Pixel 8.1.0 Oreo cannot get fix on GPS - Google Pixel Questions & Answers

I have a Verizon unlocked Pixel with Magisk 16.4 installed. I have seen a few other threads from maybe a year ago about this same problem, they all seem to suggest the issue is hardware. I want to check to make sure I haven't missed any software check first.
For about a half year now my Pixel has had trouble locking on GPS. Fitness apps like Strava or Endomondo are super inaccurate or report no distance traveled. Google Maps will work, but only in areas heavy with WiFi. I've mostly ignored it, but in the past week I was out of town and could have really used Maps Navigation, so now I'm trying to figure out if there's anything I can do.
I have tried (combined with numerous reboots):
Confirming "High Accuracy" being selected, and also tried "Device Only"
Tweaking Bluetooth and Wifi Scanning
Using AGPS apps to clear and update GPS, followed by letting the apps scan for 10 - 15 minutes while the phone is screen-on and outdoors.
Going into the list of apps and Enabling a previously Disabled "Device Policy" app
Reading /system/vendor/etc/gps.conf (but I don't know what it means)
Flashing to the latest Pixel sailfish images (June 2018 bootloader, boot, radio, system, etc.) and thus removing Magisk
Uninstalled Android Auto
Removing my SIM card, restarting the phone, and then re-inserting it.
The GPS apps I've tried (GPS Status and GPS Test) both show that they can see satellites (18 to 23 at any given moment) but that they can't get a fix. If I'm outdoors, sometimes 1 satellite can be fixed for a minute or two and that's it. The only repair attempt that had any effect was enabling "Device Policy", after which GPS worked perfectly for about 20 minutes before returning to poor operation again.
The issues only seemed to appear after I upgraded to 8.1, which may be coincidence and me just perceiving the timing poorly.
Apart from a Factory Reset which I'm nearly ready to do, is there any other thing I can do, try, or test to get GPS working? I'm not sure how to debug from adb shell properly but I do have access to use adb and get more information if required... or should I accept that my hardware is damaged and that it may be time to upgrade phones? (I'm definitely out of warranty at this point though...)

I have had to return 2 pixel devices with a GPS issue. So it's probably the device.

I would have reset first, then if that didn't work roll back to 8.0. then start trying all that other stuff.

Probably screwed
ohioDroid said:
I have a Verizon unlocked Pixel with Magisk 16.4 installed. I have seen a few other threads from maybe a year ago about this same problem, they all seem to suggest the issue is hardware. I want to check to make sure I haven't missed any software check first.
For about a half year now my Pixel has had trouble locking on GPS. Fitness apps like Strava or Endomondo are super inaccurate or report no distance traveled. Google Maps will work, but only in areas heavy with WiFi. I've mostly ignored it, but in the past week I was out of town and could have really used Maps Navigation, so now I'm trying to figure out if there's anything I can do.
I have tried (combined with numerous reboots):
Confirming "High Accuracy" being selected, and also tried "Device Only"
Tweaking Bluetooth and Wifi Scanning
Using AGPS apps to clear and update GPS, followed by letting the apps scan for 10 - 15 minutes while the phone is screen-on and outdoors.
Going into the list of apps and Enabling a previously Disabled "Device Policy" app
Reading /system/vendor/etc/gps.conf (but I don't know what it means)
Flashing to the latest Pixel sailfish images (June 2018 bootloader, boot, radio, system, etc.) and thus removing Magisk
Uninstalled Android Auto
Removing my SIM card, restarting the phone, and then re-inserting it.
The GPS apps I've tried (GPS Status and GPS Test) both show that they can see satellites (18 to 23 at any given moment) but that they can't get a fix. If I'm outdoors, sometimes 1 satellite can be fixed for a minute or two and that's it. The only repair attempt that had any effect was enabling "Device Policy", after which GPS worked perfectly for about 20 minutes before returning to poor operation again.
The issues only seemed to appear after I upgraded to 8.1, which may be coincidence and me just perceiving the timing poorly.
Apart from a Factory Reset which I'm nearly ready to do, is there any other thing I can do, try, or test to get GPS working? I'm not sure how to debug from adb shell properly but I do have access to use adb and get more information if required... or should I accept that my hardware is damaged and that it may be time to upgrade phones? (I'm definitely out of warranty at this point though...)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As much as I hate to say it you are probably screwed. My GPS worked when I very first got my Pixel but the day it updated to Marshmallow I started having the same issues as you. If I stand still it can get a lock but it can't keep up while I move. I've tried troubleshooting with Verizon, with Google, and a whole bunch myself. I've installed new ROMS, old ROMS anything I can find. I think they tweaked something after the 8.0 update that alters how the GPS chips function, and certain units are basically borked from it. They won't fix it now that my phone is out of warranty, I ended up buying a Garmin unit for my car out of frustration.

Related

GPS Lock Troubles

I'm sorry if this is addressed somewhere, but I couldn't find anything solid while searching. I use my G2x every day with SportyPal Pro for my bike rides. I am currently running stock 2.2.2 with root and am having some difficulty attaining an initial GPS lock. It seems like when I go to launch any GPS app, it will not get a lock. To get it to work, I have to open GPS Test, select tools, and clear out the A-GPS data. After doing this, it looks almost instantly and will keep a lock forever.
The next day, however, I must do the same thing, and this happens nearly 100% of the time. The funny thing to me is when I open GPS Test, it will show a strong signal from a lot of satellites, around 7-9, but it doesn't use these signals to find the lock. Again, after resetting the A-GPS data, it works every time almost instantly.
I have just dealt with this but it is getting more frustrating. Today, GPS Test wouldn't load, just kept showing a blank screen and force closing eventually, even after fix permissions, clear data, uninstall and reinstall. Only after another reboot, would GPS Test even load. I can't explain because I don't know well how the inner software works, but the GPS seems to have a hard time relocating itself when using the cached A-GPS data. Any fixes that anyone knows of, or things I could try?
Thanks a lot in advance.
jimbo831 said:
I'm sorry if this is addressed somewhere, but I couldn't find anything solid while searching. I use my G2x every day with SportyPal Pro for my bike rides. I am currently running stock 2.2.2 with root and am having some difficulty attaining an initial GPS lock. It seems like when I go to launch any GPS app, it will not get a lock. To get it to work, I have to open GPS Test, select tools, and clear out the A-GPS data. After doing this, it looks almost instantly and will keep a lock forever.
The next day, however, I must do the same thing, and this happens nearly 100% of the time. The funny thing to me is when I open GPS Test, it will show a strong signal from a lot of satellites, around 7-9, but it doesn't use these signals to find the lock. Again, after resetting the A-GPS data, it works every time almost instantly.
I have just dealt with this but it is getting more frustrating. Today, GPS Test wouldn't load, just kept showing a blank screen and force closing eventually, even after fix permissions, clear data, uninstall and reinstall. Only after another reboot, would GPS Test even load. I can't explain because I don't know well how the inner software works, but the GPS seems to have a hard time relocating itself when using the cached A-GPS data. Any fixes that anyone knows of, or things I could try?
Thanks a lot in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I dont know how to help but wheres tools in the gps test app? Ahhhh I see gps status not gps test...
smashpunks said:
I dont know how to help but wheres tools in the gps test app?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When you launch the app and go to the satellite view screen, press menu, and it is one of the options.
jimbo831 said:
I'm sorry if this is addressed somewhere, but I couldn't find anything solid while searching. I use my G2x every day with SportyPal Pro for my bike rides. I am currently running stock 2.2.2 with root and am having some difficulty attaining an initial GPS lock. It seems like when I go to launch any GPS app, it will not get a lock. To get it to work, I have to open GPS Test, select tools, and clear out the A-GPS data. After doing this, it looks almost instantly and will keep a lock forever.
The next day, however, I must do the same thing, and this happens nearly 100% of the time. The funny thing to me is when I open GPS Test, it will show a strong signal from a lot of satellites, around 7-9, but it doesn't use these signals to find the lock. Again, after resetting the A-GPS data, it works every time almost instantly.
I have just dealt with this but it is getting more frustrating. Today, GPS Test wouldn't load, just kept showing a blank screen and force closing eventually, even after fix permissions, clear data, uninstall and reinstall. Only after another reboot, would GPS Test even load. I can't explain because I don't know well how the inner software works, but the GPS seems to have a hard time relocating itself when using the cached A-GPS data. Any fixes that anyone knows of, or things I could try?
Thanks a lot in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sadly, I am having the same problem
I think I'm having the same problem too: I can pick up plenty of satellites (more than the 3-4 required for a lock), and they turn green, but I don't actually get positioning data available.
andrewNY said:
I think I'm having the same problem too: I can pick up plenty of satellites (more than the 3-4 required for a lock), and they turn green, but I don't actually get positioning data available.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, I guess if you are seeing the same problem, it could be a software failure. Why can't Android phone makers release a phone with GPS that works out of box? Do they not test these things? Hopefully the Gingerbread update addresses this issue.
I have GPS issues often as well.
Sent from my LG-P999 using XDA Premium App
I don't have this problem but I have heard of others that do. My device locks in literally 3 seconds and is accurate to 5 feet. I have to say it's the best GPS I have ever used.
I think this problem is an android issue not hardware. I have to load gps test on my vibrant before being able to get a lock also. Wont lie the lock time on this phone is considerably longer but when finally does lock its strong and accurate.
via LG G2x
It takes me forever to get a GPS lock too. However, once it finally gets one, it's fairly strong and accurate.
Gps is way crap now.my vibrant beats the crap out of it... I'm getting like 40000 feet accuracy. It eventually works itself out but still crap..
In gps status in tools deleting the a gps stuff it takes a long time (5 seconds) vs my vibrants agps data. Vibrants clears instantly almost like the lg remembers too much causing conflict....
I cant find my location via gps in google maps. In the gps status app, it appeard to be locking as fix/sats shows 3/3. Ive cleared agps data and also tried to download agps data. Does anyone experience a similar issue? Any suggestions as what elsd i can try?
I dont think its the hardware because it did work the last time i tried about 2 weeks ago. Since then I tried to use a location spoofing app (that has since been uninstalled and mock locations disabled).
On the O2X the mongs at LG left out the gps.conf file, adding it manually sped up lock time no end. I guess it's possible they did the same on the G2X?
I actually exchanged a G2x yesterday that was having problems with GPS
Regardless of whether it was on stock or not, rooted or otherwise, my phone would not find any more than 4 satellites, and would never lock. Factory resets did nothing. My fiancee's phone, however, would find 8 or more within 10 seconds when both phones were set right next to each other. Both phones had a 4/05 manufacture date.
Because of that, I was pretty sure my issue was hardware, as I was never able to get the GPS to work properly. The phone they gave me yesterday (4/12 manufacture date) does seem to work ok, though the screen bleeding a bit worse (but that doesn't bother me *that* much)

[Q] GPS Issues

From out of the box I've been having GPS issues. It won't get a lock when I use navigation. I've tried different places, different apps (waze and google maps) and different times (different days). If I restart the phone, it'll get a lock after about 10 seconds.
What would cause the GPS to not work unless the phone is restarted?
I contacted OnePlus and they all but told me to go screw myself. They suggested that I should walk around to get a GPS lock and if it persists that I should reset my phone. I reset my phone but all that did was waste two hours of my life re-installing apps and settings.
Any ideas? Anyone else with this issue? The phone is perfect besides this =(
Can't say I'm sure, as I haven't had any issues, except if I caused them. You let google apps have location access in the settings? Are you wake blocking any google location services?
+1 to what roxxorz said. If OP applied the workaround to Google Play Services and denied access to location it can cause a problem.
Also in addition to that make sure your location is set to "High Accuracy" as well as enabling WiFi.
Do note that when your phone is on High Accuracy it is draining the most battery.
I also have the same problem when I m on stock XNPH25R. Have to reboot in order to get a lock from the GPS.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=54334569&postcount=1
But after I switch to nightlies, no such GPS issue, works like a charm.
I am actually on stock 30O cm11s and I have a GPS lock in two out three seconds. Try to download GPS status app from Google play
Inviato dal mio A0001 utilizzando Tapatalk
Sorry I'm a complete noob when it comes to the advance stuff. I know nightlies are cyanogenmods quick version changes that may sometimes have small bugs, but never tried updating phone with nightlies. I've always just done the standard OTA updates on my previous phones.
GPS is always on high accurac. Surprisingly today, GPS was working like a charm. I haven't done anything that should affect this positive change.
What is wake locking?
ValmonUni said:
Sorry I'm a complete noob when it comes to the advance stuff. I know nightlies are cyanogenmods quick version changes that may sometimes have small bugs, but never tried updating phone with nightlies. I've always just done the standard OTA updates on my previous phones.
GPS is always on high accurac. Surprisingly today, GPS was working like a charm. I haven't done anything that should affect this positive change.
What is wake locking?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It could be just a thing. Sometimes I'll have apps [maps] that'll lock up, like if they tried to connect and I stopped it / turned off data. At that point killing / force closing the app works.
Normally I'd say if you don't know, don't worry about it, but wake lock is where an app / process keeps the phone awake and keeps the phone from sleeping properly, which leads to more battery drain. Google play services is notorious for waking the device for nonsense, so more advanced users block it. If you have no issues, I'd recommend leaving it alone.
Same problem here
ValmonUni said:
From out of the box I've been having GPS issues. It won't get a lock when I use navigation. I've tried different places, different apps (waze and google maps) and different times (different days). If I restart the phone, it'll get a lock after about 10 seconds.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm seeing the same thing. GPS was working fine for a week or so, but when I went to use Waze this morning it wouldn't get a lock. GPSTools showed satellites, but wouldn't lock either. Reboot fixed it. A few hours later, same problem. Reboot once again fixed it. This is all stock.
I don't have anything to suggest, but wanted to add to the evidence that there is a problem.
I did install a couple of apps from the app store between the last time I saw the GPS work normally and this morning, so I'll try uninstalling them to see if that helps. I killed them from the task manager, but that didn't help.
walendo said:
I'm seeing the same thing. GPS was working fine for a week or so, but when I went to use Waze this morning it wouldn't get a lock. GPSTools showed satellites, but wouldn't lock either. Reboot fixed it. A few hours later, same problem. Reboot once again fixed it. This is all stock.
I don't have anything to suggest, but wanted to add to the evidence that there is a problem.
I did install a couple of apps from the app store between the last time I saw the GPS work normally and this morning, so I'll try uninstalling them to see if that helps. I killed them from the task manager, but that didn't help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry to hear you're having trouble too, but glad I'm not going nuts. You're only the second person I've read that has the same issue I have. OnePlus support was of no help nor did they admit that the issue was real. I hope they'll figure this one out, cause I can't.
Please vote on this issue in CM's bugtracker: https://jira.cyanogenmod.org/browse/BACON-115
Hints
Here's some new data. As I mentioned, my GPS was working fine up until a few days ago. In those few days, I installed 2 apps: "UP", by Jawbone, and "MyFitnessPal". Both of them use the GPS for some sort of logging.
Anyway, this morning I installed "AppOps" from the App Store. It's the one by Sylvain Galand, and the package is fr.slvn.appops. It doesn't need root, apparently. I used that to disable location access from both UP and MyFitnessPal. Since then, my GPS has been working fine again.
I think there's something broken under the LocationManager implementation in this version of Cyanogen. Seems like some apps are able to break it somehow. The other thread about this subject points fingers at Dragon Dictate, too. Whatever it is, apps shouldn't be able to wedge a system service like this.
walendo said:
Here's some new data. As I mentioned, my GPS was working fine up until a few days ago. In those few days, I installed 2 apps: "UP", by Jawbone, and "MyFitnessPal". Both of them use the GPS for some sort of logging.
Anyway, this morning I installed "AppOps" from the App Store. It's the one by Sylvain Galand, and the package is fr.slvn.appops. It doesn't need root, apparently. I used that to disable location access from both UP and MyFitnessPal. Since then, my GPS has been working fine again.
I think there's something broken under the LocationManager implementation in this version of Cyanogen. Seems like some apps are able to break it somehow. The other thread about this subject points fingers at Dragon Dictate, too. Whatever it is, apps shouldn't be able to wedge a system service like this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I honestly hope that they at the very least acknowledge that this issue exists. GPS Navigation is a primary use for mobile. I haven't installed anything that would break location. All I Have is Waze and Google.

weak GPS signal problem?

Is anyone experiencing problem with their GPS signal? Mine would lose the GPS lock constantly. Thanks.
Working fine on my end. Out and back, my drive was 5 hours total.
Sent from my VS995 using Tapatalk
No, no problems at all. And I used the GPS allot.
Sent from my LG-H918 using Tapatalk
Make sure yours is set to High accuracy. Mine was not after set up. I had to change.
Sent from my SM-T813 using Tapatalk
Even in high accuracy, I lose the gps signal frequently. Sigh
Do you have a case on your phone?
I just got my cases in and have noticed weaker gps performance since putting the phone in a case.
I've been having major GPS problems. Going for a run and expecting the phone to track my route and calculate my speed accurately shouldn't be too much to ask in late 2016. But my phone constantly loses the GPS signal (this was never a problem with my previous phone in the same location) and even when it doesn't, it can't figure out where I am. My run traces often show me two streets over in addition to thinking I'm jumping back and forth across a busy 5-lane road every 5 seconds or so. I run 6 miles and the phone thinks I've gone 8.25. Not useful for training for events.
Even if you don't want to use the phone to track exercise, there's another reason the bad GPS is annoying. It makes it impossible to take advantage of the feature allowing you to unlock the phone without using your fingerprint or pin based on your location. I have my phone set to be unlocked at home, but the phone apparently can't tell when I'm at home, making this setting completely useless.
As to GPS issues while driving, I haven't noticed them, but I've not used the phone for navigating either.
Would like to mention that while I have a case on it, it is quite light and doesn't seem like it should interfere so badly with the GPS. Will try checking the accuracy without the case and will update if this resolves the issues. Also, I have tried tinkering with the GPS accuracy settings but even selecting all the options to optimize accuracy has not worked for me.
The only thing you can do to test the case theory is to use the phone without that case. That said, it is possible you have a defective phone. I have read many articles about poor GPS being caused by a loose, internal connection. You might want to take your phone to a repair facility and have them check it out.
I have a US996 and, so far, GPS is nice.
how
wtharp2 said:
The only thing you can do to test the case theory is to use the phone without that case. That said, it is possible you have a defective phone. I have read many articles about poor GPS being caused by a loose, internal connection. You might want to take your phone to a repair facility and have them check it out.
I have a US996 and, so far, GPS is nice.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
how can you change it to high?
No issues on my end yet, I use it navigating on a daily basis (racking up Waze points basically) and walking around, can't think of maybe one time it lost GPS driving and that was only briefly.
Mine was misbehaving horribly. I tried using google maps to see if it was something to do with Navigon, (my normal gps app) and somehow it seems like just running maps fixed it. It has been working great with Navigon now.
Go figure.
GPS on my Sprint version has worked great in all 3 options since day 1
Sent from my LG V20 using XDA Labs
On my rooted VS995 software version VS99513A on notsostock kernel v1.2 the GPS seemed to never be able to locate my current location. When I used it before without root it picked up quickly. Am going to try nostock kernek v1.1 the updated version and see if I get a difference. Plus now am running magisk instead of supersu so will see if that makes a difference.
It's possible that the a-gps data is corrupt. I'm not sure how you'd go about clearing that. There must be a cache file associated with gps daemon.
Try installing this:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.eclipsim.gpsstatus2
And when GPS isn't working, run the app and see if it's receiving/decoding any satellites at all (bar lengths indicate strength, colour indicates successfully received all ephemeris data from satellite and therefore has lock - it can take a while without a-gps).
---------- Post added at 08:29 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:27 AM ----------
P.s. I found that taking the back off my phone improves Wi-Fi. Metal blocks radio signals.
If you have low or no signals in a specific location, try popping the back of the phone and seeing if the signals become useable.
mmar3087 said:
Is anyone experiencing problem with their GPS signal? Mine would lose the GPS lock constantly. Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry to bring up an old thread. I just bought a used LG V20 (at&t version, H910) on Craigslist the other day, and have had GPS issues that made me highly annoyed like I bought a lemon phone, and was getting ready to call LG Support, and pay a lot of money for repairs.
Happily, I did discover a trivial solution that I haven't really seen, so I thought I'd share it.
After I purchased the phone, I factory reset it. It seemed like the device would be able to triangulate a position, but it would be unreliable, move around, and the accuracy would be highly variable. (observed in Google Maps and Waze). These symptoms seem to be consistent with other people's experiences. The useful and highly recommended "GPS Status" and "GPS Test" apps, that normally show visible satellites were showing ZERO satellites. As suggested in various places, I used "GPS Status" to re-download the A-GPS databases, set "sensor filtering" to medium. Still, zero satellites, but a semi-functional GPS, which is confusing. I found the hidden menu code for the H910 (*#546368#*910#), and SAAT->"Manual Test"->"GPS/BT/Wifi test" and ran the hardware-level GPS diagnostics. I was getting signals of 0.0 db for GPS and GLO satellites, kind of suggesting the GPS hardware was faulty, and made me even less optimistic/more annoyed.
I was basically convinced GPS on my phone was kaput, and would need to be serviced, until I discovered ........
Rebooting the phone solved all of the GPS problems, and made GPS and GNO satellites visible and now GPS is 100% functional. It seems that since I initially factory reset the phone and did my normal installation, I never did a simple reboot. Since I haven't seen that kind of obvious solution on any of the forums, I thought it would be useful to report. I'm cautiously optimistic that was my only problem ......
good luck
=mxasf=
Bought a used one and having problems: it'll fix on several satellites but it's usually unable to acquire the specific location (latitude and longitude). Depending on the program, it will say "waiting for GPS fix" in osmtracker or "looking for GPS location" within 'GPS Status' (the app).
When it does get a 'Lock' (a specific location), its accuracy is 200-300m off. :/
I tried some of the other common tips and tricks:
I've downloaded new A-GPS data (using the 'GPS Status' app); tried using the GPS without my case on; doing a simple reboot, none of them work.
After more searching, I found this guide: https://imgur.com/a/VxeaU which recommends to place copper tape on the GPS antennas of your phone.
i have 2 V20's.. the one i bought back for myself is 12/2016 and another one is another batch 3/2017 for my wife..
What i'll found is the earlier one ( 12/2016 ) have the following issue :
- overheat
- kaput gps
- screen burn
While the one i bought for my wife ( 3/2017 ) doesn't even have the following issue above.. Furthermore, the screen also different.. my wife V20's tend to have a more saturated color, brighter screen and doesn't overheat as much as mine..
My conclusion is, only those with earlier batch of production have all this defect.. and to those who own it ( including me ).. i guess, we're unlucky!
i'll use my wife V20's as gps since mine V20 is good for nothing when GPS is a needs.... if she's not around, i'm totally doomed !
-----
if you guys wonder, there was no different in camera.... unlike G6 ( pheww~ )
both my and my wife V20's produce the same images quality..
mxasf said:
Rebooting the phone solved all of the GPS problems, and made GPS and GNO satellites visible and now GPS is 100% functional. It seems that since I initially factory reset the phone and did my normal installation, I never did a simple reboot. Since I haven't seen that kind of obvious solution on any of the forums, I thought it would be useful to report. I'm cautiously optimistic that was my only problem ......
good luck
=mxasf=
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's an old common fix
skorasaurus said:
Bought a used one and having problems: it'll fix on several satellites but it's usually unable to acquire the specific location (latitude and longitude). Depending on the program, it will say "waiting for GPS fix" in osmtracker or "looking for GPS location" within 'GPS Status' (the app).
When it does get a 'Lock' (a specific location), its accuracy is 200-300m off. :/
I tried some of the other common tips and tricks:
I've downloaded new A-GPS data (using the 'GPS Status' app); tried using the GPS without my case on; doing a simple reboot, none of them work.
After more searching, I found this guide: https://imgur.com/a/VxeaU which recommends to place copper tape on the GPS antennas of your phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I followed that guide (credit https://www.reddit.com/r/lgv20/comments/7fx2gz/becareful_buying_the_top_plastic_bezel_of_the_v20/)
and bought copper tape (https://www.amazon.com/Copper-Conductive-Adhesive-1inch-12yards/dp/B018RDZ3HG) off amazon.
For me and my VS995; there were metal contacts (see picture 1 of the imgur album) and the metal contacts were silver, not gold.
Nonetheless, I put some copper tape only on the first contact as shown in picture 1 and my signal improved dramatically. The lowest accuracy that I can get (lower is better) now is about 8m and it has been hovering around 15m; and still takes a few seconds to
This is compared to my s5, where I could get an accuracy as low as 4-5m and usually hovers around 8-10m and could obtain my location within 10 seconds after turning on GPS.

Nokia 3 GPS won't fix

Hello all, I got a brand new Nokia 3 couple of days ago and today I enabled the location but it doesn't work. The location in the map is jumping like crazy. Even in the country with open sky I am not able to get the accuracy better than 50 metres. The location sometimes improves for couple of seconds but then seemingly resets to the original large error of 100 metres. Battery saver is always off, Location mode: High accuracy.
I tried the following steps:
1) turn Location off and on
2) turn Airplane mode on and off
3) turned the phone off and on again
4) updated Google maps, cleared Google maps cache
5) installed GPS Test app and it shows that the satellite s get poor signal 13 visible, 6 used but only orange quality, no green. Even outside city on flat terrain. An the satellites occasionally disappear.
6) turned of Battery optimization for GPS Test app, Google maps.
Are there any steps you would suggest before I take it back to the shop? Any help is appreciated!
Reply to myself
frant.dobrota said:
Are there any steps you would suggest before I take it back to the shop? Any help is appreciated!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So I tried some more steps following the guide at "Technobezz - How To Fix Android GPS Issues" but with no sucess:
7) run Google Maps in Safe mode
8) clear GPS related apps cache data
9) clear all apps cache data
10) wipe cache partition using recovery mode
None of these additional steps led to success. The GPS position is still hopping like crazy.
I got pointed to a wider problem on another Android forum. The issue is likely due to the use of the Mediatek MT6737 chipset. Mediatek chipsets are infamous for GPS problems for several years. I was not aware of that when buying Nokia 3 as it is my first Android phone. There are many Youtube videos suggesting fixes for various Mediatek based phones, but none of these actually work on my phone or they require root access.
I am confused by the fact that NONE of the reviews I have read had ANY complaint on the GPS performance, except the one at "Trusted Reviews":
GPS proved wildly innacurate, often pinning my location a few streets away in Google Maps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The quoted behavior is basically what I am seeing with my Nokia 3.
This is especially worrying because I had absolutely no issue with my previous budget windows phone. There are no complaints on the GPS quality whatsover. Are the reviewers even trying the GPS outside? Or is this a "standard" behavior on Android phones?
Can any Nokia 3 owner confirm their GPS works flawlessly? There is no hopping, the get GPS FIX quickly and don't lose it?
Am I the only one with my Nokia 3 being defective and should I return it back to the shop? My Nokia 3 GPS (Mediatek MT6737) is constantly getting weak GPS Fix losing it in a few seconds just to get it back for a short period of time rendering it useless!
Hi,first sorry for my English.
I have the same issue with GPS, I return my phone back to customers service, now i recovered it, ans they said "problem solved" . I try the gps 5 min later with google map, and they solved nothing...i have the exact same issue, it is hopeless. I plan to go back again to the customer service.
I had this issue wit nokia 8. On the Nokia forum ( link below ) there are other cases ( at least for Nokia 8 ).
Unfortunately, I returned my phone.
In addition, there is no Nokia response up to this moment regarding this issue that seems to be cross model.
GPS issue on Nokia 8 ( Nokia Forum )
community.phones.nokia.com/support/discussions/topics/7000011883
Hi, I'm having the EXACT same problem on my new Nokia 5. Worse is that I'm a surveyor by profession, so imagine using a phone with messed gps. I've tried all "fix gps issues" suggestions I can find, still not working. I'm definitely returning the phone!
P.S: there is also the really annoying LOUD push message beep at the end of calls. It's so LOUD and ANNOYING, like wth?! Turned off sound notifications I can find, still there.
UPDATE: Nokia GPS Issue FIXED!!
So I did some more digging around and I found this Nokia Forum discussion topic on the same GPS issue: (oops, I'm new on XDA, seems I can't post outside links. No link to Nokia forum then). Anyway, thanks to user1511570178684 who somehow traced the problem to Android 7.1 Battery Optimisation settings. In his/her words: "...Yesterday I disabled battery optimization for LocationServices which seems fixed the issue. Also earlier I disabled optimization for Maps. The Optimization menu is a drop-down in the top right corner under the Battery... One or the other had fixed the problem."
Basically, go to Settings > Battery; from drop-dwn menu at top right, select Battery Optimisation. You'll likely be shown "Not Optimised" list first; change the list to "All Apps" (from drop-down menu), then look for 'LocationServices' and 'Maps'. Change their options to "Don't Optimise". That's it, GPS issue fixed!
My GPS (on Nokia 5) is now working ok. GPS test still takes a minute or two to locate satellites, but accuracy is much better ( up to <5m in open sky), and no more jumping around like Mikey mouse.
I also changed my Location settings to Device Only, so it uses only GPS signals in positioning (instead both GPS, WiFi, network signals, etc, which may introduce errors - never mind that "High Accuracy" nonsense).
kay9 said:
UPDATE: Nokia GPS Issue FIXED!!
Basically, go to Settings > Battery; from drop-dwn menu at top right, select Battery Optimisation. You'll likely be shown "Not Optimised" list first; change the list to "All Apps" (from drop-down menu), then look for 'LocationServices' and 'Maps'. Change their options to "Don't Optimise". That's it, GPS issue fixed!
My GPS (on Nokia 5) is now working ok. GPS test still takes a minute or two to locate satellites, but accuracy is much better ( up to <5m in open sky), and no more jumping around like Mikey mouse.
I also changed my Location settings to Device Only, so it uses only GPS signals in positioning (instead both GPS, WiFi, network signals, etc, which may introduce errors - never mind that "High Accuracy" nonsense).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm also facing the GPS problem with my two-months-old Nokia 5 - the phone doesn't see any satellites. I sent it to Nokia Mobile Care to fix the problem, they returned the phone after a week as "Returned unrepaired - fault not found"
NOT FOUND? Have they even tested it? I doubt that...
Now I tried what you wrote here but it still isn't working I will never buy a Nokia phone again. Two months and no GPS

Help: GPS is wonky

My phone is 100% stock. I have noticed that sometimes when I go to use GPS, I fail to get a fix, or I get a fix on a location that is between 500 ft and 20 miles away. I first noticed the problem in Google Maps, but I believe that all other GPS-using applications have the same problem. I first noticed this perhaps a few weeks ago. When it gets into this mode, it will usually resolve itself after 1-20 minutes of continuous use.
I've downloaded both the "GPS Test" and "GPS Status" apps and had several thoughts:
1) I thought this might be related to data in Google Maps. I deleted all the data and cache from the Settings->Application. No difference.
2) I reset and re-downloaded the AGPS information. I initially thought this made a difference, but I no longer think so.
3) Sometimes rebooting seems to resolve the problem.
4) I thought maybe some hardware was damaged causing me to get a weak signal, but in one case where it was unable to get a fix it actually saw at least 10 satellites, probably at least 6 of those had a "green" (30+ dB SNR)
5) I thought the problem is initiated by going into Google Maps and the other applications worked so long as you didn't go into Google Maps. I no longer believed that.
6) I've set location services to device only as well as high accuracy. I don't see a difference.
I think I've had similar problems in the past and recall fixing it somehow (in software) -- but I can't figure out what was done.
HELP!
I'm on a custom rom and have noticed the same thing within the past couple of weeks. It used to be fine, but now it can way over a minute to get GPS lock. Sometimes it thinks I'm still where I was a long time ago or somewhere completely different. This is in google maps too. Waze also has trouble locking on frequently now so I doubt it's an app issue.
iivisionii said:
I'm on a custom rom and have noticed the same thing within the past couple of weeks. It used to be fine, but now it can way over a minute to get GPS lock. Sometimes it thinks I'm still where I was a long time ago or somewhere completely different. This is in google maps too. Waze also has trouble locking on frequently now so I doubt it's an app issue.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've had it take 10-20 minutes in some cases, it always reports a location within 30 miles of me, but that's still way too far to be helpful. I've sometimes had it report locations within a half mile of me and that's still equally useless. Once locked, it seems to stay locked. for my entire usage, will later be off, even if you start at the same location you last used it (i.e. use Google Maps to drive somewhere, and then leave a couple hours later using Google Maps).
The other really weird thing about this is that I had initially thought there was maybe a problem with the GPS receiver itself, like the antenna was damaged or the feedline between the antenna and the receiver, etc. But I've gone into GPS Status or GPS Test applications and it gives SNRs from each satellite, and its got adequate SNR from enough satellites to get a 3D fix even when it doesn't have one, which implies its something goofy in the software somewhere.
It does seem to have gotten better in the last few days, maybe?
I'm not entirely sure what the problem is. I did change my battery out personally a couple of months back. I was wondering if I may have damaged something. As far as GPS fix and those other apps, yes it does lock on, but it does take a little longer than I would take to lock on. Mine sometimes takes quite a while, like 5 minutes+ like yours to fix too.

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