Note 8 GPS can't "fix" position on waze and google maps - Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Questions and Answers

It was working fine on my morning drive. Stopped at my location, dropped off my errand, and as i was about to start my next drive my location can be seen as a blue dot on waze, but can't seem to "lock in" (turn into the small car) that allows you to follow the map, reroute, whatsoever.
Tried it with google maps thinking the issue is with waze, but the results are the same.
Searched for a fix and downloaded a GPS test app. It said "no fix". It can detect my location but can't seem to fix for whatever reason.
Tried my old note 3. Everything was working fine.
Tried to update all apps involved, even the phone itself. No luck. Brought it to the samsung service center. All they did was factory reset. They cant seem to find anything wrong. All sensors working. This is veeery frustrating.
Any help would be very much appreciated.

It looks like compass info is not available or just not processed, leading to navigation app (maps, here, or whatever) not knowing what your orientation is.
Is you compass working?
Does the blue dot change into car/arrow when you start driving? (like after 30 seconds or so?)
I have the same issue as you with Google Maps (only after I start driving I get arrow), but it works fine with Here (arrow immediately visible).

The compass is working, but the blue dot doesnt change into an arrow/car. service centers are useless as it seems like they have no idea what this problem is.

OnnoJ said:
It looks like compass info is not available or just not processed, leading to navigation app (maps, here, or whatever) not knowing what your orientation is.
Is you compass working?
Does the blue dot change into car/arrow when you start driving? (like after 30 seconds or so?)
I have the same issue as you with Google Maps (only after I start driving I get arrow), but it works fine with Here (arrow immediately visible).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The compass is working, but the blue dot doesnt change into an arrow/car. service centers are useless as it seems like they have no idea what this problem is.

Related

GPS position and bad position fix

I have had GPS receivers previously as well as used some, both normal consumer as well as aviation grade GPS systems. Now I have the Kaiser/TyTN II and I am impressed with how sensitive it is! For not losing signal or dropping position I am amazed, good stuff!
BUT ... since it uses so much battery when the GPS is running, I sometimes turn it of for a while, then on later on again. Especially when moving a lot while being turned off (flying or driving), turning it back on can sometimes give problems getting a new fix! Sometimes it gets a fix quickly, but it is hundreds or thousands of miles off. I know it is complicated 3D math for a GPS to aquire its position, and I know it is possible to get a false lock, but the GPS receivers I have tried and had previously never accepted a bad fix.
The unit knows where the satellites are supposed to be, given the time and approximate position, so that is what it assumes. But when it has been off, and then on again and only moved some hundred miles, it can get this false position fix that it cannot get out of easily. If I turn it off again and wait until none of the previous satellites are in view (flying for another hour for instance), it finally realizes it has to start over with a new fix. Older GPS units I used/had often had an option of making a cold start fix (search the sky, autosearch or other names for basically the same thing). It is also sometimes possible to specify or change the last "known" position of the GPS to make it easier for it to get a new fix again. The latter requires that you either can find your rough position in a map or you know a rough lat/lon position.
So, two questions:
1) How do I break a bad fix, tell the unit it is on a wrong path - do a renewed search the sky?
2) How can I change the "previous GPS position" so the GPS unit is forced to assume another position?
I have some GPS applications where you can change the last know position, but it only seems to stay in the program, it is not fed back into the GPS receiver.
No comments here? Must be others with the same problem. Even the oldest, most basic GPS units had an option to enter position manually, or to enforce a new search from scratch. There must at least be some kind of reset function! (NOT hard reset, thanks!)
LGB said:
No comments here? Must be others with the same problem. Even the oldest, most basic GPS units had an option to enter position manually, or to enforce a new search from scratch. There must at least be some kind of reset function! (NOT hard reset, thanks!)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried google maps and discovered that my actual position was off by some 50 meters from where I actually was. Then I also discovered that in the area I was, if you superimposed the roads on top of the satellite image in Google maps, it was also set off, by about 10 meters only.
Ever since I tried Google maps, my GPS fixes correctly and updates data all the time, but with some programs speed remains 0 and direction remains north even if I move around. After re-flashing the original rom everything is back to normal. Do you know why this happened?
I have got the same problem.
Once after using TrackMe and once after getting my position in Virtual Earth Mobile.
Both times i have used the gps only for a short while and then closed it. On the next start the position has been several hundreds of kilometers off and the speed shows several hundreds kph although I stand still.
Both times the gps has not been ok until the next day.
I have tried to soft reset and also updated the Quick GPS with no result.
I found this thread Kaiser GPS positioning problems which looks a lot like the same.
I have been using the GPS a lot more frequently recently and at first I thought it was these two apps, but now it seem more general. Before I used TomTom on a few occasions with no problem, but then the GPS was on for a longer period.
Anyone else?

[Q] Digital Compass

Hi,
It really seems that the G1 has a digital compass, but I couldn't see it documented and doesn't seem to be part of the specifications.
However I tested it a few times with GPS Toolbox and it seems to accurate to be based on GPS (also because I think GPS one would actually be "heading" and only generated if moving).
Anyone has any thought ?
Nick
Of course the G1 has a compass. Yeah GPS doesn't know anything about orientation, only 3d position. Along with the accelerometers the phone can know it's exact position and oriention.
Fire up google maps and look, your position marker is a compass arrow. All it's search results etc all show orientation arrow also. Plus if you tap the "my location" circle icon a second time, maps itself goes into compass mode (as can street view). The compass is a base standard of android, just don't trust it if you have a charge cable plugged in
Thank you.
I had a look again at gsmarena and it says that it has a digital compass, which at the time the phone came out was not yet a standard feature (even if GPS was present)
I was SO sure that I had researched it some time ago and it didn't say anything about it .. my bad.
Thanks !

[Q] Note 3, Google Maps, & Arrow Pointer

All
I've been having a really annoying issue with my Note 3 and Google Maps: the dot-arrow that shows my position is pointing in the wrong direction. Yes it does track me per the gps location but the issue is that as I am driving instead of the screen moving from up to down, usually along the length-wise direction, it moves at an angle or across. The only option I have is to hit the location button so that I can always have the top be North. That's not as good as having the heading pointing to the location of travel. Now, I calibrated and recalibrated the compass with GPS Status App (turns around the axes and figure eights) which seems to have worked for some, I have restarted numerous times even after turning on/off location-based services. I have cleared the cache and the google maps data. I have reinstalled it. I have even checked the compass versus real settings - seems to be pointing in the right direction. I still have the same issue. This is very frustrating and disorienting when driving. Looks like a crab moving angled to sideways across the screen.
I am on the latest Stock KitKat 4.4.2 version and Maps 7.7.0.
So, does everyone have this issue? Does anyone think is is a unique configuration issue? Is this a google maps issue? Any thoughts on how to fix?
PS...other Map Apps seem work fine (but like to use Google Maps due to the excellent traffic option)
If other apps seem fine, it might be Google maps. I don't have that issue, but I use Google maps version 6.14 (the old style with location arrow). The note 3 is notorious for all of its gps issues, but if you have good signal and it doesn't cut out then all I can think of is that GMaps is the culprit.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using Tapatalk
I noticed this issue too! I believe it has to do with being inside a vehicle. The metal may be interfering with the gps signal. If I sit in my car and hold my phone so it points north, the arrow points south. If I open the door and step out (while still pointing north) the arrow magically flips! I can fix it by doing figure 8's in the car, but what a pain!!
Well, I do agree it is a google maps issue. I wonder if I can install older version to check. It only recently happened to me. I do not think it is an in-car issue because I never had the issue before when I was navigating in the car. Will come back if I can side load an older version of gmaps.
By the way, this issue is all over the internet but none of the foxes suggested seem to work for me.
No luck in getting it fixed. Did back down to earlier version of 7 but still had the same issue. Driving me nuts.
navfree... can preload maps but just uses google search for most things. some things arent great but its getting better. ive had the same issue with google maps. its been super sporadic. not a deal breaker...
So excited when I started reading this thread, figured someone would have a solution...lol Had this problem ever since my GSII Skyrocket, the gps works great but the direction is always off in my car... Can't understand what the problem is. Done the calibration to no effect... Hopefully someone who knows how to fix will pop in and steer us in the right direction...lol
I'm also waiting for a fix for this..
Ever since 7.0 "update" its been like this. I tried everything but no luck.
I'm using Exynos Note 3.
I was using an HTC EVO 3D when I recieved thr 7.0 update. Before it was fine but after the update even my HTC started doing the arrow pointer bug, and its still happening on my Note 3 even after the yesterdays maps 8.0 update. So I'm thinking this is all Google's fault but nobody is admitting anything.
Hit *#0*# , then select sensor, little black compus will have red line in middle on bottom left of screen. Shake phone vigorously, line will turn green..... This will fix that issue;however, if you reboot phone, you will have to do this again.
Hope this helps someone.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
wilowolf666 said:
Hit *#0*# , then select sensor, little black compus will have red line in middle on bottom left of screen. Shake phone vigorously, line will turn green..... This will fix that issue;however, if you reboot phone, you will have to do this again.
Hope this helps someone.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Any solution that needs to be applied again after a reboot is not a solution at all (nothing against you, just frustrated at no solution).
I have the same issue as the OP, and GPS status app fixed it, but I lose the fix after a reboot. This is unacceptable and I don't think it's just a few of us experiencing this issue.
Could more people post and say whether they have this issue and if not, how they fixed it?
wilowolf666 said:
Hit *#0*# , then select sensor, little black compus will have red line in middle on bottom left of screen. Shake phone vigorously, line will turn green..... This will fix that issue;however, if you reboot phone, you will have to do this again.
Hope this helps someone.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The issue seems to be resolved by this. I only have to rotate the phone horizontally a couple of times after a reboot and pointers works just fine.

[Q] GPS Issue

Anyone else have issues with their GPS?
Mine seems to get confused about where I am even though I have high accuracy enabled for location.
If I just go by the voice prompts it would get me lost.
It tells me to keep going on a street I've already turned off of.
The map seems right but is as if the gps needs to be calibrated or something.
Will Rickards said:
Anyone else have issues with their GPS?
Mine seems to get confused about where I am even though I have high accuracy enabled for location.
If I just go by the voice prompts it would get me lost.
It tells me to keep going on a street I've already turned off of.
The map seems right but is as if the gps needs to be calibrated or something.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mine did this for like 5 minutes and then locked on and was perfect every time since.
Will Rickards said:
Anyone else have issues with their GPS?
Mine seems to get confused about where I am even though I have high accuracy enabled for location.
If I just go by the voice prompts it would get me lost.
It tells me to keep going on a street I've already turned off of.
The map seems right but is as if the gps needs to be calibrated or something.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mine is finnicky as well for GPS games like Ingress. It's a noticeable lock on lag difference compared to the HTC One M8 which was pretty much spot on every time without much drift. I hope it'll get patched in the future :]
Sometimes the solid circle inside my GPS icon flashes rapidly and other times the whole icon appears and disappears several times a second. Any idea what's going on with that?
When using Waze to navigate, I often lose GPS lock if the phone is resting on my leg. Returns when I lift the phone.
I downloaded GPS status and did the compass calibration thing.
We'll see if that makes any difference next time I use it.

Compass defect or poor calibration fixed by calibration?

For some reason my compass seems to be poorly calibrated and when I use Google Maps the navigation works, but I sometime lose direction. In order to fix I need to rotate my phone in all different ways. But after a reboot the compass goes back to being off. Does anyone else have this issue? Is this a defect or software?
I found exactly the same issue yesterday trying to navigate around London. Google maps has been dodgy lately on my note 3, xperia z and my girlfriends HTC one s so I put it down to a bug, I might try another navigation app to see if it's the phone
BrandonPrice31 said:
For some reason my compass seems to be poorly calibrated and when I use Google Maps the navigation works, but I sometime lose direction. In order to fix I need to rotate my phone in all different ways. But after a reboot the compass goes back to being off. Does anyone else have this issue? Is this a defect or software?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you using a case? Particularly one with metal in it such as an s-view case. If so, you have to recalibrate the compass after every reboot.
jonstatt said:
Are you using a case? Particularly one with metal in it such as an s-view case. If so, you have to recalibrate the compass after every reboot.
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Click to collapse
this is not dependant on cases etc., same here as on note3, ... : with each reboot the calibration resets. maybe this is how samsung wants it to be!
jonstatt said:
Are you using a case? Particularly one with metal in it such as an s-view case. If so, you have to recalibrate the compass after every reboot.
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Click to collapse
I'm using the s view case hmmm
TML1504 said:
this is not dependant on cases etc., same here as on note3, ... : with each reboot the calibration resets. maybe this is how samsung wants it to be!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you have same issue?
This has been an ongoing issue with Samsung Phones. This is my 3rd and and none of them have worked correctly in Maps, without navigating.
When you are just driving around (not navigating) you are using the compass....
When you are navigating, Maps is using the GPS and comparing your last point to your current point to determine your direction of travel. This causes navigating to work right and non-navigating to be wrong.
I have not found a consistent solution. Also on Google Skymap, with the AR type view, it is nearly useless for this same reason. It can't seem to sense your proper orientation due to the compass issue. (though I admit to not trying skymap on the Note 4)
Its not so much a bug, as it is Samsung and Google doing things differently.
boufa said:
This has been an ongoing issue with Samsung Phones. This is my 3rd and and none of them have worked correctly in Maps, without navigating.
When you are just driving around (not navigating) you are using the compass....
When you are navigating, Maps is using the GPS and comparing your last point to your current point to determine your direction of travel. This causes navigating to work right and non-navigating to be wrong.
I have not found a consistent solution. Also on Google Skymap, with the AR type view, it is nearly useless for this same reason. It can't seem to sense your proper orientation due to the compass issue. (though I admit to not trying skymap on the Note 4)
Its not so much a bug, as it is Samsung and Google doing things differently.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So you have this issue with the Note 4 when using Google Maps while driving? Moving my note in all directions calibrated it but then reboot forgets.
BrandonPrice31 said:
So you have this issue with the Note 4 when using Google Maps while driving? Moving my note in all directions calibrated it but then reboot forgets.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I dont mess with the recalibration process. Its annoying and i hate it, but its not so bad that i recalibrate. I also dont reboot very often, but in the past, the recalibration doesnt stick for long even when not rebooting.
I love google maps for navigating, but it sucks for driving around. The biggest issue is that the screen turns off on its own when not navigating. Waze is great for driving around, it doesnt shut off the screen, and gives you all the traffic info you need. It also routes the voice through the phone regardless of if you are connected to the car by bluetooth. The biggest complaint with waze is that it isnt multi window compatible. On my rooted note 2 i used waze on the left of the screen for traffic issues, and maps on the right side of the screen for navigation.

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