[Q] GPS Issues and a small rant... - Nexus S Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

[Q] GPS Issues and a small rant... - Nexus S Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Hello All,
I have a Nexus S from T-mob and the GPS is not working really. I have Android 4.0.4.; stock. When I go to my MAPS app, it will sometimes show my current location. But what's weird, is that the circle in my notification bar for my GPS does not blink. No blinking dot in the middle of the circle. Then, let's say I want directions somewhere, it will usually show those but when I want to navigate with the navigation app, it won't do turn by turn directions. It will just keep saying "searching for GPS." The circle never blinks...This is what I've done:
factory reset
clear app data
went to best buy and t-mob for help
tried GPSFIX app and this did get the dot blinking but still didn't work
I don't know if this is a software issue (maybe with ICS) or a hardware issue (I have insurance on this phone with Best Buy). I haven't tried going back to gingerbread and trying, or rooting and trying which will be my next objective if no one can help here. Any ideas? I will root again and if that doesn't work, I'll get a new phone from best buy which sucks because I've done this once already (different issue) and I have to wait a week and a half for my new phone and best buy only has a feature phone to let me borrow and so I get really annoyed. I have an old G1 but still....they should hook me up with an SII or something until I get mine back but they won't.
Now for the rant...While I was sitting at T-mob waiting to hear what their tech people on the phone were going to try (cause the rep didn't know what to do for this situation) I realized that it can suck to own a Nexus device. I doubt T-mob will ever sell one and the manager there didn't think they would. Now back to why it sucks...you don't have true support. T-mobile is not going to hand me a new phone right there or go all out to help me because they don't sell the Nexus S. They don't even have a picture of it when I go to my online profile on T-mobile.com. If it's a network problem maybe, but honestly, they don't have to help. And then best buy...well they don't even really support T-mobile too much these days anyway and they aren't specific to one carrier for me to get the true help I need. I just wish Google was a carrier and had stores or somewhere I can get immediate help. Not Google forums or me having to send off my phone through best buy. I'm glad XDA is here but then I feel bad because I don't always contribute much...Okay....done.
Thanks everyone!

Are you rooted?

I'm running stock right now. I will root soon if no one has any ideas.

try going back to gingerbread and see if it works!

I've never had problems with a stock ROM and GPS (despite ever being on 2 stock ROMs..), though a common problem for GPS woes seems to be the /system/etc/gps.conf file. Give it a new, local ntp server, let it redownload xtra.bin (either delete or use gps status or something like that). Give it an internet connection for 2 mins and all should be well.

Same thing happening to me
Hey there,
Wow, glad I found this thread! I am having the exact same issue as callison.168. The only difference that I can see is that I have had my Nexus S for a year and a half and have never had any problems with the GPS. But at the beginning of last week, the GPS just disappeared, and my phone has been looking for it ever since. The two apps that use it are Google Maps and Waze. Both provide turn-by-turn navigation, and both present with the same issue: Searching for GPS.
Now here's the kicker: my wife has the Nexus S as well (we got them at the same time) and HER PHONE ISN'T WORKING EITHER right about the same time mine stopped!
Both of our phones are stock, ICS 4.0.4, and they are not rooted. I called T-Mobile to check to see if there were any GPS outages in my area, but there were none.
Harbb, how do I go about doing what you suggested? I have GPS Status, but I don't see an option to get a new local NTP server. Thoughts? Thanks in advance.
- Pete

I usually use fasterfix after every rom I flash, but it needs root..
Sent from my Nexus S using Tapatalk 2

You'll need root to do what i suggested above. GPS Status may also be of help just by deleting some basic data which you can probably do without root but i'm not sure on this one. GPS satellites essentially don't have any kind of outage problems we need to worry about.
One thing you can do is turn on a gps app, let it look for a signal with the GPS on and let it sit outside looking for 15 mins, or turn data on too and let it help get a signal for several minutes. Let it refresh all of the time specific GPS information sent through GPS. If data doesn't work, turn data off and try GPS only a few hours later, remember for about 15 minutes (gps signals have very low-speed data transfer speeds..).

Harbb said:
I've never had problems with a stock ROM and GPS (despite ever being on 2 stock ROMs..), though a common problem for GPS woes seems to be the /system/etc/gps.conf file. Give it a new, local ntp server, let it redownload xtra.bin (either delete or use gps status or something like that). Give it an internet connection for 2 mins and all should be well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use maps and Waze daily and don't have this issue. There are drops of course but it reconnects. I would root and do what @harbb suggested above, about the server. This is better service and tech support than what you'll get at Best Buy.
Sent from my Nexus S using xda premium

Try the google apps: FasterFix and GPS Status. Just recalibrate/reset the GPS. This may help if it is a type of software issue. There are more issues you may want to take in mind.

Personally, I've done all of this - no luck. If I sit outside on a clear day with GPS Status running, it eventually gets a signal from ONE satellite after 10-15 minutes. The GPS icon might occasionally blink, and show "Searching for GPS" - otherwise it shows an empty GPS icon in the status bar.
It worked great until about 3 weeks ago.
edit: for what it's worth, I used michaelpeerman's One Click Return to Stock, which put stock Gingerbread back on. Immediately got a GPS lock in Google Maps, indoors even. Just flashed CM9 back on and GPS is now working.

Related

GPS problems thread

I know this has been discussed some, but i can't seem to find a solution. This is a great phone, but the gps really makes me mad.
My OG Droid and inc would get a position lock pretty fast. about 15 seconds. the thunderbolt on the other hand sucks... Never have i even seen before the shrinking (or sometimes not) circle around your position arrow in google maps.
This is a big deal to me because i use the gps as the main navi in my truck, i assume lots of others do too. I also use it for marking fishing spots so pinpoint accuracy is a must.
I know and for those who don't, you can download GPS status and see the fix its getting and also reset or update your GPS. This kind of works for a while, but still doesn't get the most accurate fix (but ok for driving) and is a PITA. Also takes a minute.
I have a feeling this is software/radio related, and hopefully can be fixed. But just a hunch as i know nothing about the matter.
Anyone have any other ideas??

I should add i just got 12/12 in gps status. not too bad. and maybe the circle around the position arrow was MAYBE just added in a new version of maps. but still it takes multiple trys when i hit navigate to find my position.

GPS is awful on both my and my wife's Thunderbolts too. Can't get a lock standing outside even after 5 minutes; completely unusable. And, we shouldn't have to download another (non-official) app just to get GPS to work.

Glad it's not just me. My GPS takes forever to lock (has taken up to 10min before).

ntguru said:
Glad it's not just me. My GPS takes forever to lock (has taken up to 10min before).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
my pgs sucks as well. I didn't use it much before rooting and flashing roms, so I can't really compare pre and post ROM flashing. Either way, it sucks, can't lock on my location, it get "waiting on location" then "location unavailbale at this time". However, it seems to work when I on pgs navigation after waiting for a while. Hopefully we can get a fix for this soon.

i didnt try GPS much before root either. Don't think that would make a difference. I was on the stock rom just until yesterday and was having the same problems with it.
BUMP

I'm having the same issues. I love my phone but this is very aggravating. I would like to know if this is just isolated to a few of us( ie our particular phones are defective) or is the a phone wide issue.
Sent from my ADR6400L using XDA App

GPS issues..
I've been having the same issues with GPS. I posted about this in another thread but i'll post again.
I get three different locations from three different apps using GPS. Google maps is off by a few blocks, but at least it shows me in downtown houston (my actual location). My time widget pulls the time based on location, and currently, its somewhere near a lake in Russia right above mongolia. Foursquare thinks i'm on the coast of Lithuania and gives me locations in that area to check into.
I called VZ tech help and breezed through to the L2 support. The lady put me on hold to grab a thunderbolt phone to help me troubleshoot. When she came back on the line, she said her google maps was showing her location as blocks away from where she really too!!
Long story short - she gave me a call back later that day and said HTC is aware of the problem and is currently working on a fix for the issue , but gave no timeframe for when it would be fixed

My thunderbolt is fine. Just did a maps test and it found me in about 10s. I have two thunderbolts and the other one took about 1 minute to lock. Both tests were done from inside my house.

having the same problem with my gps...im going head to a verizon store today!

magnafides said:
GPS is awful on both my and my wife's Thunderbolts too. Can't get a lock standing outside even after 5 minutes; completely unusable. And, we shouldn't have to download another (non-official) app just to get GPS to work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
"non official"
you shouldn't be on this forum, if you don't like "non official" stuff, btw if you use GPS status you can clear the cache, and download the assistance data. maybe that'll help you guys

Mine gets a lock indoors, away from all windows, under 2 minutes. Not the most accurate, 60ft, 6 satellites. But hey I'm in the frikkin house. Outdoors I get a lock instantly. 12+ satellites.

Gps status helps, but doesn't fix it. So chill dude.
But I just downloaded das bamf 1.3.1 and now its working like normal! In the change log it says edited some gps settings in the build prop!
Sent from my ADR6400L using XDA App

Damn my gps doesn't work at all...
Das bamf 1.3.1

Varelse said:
Damn my gps doesn't work at all...
Das bamf 1.3.1
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sucks. I assume you tried updating thru gps status? Maybe it will work after awhile or a reboot.
Anyways since mine works good now I am at ease cause I know its not HW. I'm sure there will be a patch one of these days.
Sent from my ADR6400L using XDA App

I am using Das Bamf 1.3.1 and have no gps problems

Running Das BAMF 1.3.2. No problems at all with GPS, indoors, outdoors, or in car -- pre- and- post-root.

headcheese said:
Sucks. I assume you tried updating thru gps status?
Sent from my ADR6400L using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dumb question, but where do I find this option?

So it's just not me, mine takes minutes to lock on, after that it's no problem, but that initial lock is a PITA, 3-5 min...

I've also noticed subpar gps performance compared to my incredible from the first day I got the phone.
The Gps status app seems to have helped and the time to get a lock has improved even more with bamf 1.3.2. Even still it doesn't seem to get a lock as quick as I was used to with my incredible. Takes anywhere from 30s to 2min, but on the lower end of that.
Would still like to see this addressed by HTC/vzw. I'm sure there's other people out there having this issue and I know they can do better.

[Q] HTC Inspire 4G GPS issues

I am having trouble with the GPS receiver on my phone. I don't think it's an app-specific issue, as I've tried several different apps, including one called GPS Status, and none of them can give me an accurate GPS location anymore.
Brief history: I've used the GPS function before with no problem. Using Google's Map app, it previously worked perfect. I could get a satellite lock almost instantly, and the accuracy was superb. Using the navigation app, I was getting equally superb performance. I have used that app several times over the last 4 months since I've owned the phone.
More history: I rooted it and put a custom ROM on it about a month after getting the phone. I put LeeDroid on it (v2.2.3, IIRC), along with the recommended kernel, and the recommended radio (12.39.60.19x_26.06.04.06_M). The GPS functions worked both before and after the initial flashing of the ROM. I've been on LeeDroid v2.2.3 for about 3 months or so. I took a road trip to Atlanta with my wife, and all of a sudden, the google map app couldn't give me an accurate location. Navigation also wasn't working, so initially I thought there must be something wrong with the updated version of the app. So I uninstalled updates, relaunched the app, still no luck. Thinking perhaps the app was broken, I removed it completely, reinstalled, and still nothing. So, I tried different apps: Mapquest, GPS Status, GPS Tracker, all to no avail. I then rebooted the phone. Again, no dice. Then I disabled the location services, restarted them, and that didn't work either. So I tried a hard reset (pulled battery while phone was powered on). No luck with that, either. Then, I figured perhaps something went wrong with the ROM/Kernel/Radio, etc. (I'm sort of a n00b when it comes to android hacking). So, I figured it wouldn't hurt to update to the latest LeeDroid version, updating the kernel and the radio (probably the most pertinent here is the radio, right?) while I was at it. And then, after all that, GPS STILL won't work right. I even went so far as to delete and restore the location services app itself, to no avail.
My current software is LeeDroid v3.3.1 ROM, LeeDroid v3.2.0 kernel, Radio = 12.39a.60.19x_26.06.06.30_M (the latest radio update from AT&T that I could find). I've also tried the recommended radio from LeeDroid thread, and that didn't help, either.
Could the GPS receiver itself have gone bad? It's strange, the only location data I get inside Google Maps is from the cell towers, which is not accurate at all. I know this, because if I disable "Use wireless networks" under Settings -> Location, I don't get any location at all. And, if wireless networks is on, it's terribly inaccurate, showing me several blocks away from where I really am (standing outside w/ clear line of sight to the sky). Under GPS Status, the status bar just scrolls and scrolls, never giving me a reading or satellite lock.
FYI, most of these tests were done standing outside with clear skies (maybe a few clouds or whatever, but no buildings or trees nearby). A few were done in my car on the road, but that has never hindered my GPS signal/performance before, both on this device, and my previous phone (iPhone 3GS).
I'd take it to an AT&T store, but I'm afraid if the store clerk looks in my phone data, he'll see my software #, realize I've hacked the device, notate my account, and I won't be able to get any warranty support at all. The only thing I can think of is to restore to factory ROM, and then test it and take it in to the store if need be, but I figured I'd give the great folks at XDA forums a shot first, in case you guys have any ideas I haven't thought of yet.
Thanks.

You could try doing a full wipe and re-install as a last resort. But I have read MANY posts in this forum from people who had to return an Inspire because of faulty GPS, so that could very well be your problem.

Thanks for the insight, Jake. I forgot to mention that when I flashed the newer version of LeeDroid I did a full wipe. I didn't wipe Dalvik cache. I'm not sure if that would make any difference. It certainly helps to gain the knowledge that I'm not the only one with this issue...

Try to flash the gps fix that angeldeath created
Sent from my Inspire 4G using XDA Premium App

dooyoo222 said:
Try to flash the gps fix that angeldeath created
Sent from my Inspire 4G using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1. Link to AngelDeath fix is in my signature.

Thanks guys. I will give that a try today.

Tried the angeldeath GPS fix. No luck. Still no satellite lock. I sat outside (it's pretty clear today) for 10 minutes trying.

dvsone79 said:
Tried the angeldeath GPS fix. No luck. Still no satellite lock. I sat outside (it's pretty clear today) for 10 minutes trying.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you have a case on the phone, take it off. Some cases cause interference with the gps.
Sent from my Inspire 4G using XDA Premium App

dooyoo222 said:
If you have a case on the phone, take it off. Some cases cause interference with the gps.
Sent from my Inspire 4G using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I thought of that, and tried it once. It didn't make a difference. Not to mention, I've had the same case since the day I got the phone (I'm particular about cases and screen protectors on touch-screen phones), and it wasn't interfering during the 2 or 3 months where the GPS functionality was working great.
I restored to the stock ROM found in this thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1058042
No dice. It seemed to work for a moment immediately after booting post-flash, but now it is not getting any sat locks. I am going to take it in to the store and see what they say...

Hey guys just wanted to stop by and ask if you ever thought it was not rom or hardware related? The US government will from time to time take sats out of commission for repairs and tests. Not to mention they can kill any sats they feel like without telling anyone. Just a thought

Yeah, but your gps usually connects to 5-10 sattelites at once, I'm sure they wouldn't all be out at once.

http://www.google.com/m?hl=en&gl=us...uncher&action=devloc&q=htc+inspire+gps+issues
I suggest you Unroot and run the ruu after calling att to get your replacement on its way. Myself and others have had to do it due to faulty hardware.

I thought I was having issues with my GPS but here's what I did:
Use GPS Status and reset and download the agps information.
Let phone sit near window or outside with screen timeout set to never.
After 5min or so I had a lock on 8 satellites. So now that the device has had it's initial lock it should be able to lock quickly from there on.
Sent from my Inspire 4G using XDA App

zelendel said:
Hey guys just wanted to stop by and ask if you ever thought it was not rom or hardware related? The US government will from time to time take sats out of commission for repairs and tests. Not to mention they can kill any sats they feel like without telling anyone. Just a thought
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey, not a bad thought. However, this problem had been ongoing for 2 or 3 weeks, and several of my tests involved another device (iPhone 3GS, a different HTC Inspire, and a few others) side by side, with one working and getting a sat lock, while the HTC continued to fail, so it's safe to say I ruled out the possibility of no satellites available.

akira02rex said:
I thought I was having issues with my GPS but here's what I did:
Use GPS Status and reset and download the agps information.
Let phone sit near window or outside with screen timeout set to never.
After 5min or so I had a lock on 8 satellites. So now that the device has had it's initial lock it should be able to lock quickly from there on.
Sent from my Inspire 4G using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I also tried to re-install the agps information. No luck for me.

Tx Redneck said:
http://www.google.com/m?hl=en&gl=us...uncher&action=devloc&q=htc+inspire+gps+issues
I suggest you Unroot and run the ruu after calling att to get your replacement on its way. Myself and others have had to do it due to faulty hardware.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I finally got my issue resolved. After my 2nd trip to my local AT&T store, speaking with the same rep, I was able to get a warranty exchange in-store. I refused to do that XBM (Exchange by mail) thing. That gets you a refurb, and I would have sent mine directly to HTC to let them repair it before I exchanged my phone for a refurb model. I unrooted and returned completely to stock before I went in. So, I've got a new Inspire, and sure enough, GPS is working. It had to be a hardware failure.
Thanks everyone for the ideas and feedback!

Wow, I just ran across this thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1101066
Looks like the hardware issue I was having could have been fixed myself, using the instructions found there. I will keep this in mind if I have any issues with my new phone...

dvsone79 said:
Wow, I just ran across this thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1101066
Looks like the hardware issue I was having could have been fixed myself, using the instructions found there. I will keep this in mind if I have any issues with my new phone...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Had to thank you for sharing that link. I was having GPS problems on multiple roms and tried every fix I could find on this forum. I did the hardware trick 2 days ago and (due to tinkering) had to flash my rom 3 times of the last couple of days. Each time though I tested the GPS and it's working perfectly.

Anyone with GPS problems????

I've searched the threads for are Verizon variant of the SGSIII. If this has been discussed , mod please remove.
I'm not a noob by any means. My GPS is driving me up a freaking wall. I've tried from on a pure stock ROM, yes out the box and both rooted .img's. Plus all available ROM'S .
Here is where my adventure begins. It takes forever if at all , to get a lock. If I do get a lock it will stick but that is about 1 out of ten times. I've tried to modify the GPS.conf , with known general tweaks and NTP servers to pull from with no luck, also a few general build.prop tweaks. Then I turned to the market and we all no how that goes , thousands of apps claiming to give you the world with a click of a button. Nada , nothing. I've done full restores, formatted system, efs etc ect, a clean start. Still no luck. Now I thought at one point that maby my GPS is fubared, I highly doubt this. I can see all satellites in my region and it connects to about one or two at the most. When I just look at my maps on my location it is close , it will show me about 100 ft away from the road I'm on or the next road over, or show me on the road but riding along side it. If I'm in navigation it just says follow route , searching for GPS. So I no its close.
This is frustrating cause I'm a self employed contractor and I depend on my phone for everything. So if anyone can confirm some of the problems I've been having or any links or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
(EDIT) After some reaserch and tinkering with the gps.conf I have made my GPS 50% better. See page 2.
DirtyDroidX
Sent from my SCH-I535 or XT913

I've had the same problem. My GPS takes forever to lock on (if I try to start it up while navigating, it usually doesn't lock at all). And when it does lock on, the accuracy is terrible.
I haven't tried any of the tweaks, apps, or different ROMs or anything, but I shouldn't be really have to. GPS worked great on my now 2.5 year old HTC Incredible, and works fine on the Rezound I play with a lot. This was one of the things I was worried about when I bought this phone... HTC phones are known for having the best radios around... and Samsung radios are known to be ****. Well, this has only reinforced that for me.
For a comparison to the Rezound, see the attached screenshots taken at pretty much the same time, in pretty much the same spot. In fairness, I was moving (although coming to a stop) when the SGSIII one was taken, but the results that came out were actually one of the better ones. Around the time I took the screenshots, I was getting measurements similar to this as well as much worse than this, while both moving and stopped. Hell, you can even see that the 3G signal is weaker on the SGSIII.
I've seen these same issues discussed in a number of forums on here, and I recognize that not everyone has this problem. Most people's GPS locks on instantly and the accuracy is great. But there are still a lot of people who do have this problem, so it's definitely not just a couple isolated cases. I realize that I can take it in for a warranty replacement, but then I get a refurbished phone back, and those usually come with even more problems... which is the thing that pisses me off about the Verizon warranty program... I buy a brand new phone... it doesn't work... I get a refurbished phone in it's place. Samsung needs to just stop making shoddy hardware and it won't be a problem.
Don't get me wrong, I'd still take this phone over the Rezound any day. It's sexier, has a way better processor, camera, and battery life, and has a bigger screen. I just miss Sense and having radios that actually work well

For whatever reason, the old GPS issue thread disappeared. Initially I had no problems on stock, but when I flashed Invisiblek's JB 8-10 build, I wasn't able to lock on.
What I did was download FasterFix from the PlayStore. With GPS off, I launched it, set the region to my region, closed, and then turned on GPS, waited a minute and launched navigation again. See if that works for you. I think FasterFix calibrates your region or something if it's trying to find you somewhere in the world and is taking a while.

xmrlazyx said:
For whatever reason, the old GPS issue thread disappeared. Initially I had no problems on stock, but when I flashed Invisiblek's JB 8-10 build, I wasn't able to lock on.
What I did was download FasterFix from the PlayStore. With GPS off, I launched it, set the region to my region, closed, and then turned on GPS, waited a minute and launched navigation again. See if that works for you. I think FasterFix calibrates your region or something if it's trying to find you somewhere in the world and is taking a while.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
FasterFix seems like it might fix the lock-on time but not the accuracy, which is the (much) bigger problem.

I hope I don't. S2 had a POS GPS at first that took forever to fix.

Yea I can get a lock faster with a few play store apps. The thing is like said before, the accuracy is ****ty. Plus the navigation won't function cause of this. I hope someone with in depth knowledge can see what the problem is. I have not given up hope yet lol. I have a few things I want to test out and then I might throw my hands in the air. I need to get ahold of nitroglycerin33 on talk and ask him a few questions.
Jmo. I flashed the radio before Verizon got there ignorant hands on it. I forget what the version name is . I live on a fringe area and I was dropping calls left and right ,bad 4G conection. Now I would say its 60% better.
Sent from my SCH-I535 or XT913

You should exchange the phone if you can. Mine was terrible before and now its perfect on the new phone.

ChrisNee1988 said:
You should exchange the phone if you can..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree, GPS not working in these phones seems to be a hardware problem.
My G3 GPS works perfectly (better than my old Rezound in side by side comparisons, it locks almost instantly even inside where I work), but my boss had one that didn't work for ****.
VZ replaced his & now it works great.

My wife's S3 does something entirely different. GPS locks on fine and fast, but it says she's in Clintwood VA, about 500 miles off. First noticed it in the weather widget, but if she opens maps it starts in Clintwood, but locks on correctly in just a few seconds. Weather can be changed manually, but goes back to Clintwood after a while.
Never been to Clintwood, may need to see if there's anything worth seeing there.

johnnyvol said:
My wife's S3 does something entirely different. GPS locks on fine and fast, but it says she's in Clintwood VA, about 500 miles off. First noticed it in the weather widget, but if she opens maps it starts in Clintwood, but locks on correctly in just a few seconds. Weather can be changed manually, but goes back to Clintwood after a while.
.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is just a bug in the [email protected] stock weather app, mine does the same thing. It always puts me in NYC which is a 6 1/2 hour drive away.
I use weather & toggle widgets flip clock/weather instead in Nova Launcher & that weather app always locates me perfectly no matter where I am.

Just got it and this is one of the best GPS's I have seen yet. Better than my S2 and my Razr.

My last GS3 had a similar issue too on top of the lock taking forever and it being a bit off. At one point it thought I was in Florida but I really live near DC. My friend noticed it when I was chatting with the FB app and it included Geotags and was wondering what I was doing in Florida.
johnnyvol said:
My wife's S3 does something entirely different. GPS locks on fine and fast, but it says she's in Clintwood VA, about 500 miles off. First noticed it in the weather widget, but if she opens maps it starts in Clintwood, but locks on correctly in just a few seconds. Weather can be changed manually, but goes back to Clintwood after a while.
Never been to Clintwood, may need to see if there's anything worth seeing there.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

I'm leaning toward a hardware issue myself cause I'm adjusting the NTP servers as we speak. I've used about 6 different ones . No change. I'm going to try some prop tweaks now.
Sent from my SCH-I535 or XT913

dirtydroidx said:
I'm leaning toward a hardware issue myself cause I'm adjusting the NTP servers as we speak. I've used about 6 different ones . No change. I'm going to try some prop tweaks now.
Sent from my SCH-I535 or XT913
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I could be misinterpreting what you are trying to do, but why would the NTP servers have anything to do with your GPS problem? NTP simply delivers UTC time....

GPS works prefer for me. Takes about ten seconds at most to lock
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app

Beemer533 said:
I could be misinterpreting what you are trying to do, but why would the NTP servers have anything to do with your GPS problem? NTP simply delivers UTC time....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not sure what the problem is that's why I'm trying to distinguish between hardware or software. Just exploring all options. Can't hurt.
Sent from my SCH-I535 or XT913

OK might be on to something
If anyone wants to try it out I will post it here in a little bit. From tweaking the GPS.conf file I got this>>>
When I started the day I got not one lock on a satt !
Sent from my SCH-I535 or XT913

dirtydroidx said:
I'm not sure what the problem is that's why I'm trying to distinguish between hardware or software. Just exploring all options. Can't hurt.
Sent from my SCH-I535 or XT913
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, it certainly can't! I was just wondering, as NTP just delivers time, and has no positional information...

Agreed the lock does take forever UNLESS you turn on Google Location Services (which I usually have off), and it is accurate as all hell even indoors. I wonder if turning that on with Standalone GPS will solve your issues.
Edit: GPS lock was great with Maps indoors, but switching to Navigation it never locked onto GPS even though it had my location perfectly!

OK if you want to prove my concept feel free to . Let me no if it works for you. Go out side or be in a car while locking on!
1) Download new gps.conf file>>>
http://db.tt/5xvFneRt
2) Replace it in /ect . Rename the original one from .conf to .bak. using a file explorer with R/W enabled , so yes you have to be rooted!
3) Download GPS toolbox https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.eclipsim.gpsstatus2
4) Reboot.
5) Enable standalone GPS and Google services NOT Verizon services.
6) Open GPS status select options/tools/reset . Then options/ tools/download
7) Reboot
8) Open GPS status and wait for lock . Mine took 5 min a friends took 3. Then open up navigation .
9) Profit
Sent from my SCH-I535 or XT913

[Q] gps issues, copy/paste issues, OTA fix?

whenever i copy/paste, the app crashes.
whenever i try and use GPS and a run tracking program, it takes a LONG time to find a lock. sometimes it will work, sometimes it won't. then, sometimes mid-run i will lose the signal, when my Droid Incredible would be strong in the GPS area during the same running route.
Will Verizon's newest OTA fix any of these issues?

funkpod said:
whenever i copy/paste, the app crashes.
whenever i try and use GPS and a run tracking program, it takes a LONG time to find a lock. sometimes it will work, sometimes it won't. then, sometimes mid-run i will lose the signal, when my Droid Incredible would be strong in the GPS area during the same running route.
Will Verizon's newest OTA fix any of these issues?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Bump, on cm10, but can't post there. My phone will often show me running parallel to the highway I am on. Or jump around g maps randomly.

UberSuber said:
Bump, on cm10, but can't post there. My phone will often show me running parallel to the highway I am on. Or jump around g maps randomly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can use gps test to clear your agps and let it resync will probaly fix the gps issue. As for the others I dont know.
As for the latest OTA, it corrected the "no sim" issue, added remote connection for support, and a new radio iirc. No gps tweaks.

x714x said:
You can use gps test to clear your agps and let it resync will probaly fix the gps issue. As for the others I dont know.
As for the latest OTA, it corrected the "no sim" issue, added remote connection for support, and a new radio iirc. No gps tweaks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. I tried GPS Status & Toolbox and cleared/redownloaded the aGPS data. Should be the same thing, right? It didn't help. I flashed Bean's ICS ROM last night, so I'm going to give it a GPS workout on the highway tomorrow to see if it makes a difference. If not, isn't it likely the phone itself? Can a software GPS issue follow you across ROMS?

UberSuber said:
Thanks. I tried GPS Status & Toolbox and cleared/redownloaded the aGPS data. Should be the same thing, right? It didn't help. I flashed Bean's ICS ROM last night, so I'm going to give it a GPS workout on the highway tomorrow to see if it makes a difference. If not, isn't it likely the phone itself? Can a software GPS issue follow you across ROMS?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have been paying close attention to this issue and this is what I have come up with... On a stock (non-rooted) Verizon galaxy S3 I can lock indoors and even after rooting I can lock indoors. It is always after I unlock that damn bootloader that I start getting the gps issues... It still works but it is flaky! Gotta have the thing in clear view of the sky almost always... I say this cause I have had 3 different refurbs for the VZW S3 and so I tested my theory and to back it up I also have an at&t S3 and a T-mobile S3 and they don't require you to unlock your bootloader and I NEVER have had any issues with those models...? I really think it has something to do with unlocking our Verizon bootloader.... IMO Like I said, I have done extensive gps testing and this has been my only idea of what is borking the I535's gps signal strength or lack thereof! I can lock in my brick house with both of my other S3's but the Verizon model is **** as soon as you unlock the bootloader... I have played with just about EVERY app on the appstore and different mods on xda and some have made it better but nothing compared to the others.... Can anyone else chime in and let me know what you think...?

well, I installed the ota, but no fixed on the copy/paste and GPS. Went on my run and it didn't find a lock until the 3rd mile. I guess they will be sending me a New one. Maybe I'll try to root it and unroot Just to preserve my game data, etc. Can I still root it with this new ota? Never rooted before.
I might not root, in which case is have to transfer everything from the internal storage to a Harris data hard drive?

funkpod said:
well, I installed the ota, but no fixed on the copy/paste and GPS. Went on my run and it didn't find a lock until the 3rd mile. I guess they will be sending me a New one. Maybe I'll try to root it and unroot Just to preserve my game data, etc. Can I still root it with this new ota? Never rooted before.
I might not root, in which case is have to transfer everything from the internal storage to a Harris data hard drive?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, mine took a long time to lock this morning. But it has been accurate all morning, which is improvement. I was having trouble with getting a lock before putting a ROM on, but I can't recall Having any issues before rooting, which I suppose does mean I pit a ROM on, really. But then, I rooted before I really had it long enough to test the GPS. Please post back if you try rooting the ota. Because if I keep having issues with GPS, that is my next step too.

UberSuber said:
Well, mine took a long time to lock this morning. But it has been accurate all morning, which is improvement. I was having trouble with getting a lock before putting a ROM on, but I can't recall Having any issues before rooting, which I suppose does mean I pit a ROM on, really. But then, I rooted before I really had it long enough to test the GPS. Please post back if you try rooting the ota. Because if I keep having issues with GPS, that is my next step too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First post on XDA!
Now to the GPS issue...My S3 had the same type of issues being described in this thread. My gps would take a LONG TIME (5-20+mins) to lock in and if it did lock in then sometimes it would have me driving along a road parallel to the road i was on and i would hear it trying to get me back onto the road i was already on. I talked with Verizon tech support in this issue and the person i talked with just took me step by step to try to nail down the issue. i told him i already tried GPS Status app with resetting AGPS and downloading a new file but that never really helped. So he had me hard reset the phone with holding power, home, and volume up after the powering off. We opened the Maps app that came stock with the phone and it didnt lock in in the few mins that i had it open. Then we downloaded the newest Maps app and tried locking in again...no luck. I was also not receiving the OTA update (phone was always stock and not rooted) so we checked for that through the setting on the phone and i still couldnt receive it. Before all this happened I already talked to Verizon support and they had send me a refurbished S3 a few days before i made the call to tech support. So i told the guy that the refuribished phone that i had received got the OTA update as soon as i put my SIM card in the first time i powered the phone up and i havent had an issue with the GPS on it. He wanted me to just double check the firmware and the GPS signal on both phones and he said there was definatley something wrong with my original phone so that phone was sent back.
So i would suggest just calling the carrier and have them send out a new phone for you if your having GPS issues.

they're sending me a new one, the tech service guy on the phone has a gs3, and he didn't have any of these issues, so they are replacing it.
hopefully it doesn't have this issue...
now i gotta find a way to save all of my game data...

I had this same GPS issue and I found a post that seemed to fix the issue.
Go to Google Services Framework in application manager and clear all data. Then go to Google in application manager and clear data plus uninstall updates. Reboot, installed google update, and now my GPS locks on within seconds. Good luck, hope this fixes your issues as well.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app

I saw the post on this and tried it but it didn't help my phone.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app

thanks, i tried clearing those places, and while i couldn't find "google," i cleared "google maps" and hoped it would work, however, it did not.
Verizon is sending me a new phone, hopefully this phone will be better...

Fwiw, mine seems better now on beans ICS rom

Problems with GPS: Myth or fact?

I notice that some people have reported their S3's to receive poor GPS signal or that their phones can not lock onto a location at all, even to the point of having to return their phones. This paranoia had also struck me, and I noticed that I began to have problems too. However, I realized that at some point (for me personally) it had nothing to do with the phone. I just wanted to provide some tips as to how to improve GPS or use it more properly.
1. You need a line of sight to the satellites from your phone. That means that being in the middle of midtown Manhattan, you're likely to not get a signal. That also means that if you're in the middle of your living room, don't also expect to magically receive a GPS lock. It just doesn't work that way.
2. While it's controversial whether or not bad weather affects GPS signals, I notice that heavy clouds and poor weather affects my phone's ability to lock on at all.
3. If you're in an area where you can't get a lock (i.e. Midtown Manhattan, etc), turn on Google Location Services. This will always put you within a 500-1000 meter radius of where you are (in which case you would just read a map the old fashioned way).
4. I almost never have a problem locking on a location within 5 seconds while driving on a clear day, outside of the city. If your GPS and Google Navigation still does not work in this situation, you probably really have an issue.
5. During my paranoia, I cleared cache/data for Google Framework Services (warning: this will remove your sync account) and uninstalled updates to Maps and reinstalled. That may help if you've been flashing back and forth between roms.
Hope these simple tips might help some people out.

I don't know if it's because I leave GPS and Location services on all the time but I've never had an issue with GPS lock with this phone whether I'm in the burbs or in a city.

Yesterday I was in open line of site in Fitchburg MA, I had the GPS on for 20 minutes as I was scrambling for and event. It just would not lock at all. When I do get a lock. Yesterday same day driving 2 hours to Cape Cod (105 miles of open space) it would lock work good for a couple minutes then lag for a few seconds to minutes and not move then just jump and update. (Says GPS signal lost.) Sometimes it would then put me on side streets and struggle for find that I was still on 495 South. It did this when whole way. I knew where I was going so it wasn't a problem but there is something up and I am interested in finding out what. BTW this started after the first OTA update from Verizon.

If you have problems with gps get a replacement phone.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda premium

A lot of people don't know is to turn on wifi first. You will get a lock on in seconds.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

loonie01 said:
A lot of people don't know is to turn on wifi first. You will get a lock on in seconds.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tough to sign onto wifi on the highway

Even when I was in line of sight and with wifi on. My s3 wouldn't get a gps signal or lock on. My wife's Rezound did. So, I called Verizon and they sent me a replacement and now everything is fine. It was the hardware in my first one that was the problem.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app

Boss428man said:
Yesterday I was in open line of site in Fitchburg MA, I had the GPS on for 20 minutes as I was scrambling for and event. It just would not lock at all. When I do get a lock. Yesterday same day driving 2 hours to Cape Cod (105 miles of open space) it would lock work good for a couple minutes then lag for a few seconds to minutes and not move then just jump and update. (Says GPS signal lost.) Sometimes it would then put me on side streets and struggle for find that I was still on 495 South. It did this when whole way. I knew where I was going so it wasn't a problem but there is something up and I am interested in finding out what. BTW this started after the first OTA update from Verizon.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exact same issue with me. I haven't tried it bout lately because it pissed me off. I started using GPS status and toolbox and beginning to calibrate and update things. Hopefully its better now. Unfortunately, I cant get a replacement because I bought the phone off contract on eBay (just like I always do).

Boss428man said:
Tough to sign onto wifi on the highway
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You don't have to. For some reason enabling WiFi alone will improve the GPS's ability to get a lock. Though this isn't always the case, its one of the first things I do when I have trouble getting a lock.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

Yeah I don't understand it also but when I flash a new ROM, I would go to google maps. At that time I would not get a GPS lock until I turn on Wifi. GPS status app also helps with a good GPS lock.

Div033 said:
You don't have to. For some reason enabling WiFi alone will improve the GPS's ability to get a lock. Though this isn't always the case, its one of the first things I do when I have trouble getting a lock.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's getting a rough location estimate from access points when your turn WiFi on. WiFi location doesn't have anything to do with GPS. This will only work if you're by access points.

I've had problems since day one of owning this phone. I've owned a droid 1 and droid 3. My og droid honestly never failed to lock almost instantly whether in my house or on the road. Its a shame to get such a new phone and have issues like this. Multiple threads show many users are having the same issues. I've tried fixes, clearing caches, flashing new roms and nothing.

http://m.cnet.com/news/street-view-cars-grabbed-locations-of-phones-pcs/20082777?ds=1
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2396403,00.asp
All wifi is used for is helping finding a rough location by send info through Verizon about access points nearby. Turning it doesn't make the internal gps work "better" in regards to seeing satellites it just helps Google get a fix on the phone faster
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app

I suspect the Chinese are setting up random gps blockers tuned specifically to the S3. /conspiracy theory

All I know is that I can never get it to work. Ever.
My Nexus 10 is better than your tablet. Hah.

As stated before if you have problems then get the phone replaced. I have never had a single problem getting a lock at all and I live in the cities.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app

unique77 said:
As stated before if you have problems then get the phone replaced. I have never had a single problem getting a lock at all and I live in the cities.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same, its probably the rom they're on. Even on 4.2.1 I get GPS though (not inside, but I can on TW roms).
OP: I can get a lock inside my living room

My GPS locks 20% of the time...outside on a clear day in Cali. Not sure what to do anymore. I've tried everything I read on here but returning it. I have a feeling they'll just give me a used refurbished phone so I hesitate to do it.

I can safely say that S3 gps is the best I've had out of all the smartphones I used. I am frequently in midtown Manhattan and it locks there within 10 seconds, and it works in my livingroom

Every time I load a new Rom I open up gps status toolbox get a lock instantly then open maps to locate me then I never have any trouble after that at all.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

Database Info

welcome