[wip] (mod) gps fix 8/14 - Verizon Samsung Galaxy S III

OK after doing some research and testing on over 10 devices I have came up with this MOD , that has been working for me for 2 days now. This should work on most devices. We all no Samsungs GPS hardware is not the greatest. Some with the S3 have no issues some where in the same boat as me. For myself I could never get a lock in navigation, if I could it would take 10 min up to 30 . If I ever got a lock ,it dropped signal frequently or was inaccurate, so much that it was no of use. Now on maps it would eventually show my position but it would be off , for example, show me on the next street or on the other side of the highway. So If you find yourself in this situation feel free to give it a try.
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You need to be rooted to be able to grant R/W capabilities. To be safe , always make a nandroid backup and back up the original file you are replacing. My self or XDA are not responsible for any malfunction to your device or anything else that may occur, while hacking your phone.
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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
★★NOTES★★
Always enable standalone GPS and Google location services ,FIRST! Then open up GPS toolbox to get a lock. The first time you do this it might take up to 10 to 15 min based on your location. After getting a lock threw the app, then open up navigation and you should be good to go. After using this yesterday I'm locking on in under 5 sec with 9-15 sat locked on. If you have bit used your GPS in a while, open app and reset and download again , then reboot. Then wait for lock threw app and your back on track.
Hope this helps a few and I will be updating this when I finish implementing other things.
If this helped you hit the thanks button
DirtyDroidX
Sent from my SCH-I535 or XT913

Maybe you can use this post http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1447598 to help with GPS. I used it with much success with my Droid Incredible 2. Probably a bunch of settings can be pulled in from that gps.conf file to beef up our stock gps.conf.

mastamoon said:
Maybe you can use this post http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1447598 to help with GPS. I used it with much success with my Droid Incredible 2. Probably a bunch of settings can be pulled in from that gps.conf file to beef up our stock gps.conf.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea I've tried that. It worked for my tablet but not my S3 . It always put me in another state . I have a ton of fixes from numerous threads that I'm currently trying to implement a auto fix script.
Thanks for the link!
Sent from my SCH-I535 or XT913

The link is no longer there.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda premium

just saying, but shouldn't you go get your phone replaced, have verizon check it, if you have gps issues? many GS3 owners including me have zero issues with GPS. I did have GPS issues with 3rd party roms, synergy and clean both. once back to stock rooted, no problem.

The gps on the S3 is the quickest and most reliable i've had the pleasure of using, out of the box. I can't express enough how impressed I was by this, because i've become accustomed to having to fix it to make it work properly, and have done so for a variety of androids for my random co-workers I meet on the road.
That said, if people are having issues - and lets be real here, once you start flashing stuff anything can happen - it's good to see people diving in to work on the problems.
To that end, OP (or anyone else interested), here is a thread with a very detailed explanation of what I did to fix gps for another device:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=16822068
...which may be of some value to read through in your research for this issue.
Please forgive the dead links, I was away from dev for a while and didn't realize goo went down and lost what I had there. I am working with another forum member to get my works hosted again.
Meantime, the text of the gps.conf file is in code blocks in the op of the thread I linked, so in this particular case the dead links shouldn't be a problem.
Hope this helps a bit.

I'm beginning to think it has something to do with Google maps. Downloaded map quest and it locks on quickly.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda premium

Related

[fix]gps seems to wait for fix forever(No need for ROOT!!!)

i READ THE FOLLOWING FIX HERE
Tried a method which seems to have solved the problem (I hope). Downloaded app "GPS Status" from Android market.
Then followed instructions as found on this site
(GPS Fix For CyanogenMod 6 On The Nexus One | Android News, Reviews, Applications, Games, Phones, Devices, Tips, Mods, Videos, Podcasts - Android Police), originally advice for Nexus One owners:
Take your SIM out of the Nexus One
Power on the device
Turn WiFi on
Turn GPS on
Open application: GPS Status
Go into its Settings menu
Click on GPS and Sensors
Click Manage A-GPS state
Click Reset
Click Manage A-GPS state again
Click Download
Now put your phone on a stable, straight surface in order to enable the phone to get a lock. This time, you’ll see your phone get the lock back way faster than before.
With that done, now it’s time to put your SIM back in and use the network to secure a quick GPS fix as well.
As I said this has worked for me so far. Let me know if it helps any of you
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried it today and I it seems I get a fix much faster... I will continue to test the next few days and report if something goes wrong...
The fix appeared first for N1, Desire users reported that it works, too... I hope this help everyone...

GPS Locking

Hi all, is it only me having difficulty locking on GPS? I tried stock, leaked gb, bionix and eagleblood but no lock. It shows 5 or more available sats but it won't lock.
Any help is appreciated.
Sent from my Gingerbread powered Nokia 3210.
No, definitely not just you. There's something definitely off about the GPS driver in this phone. If you use an app like GPS Status or GPS Test, you'll see that the signal-to-noise ratios are all lots higher than they should be; whether that has a direct effect on TTFF (time to first fix), I don't know, but it's certainly indicative that the interface isn't right. It's also clear that it's not using the AGPS the way it's supposed to; it should load the ephemeris data and give essentially a hot fix (<15 seconds) every time, but I only get a warm fix (75-120 seconds) if it's been long enough for the ephemeris data from the satellites to have expired (~4 hours) since the last time I used the GPS. It also happens that occasionally I won't get a fix at all, but generally rebooting allows it to get a fix quickly.
I don't know whether it will help or not, but you could try fiddling with some of the GPS system parameters via the hidden menu (dial 1809#*999# and find "GPS Test").
I'm hoping that this is one of the things that will be fixes when we get the Gingerbread/bug-fix update, but I don't have any basis for that hope.
wmm said:
No, definitely not just you. There's something definitely off about the GPS driver in this phone. If you use an app like GPS Status or GPS Test, you'll see that the signal-to-noise ratios are all lots higher than they should be; whether that has a direct effect on TTFF (time to first fix), I don't know, but it's certainly indicative that the interface isn't right. It's also clear that it's not using the AGPS the way it's supposed to; it should load the ephemeris data and give essentially a hot fix (<15 seconds) every time, but I only get a warm fix (75-120 seconds) if it's been long enough for the ephemeris data from the satellites to have expired (~4 hours) since the last time I used the GPS. It also happens that occasionally I won't get a fix at all, but generally rebooting allows it to get a fix quickly.
I don't know whether it will help or not, but you could try fiddling with some of the GPS system parameters via the hidden menu (dial 1809#*999# and find "GPS Test").
I'm hoping that this is one of the things that will be fixes when we get the Gingerbread/bug-fix update, but I don't have any basis for that hope.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried dial 1809#*999# but i get process acore FC.
Sent from my Gingerbred powered Nokia 3210.
Other than stock, which would lock super fast for me, I have had the best results with the Ultimate rom. The first lock took about 2-3 minutes but since then it has been fairly quick. Could just be dumb luck though lol.
phburks said:
Other than stock, which would lock super fast for me, I have had the best results with the Ultimate rom. The first lock took about 2-3 minutes but since then it has been fairly quick. Could just be dumb luck though lol.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
With mine, the notification icon won't even show. Also, the 1809#*999# still gives me acore FC. Maybe someone else has this issue and can help.
Sent from my Gingerbred powered Nokia 3210.
jose makalolot said:
With mine, the notification icon won't even show. Also, the 1809#*999# still gives me acore FC. Maybe someone else has this issue and can help.
Sent from my Gingerbred powered Nokia 3210.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You need to copy hiddenmenu.apk and two others to /system/app! It's there in one of the GPS fix threads on Development section! Search for it!
Thanks.
Looking...
Update: found the one you said but still i cant get the gps icon to come out.
Sent from my Gingerbred powered Nokia 3210.
Was talking about the FC when dialing 1809#*999#! That should be fixed once you put the apks in /system/app! From there you can run hiddenmenu -> GPS Test -> Start button and see if that brings up your GPS icon!
Pat123 said:
Was talking about the FC when dialing 1809#*999#! That should be fixed once you put the apks in /system/app! From there you can run hiddenmenu -> GPS Test -> Start button and see if that brings up your GPS icon!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I already did that, still no icon.
Sent from my Gingerbred powered Nokia 3210.
This may sound crazy, but download and give "GPS AIDS" (I know dumb name) from the market.
That app (even the free version of it) has helped every phone that I've ever had GPS issues with. The comments for that app speak for itself too.
Give it a try before buying to make sure that it is compatible with your phone first. Best of luck...
Sent from my MB860 using XDA Premium App
ccrows said:
This may sound crazy, but download and give "GPS AIDS" (I know dumb name) from the market.
That app (even the free version of it) has helped every phone that I've ever had GPS issues with. The comments for that app speak for itself too.
Give it a try before buying to make sure that it is compatible with your phone first. Best of luck...
Sent from my MB860 using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same thing. As if the GPS can't be turned on.
Sent from my Gingerbred powered Nokia 3210.
ccrows said:
This may sound crazy, but download and give "GPS AIDS" (I know dumb name) from the market.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The setup always fails for me. The two files it needs to download don't download; the light is red for both and it says the file failed. I'm running CM7 so maybe that's the problem, but it just is not working at all.

GPS not working after ICS upgrade.

I have a TF101 with dock, serial number C10 US, stock, not rooted. I did the OTA update to ICS two nights ago. I did not check GPS then. I just did a factory reset and after getting everything set up again I fired up Google Maps and tried to have it get my location. It could not. I installed GPS Test and it showed 0 satellites. I know that GPS was working on HC. Has anyone seen this issue? I think it is some configuration issue rather than weak GPS because I get 0 satellites so it seems like GPS is off. I checked that GPS was on in settings and it was and I toggled it on and off a few times. Wifi assist does work for location but GPS should work on its own. Anyone having this issue or know what I can do? Thanks in advance for your help.
xda-soar said:
I just did a factory reset and after getting everything set up again
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does that mean you did a factory reset and then restored all your apps and crap from HC?
Anyway, I just downloaded GPS Test and tried it. Works for me.
No I restored from the market and my Google account.
The backup system Google provides doesn't keep the apps individual settings. Those are lost the next time you restore them. The apps installed via Market is saved though and they get installed again.
Thiesen said:
The backup system Google provides doesn't keep the apps individual settings. Those are lost the next time you restore them. The apps installed via Market is saved though and they get installed again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The issue isn't really about settings of the apps. Most people use default settings anyway.
It's about the incompatibility of the app itself with ICS, which could be causing problems like rebooting, glitching sleep mode, preventing other apps from accessing GPS, and etc.
You should not be restoring every apps you had from honeycomb, especially if you are having problems.
After my update to ICS I tested the GPS with GPS test and it could see satellites biut didn't connect to them. It took several times clearing everything out and eventually it picked and locked on roughly 7-8 satellites and has been working since then.
But it was really slow initially and I didn't have any issues at all with HC.
You may want to edit your GPS.conf file. There are some GPS tweaks for android that I have found to be helpful. You can also download the faster fix app from the market and see if you have any luck.
randolphslim said:
You may want to edit your GPS.conf file. There are some GPS tweaks for android that I have found to be helpful. You can also download the faster fix app from the market and see if you have any luck.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks randolphism for the helpful post, I will try.
I tested the GPS before I re-installed my apps and it still didn't work. I am not going to run without apps, the whole point of the device is to have apps. There is no evidence that this has anything to do with incompatible apps. The ICS OTA upgrade said it was converting apps to be compatible anyway.
Your advice may be relevant here, but again, your verbal abuse is unwarranted, if I were a mod you'd be on a vacation by now for foul language and disrespecting others. Officially blocking you now..
horndroid said:
I have no reason to speak nicely to a person who continues to call me a troll just because he doesn't like the fact that my suggestions are a "pain in the ass".
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, you do, it's called the FORUM RULES. If someone hurt your wittle fweewings then PM them, where your drivel isn't clogging the threads and your profanity isn't on display for people of any age to view. Back to ignoring you now- I came out just to remind you the rules exist, but I'm pretty sure jerdog is going to get to you anyhow.
BYE!
Hi guys,
I face the same problem where my Transformer GPS won't detect any satellite at all... Tried to update the GPS.conf under system/etc... but no luck to get it fix still.
Any suggestion to get it fixed?
if you have root try fasterfix app for your location.
Sent from my Xperia X8
was this issue resolved?
upgraded to ice cream sandwich xwlp3 on my galaxy s2.
gps seems to just endlessly search without ever finding anything. tried fasterfix with no luck.
gps test manages to see some but never says in use.
rev1775 said:
After my update to ICS I tested the GPS with GPS test and it could see satellites biut didn't connect to them. It took several times clearing everything out and eventually it picked and locked on roughly 7-8 satellites and has been working since then.
But it was really slow initially and I didn't have any issues at all with HC.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
what did you clear out?

newb questions about GPS on my phone

Hi everyone,
Running a galaxy sII lte, rooted on official 4.0.4 and my carrier is Rogers. I believe this is the same phone a the skyrocket so I hope I'm in the right forum.
I have a problem with the GPS on my device, or maybe the option is not available on my device I don't know. I did some research about it but still couldn't address this problem. I turn on my GPS signal and it tries to locate me for hours never actually pinning me anywhere on the map. Now I don't have a data connection, but the maps are all cached to my phone, it's the pinning that doesn't work for me. My question is, is my phone capable of doing this without a data connection? If not, what makes an iPhone different that it can do this? Why even have a GPS toggle if I'm getting limited through data?
Thanks in advance!
First off, let me say welcome to xda! Also yes u are in the right section.
Secondly, look for the "agps fix.". It will address the issue with non-locking. With it, I went from 20 seconds to 3.
If that doesn't work look for the galaxy nexus GPS fix, its pretty much the same as agps, which I recommend u try first.
Lastly, caching of Google maps is frankly, [email protected] U need a data connection to use them. For offline GPS, theres really only one app capable, sygic. Look for it in the play store. I have no experience with it so I can't comment on its effectiveness.
If I helped hit the thanks button
Hi!
I totally agree with Icenight89. I also have the Rogers' Skyrocket (the model number is SGH-i727R; you can verify this under the battery inside the phone), and I got problem with GPS position locking. It took about 10 to 15 minutes to lock my position; after I applied the fix, locking takes seconds.
Google Maps needs an active data connection -- be it WiFi or a data plan from Rogers -- in order to guide you through the maps. Caching just takes an instant of the map/area you want, and allows you to view it while you are offline. Without a data connection, though, you won't be able to, say, search for a specific address, look for restaurant/gas station/touristic attraction or get directions. If that is what you are looking for, you might be interested in another GPS navigation app.
icenight89 said:
First off, let me say welcome to xda! Also yes u are in the right section.
Secondly, look for the "agps fix.". It will address the issue with non-locking. With it, I went from 20 seconds to 3.
If that doesn't work look for the galaxy nexus GPS fix, its pretty much the same as agps, which I recommend u try first.
Lastly, caching of Google maps is frankly, [email protected] U need a data connection to use them. For offline GPS, theres really only one app capable, sygic. Look for it in the play store. I have no experience with it so I can't comment on its effectiveness.
If I helped hit the thanks button
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Alexandre-P said:
Hi!
I totally agree with Icenight89. I also have the Rogers' Skyrocket (the model number is SGH-i727R; you can verify this under the battery inside the phone), and I got problem with GPS position locking. It took about 10 to 15 minutes to lock my position; after I applied the fix, locking takes seconds.
Google Maps needs an active data connection -- be it WiFi or a data plan from Rogers -- in order to guide you through the maps. Caching just takes an instant of the map/area you want, and allows you to view it while you are offline. Without a data connection, though, you won't be able to, say, search for a specific address, look for restaurant/gas station/touristic attraction or get directions. If that is what you are looking for, you might be interested in another GPS navigation app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks guys, the patch worked wonders!
I wonder if there is a fix for those that don't root, because doesn't that take away one of the key functionalities of the phone? Was this addressed in jelly bean?
It looks like the GPS is working wonderfully for some people, but awfully for others. I had no problem with the GPS when I was on stock Gingerbread. I did not stay long enough on stock ICS to tell if the problem started when I upgraded, I went pretty quick to CM9 nightly, and I had the GPS to work not so good. Applying this patch was like night and day, now the GPS is working great.
So no, I'm not sure that this patch will make its way into a stable ROM -- in your case, Rogers' stock ROM. You may want to take a look at Rogers Community Forum and ask if someone had problem with the GPS. If a lot of people report GPS malfunction to Rogers, Rogers might consider patching its ROM.
And about your other question: I don't think there is a way to patch the GPS on an unrooted phone. This patch write/replace a system file, which means you have to have root access to apply the modifications.
Alexandre-P said:
It looks like the GPS is working wonderfully for some people, but awfully for others. I had no problem with the GPS when I was on stock Gingerbread. I did not stay long enough on stock ICS to tell if the problem started when I upgraded, I went pretty quick to CM9 nightly, and I had the GPS to work not so good. Applying this patch was like night and day, now the GPS is working great.
So no, I'm not sure that this patch will make its way into a stable ROM -- in your case, Rogers' stock ROM. You may want to take a look at Rogers Community Forum and ask if someone had problem with the GPS. If a lot of people report GPS malfunction to Rogers, Rogers might consider patching its ROM.
And about your other question: I don't think there is a way to patch the GPS on an unrooted phone. This patch write/replace a system file, which means you have to have root access to apply the modifications.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Technically u don't need a rooted phone, merely a custom recovery on Samsung based devices, which u can flash via Odin, and reflash stock after but yes, in principle u are correct. U cannot use it with a non-stock phone
Thanks everyone that helps a lot!
fornoggg said:
Thanks guys, the patch worked wonders!
I wonder if there is a fix for those that don't root, because doesn't that take away one of the key functionalities of the phone? Was this addressed in jelly bean?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why wouldn't you want to root? I feel so naked without it
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727R running SKY-ICS 4.2F6-2.7
mymusicathome said:
Why wouldn't you want to root? I feel so naked without it
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727R running SKY-ICS 4.2F6-2.7
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Everything I have bookmarked about GPS:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1726565
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1239713
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1438129&highlight=gps+lock
http://rootzwiki.com/topic/21453-optimal-gps-settings-for-galaxy-nexus/
They all work with everything from GB up to JB on multiple models...
Most of them require root permissions or a custom recovery (CWMR) to install.
Hope this benefits SOMEBODY, I spent a great deal of time researching this...
I had similar issues with my galaxy s2.
There is a free app in the play store called "gps status".
Tools/manage a state/reset
Fixed it.
~Samsung Galaxy SIII (SPH-L710) - Blazer ROM v1.6 - TWRP~

[Q] GPS/Navigation issues

Is anyone else having problems with the gps/navigation on after downloading cm 10.1.2 or any of the updates? For whatever reason whenever I try to use my google nag it seems to work but the gps cannot lock in on my coordinates, I tried using navigon and that app just keeps crashing besides that everything else works perfectly. Any ideas what is going on ?
I always flash the AGPS patch from the dev forum on every ROM I've ever used, and I've never had issues with GPS since doing that. Worth a try.
rpr69 said:
I always flash the AGPS patch from the dev forum on every ROM I've ever used, and I've never had issues with GPS since doing that. Worth a try.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
THANK YOU SO MUCH, I took your advice and Googled AGPS patch xda developers and found it no problem, you have no idea how much of a help this was. Just imagine driving and putting on your trust Google nav just to find that its is not working (this was a reality for me) luckily this awesome community has come through once again.
Lebrunj1 said:
THANK YOU SO MUCH, I took your advice and Googled AGPS patch xda developers and found it no problem, you have no idea how much of a help this was. Just imagine driving and putting on your trust Google nav just to find that its is not working (this was a reality for me) luckily this awesome community has come through once again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would also suggest getting 'GPS Status' from the play store. I have found a few times where the GPS needs a kickstart, and GPS Status does it. Just open up GPS Status, and it will get your location, then go back to maps and it will nail it.
rpr69 said:
I would also suggest getting 'GPS Status' from the play store. I have found a few times where the GPS needs a kickstart, and GPS Status does it. Just open up GPS Status, and it will get your location, then go back to maps and it will nail it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I used to do this too when I mixed up giving google apps permission to use GPS with enabling google ads. I simply refused to read that text about google apps and gps and assumed it was google ads lol. Wow did I feel stupid when I finally enabled GPS access for google apps and got that fast GPS again... I felt really stupid dumb :silly:
EDIT:
I've had issues with AGPS patch here in Sweden. When using the correct patch for this region it locks in about 1-2 seconds with an error in two whole kilometers and stays that way for 5-10 minutes after which it starts jumping between the correct location and a 1.5 kilometer error. AGPS patch is really obsolete and useless for me as GPS works flawlessly without it.
Premature celebration
seems I celebrated a bit prematurely, I got the gps working a bit when I patched the location fix however the main problem is still here. That being that the directions are give, my location is found however the actual route guidance just hangs. My location is shown, if I choose the turn by turn list all the correction instructions are give but for some reason the route guidance just hangs. I am now going to try reinstalling stock rom to see if it is a rom issue. Hope someone out there knows of a fix without having to flash back to stock I really like cm 10.1.2

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