a couple of other apps just to see if I'd find more information related to the problem, none helped. It seems that if a GPS fix isn't found, they can't offer much help.
- Disabling Google's Location Services and disabling Wi-Fi access, in case it messes up with the GPS receiver. No luck.
- Rebooting the device. Nope, doesn't do anything.
- Using GPS Doctor's -a paid-for app- auto-fix and manual fix features. Tried aquiring a GPS signal for 10+ minutes, nothing happens.
- Leaving the device for more than 30 minutes under clear sky and more than an hour next to the window, trying to find a signal. Nada. No workie.
- Dancing naked under the stars next to twelve lit black candles. No luck, but it felt great.
Things to note:
- It's running Android 4.2.1
- I'm in Greece ATM, maybe this is a country thing? I'd bet against this, just pointing it out.
- AFAIK, the device hasn't aquired a GPS signal at all so far.
- The device is brand new, never operated before I opened the box.
- It has not been rooted, messed with etc. etc. at all.
Any ideas welcome. Thanks in advance for your help!
The reviews of GPS Doctor indicate that it MIGHT solve your problem. It's a paid for app at https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.epekware.gpsdoctor&hl=en
peterk-1 said:
The reviews of GPS Doctor indicate that it MIGHT solve your problem. It's a paid for app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the reply. Since it was only 1,5 euros I gave it a try -- no luck. After using both auto-fix and the manual fixes and searching for a GPS fix for 10+ minutes, it doesn't seem to work.
Sorry I've just re-read your initial post and saw you had tried GPS Doctor.
You've tried it outside. Is there any indication that signals are being received - satellite number and a bar graph that changes colour when a satellite has been "resolved". Is this a Greek model? - If it was for a different market then it may be that it is trying to resolve the satellites to give a location in the intended market (once a location has been fixed the GPS will quickly get a fix when powered up again within say 100km using the data it stores, the almanac etc you can clear in GPS Doctor). Before returning the unit I'd give it a try by leaving it with a view of the sky for at least 30mins
peterk-1 said:
Sorry I've just re-read your initial post and saw you had tried GPS Doctor.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's actually not your fault -- I've added GPS Doctor to my initial post *after* you've suggested it & I've tried it, for bookkeeping and so that other who try to help see at one place what I've tried doing so far.
peterk-1 said:
You've tried it outside. Is there any indication that signals are being received - satellite number and a bar graph that changes colour when a satellite has been "resolved". Is this a Greek model? - If it was for a different market then it may be that it is trying to resolve the satellites to give a location in the intended market (once a location has been fixed the GPS will quickly get a fix when powered up again within say 100km using the data it stores, the almanac etc you can clear in GPS Doctor). Before returning the unit I'd give it a try by leaving it with a view of the sky for at least 30mins
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep, I've tried it outside. It's a Brittish model, not a Greek one, but I'm trying to use it in Greece ATM. There's no indication whatsoever that it has resolved a connection to a satellite when I'm trying, so I guess it'd be reasonable to say that it hasn't reached one so far.
I'll try your suggestion. 30 minutes of straight satellite-searching it is -- thanks again!
*Update*: 30 mins doesn't seem to do the trick. I'll keep trying, then, until a better suggestion comes up.
There is an app called GPS Test or GPS Test Plus which will show the strength of each satellite signal received. My Nexus 7 often gets a lock inside a wood frame house but going outside with a clear view of the full sky works fastest. Hope you are not using a conductive case as the antennas are on the rear of the tablet.
jinx100 said:
There is an app called GPS Test or GPS Test Plus which will show the strength of each satellite signal received. My Nexus 7 often gets a lock inside a wood frame house but going outside with a clear view of the full sky works fastest. Hope you are not using a conductive case as the antennas are on the rear of the tablet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, thanks for the suggestion. I've tried GPS Test -it's under the "couple of other apps" that I've mentioned trying in my OP- but it seems that my Nexus 7 doesn't even get a satellite signal to begin with -- thus GPS Test displays no information.
I'm not using a case and I've tried leaving it for about 30 minutes under the clear sky. No signal at all. I have it by the window, ATM, just searching & on charge.
Okay, after quite some time out in the open sky and next to the window, I'm quite sure it's not about finding the time to contact satellites or anything of the such. The device simply cannot find my location.
Any new ideas?
Send it back if possible,sounds like a faulty GPS.
There are location setting hidden in accounts,see if they are on.
Sent from my A100 using xda app-developers app
My problem with the GPS is that it will SEE the satellites (according to several GPS test apps), it just won't lock on to any - no matter how strong the signal or whether or not I'm indoors or out.
Kodiack99 said:
There are location setting hidden in accounts,see if they are on.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, thanks for the reply -- do you mind sharing more info on this one?
Try faster fix, its free but requires root.
Sent from my GT-I9100
alferret said:
Try faster fix, its free but requires root.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not sure of what you mean by that, could you please elaborate? Thanks!
Sino316 said:
Hi, thanks for the suggestion. I've tried GPS Test -it's under the "couple of other apps" that I've mentioned trying in my OP- but it seems that my Nexus 7 doesn't even get a satellite signal to begin with -- thus GPS Test displays no information.
I'm not using a case and I've tried leaving it for about 30 minutes under the clear sky. No signal at all. I have it by the window, ATM, just searching & on charge.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If Settings - Location access - location access ON and GPS checked yet you still receive no satellites then your GPS function is defective. Return it to the seller.
Same GPS issue with N7
Hi OP, did you get any solution for your problem?
I am facing a similar issue, I am trying to use GPS on a US bought N7 in India.
Is this a common problem, i have tried many gps apps, but none shows my location.
If your N7 is new and GPS never worked properly and your various location settings are correct, you might want to return & exchange it for a different unit as it could be a hardware problem, beyond any software or Apps-based solutions here. If you are using a weather app, does it find & use your location info?
I had a similar issues with GPS and eventually returned that malfunctioned unit locally to exchange it, upgraded from 16GB to 32GB unit as it was also having the random touch-screen key-pressed issues, etc. It either won't find the location and/or is off by a few miles to as much as a thousand plus miles, sometimes putting the N7 in the middle of the ocean, LOL. The new 32GB unit is flawless.
What I recommend is to try to download from Google "Play Store" - GPS Status by MobiWIA (v 4.0.1 is what I'm running on mine - has been using this for 2 years on multiple devices and it worked for us here - USA) Basically, it download & update, refresh and give assisted hand to the built-in GPS receiver - it run in the background and will turn on to track/lock on to various GPS satellites, inititially showing 5 to 7 sources indoor and at many as 8 to 12 sources within 60 seconds. Outdoor and clear view of open sky, it will lock faser & find more satellites. It is ad-supported and free, not a metered trial-ware
With a WiFi signal, Google Maps open quickly and zoomed it quickly to my locations in 15 seconds - very accurate and as good as when I'm using it on our HTC devices - same is true when I use Nav(free) USA - free off-line GPS software with preloaded maps as it does not drain the battery quickly.
I like the giant 7" screen for "cool" naviagation but until I'm comfortable with a solid & secure mount inside our Honda CRV, I'll stick with the smaller 4" screen of our HTC smartphone with unlimited 3G data access, as a drop will risk breaking the fragile glass lens that's prone to cracking.
similar issue but...
Had already tried Faster Fix (which gave error) and Faster GPS (which managed to reset GPS.conf) but still couldn't get Google Maps to lock in GPS. Was wondering if problem was GMaps or N7.
I googled 'nexus 7 can't get GPS lock' and ended up here. Decided to try GPS Status which showed everything working as it should ('copy location to clipboard' option lets you verify the location via browser). Went back to GMaps hoping GPS Status might help it along, but still got the same 'your location is temporarily unavailable.'
So not hardware must be software. Didn't have to look far checked 'other apps' in the GPS Status program and discovered Orux Maps, free. Upon starting and clicking GPS button didn't take it more than a few seconds to get the lock.
OP issue might still be hardware but thought I'd post here in case someone else ends up here.
i know its an old post but i am facing the same issues here! at the beggining i thought i have got a faulty device. Thats why i bought a used one and tested it before purchase live. The GPS was working just fine. I installed Cyanogen 13 opened GPS Status again and found Satelite. I thought everything was working like it should be. After 10 Min. i went to the car and drove to a friend without any issues. After 3 hours i went home again without any problems. But as the tablet restarted i never got a satelite signal again... always looking for my position.
I am pretty sure thats a software issue. Went back to stock firmware. Problem remains.
Hello,
Recently noticed my GPS barely works. If I'm out in an open field it can get medium strength locking from satellites in GPS Status. My wife has identical phone and gets the type of GPS signal I would expect to get. Side by side my phone simply cannot get much. Indoors forget about it. It use to be so good. I certainly have dropped this phone here and there but in the past it never influenced GPS. Is there any possible software/firmware side of things that could be causing it? I may have installed apps or updated apps but I didn't do any tinkering with the GPS specifically or with flashing roms or whatnot since this summer--and it worked fine then after any tinkering---this is a recent development.
Can anyone provide any ways to troubleshoot this? Possible the GPS chip is partially broken? I mean.. it can get signal.. just piss poor and struggles mightily. Almost can't get it in the car, loses GPS lock under tree cover, etc. Very temperamental.
Seems a little bit like 4G has also degraded but a little more unsure of that.
bump! Any help, methods to trouble-shoot between hardware/software. I tried to erase modemst1/2 see if that would jog anything, no effect.
thanks
water- said:
Hello,
Recently noticed my GPS barely works. If I'm out in an open field it can get medium strength locking from satellites in GPS Status. My wife has identical phone and gets the type of GPS signal I would expect to get. Side by side my phone simply cannot get much. Indoors forget about it. It use to be so good. I certainly have dropped this phone here and there but in the past it never influenced GPS. Is there any possible software/firmware side of things that could be causing it? I may have installed apps or updated apps but I didn't do any tinkering with the GPS specifically or with flashing roms or whatnot since this summer--and it worked fine then after any tinkering---this is a recent development.
Can anyone provide any ways to troubleshoot this? Possible the GPS chip is partially broken? I mean.. it can get signal.. just piss poor and struggles mightily. Almost can't get it in the car, loses GPS lock under tree cover, etc. Very temperamental.
Seems a little bit like 4G has also degraded but a little more unsure of that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's freaking Christmas, just buy yourself a new phone
Sent from my HTC One using XDA Free mobile app
tempting..and I will in a few months when my contract is up. But this was a spectacular GPS for navigating in the backcountry with downloaded maps. Would love to be able to retain that use after it is no longer a primary phone.
please, any troubleshooting suggestions would be appreciated!
I've had very few problems since switching to Waze and SlimKat. It was horrid under CyanogenMod no matter what I used.
I had been having similar problems under stock KitKat. Here's what I noticed, maybe something will help you:
Resetting aGPS data and re-downloading wouldn't help.
Sometimes GPS would never give a location with plenty of satellites locked to. I modified some build.prop stuff to give me a horribly inaccurate lock in these cases. It was also usually fixed with a reboot.
GPS status would show TONS of satellites overhead, but never be able to lock on to more than one of them. Making sure I had wifi turned on (even if I was in the middle of nowhere with no wifi signals) eliminated this problem.
Something would randomly disable the GPS while I was using it, when it turned it back on a short time later it wouldn't lock (usually due to one of the above issues). I eventually concluded it was how Google Maps and some of the new location stuff works these days. I assume it's trying to save GPS power, other programs were much better. Solution: F Google maps; I only use it as a fancy yellow pages these days. I had stuck with the old, old, version (that still supported Latitude), but had to update when I went to KK and that's when my problems started. This is just another thing that pisses me off about it. I use Waze for navigation now (though I miss lane guidance and using my own text to voice software).
Some GPS bugs can be resolved by flashing to stock firmware, getting a GPS lock and while locked on GPS, reboot straight to recovery and flash your new ROM. After doing that once I have flashed (too) many ROMs with no GPS locking or accuracy issues.
Also make sure your GPS is set to high accuracy and not battery saver.
Sent from my RAZR M on BlissPop Lollipop 5.0.2 from Tapatalk
ezdi and kronik.. thank you for suggestion. unfortunately to no avail even with full reset.
sometimes really seems like my general phone reception, wifi, gps, and data (1x/3G, 4G) are all haywire. Certainly they all work. But the data is never as strong as it should be. Often seems like it needs to be jogged (airplane mode on, then off)/dead areas--while my wife's phone is solid (same razr m but rooted with unlocked BL and stock rom). Likewise on the GPS. it can certainly find and lock satellites but in GPS Status only ever reach 'half bar' strength green.. they use to be able to lock multiple sats at max level.
It's odd...we are talking about the 'radios' of my phone, no? or mostly? I generally consider digital electronics to either function, or not. That they function at all--can receive pings from a satellite, can transmit data to and from towers... tells me the electronics are functional and this is software side. UNLESS there is some radio hardware component that is an amplifier of sorts. If that electronic was broken it would make sense why things function but appear weak/spotty.
thoughts?
aside from my contract being up in a month and what the hell next phone I should get from verizon... haha. But no I'd love to get my phone back to where it was and have a dedicated backcountry/hiking/skiing GPS... which it wouldn't be capable of now (it was..when it worked).
Cheers
bump bump
GPS not working on SM-N910F. Show much "In view" satellites, but 0 "In use"
Have problem with GPS. It never can find satellites, even under clear sky. "GPS Test" application always show many "In view" sattelites and zero "In use" satellites.
Changing android version (even CM) doesnt help.
Anyone help! How to fix this problem?
AlexN said:
Have problem with GPS. It never can find satellites, even under clear sky. "GPS Test" application always show many "In view" sattelites and zero "In use" satellites.
Changing android version (even CM) doesnt help.
Anyone help! How to fix this problem?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same issue here, I'm starting to think hardware issue, did you find a fix?
I had the same problem and I tried everything, different ROMs, different programs, to no avail.
It probably is a hardware issue. The GPS connectors inside the phone do not make contact with the GPS antenna on the backplate. Open the phone and raise the connectors a little, very gently, so you don't break them. Before closing it, put a tiny paper under the connectors, so it won't happen again. It's not very easy, but not too hard either.
Thanks
I ordered a phone repair kit (small screw driver etc) yesterday as I suspected the same. I'm going to open her up when it arrives, I'll let you know what I find.
Cheers for the reply
R
Took mine apart, extended all the pins I could see bilut same issue. Where exactly are the GPS pins and antenna? All I could find online was stuff for the note 3.
Cheers
R
rickoneeleven said:
Took mine apart, extended all the pins I could see bilut same issue. Where exactly are the GPS pins and antenna? All I could find online was stuff for the note 3.
Cheers
R
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To the right, as you see the device from the back. It's the two tiny pins on the up-right corner.
Cheers
I'll take another peek tonight
Just opened it up again, give them a good extend but the issue remains. I think I'm a special case though, I got mine from Hong Kong (sent to UK) and then through a custom ROM Modem/Bootloader on without testing anything - idiot. So after further reading I think my issue may be related to CSC stuff, although I'm not sure exactly what that means yet - I'll keep reading.
Cheers for prompt reply.
R
Hello, I had the same issue when running android 5.1
It was after waiting a long time to get some good gps lock. Assuming it was an hardware problem I also checked out the 'pin' issue.
But amazingly, when flashing a android 4.4.4 rom, the gps is now awesome!
It now has almost instant lock everytime and I use it all the time for tracking my running and cycling. So I noticed the difference quickly between android 4 and 5 with the gps. It's like there's a big software bug in the 5 version.
Thanks choko, the one good thing I did before the flash was take a picture of all the info in "about phone" and a full backup including efs etc, so one of my steps when I have more time is a full roll back to stock (4.4.4).
Just need to locate the stock bootloader and modem for my "special" Hong Kong device.
Cheers all
R
I couldn't get a GPS connection on my Note 3 and was about to take it apart when I came across GPS Status Test and Fix I ran it and then everything was sorted! I've just bought a Note 4 and thankfully the GPS worked first time (I'm on MM now)
Thanks wold
I tried that and clicked the buttons at the bottom and it just varied between 0/19 and 0/24, not sure if that means my phone is "seeing" the sats but just not locking or what.
Feel so close to a fix yet so far away as I've tried everything apart from a CSC reset thing I read elsewhere. But that formats your phone so waiting for when I have more time.
Cheers all
R
Okay all - tried flashing back to my original backup from when it was new but it got stuck in reboot loop. I found the exact firmware online that came with my phone, flash it including modem etc and the phone booted as new, no warning sign it had been rooted or any recovery's installed. Even got offered some security updates once I'd logged in. Even after all that and comparing my ABOUT PHONE info to my original screenshot and confirming they all matched exact, I still have the same problem.
Some times when it's broke, I guess it's just damn broke!
Good luck with your journey's my friends, may the odds be forever in your favor.
This solution is the one that finally fixed the GPS on my Note 4 (currently on Android 5.1.1).
I had tried all the other options I could find on the internet (clearing cache, removing SD card, removing/reinserting SIM, calibrating compass, changing location modes, clearing AGPS data, etc., etc., etc.). None of them helped. Powering down, removing the back, then removing all the screws (about a dozen I think), then twisting the case gently several times in a "hand wringing" motion, followed by pushing firmly around the back to reseat anything that may have come loose inside (I did get a satisfying click of something snapping back together around the camera area), and then reassembling everything finally fixed the problem.
I now get a GPS fix in 3-4 seconds while inside on the main floor of a two story home. I get a signal-to-noise ratio that ranges between 15 and 30 and typically get a fix on around 10 satellites now (while indoors). Outdoors the performance is outstanding; the SNR is even better and the time to fix is nearly instantaneous. Before the fix I was lucky if it even got a fix on 3 or 4 satellites and it would often take several minutes, if ever.
I use GPS Test by Chartcross Limited to confirm satellite signal-to-noise ratio and time to first fix. I used to use GPS Status & Toolbox, but I prefer the GPS Test GUI and it has many of the same functions (including clearing and updating AGPS data). Incidentally, before the fix if I cleared the AGPS data I was lucky if I ever got a fix indoors; usually I had to go outdoors and wait many minutes to get the first fix. Now, I will get a fix while inside within 15 seconds after clearing AGPS data.
My Note 4 is like new again. And, as an added bonus, my battery life seems to have improved immensely. I suspect that the poor satellite reception made the GPS run nearly full time trying to get a fix. Now it seems to have dramatically reduced the battery drain required to run the GPS. I suspect that many of the reports of poor battery life are actually Note 4's that have poor GPS satellite reception problems.
AlexN said:
Have problem with GPS. It never can find satellites, even under clear sky. "GPS Test" application always show many "In view" satellite and zero "In use" satellites.
Changing android version (even CM) doesn't help.
Anyone help! How to fix this problem?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had the same problem it shows many in view 20 OR 26 but doesn't fix to any of them. SM-N10F
1-Opened my phone clean all the points pins No avail.
2-Forced Stop the location services then In view 0 in use 0 (google play services and google play-store)
3-Changed online found GPS drivers gps.default.so etc..... Goes to boot loop.
4. Still waiting for solution.
Test Apps ---- GPS STATUS AND TOOLBOX PRO GPS TEST AND FIX FASTER GPS
PUT MY IMEI TO IMEI INFO AND IT SAYS THAT ITS SM-N910C OR SM-N9108V MODEL PHONE.. STRANGE I DONT THINK SAMSUNG KNOX WILL LET OTHER MODEL FIRMWARE BE INSTALLED ON THIS HARDWARE. PLZ CHECK YOURS AND REPORT.
AND DONT SAY ITS A HARDWARE PROBLEM IF IT IS THE GPS IS INTEGRATED IN QUALCOMM SOC SO IT SHOULD BURN ALSO.