Related
Not sure if anyone has tried this or discussed it but, I recently installed an app called 'GPS STATUS' off of the market, and every since I have been able to get a lock on several satellites (with it running in the background). This was a MAJOR help for me as I hadn't got any GPS signal that was even close to precise in the whole month I have owned the phone. This is not my first android device (started with a G1 when it was first released...definately the reason I stick with android devices), but I feel it is one of the best available (less flash/flash player) but all in all a solid piece of equipment especially when we get the froyo update...(just my 2 cents; -))...
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
getting now will test out the gps on the way home..... Update tomorrow
Update used google turn by turn 5 min to lock
after lock never lost signal GPS was spot on,,,, maybe this will continue to work
may be like all the other fixes, temporary
THANKS
Anyone having GPS issues with this phone? I'm using it with Google Navigation and it isn't getting a good lock on a signal. I'm seeing the blue circle around my location changing sizes and the GPS will frequently show me suddenly on a different nearby road trying to reroute me.
I have not had any issues with GPS. It has worked for me quite well. What you describe sounds like 1 of 2 things. 1, possibly a weak or lapsed coverage area. I have seen this with automotive GPS units. The signal doesn't lock, or the vehicle travels thru an area that is obstructed and the mapping software basically tries to guess where you should be based on the last known location. 2, possibly hardware. With the same devices, the issue has come up from improperly mounted antennae, or damaged/faulty units.
If it happens everyhwere, I would lean toward faulty hardware. If you only notice it in certain areas, then more likely #1.
Also, on this phone I did notice that VZ Navigator is pre-installed. You don't happen to have that subscription do you? Not sure it will conflict, but its possible. I don't use it, really itching for root access so I can remove things like that.
Thanks. I just wanted to be sure it wasn't the phone design as I had a Samsung Captivate where it was a known problem.
Yea, I'm also planning to root this phone as Verizon really loaded this one up with too much pre-installed software.
Thanks. I just wanted to be sure it wasn't the phone design as I had a Samsung Captivate where it was a known problem.
Yea, I'm also planning to root this phone as Verizon really loaded this one up with too much pre-installed software.
I had this issue actually. What I did is disable all the lacation options(network, google, standalone gps) and then just enabled gps standalone and restarted the phone and then opened weatherbug and it locked right in within 3 secs
Sent from my DROID3 using XDA App
Ok please help.... take atrix back i was within my 30 days and got the thrill yaaa love it . Now i can never get a gps lock once i did a half hour later not acceptable in open sunny clear skys.... Now what ive tried to remedy this situation take phone back got new one same thing tried one on display same thing . Went to the market downloaded gps status ,gps fix, rebooted ,data wipe im not rooted fyi hard reset no dice . im losing patience at this point im in sales and gps is much needed i called lg they said send it to them 2week turnaround and they wil fix it or give me a refurb i send new you send me refurb ok lol any suggestions from here would love to try ive searched this forum and optimas3d for resolution none to be found I cant be the only one i tried 4 lg thrills all the same and yes gps is ticked on it locates maps from data but provides no gps just sits there searching and no im not in a cave this is outside not even in the car.
if it helps for a fix i can root
i will root if anybody believes this would help cmon people no ideas at all please .
Do you have data turned on? I gotta ask because a GPS lock can take a while without data or wifi turned on.
Have you tried GPS Status from the market? If you download that and then go to menu>tools>download. It will download new gprs data which will help with GPS lock time.
Sent from my LG-P925 using Tapatalk
Even without Data turned on it should take no where near that long. I always have data turned off and it finds GPS within a minute usually. Now if your going to use google maps you Have to have data turned on which is slightly annoying but eh I downloaded Navigon for that specific reason. Navigon stores the maps on the SD card so I don't need to have active data and Only GPS Fix. Anyway if that is your issue attempt Navigon as it is an "Offline" solution that Only requires GPS Fix.
Yes if tried all of what's been mentioned above even recalibration on my Wifi data everything I can think off Att support wow hard reset is the extent of there support.
Sent from my LG-P925 using xda premium
Any luck, I'm in the same boat.
My thrill is rooted and running thriller fw...
I always have raved on how great the GPS is on my S4. It will lock onto satellites with 10' accuracy in the house. It was always spot on and never gave me any issues. That was until the 4.3 update. (I am not positive this was the reason - but it is around that time).
I am a runner so I use my phone 3-4 days a week to track my run 3-10 miles each time out. Before it was always perfect. Now it will lock on and track for a various amount of time.. from a few minutes to 15 minutes - but it will eventually just stop working. If I turn on the phone to look, the GPS icon at the top is not there, and the app does not know it lost gps signal. I can touch the screen and then the gps icon reappears, blinks, reconnects and all is good. I turn off the screen and go about my run and it will work for some period of time and then off again.
It "seems" like to me some app is using the gps and then not playing friendly and turning it off for the other apps. I don't know if that is what is happening but it seems that way.
I get the same results no matter if I use Google Maps, Waze, Runkeeper, or GPS Test... so it is not application issue persay.
I restored to factory and installed only what I need to run (Runkeeper and Google Play music) and it worked without a hitch for the entire 6 mile run. Great! Fixed! So I re-installed my apps and now it is doing the same thing again. So that seems to indicate another app not playing nice like I mentioned above. So I uninstalled any apps that I thought might be an issue and it is still there. So I fear it might be one of the ATT bloatware apps that I cannot uninstall.
Before I undertake the very tedious task of restoring to factory, running 6 miles, installing 1 app, running 6 miles, repeat --- until I find the culprit - I was hoping someone might no a quicker solution?
Thanks!
Obeg said:
I always have raved on how great the GPS is on my S4. It will lock onto satellites with 10' accuracy in the house. It was always spot on and never gave me any issues. That was until the 4.3 update. (I am not positive this was the reason - but it is around that time).
I am a runner so I use my phone 3-4 days a week to track my run 3-10 miles each time out. Before it was always perfect. Now it will lock on and track for a various amount of time.. from a few minutes to 15 minutes - but it will eventually just stop working. If I turn on the phone to look, the GPS icon at the top is not there, and the app does not know it lost gps signal. I can touch the screen and then the gps icon reappears, blinks, reconnects and all is good. I turn off the screen and go about my run and it will work for some period of time and then off again.
It "seems" like to me some app is using the gps and then not playing friendly and turning it off for the other apps. I don't know if that is what is happening but it seems that way.
I get the same results no matter if I use Google Maps, Waze, Runkeeper, or GPS Test... so it is not application issue persay.
I restored to factory and installed only what I need to run (Runkeeper and Google Play music) and it worked without a hitch for the entire 6 mile run. Great! Fixed! So I re-installed my apps and now it is doing the same thing again. So that seems to indicate another app not playing nice like I mentioned above. So I uninstalled any apps that I thought might be an issue and it is still there. So I fear it might be one of the ATT bloatware apps that I cannot uninstall.
Before I undertake the very tedious task of restoring to factory, running 6 miles, installing 1 app, running 6 miles, repeat --- until I find the culprit - I was hoping someone might no a quicker solution?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you sure it's not staying connected but not displaying the icon? Ie, if the app hasn't realised the connection has dropped, maybe that's because the connection hasn't dropped, just the icon has? In tech terms, to solve a problem you must first find it by isolating the cause, which would be the tedious task you're referring to.
Even then, it is possible it's a hardware or firmware issue, so a factory reset still might not fix it. Have you tried an app like this? It ill set your NTP Server without searching for it so that it connects quicker, maybe (I'm not sure) it will be able to keep it connected to that server.
Do you have CWM? You could flash a different ROM.
I can confirm this problem. It is intermittent. GPS loses the location fix. I had a similar problem with certain Motorola Attic ROMs that had something to do with a conflict with the "Use Wireless Networks" setting. I'm those ROMs, I could turn that setting off, and GPS would work fine. That workaround doesn't work for this ROM. I only mention it to help rule some things out. I thought that it worked fine right after I updated, but I may not have used the GPS much our maybe I just didn't notice. Yesterday, it was barely usable. I remember that epinter, in the Atrix 4g forums, had a tool that reset some GPS settings. I'm see if I can find it and test it. I will report back.
Update: Today, GPS works perfectly fine. Seems to be intermittent.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I537 using Tapatalk
Still having the issue. Reset my phone to factory again this time taking the extra step to format the SD card to just in case. By the way - I am running stock AT&T 4.3. This time when I reset I did not connect to the WiFi so it would not automatically install / update any apps.
I then added only 2 apps - Runkeeper and Play Music and went for a run. The GPS tracked perfectly for a 5 mile run.
I then installed GPS test and let it run for an hour or so. It never lost connection.
So I updated GMAIL. Repeat GPS Test.
Updated Hangouts. Repeat GPS Test.
And so on.. finally after about the 10th app it failed. The last app I had installed was Facebook.
So uninstalled. Failed again. Uninstalled the previous app to that which I think was My Fitness Pal.
It seemed better - it would go hours before failing... and then only seemed to fail when a phone call came in. So thought I could live with that.
So went to the gym and to test it I used Google Maps to navigate. Terrible! Would not work for more than a mile. I finally gave up.
When I say it is not working - I mean the GPS says it is on. The GPS Test app says the GPS is on. But the icon at top goes away and Google Maps says "GPS Signal Lost." In my Run Keeper app - same thing - icon goes away and no more mileage is recorded. If I turn on the phone, open Runkeeper - it then restarts the GPS and all is good for another few feet or maybe a mile and then it does it again.
I tried turning off the Use Wifi for GPS option and that has not helped. Thanks for the suggestion though - you gave me hope.
I have have been a software developer for 20 years and this just smells like buggy code somewhere and not a hardware issue. Either something to do with the new OS update from ATT (but why is no one else complaining) or some combination of apps I use. Runkeeper. My Pebble. Something. But it is driving me nuts. The GPS really is the main app I use on this phone... so it is making for a really expensive mistake at this point and I hate to admit that since I love Samsung and Android.
I should have updated my status again. The problem is intermittent, but it happens often. Like you, I am fairly certain that the ML2 update brought bugs with it. My GPS always worked perfectly before that. Now, even when it does work, it doesn't work well. The fix is jumpy and slow to update. My guess is that others also have the problem, and they don't use their GPS often enough to notice or care. I bet that Samsung is aware of it, but so many people had problems installing the last update that they will not be so quick to provide an update that doesn't affect many people. I guess a better way to put it is that Samsung probably doesn't want to take a chance that a small update might break more than it fixes.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I537 using Tapatalk
I also have same GPS issue since 4.3 , same issues note 3 is having actually if I plug my active in while GPS is on it will stop working and when switching data network types it will lose GPS signal
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I537 using Tapatalk
Convinced it is the 4.3 ATT Active update now after repeated and very controlled resetting and testing.
Frustrating and makes my phone fairly useless to me for my main purposes. Today during a 7 mile run - it lost connection at least a half a dozen times. I have to run with the phone in my hand and restart the gps constantly.
Some people said they had success using Odin to flash the MF1 modem bin file. The thread discusses it here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2691264
However, this did not fix my issues with GPS unfortunately, but thought maybe I'd post it in case it helps someone else.
So it appears that it is, as suggested, the radio that causes this issue.
A "workaround" for using the GPS is to put the phone into airplane mode (turning off the Radio and WiFi) fixes the GPS 100% in my testing.
However this is not a real fix for real use of the GPS to navigate since you have no access to data.
It appears these are the circumstances that cause my GPS to drop:
- Cell radio changes towers (which happens a lot in my remote area)
- WiFi changes antennas
- Phone is plugged in or unplugged
- A phone call is received.
So yeah - as long as your don't use your phone as a telephone - you are grand!
The new HTC One is looking mighty nice to me right now. First non Samsung component (phone, laptop, TV, etc) that I have considered in years...
Obeg said:
So it appears that it is, as suggested, the radio that causes this issue.
A "workaround" for using the GPS is to put the phone into airplane mode (turning off the Radio and WiFi) fixes the GPS 100% in my testing.
However this is not a real fix for real use of the GPS to navigate since you have no access to data.
It appears these are the circumstances that cause my GPS to drop:
- Cell radio changes towers (which happens a lot in my remote area)
- WiFi changes antennas
- Phone is plugged in or unplugged
- A phone call is received.
So yeah - as long as your don't use your phone as a telephone - you are grand!
The new HTC One is looking mighty nice to me right now. First non Samsung component (phone, laptop, TV, etc) that I have considered in years...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's weird that even in airplane mode my Active won't get a gps signal. Used a few apps to test as well: GPS Status, FasterGPS, GPS test, and all say no satellites in site.
I was getting GPS issues for quite some time, until I tightened the screws at the back of my case. It was supposed to be a fix for the S3 but it worked fine on my S4 as well.
Hope this helps
trenzterra said:
I was getting GPS issues for quite some time, until I tightened the screws at the back of my case. It was supposed to be a fix for the S3 but it worked fine on my S4 as well.
Hope this helps
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
On your S4 Active? I'll try. Thanks!
TransformixS4 said:
On your S4 Active? I'll try. Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mine was a normal S4 but I guess it might be the same on the S4 Active as well
trenzterra said:
Mine was a normal S4 but I guess it might be the same on the S4 Active as well
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've tried tightening up the screws a bit, which they did, but still no GPS for me. Going to do a backup and another full wipe and restore.
AT&T fixed my phone
I too had the GPS signal lost issue after the 4.3 update on my S4 active on AT&T. I called AT&T yesterday and they advised me they were aware of the issue. Their instruction was to take my phone to Best Buy where they have a "Samsung Solutions / Experience" dept / kiosk. So I did. They flashed my phone to 4.4.2. I am happy to report that all GPS problems are resolved. I drove for over an hour using Google Maps this AM with no problem at all.
GPS is a big deal for me too. I drive in a lot of unfamiliar towns. I'm also a sportsman and spend a lot of time in unfamiliar woods. I rely on my phone to allow me to retrace my steps back if need be. I also use it to set waypoints and mark areas for possible future hunts. The woods look a lot different at night then during the day. So I rely on the phone to help navigate off the beaten trail and get to my tree stand. GPS failures are not an option. Pure and simple. I can get out of the woods with a compass - but I may not find my tree stand in the dark without my phone.
I don't know about rooting this ROM, etc as I don't have need to root my phones. But it did fix the GPS issue and the phone seems a little faster with battery battery life too. YMMV.
Thanks for your post! Did you l lose any data with the update to 4.4.2?
I have the same exact problem with my S4 active, definitely a software issue. For a while I used the airplane mode work-around which was great, until a recent update to Google Maps causes maps to crash when airplane mode is on, so now I'm back to having no navigation. I'm frustrated that AT&T has dragged their feet on getting an update out to the public. They must have zero QA to let a bug this obvious get into the public. I wonder when they'll push 4.4.2 out as a regular update?
AtrixInFL said:
Thanks for your post! Did you l lose any data with the update to 4.4.2?
I have the same exact problem with my S4 active, definitely a software issue. For a while I used the airplane mode work-around which was great, until a recent update to Google Maps causes maps to crash when airplane mode is on, so now I'm back to having no navigation. I'm frustrated that AT&T has dragged their feet on getting an update out to the public. They must have zero QA to let a bug this obvious get into the public. I wonder when they'll push 4.4.2 out as a regular update?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No I did not lose any data or apps. I have no complaints. Phone is working great. I'll never accept another update OTA though - I don't care if I have to root to avoid them.
I got the 4.4.2 over the air update, and it fixed my GPS problems. No new problems.
Hello. I just got the D 415 from t-mobile. GPS is working, but not quite as well as it should be. Seems to lock on location and then go away or general flakiness. I have not rooted the phone yet. Are there any tips for settings that could be applied to the phone without rooting?
Sent from my LG-D415 using XDA Free mobile app
Spartan_Don said:
Hello. I just got the D 415 from t-mobile. GPS is working, but not quite as well as it should be. Seems to lock on location and then go away or general flakiness. I have not rooted the phone yet. Are there any tips for settings that could be applied to the phone without rooting?
Sent from my LG-D415 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
None that I'm aware of.
Most tweaks are just changing settings in the appropriate file within the devices file system. But root access is needed in order to do so.
I should mention that the GPS is a little flaky on my D415 as well. Might be the norm, dunno...
shinobisoft said:
None that I'm aware of.
Most tweaks are just changing settings in the appropriate file within the devices file system. But root access is needed in order to do so.
I should mention that the GPS is a little flaky on my D415 as well. Might be the norm, dunno...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
After owning this phone for three months, I'm worried it might be the antenna, since when I'm in the car, the signal will drop out, and pressing the back side of the phone against my sunroof always make it get its lock back. Might just be one of those issues where the antenna needs line-of-sight to the sky to work :/
In any case, Might be using my old windows phone as my primary nav. device unless there's a confirmed fix.
I have a D405. I used to have a samsung galaxy s3 mini -which was arguably a cheaper device- and had next to no issues recording my cycling rides on strava. On my D405, it won't even pick a GPS signal to begin with. Google maps GPS fix isn't as accurate as the sgs3 mini either, and sometimes well over a 100 meters or more discrepancy. There's another D405 owned by a family member and it's not faring much (if any) better... Thus, I don't think any kind of navigation can be possible with this device, which is a huge let down. Which is a shame because i was enjoying my experience very much with this device until i encountered the crappy GPS...
I have no problems with gps or strava , works very good. No difference with my Garmin.
Sent from my LG-D405n using XDA Free mobile app
Gps
Here also no issues, gps is much faster than on previous phone samsung galaxy y.
Greets Peter
LG L90 d405n
I think LG used substandard GPS hardware. I have people reporting GPS works great but my own experience, even on stock, it seems flaky to me. GPS wont lock for me if I'm inside but it will outside.
Sent from my LG-D415 using Tapatalk
In some models cars the gps connection is difficult, also some buildings, this has to do with the cage of faraday that shields from a good connection.
So i took my mum's d405 to my cycle ride yesterday and strava picked up a signal and recorded my entire ride just fine. Also, on GPS status & toolbox it will pick up 10 or more satellites out in the open. But my own d405 won't pick up a single satellite. I'm now thinking my d405 has a defective GPS antenna/hardware since both phones are on the same settings. I'll be taking it back to the shop soon.
Yes
I am having tons of GPS issues with my LG D415. It has been driving me crazy (location: Seattle). What's happened:
-Midway through a route, Maps will say "Lost GPS connection"
-Other times it will simply stop tracking the route and lose the position (assuming I am where I was 5 minutes ago); later it will lock into the GPS and begin giving directions again.
I've tried updating Maps. T-Mobile replaced the phone, assuming it was that particular phone that was the problem. But with the new LG D415, I have the same problems. Using GPS Status and GPS Test apps, It seems the phone has a hard time fixing on satellites. Not sure what to do at this point. May try and see if TMobile will take their phone back and try another network.
I worked on the initial deployment of GPS technology to DoD aircraft over 20 years ago and can tell you that the signal is weaker than you can imagine. It is below the noise level so it's not surprising when you can't lock it inside a building. The fact that different phones have different results speaks to the different antennae of the phones. Again, not surprising. Yes, having a clear view of the full sky is the best way to get optimum accuracy/results. What I've seen is that there's an error of about six feet when I use Google maps and my GPS. It could be anything from less than the best hardware resolving the signal to a position to a different earth model inside the phone's GPS hardware to Google maps being less than accurate. I figure that if I can get a position to six feet; I can avoid falling off a cliff by finishing the job with my eyes.
Jim
anything new on your issue?
Spartan_Don said:
Hello. I just got the D 415 from t-mobile. GPS is working, but not quite as well as it should be. Seems to lock on location and then go away or general flakiness. I have not rooted the phone yet. Are there any tips for settings that could be applied to the phone without rooting?
Sent from my LG-D415 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just purchased 2 phones before I saw this.. I got them through ebay, brand new but with only 14 return. I'm trying to get LG to provide support for mine, have you done anything with yours?
I use GPS constantly, this phone has a weak antenna for GPS.
My phone was picking GPS signals very weakly and could not get a fix to any satellites. I explained my problems in the previous page in detail. The distributor where i live resisted swapping the phone with a new one, and i accepted a main board swap instead, performed under guarantee. They put another (hopefully a new) main board in the phone. But the problem still persists, which is baffling to say the least. Isn't the GPS antenna of this device on the main board ? Even worse still, the device now seems to restart itself randomly. In the ~2 hours i've spent with it after it's been returned to me, it restarted itself 3 times...
If I didn't have one more of the exact same device (which has no problems whatsoever) i would've said i was doing something wrong...
The same night i posted the above message, the phone went full kaput (never go full kaput ). They swapped the mainboard again but the device went bust before even leaving the shop. So there was no option other than to offer a new device. I'm now waiting for my new phone to arrive. Don't buy a phone from a 3rd world country. If this was in the USA or the UK, i know my device would've been swapped for a new one the first time, no questions asked. Choose something you won't have qualms about tossing in the trash if you have to buy.
My girlfriend just bought this phone from T-Mobile and immediately began complaining about GPS quality issues. It looks like there is no fix for this. Should she attempt to return it for a different phone? She has next to no directional skills and relies heavily on GPS.
DanielWEWO said:
My girlfriend just bought this phone from T-Mobile and immediately began complaining about GPS quality issues. It looks like there is no fix for this. Should she attempt to return it for a different phone? She has next to no directional skills and relies heavily on GPS.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
GPS is flaky at best, even on stock. We all have different results for several builtin devices. Namely the camera as well as GPS. Other than that it's a pretty good device.
Sent from my LG-D415 using Tapatalk
DanielWEWO said:
My girlfriend just bought this phone from T-Mobile and immediately began complaining about GPS quality issues. It looks like there is no fix for this. Should she attempt to return it for a different phone? She has next to no directional skills and relies heavily on GPS.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry this is a month too late. Have her install GPS Status & Toolbox app and test the device in open terrain. It should easily pick 10+ signals within 20-30 seconds. If it's not, have her take it back for a swap.
GPS problem
I believe the GPS problem is a software issue, when I got the phone it used to get the signal very fast, 6 seconds or so, but now even with Gps fix app, it takes an eternity an then looses very easily, but gps fix even shows 20 or more sats but takes ages to lock the signal.
shinobisoft said:
None that I'm aware of.
Most tweaks are just changing settings in the appropriate file within the devices file system. But root access is needed in order to do so.
I should mention that the GPS is a little flaky on my D415 as well. Might be the norm, dunno...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If I am rooted, what are some tweaks for the GPS? The GPS on my d415 is definitely flakey.