GPS acting strangely - Nexus 5 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

I use GPS very frequently and yesterday on the way home from work a couple minutes into my trip the GPS started acting up. At some points GPS signal would be lost and at other points when it could acquire a signal it would be a wrong position and the arrow in maps won't move. What do you think the problem is?

I've tried GPS Tool as well to no avail.

Here is an example of what happens. Only way to get a GPS signal now seems to be to hold my phone up to the windshield for a couple of seconds...
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app

my 2 cents
Samip430 said:
Here is an example of what happens. Only way to get a GPS signal now seems to be to hold my phone up to the windshield for a couple of seconds...
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
damn.. ive had it act up pretty badly before and had to go back to factory stock and remod all over again..
make sure you have high accuracy on... and there is a trick you need to do too..
google play services location or something..
try turning it to low accuracy,,, then off,,, then on, then high accuracy a pop up will come up and you need to agree..
if you do not agree or click anywhere the pop up goes away, if you have xposed or other modules same thing the pop up might not come up.
when you agree to it your accuracy is amazing, its a feature of google now so turning that off and on might fix it too...
having it on kicks ass it literally tracks how far I walk , I walk like 10 miles a day for my security job.. it tells me exactly where I parked my car...
other issues could be weather, but if you have another gps enabled device not showing this issues its likely a phone setting or toggle m8 !

Related

Google Map update effect GPS

I was wondering if anyone else experienced EXTREME improvements today after updating Google Maps?? I am to 10-20 meters of accuracy compared to the normal 400 meters. It actually shows me at my house which is WAY WAY in the country!
Most of the time I'm at 10 meters, sometimes it'll get to 5 meters. Maybe it's improved, maybe not.
Mines still off by 5-6 miles. Odd because when i first got it my location was only off by 1/2 mile.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
I didn't get to drive but I did get a very fast navigation lock that never happens for me. Also I got a lock inside my house within 10 meters. And the navigation lock was also inside.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
Well I tried it with GPS off, here in australia, and my location was only 2 houses off. This is a massive improvement. But that's just based on cell phone towers i guess.., dunno about actual GPS improvement but that would also be nice
Noticed this as well. Was in Orchard Supply earlier and tried out the GPS because my brother was asking about it (he's been thinking about getting captivate). Was able to get a very accurate lock INSIDE the store showing in about 20 seconds where I actually was in the store which was nuts (actually it was pipe fittings aisle ). Tried navigation home from class during the afternoon and it took about 10 seconds to get a lock and never lost me the whole way. My GPS was working fine before but now it's even more accurate/faster.
I second this. I tried with the GPS at home. Locked very quickly, and about 10 meters. Navigation seems working fine too.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
Sounds like GMap finally defaults to use A-GPS mode which means faster lock. Accuacy? Not affected.
TRY THIS
Referring to INDOOR accuracy with GPS module off.
I'm noticing that if I have WIFI AND USE WIRELESS NETWORKS ON, the indoor accuracy has improved massively. If I turn WIFI OFF but leave Use Wireless Networks ON, I seem to get standard cell tower location of 500 - 1000 meters.
So, Im assuming this update has enabled Google's version of Skyhook in maps.
Im pretty sure thats what it is since I dont have to be connected to an access point for it to work. Just have WIFI ON.
Nice.
Everyone should disable Skyhook from the LBSmode. I had it disabled since my phone got updated to JH7 but for those how don't...
My settings from factory are:
Skyhook OFF
GPS plus OFF
I to see a improvement. I drive 80 miles one way to work and never lost lock. This has never happened before.
What is GPS plus?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
drfubar said:
Referring to INDOOR accuracy with GPS module off.
I'm noticing that if I have WIFI AND USE WIRELESS NETWORKS ON, the indoor accuracy has improved massively. If I turn WIFI OFF but leave Use Wireless Networks ON, I seem to get standard cell tower location of 500 - 1000 meters.
So, Im assuming this update has enabled Google's version of Skyhook in maps.
Im pretty sure thats what it is since I dont have to be connected to an access point for it to work. Just have WIFI ON.
Nice.
Everyone should disable Skyhook from the LBSmode. I had it disabled since my phone got updated to JH7 but for those how don't...
My settings from factory are:
Skyhook OFF
GPS plus OFF
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wi-fi location fix has been in Google Maps for a long time now. It is not new.
Here's my opinion on this. I have nothing to back this up other than what I interpret from behavior I have seen, so it is strictly my opinion/guess.
Ignoring any GPS hardware or software issues there may or may not be, I think that Google Nav has issues from time to time. I don't know if it is because it relies on 3g data to paint maps and determine routes or whatever, but I think it seems to "lag" sometimes. And if it gets a bit off track, it takes too long to recover. Maybe it does it more on a system that struggles with GPS accuracy a bit more, I don't know.
So, my guess would be that an update to Google maps would not contribute anything to a faster GPS lock or more accuracy from GPS, since I guess this happens at the OS level.
However, what we see when navigating, is Google NAV(maps) interpretation of the GPS. So, when it teleports you off the road maybe it's because it isn't smart enough to think, "Hey, a car doesn't just teleport off a road, so I'll wait a couple more seconds to see if it returns before I show it off the road". It already does this to some degree since your accuracy under good conditions can be 10 or 15 meters which could easily put you on a lawn or sidewalk but NAV continues to show you on the road.
So, maybe, Google Maps updates can help make the Nav experience better by being smarter about interpreting GPS data and showing your position within the context of driving a car down the road.
My $.02
Bob
foxbat121 said:
Wi-fi location fix has been in Google Maps for a long time now. It is not new.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So do your maps show better accuracy or not? Since that is the topic of the thread you might as well refer to the topic. Or are you just trying to show everyone you know better?
One thing is that the feature was there, another is if it worked properly.
Now it works. Before it didn't.
My navigation isn't the best but I am thrilled to have a quick lock in the boonies where I live... GPS worked decent but lagged in little rock our biggest city.... but I haven't been to the city since the update... I'll let everyone know if it can now navigate there. ... I know my location contributes to the issues!!!! But again I was thrilled to be getting locks!
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
I updated Maps yesterday and the AGPS sometimes says I'm in Georgia now(I live in PA), lol, in the middle of a highway no less. However the GPS is working better. I got my first lock ever as well as the first time my GPS has ever seen more than 3 satellites(saw 6).
All I can say is that I would be VERY surprised if an update to Google Maps helped GPS locking, how many satellites it sees, or accuracy at the GPS layer on the device.
However, I would not be surprised if a Google Maps update helped with navigation use or even placing you on a map, since it Google Maps can modify it's interpretation of the GPS position.
If your GPS was spotty before, then thinking you are seeing more satellites or better accuracy, using something like GPS Status, is just a placebo.
However, this is pure speculation on my part. I suppose it's possible that Google have modified something at the device layer that controls the GPS chip, but I'm thinking not.
My feedback would be to exchange your phone if your GPS is spotty. I did and my new phone has pretty much perfect GPS.
Bob
How can you tell the actual accuracy in ft or meters in google maps?
If anything for me GPS lock is take longer than before update.
mudfarmer said:
Mines still off by 5-6 miles. Odd because when i first got it my location was only off by 1/2 mile.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
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Click to collapse
If it is of by that much it is only giving you a network provided location...not a gps position. Turn off use wireless networks to see a gps location
Sent telepathically using vulcan mind meld app.

Nexus S GPS problem?

I bought a T-Mobile nexus s to try out at best buy before committing to dish out 600$ on the att version and noticing that my GPS is having a difficult time locking a signal. Could this be because I'm on edge signal or it shouldn't matter?
I had that captivate before and I had the same issue, does this problem also exist on the nexus s also? It's a great device but I don't think its worth it to me if the GPS isn't reliable
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App
If the GPS is having trouble finding your location, then it's not your network's fault. It's your GPS's. Anyway, 2.3.4 should fix that, so just manual install 2.3.4 and you should be good to go.
i do note though, i have problems around areas densely populated with buildings and trees.
Not trying to be an ass, but do you even know how gps works? There's nothing to do with edge cellphone towers or anything... The phone receives signals from satellites that orbit earth and by comparing the time delay it takes to receive the signal from at least 3 different satellites it locks your location.
Now, because the signal is very weak you need to have a clear view of the sky. Buildings, trees, clouds, anything aside a blue clear sky can prevent your phone from getting a gps signal.
So every phone first use radio strength from cellphone towers to triangulate your position faster, but again it has nothing to do with 3g or edge stuff since it just compare the strength of radio signals from differents cellphone towers that have know locations.
So try out getting a gps fix in a clear day, if even in perfect conditions you don't get squat than replace the phone.
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App
Well I was trying to use the gps on the express way with nothing but blue sits and I wasn't able to achieve a lock until half way to my destination. As much as I like the nexus s if I have to update my rom to get the gps to work then im thinking about returning it. Plus I bought the attic 4g and the gps works wonderfully!! And even though its not as open to run the latest roms I find it far smoother then the nexus s aside from the screen im really impressed with the phone.
gratti said:
Not trying to be an ass, but do you even know how gps works? ...anything aside a blue clear sky can prevent your phone from getting a gps signal.
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Click to collapse
Not trying to be an ass, but do you even know how gps works? it also works if the sky is black.
doug0365 said:
Well I was trying to use the gps on the express way with nothing but blue sits and I wasn't able to achieve a lock until half way to my destination. As much as I like the nexus s if I have to update my rom to get the gps to work then im thinking about returning it. Plus I bought the attic 4g and the gps works wonderfully!! And even though its not as open to run the latest roms I find it far smoother then the nexus s aside from the screen im really impressed with the phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think the GPS lock time is decreased when you try to get it whilst moving. So if you were on express way, then that explains it. Just try to get a GPS lock in the park or standing still in an open environment. See if that helps.
MarkusPO said:
Not trying to be an ass, but do you even know how gps works? it also works if the sky is black.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You had to try hard to make that joke, eh?
There are 21 satellites up there sending signals at any giving moment, and yeah, that includes night time
Now back to topic, I don't think that you speed effect lock time since no matter how fast you are moving in your car it won't make a difference since area covered by a satellite is huge and the time stamp on those signals are in the order of 1x10^-6 seconds. And ofc a electro magnetic wave move practically at the speed of light.
There's always a visible delay when you are moving, like the position on the map is always a bit behind of where you really are, but that's because the phone only reflash your position each 2 to 4 seconds to save some battery.
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App
Oh, ok gratti, thanks for the input. It was just a thought. So then what would be his problem ?
i'm gonna recommend you download gps status, go to the menu / tools / manage gps, and download the gps data - which is the location of the satellites. and this will help you get lock faster.
you're welcome.
lambda30 said:
Oh, ok gratti, thanks for the input. It was just a thought. So then what would be his problem ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, hard to say. Most likely it's software related. He can try download "gps status" from market and use it's tool clear and redownload gps data. That seems to work most of the times... even tho I'm not sure it actually do something or if it's more like a placebo effect. If his phone can never get a location than better replace it and be done with it.
I had gps issues with all my phones at one point or another and most of the time it resolved by itself. One day it didn't worked the next worked like a charm.
As an electrical engineer it piss me off when my phone's gps simply can't locate me even with ideal conditions. It should work. Period. But like Lewis CK says "the ****tier cellphone is a god damn miracle" sooo...... yeah
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App
Please, watch here : http://forum.frandroid.com/topic/52821-fix-gps-full-speed/
It's my topic (in french :/) but it's a fix full speed gps.
8/8 satelites in 15s !

[Q] To return or not to return (GPS problems)

As you may know by now I've been having problems with GPS on my Nexus S (i9023, bought factory unlocked from Amazon Germany, carrier code EUR, running rooted stock 2.3.4 AKA GRJ22). A quick search of the Nexus S forums will tell you that I'm not the only one who complains about GPS issues - I always assumed that the GPS was just sub-par on the model and I'd have to live with it.
Only now a few helpful souls over in the accessories section said it was probably defective and I should exchange it. (I've already exchanged it once for this and the new unit I got performed exactly the same.) So I'm just going to tell you the current situation and I'm hoping you'll tell me if that's within the normal tolerances for the model: [All tests done outside in suburbia]
"Network location" (geolocation, wifi / cell triangulation) is fine since 2.3.4 [just to get that out of the way]
Time to First Fix (TtFF) is decent now, usually 15-30 s cold and < 15 s hot. I've seen much better (yes, on a phone), but that doesn't bother me.
Accuracy however, is still bad. GPS Status shows 20-10 m mostly, but it fluctuates wildly going from 5 to 30 in a heartbeat even when it's just stationary. Other phones don't show this behavior. This translates into real-world problems in Maps (checked via sat view): The blue circle goes from large to enormous and back and while my true position is somewhere within the circle most of the time, the center dot is way off. Most other implementations manage to guess the location correctly even when the accuracy is bad (as tested side-by-side).
Stability is my biggest concern. The lock'll be fine for a few minutes, especially if the phone was just rebooted, but then the GPS will lose it every few (say 5-10) seconds and take time to reacquire it. Additionally, it doesn't pick up movement very well. I did a few tests watching my position in Maps while on the tram (in a window seat) and basically it would register an (approximately correct) location every now and then but then just hang there for a while. Usually it wouldn't register that the tram had left a stop before it had arrived at the next one or even just left it again. All other phones trace the tracks almost perfectly and in real time. There goes any kind of usable navigation and - in concert with the compass issues - all augmented reality apps.
Again, this isn't meant as a complaint or even a request for a fix (though if you have one I'll gladly take it) - I'd only like to gauge if my particular phone's have been bad or if "that just how it is".
Thanks for listening.
I have a nexus s4g from sprint and my gps was working great and then one day it just stopped. I can never pick up a signal and if out does it takes about five minutes our more. I have a gps radar app that shows me signal strengths and stuff and our barely picks up give signals and they are always really weak I have to refresh the agps status all the time to even get a lock and like I said it still takes about gives minutes or more if it even locks at all. I am looking for a fix my epic had the same problems and then with the latest update for it, it was amazing and fast accurate locks. And help with the nexus s4g would be great
Sent from my Nexus S 4G using XDA App
Get your msl, go to your dialer and dial *#*#gpsclrx#*#*, then put in msl and it will clear gps for you. It will reboot on its own
snandlal said:
Get your msl, go to your dialer and dial *#*#gpsclrx#*#*, then put in msl and it will clear gps for you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What's an msl and what does "clear gps" mean? Also, way to derail a thread ...
I tried that before on my epic and it messed up my gps but I will give it a shot
Sent from my Nexus S 4G using XDA App
nice post. finally some oen who get it.that there are just failts in phones and thats just how it is.
thougfh.yes try returning it in the hope to get a proper nexus s xp
I did the clear gps code and it seemed to fix mine so thanks I would recommend people try it.
Sent from my Nexus S 4G using XDA App
whats an msl? can't find that on google so what is it? would like to try out that code...really have problems with GPS on my nexus s
floomat said:
my GPS does just not work at all, it can't get a fix for hours even if there are 10 sats.
but sometimes I'm lucky (really rare) and it gets a fix but the longest time it hold it was 5minutes, then lose GPS fix can't get one again. it's even not while i'm moving, phone lays on the table and outside to test.
really disappointing for me, second thing is my compass does not work after reboot and is really inaccurate and unstable (jumping around)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your GPS sounds even worse than that on my NSs, the compass doesn't work for anyone. Out of curiosity - where did you get yours?
for msl: http://goo.gl/x3IKR
i'd like to ask if this code is good for Nexus gsm or cdma??
freakness51 said:
for msl: http://goo.gl/x3IKR
i'd like to ask if this code is good for Nexus gsm or cdma??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
According to the article you linked: "This program reads your Master Subsidy Lock (MSL) code for your CDMA Android phone."
In other news, I'd really appreciate some on-topic replys
fallenguru said:
Your GPS sounds even worse than that on my NSs, the compass doesn't work for anyone. Out of curiosity - where did you get yours?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I even think my GPS is the worst of all the Nexus S.
Mine was bought from Ebay-UK and since it was on a repairing-tour to samsung germany i know its from CPW. Its a I9020 not I9023. BTW there was nothing repaired because they said "The discribed issue cannot be found" or something like that..
what do you mean with compass does not work for anyone?? does it really not work on any nexus? thats interesting, isn't it a little bit illegal to sell a device and say it has compass and than compass does not work at all?
freakness51 said:
for msl: http://goo.gl/x3IKR
i'd like to ask if this code is good for Nexus gsm or cdma??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
mh sounds like this will not work for GSM-Nexus
the GPS on my NS behaves similar (but better) to what you describe in the first post but overall it seems to have better accuracy and stability.
Have you tried recording a track while in a car? The results should be better. At least with mine it's mostly accurate and rarely looses signal (unless you go under a bridge/tunnel)
abrcrmdl23 said:
I have a nexus s4g from sprint and my gps was working great and then one day it just stopped. I can never pick up a signal and if out does it takes about five minutes our more. I have a gps radar app that shows me signal strengths and stuff and our barely picks up give signals and they are always really weak I have to refresh the agps status all the time to even get a lock and like I said it still takes about gives minutes or more if it even locks at all. I am looking for a fix my epic had the same problems and then with the latest update for it, it was amazing and fast accurate locks. And help with the nexus s4g would be great
Sent from my Nexus S 4G using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello,
I have the same phone, NS4G from Sprint, and the same symptoms. The GPS worked fine for a week or so, and now I'm lucky to get it to work at all. Sometimes I can get a lock after 5+ minutes (while not moving), but other times it never occurs.
I just tried resetting the GPS as is described in the post above. It says "it will reboot automatically" - does that mean the phone or the radio?
In any case I just pulled my device battery after GPS reset - I'll post back with results in a few minutes. In the meantime can you explain what you did after following the reset with dialpad/MSL?
Also attempted return...had to send in for repair
I also got a bad GPS Nexus S i9020 from Amazon.com USA site. The GPS would not lock without a wifi signal. I eventually caved in trying to get it working with rom flashes, drove me nutz, but tried to return for cash and missed the date. Had to send in to Samsung then and get the repair. I have been somewhat satisfied, having gone from no GPS to finally getting it to lock, but its a poor excuse for a gps chipset. The SiRFSTAR from my old WinMo days kicks this gps in the arse.
I also get the bouncing sensitivity and wandering location circle, but accuracy hovers around 5-10m now, but the location is never fixed solid, its wobbly, even outside with clear skies above. The compass is another huge weak spot. Samsung dropped the ball on this device, I wish I could return mine and grab an HTC unit. Google should learn from this and drop them for the Nexus Prime. I think this is unacceptable as location services are whats hot now and this device fails as a flagship product.
I like the gps on my sgs2 more (it has a sirfstar IV) but, i have to say, it's not that much better.
What i gained in stability i lost in TTL. Sometimes you need one more than the other.
The SGS2 has taken me up to 10 minutes to get a lock and if conditions aren't good (cloudy sky, tall buildings) it can easily take 5 minutes. Sometimes you just want to get some signal to get you going.
I did a trip of more than 2000 miles with my Nexus S, using the GPS most of the time, and it worked ok enough for navigation for most of the time. The only times it failed me were, as i mentioned earlier, in old parts of cities with narrow streets.
You are right when you mention HTC, because usually their devices have better working GPS.
Overall i wouldn't say it's a bad device, you have to keep in mind this is not a dedicated GPS device, it's a smartphone that does a lot of things, some better than others, it's still a good developer phone, which i think was the main goal of the Nexus.
After upgrading to the SGS2, the main differences i noticed were not the GPS but the speed and extra memory! The Nexus S is not slow and has average memory (512mb but with only around 380 free) but if you have a lot of apps running (and it's easy for this to happen) it will get sluggish and begin to close the launcher when you start a heavier app. I found this had a lot more impact on usability than the GPS weakness.

Very Slow gps lock

I just got my sensation yesterday, coming from the G2x, my gps lock when using google maps/navigation takes more than 10 minutes to lock. I turn in in landscape mode loses data connection as well. Anyone else experiencing very slow gps locks? My g2 was instant
Something is wrong. Mine takes about 20-30 sec.
Return it
Sent from my HTC Sensation Z710e using XDA App
Same exact thing here except for the data issue, on my second device and its nothing like my G2. Have you Tested other areas? Use gps test (by Chartcross Limited) and see your signal strength and how many satellites you can connect to.
My G2 can see 12 in a few sec
My Sensation only sees 3-0 at poor signal
Don't really have an option to return it cause I purchased it off of craigslist, and I use Simple Mobile. So I don't even have a T-Mobile account. Unless someone knows a work around this, I am forced to send it to HTC for "repair".
Just got my Sensation yesterday. First thing I tested was GPS. My heart sank when it saw zero sats outside. Tried various test apps, Google Maps, etc., checked and double checked settings, rebooted several times. Nothing. The GPS icon never even showed in the notification bar. Was about to box it up to send back and decided to pop the battery out. Rebooted, and bingo! Excellent signal strength even indoors, very quick locks, typically accurate to under 15 ft, and very stable map location. As close to perfect GPS as I had hoped for. Coming from the Vibrant GPS fiasco I'm VERY happy.
wish I could say the same about mine
mariopm2005 said:
wish I could say the same about mine
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you download GPS test from the market and use the calibration tools? It could help. Or you can also try pulling the battery (old BB trick) instead of restarting to see if that helps. Keep your head up.
I got mine yesterday and had the same experience. I fixed it as follows:
SETTINGS->LOCATION -> Make sure "Use Wireless Networks" is UNCHECKED
Since unchecking that option, my locks are much faster.
However I turned WiFi Calling on and it started behaving like before. Never seeing satellites, minutes for lock.
I turned off WiFi Calling and now I get <10sec lock again.
Sounds like a software issue that HTC needs to figure out.
Let me know if anyone has success with this.
Did you try it out inside?
I just went outside and it's pretty cloudy and got 5locks in 3seconds and 10locks in under 10 seconds.
So there is something wrong or you are doing something wrong

My Nexus S isn't able to maintain a good GPS signal... What's wrong?

With 3G and the GPS antenna turned on, when I use Navigation the circle is constantly jumping around, sometimes it's big, other times it's small, and it never disappears completely leaving just the Navigation arrow visible.
Same goes for Maps itself, even while stopped it doesn't lock correctly. Is there anything I can do about this?
I'm not sure if the Nexus S has A-GPS, but if it does, I don't think it's using my carrier's data plan to help with locking the signal. I say this because after it has downloaded the map data, the 3G icon in the notifications area doesn't show the down and up arrows moving.
I'm on Android 2.3.6, completely stock and unrooted.
Hi,
Have u tried using Navigation/Maps app with WiFi turned ON?
It will gain accuracy of your GPS.
As for the GPS, it is a persist problem, you could retrieve lots of results by Google "Nexus S GPS"...
Some users suggest that use without battery cover could gain a much stronger GPS signal.
I encountered this problem as yours, plus with the compass disorder in Navigation app only.
KaiZ51 said:
With 3G and the GPS antenna turned on, when I use Navigation the circle is constantly jumping around, sometimes it's big, other times it's small, and it never disappears completely leaving just the Navigation arrow visible.
Same goes for Maps itself, even while stopped it doesn't lock correctly. Is there anything I can do about this?
I'm not sure if the Nexus S has A-GPS, but if it does, I don't think it's using my carrier's data plan to help with locking the signal. I say this because after it has downloaded the map data, the 3G icon in the notifications area doesn't show the down and up arrows moving.
I'm on Android 2.3.6, completely stock and unrooted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ss1271 said:
Hi,
Have u tried using Navigation/Maps app with WiFi turned ON?
It will gain accuracy of your GPS.
As for the GPS, it is a persist problem, you could retrieve lots of results by Google "Nexus S GPS"...
Some users suggest that use without battery cover could gain a much stronger GPS signal.
I encountered this problem as yours, plus with the compass disorder in Navigation app only.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I forgot to mention, I usually have Wi-Fi turned on anywhere I go, but the only network my phone knows is my home wireless connection. And if I'm using GPS on my phone, I'm not at home, so yeah...
Though if I try to use GPS on my phone, while connected to my home network, it gives me a much better result, though not perfect. It gives me a precision of 30 meters when connected to my home network.
And I tried it just now without the battery cover, and the results are the same, pretty bad.
I had the same exact issue with a previous Nexus S 4 G and I took it in to Sprint. I told them the GPS couldn't get a lock and when it did, it would instantly lose it. They tested it and issued me a replacement. They said the GPS antenna...or something in regards to the GPS (can't remember the exact name) was going bad.
Sent from my Nexus S 4G using xda premium
Just to make sure, what is a "lock"? Does it mean the phone just having the arrow displayed, or the arrow with a circle around it on maps?
Because the latter is what happens to me, it never fails to "get" my location, it just isn't really that accurate...
KaiZ51 said:
Just to make sure, what is a "lock"? Does it mean the phone just having the arrow displayed, or the arrow with a circle around it on maps?
Because the latter is what happens to me, it never fails to "get" my location, it just isn't really that accurate...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When you open Maps and press the little circle icon in the upper right hand corner, the GPS is finding your location and locking you in. While its doing this the GPS icon in the status bar keep flashing until, the GPS locks on to you.
If it doesn't lock on you or cant, the GPS icon just flashing.
Now when I had my previous nexus, it never locked on me. But when I used navigation, it locked on after about 2-3 minutes but as soon as started to drive, it would lose the lock it had on me and display "GPS signal lost."
I used GPS toolbox to reset the gps calibration or whatever it does and that didn't work either.
So that's when I took it to sprint
Sent from my Nexus S 4G using xda premium
Remove battery back cover will solve your issue
I've had this problem since updating to stock 2.3.6 too. My phone was fine on 2.3.4. This week I got the OTA update to 4.0.3 and it does seem to have improved things but has brought other problems - mainly with horrendous battery drain ...75%+ drain in 9hrs on (mostly) standby. Today I unplugged my phone 1½hrs ago, typed this reply and already I'm down to 74%.
Sent from my Nexus S using Tapatalk
My wife's Nexus is draining the battery fast. It wont last half a day. The GPS Icon is blinking and I have Wifi and GPS on. I think an OTA update ruined hers also
Kevin K said:
My wife's Nexus is draining the battery fast. It wont last half a day. The GPS Icon is blinking and I have Wifi and GPS on. I think an OTA update ruined hers also
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GPS icon blinking constantly is the main reason for the draining battery. Look for the app that is using it. Might be Facebook, Maps, or others running in the background. Close it/them.
turn off WiFi when not needed.
I get over a day of battery on a single charge with custom ICS.
faizalmzain said:
Remove battery back cover will solve your issue
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Are you really serious about this
GPS takes a lot of time to lock for me irrespective of the ROM
The removal of the battery cover might slightly improve the signal but in my honest opinion it's mainly a placebo effect.
I'm having the same experience as the original post.
The problem is not obtaining a good satellite lock, it does that as it normally would. The problem is after it obtains the lock, it will jump anywhere from a mile to twenty miles away at totally random times.
When I get home and look at my tracks over the day using Google Latitude, I see that I was transported to various positions around Los Angeles at totally random times. It's really frustrating when I'm driving waiting for instructions on the next turn and the GPS says that I'm still sitting at the stoplight half a mile back.
dougfreeze said:
I'm having the same experience as the original post.
The problem is not obtaining a good satellite lock, it does that as it normally would. The problem is after it obtains the lock, it will jump anywhere from a mile to twenty miles away at totally random times.
When I get home and look at my tracks over the day using Google Latitude, I see that I was transported to various positions around Los Angeles at totally random times. It's really frustrating when I'm driving waiting for instructions on the next turn and the GPS says that I'm still sitting at the stoplight half a mile back.
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Totally understand. I experienced the same thing with the i9023 version. I switched from ROM to ROM and constantly experienced the same issues.
However, strangly enough the signal seemed to have improved a lot after I updated to ICS 4.0.4 that was released just recently. If you can, get the update and give it another run. I've been turning it on while driving on the freeway to see how good it's been working - so far it's kept the lock fairly accurate and haven't gotten the lost GPS message.
And the battery cover was left on!
KaiZ51 said:
With 3G and the GPS antenna turned on, when I use Navigation the circle is constantly jumping around, sometimes it's big, other times it's small, and it never disappears completely leaving just the Navigation arrow visible.
Same goes for Maps itself, even while stopped it doesn't lock correctly. Is there anything I can do about this?
I'm not sure if the Nexus S has A-GPS, but if it does, I don't think it's using my carrier's data plan to help with locking the signal. I say this because after it has downloaded the map data, the 3G icon in the notifications area doesn't show the down and up arrows moving.
I'm on Android 2.3.6, completely stock and unrooted.
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Nexus S has AGPS, and you can try to change an AGPS server. Please do a web search for more information.
For one reason or another when I first got my NS over a year ago I had to replace the first five. Out of those five there was one in particular that had GPS issues (took for ever to find a signal, frequently lost signals when driving, and just overall an inconsistent user experience), but the others worked amazing. Initially I would think it's a hardware thing, but seeing as though that other guy said 4.0.4 helped a bit. I'd certainly give that a go if you haven't already.

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