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The ifixit teardown indicated the possibility of a GPS capable chip in the 7" model.
Anyone load a GPS app and see if you get any results?
Thanks!
Google Maps location doesn't work, and I have been unsuccessful sideloading any of the GPS apps I have available. All fail on install.
What about one of the free GPS apps on the Amazon app store, like:
http://www.amazon.com/EclipSim-GPS-...ps&ie=UTF8&qid=1348158531&sr=1-1&keywords=gps
bleclair said:
What about one of the free GPS apps on the Amazon app store, like:
http://www.amazon.com/EclipSim-GPS-...ps&ie=UTF8&qid=1348158531&sr=1-1&keywords=gps
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm well interestingly enough that one installed. It took a while, but it gave me a coordinate read out as well (see screenshot, I blanked out my location but you can see what I mean). I'm not familiar with that app, so I don't know if it uses Wifi at all for determining location. It does have an option for "do not launch if GPS is not enabled" though and that is set by default. Yet, it works. You have my wondering now, I'll keep playing with some of the other apps I'm a bit more familiar with and see if I can get them to install.
The OS build might not have adequate drivers to run the GPS. This might get fixed once we get a different ROM....someday.
I have google maps up and running, though I believe it is functioning off wifi location, the location is off a little. I installed GPS satellite app and it launches, gives me data but does not show that it is picking up any satellites.
alkemist80 said:
I have google maps up and running, though I believe it is functioning off wifi location, the location is off a little. I installed GPS satellite app and it launches, gives me data but does not show that it is picking up any satellites.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I got GPS Test Plus installed and see the same. It doesn't find any satellites, but it is indeed finding my location based on Wifi. Acurracy of only about 200 feet. Think we are SOL for now.
UPDATE: I am playing with it more (it has a handy green light when it has GPS signal) that is yellow with WIFI off, and Green with it on. Seems to indicate it only uses Wifi for location.
even if gps is on the chip, maybe there's no antenna ?
So far no joy on getting any sort of GPS working. I bought a TomTom BlueTooth GPS module and it will not pair with the Fire HD. I get a message saying that the BlueTooth device is not compatible. None of the apps to make it work will even install.
Amazon apparently went all out in preventing people from using GPS. From what I understand the Nook will allow you to use a BlueTooth GPS.
FWIW, I tried using Google Maps on the way to and from work the last few days, and it is starting to get pretty good at finding my location via WiFi. Most of the time it was showing me within a block of my actual location, and sometimes it was actually tracking me accurately, even showing me driving up to an intersection and stopping right at the intersection. It seems to get better every time I take the same route.
I did discover that the Fire HD has a magnetic compass and accelerometer. But the compass is not very reliable.
I have a sneaky suspicion that there were some lawyers involved in these decisions...
Amazon took it really out of their way to lock down their tablets. They don't want people to use anything that doesn't rely on their services. Such as maps, either it be google, Bing, tomtom, anything not made by them. Amazon never activated voice search, the potential is there (apk in system files) but until they make it used through their ecosystem, KFHD will probably never see it. They even make it annoying to change the keyboard. Supposedly according too their website, BT only works with headphones. That is a complete limitation and annoyance.
As for GPS, I can see it somewhat irrelevant on a device that is wifi only and was omitted, though I do enjoy it on my N7. Something, I believe it was hootsuite would constantly annoy me about location services when I had it turned off, as they claimed it was turned off via twitter and had no options and I had it off in my twitter. Location services on the KFHD killed my battery for some unknown reason.
alkemist80 said:
As for GPS, I can see it somewhat irrelevant on a device that is wifi only and was omitted, though I do enjoy it on my N7.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How so? With Maps you can download your entire city to use offline. If you start Navigation while online, and give it a couple of minutes to cache the info, it will take you all the way to your destination offline. I tested this on a 5 hour trip, and the audible turn-by-turn took me all the way to the destination, even though in some places the map itself was blank, and it didn't know the name of the street or exit. "Take the exit on the right" instead of "Take exit 6" It was even able to do some limited rerouting offline (which is something fairly new)
Besides, now I have a MiFi and a phone with a portable HotSpot. .On long trips, however, I turn off the MiFi while underway unless I need a major reroute, or need to find something. On a long trip a few weeks ago, my wife called from our tax accountant's office and needed some info from an old bank statement. I was out in the middle of nowhere in Alabama, and I though I was going to have to drive to Birmingham to find a Wells Fargo. So I fired up the MiFi, and asked my N7 "Google...where is the nearest Wells Fargo?" and it found one in a small town less than 10 minutes away and led me straight there.
Driving in Atlanta drives me insane. Now with the MiFi and Google Maps, I can see where the stop-and-go traffic jams are and get around them.
Irrelevant??? Not hardly!
I REALLY wanted the GPS to work on the Fire HD because the pitiful speakers on the N7 aren't loud enough to hear turn-by-turn directions in heavy traffic or heavy rain, or while the radio is playing. And the washed out screen on the N7 makes it hard to make out the streets (white and yellow on off-white) They stand out much better on the Fire HD's screen.
Not everyone tethers data through their phone or device. Most cell phone plans still require additional payment services. I refuse to pay another $35-$40 a month just to tether data. If I want to use GPS, then I use my phone or my Garmin Nuvi, though I prefer google maps since they are mostly up to date.
Caching maps, ok, but you need to know exactly where you want to go. Without data, the GPS is useless unless you are using a strict GPS app to determine location only. Amazon took it out to reduce costs. While it's nice to have, it's irrelevant to their entertainment device, they don't want you to use maps anyways.
question
Would it be possible to make a hack to enable spp bluetooth profile on KFHD. Because the tomtom bluetooth gps receiver uses that profile.
I have to completely agree with drhanley i wish i could have at least bluetooth gps on the kindle fire hd.
Drhanley have you seen in the android market bluetooth spp app make an app from the market could enable the spp profile needed for tomtom gps receiver ????????
Ok, so having the amazing Blade for over a year and a half, i decided to go bigger and stronger, and got the p880 when prices droped acceptably. One of the reasons, was that Blade didn't have the memory or the cpu to give me a satisfactory use of gps navigation or gps tracking (for example, it had tremendous lag, and it forced closed apps very often).
Now i have it, everything ok, except that in Osmand, in using offline maps, it says at some points, there is not enough memory to load a portion of the map. There is about 250-300mb available ram at that point. I wonder if this is a bug or a limitation indeed of the phone's ram.
So, the things is i am testing the device in the city, before i go for the mountain hike using gps to record my hike. It locks ok outdoors, fast. The problem is, the minute i insert it in my pocket its gone. The lock is gone and the signal too. So, where exactly on the phone is the gps receiver located? Does it matter which pocket it is in? What kind of clothes i am wearing. How would i carry it during my hiking, in order to have a continuous signal? Should a particular spot, the top for example be completely naked to receive the signal, or something like that?
I use 4X for tracking my mountain bike rides.
Just today I had almost 3 hours of tracking without any problem.
But I use endomondo as a program.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2
Yesterday I put it in upper pocket of my backpack and recorded my first spring mtb ride. It last more than 4 hours and did not lost any moment.
I use Orux maps for years - it works excellent, even with my old HTC legend, but 4X has better reception and faster fix. I dont't see any memory problem - it is same with Orux and loaded offline map, tracking on, and when system only is running.
Two questions (for pierg75 and Marko_Sp) that might help the OP:
- those programs you mentioned are using offline maps, like the OP's?
- are you using AGPS, i.e. is your 3G data on or off?
- no offline maps
- yes agps is enabled (not sure how much this is used in a wood)
BTW I used in the past Locus with offline maps and I didn't have too many problems on the zte blade as well
If they put the software back on play, I'll give it a go next time I'm out.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2
I had problems when using MyTracks with the 4X HD... at high speeds (like in a car) it would miss many portions of the track. See my post here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=38963980&postcount=14
I have NOT yet tested extensively enough, but doing the same drive twice since upgrading to Jelly Bean... I did not have the track drop out at all. So if you're not yet on 20a official, perhaps you should try it?
skryptus said:
Two questions (for pierg75 and Marko_Sp) that might help the OP:
- those programs you mentioned are using offline maps, like the OP's?
- are you using AGPS, i.e. is your 3G data on or off?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Orux is able to download offline maps from many online map servers (Google, Hike&Bike, TopoOSM USA etc.) with 500mb limit what is more than enough for planned rides - battery of mob is limit, not the size of map, but I have spent only 20% on my 4 hour ride!. That offline maps can be stored and used on SD card. I use offline topo maps for my country from Croatian State Geodetic Administration - only have to create WMS URL, layers and minimum and maximum zoom, make selection of region and downoload over WiFi. It is very simple in fact.
Yes, I use AGPS, and 3G, as usual, but Orux does not require any, just GPS.
picture of Orux track with offline map and some analitics:
Thanks everyone for the info, the problem is i think that i never use data, in fact not only i have it disabled in the phone, i have called the company and asked them to turn off the switches on mobile data for my number. That way, even if it is enabled, by them, i can tell them that it was THEIR mistake and not pay. The reason i do these is that data is very expensive in my country, in fact i would almost pay the equivalent of 6 months of phone number contract, if data was enabled accidentally in my phone.
So, the question is concerning ONLY the use of GPS, with offline maps. So i guess this must be the problem. Perhaps i would have a clear gps signal continuously if i had the phone in my hand and my hand extended for the whole hike, but that is obviously not an option. So i still can not figure out what to do. Any ideas about a belt fitted case for the phone that leaves it essentially "in the open", so that gps will have a clear connection?
As for the memory problem in Osmand, it is the only program that created a memory problem so i guess it must be a bug or something.
I ll check out this endomondo and orux, but still have not figured out what to do for a succesfull gpx track recording (continuous) outdoors, with just gps enabled.
I ll check out this endomondo and orux, but still have not figured out what to do for a succesfull gpx track recording (continuous) outdoors, with just gps enabled.[/QUOTE]
For a succesfull gpx track recording You don't need offline map, use blank map in Orux.
Hello everybody,
I am using Note 9 for few months (was forced to upgrade from Note 4 what suddenly died ) and I have noticed very irritating thing.
My phone is connecting on mobile data even they are turned off 2 - 3 times per month.
First few months I thought that I somehow turned them on, but my phone is always fingerprint locked so that is not possible. Last time it happened when I was walking in the forest and once while I was sleeping in the bus... So it really is NOT some kind of accidental user mistake.
Problem is that I dont need mobile data all the time so I have them switched off almost always and use them only when required for email and etc just few times. I have offline GPS navigation and everything I need for work always works offline. Data plan was never economical for me.
Anybody noticed this?
I am trying to diagnose this issue and turn that off because I am paying on connection basis.
It is really irritating that phone is doing something on its own and doesnt care what user set up... I really think that user app cannot enable mobile data on its own, so I suspect OS itself...
This suggestion isn't exactly what you're looking for, but, one I find helps somewhat.
Go to SETTINGS > APPS & on each app, go to MOBILE DATA & turn off background data.
Not only does it curb unwanted data usage, but, may also offer a marginal improvement in battery life.
As for the issue you're experiencing, I haven't had that issue.
The only thing that I can imagine is possibly you have an app that has the ability/permission to turn on data, even if you have data turned off in the phones settings.
I've never heard of it being triggered by external means either, definitely an unusual issue.
Sent from my Note 9 using XDA Labs
KOLIOSIS said:
This suggestion isn't exactly what you're looking for, but, one I find helps somewhat.
Go to SETTINGS > APPS & on each app, go to MOBILE DATA & turn off background data.
Not only does it curb unwanted data usage, but, may also offer a marginal improvement in battery life.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for inspiration . This may be good starting point.
I have checked mobile data usage statistics. Sad that you can see only one month statistics and not like last week or last 24 hours. This week I had 2 unwanted connections again (today again happened during trip when phone wasnt even in my hands).
In last month there are few apps that are system installed, I have disabled mobile data on background on each of them:
- Samsung Experience Service
- Samsung Push Service
- Media
I will see if it will make any changes and report here in another days.
I will check maybe on stackexchange if its even possible for user application to enable mobile data withouth users approval. Is far as I know, even system administrator apps like Cerbersu cant do that...
HeliumX10 said:
Thank you for inspiration . This may be good starting point.
I have checked mobile data usage statistics. Sad that you can see only one month statistics and not like last week or last 24 hours. This week I had 2 unwanted connections again (today again happened during trip when phone wasnt even in my hands).
In last month there are few apps that are system installed, I have disabled mobile data on background on each of them:
- Samsung Experience Service
- Samsung Push Service
- Media
I will see if it will make any changes and report here in another days.
I will check maybe on stackexchange if its even possible for user application to enable mobile data withouth users approval. Is far as I know, even system administrator apps like Cerbersu cant do that...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Please keep us posted on your progress.
I'm not rooted, so, any system apps that I know that I won't use, I disable them, either via ADB commands, or, using the app Package Disabler Pro.
If you are rooted, I strongly recommend using SD Maid Pro. It's good not only for disabling apps, but, you can stop individual processes from starting up on boot on a per-app basis. (Among other several uses).
If you're interested & need links to either/all, let me know......
Sent from my Note 9 using XDA Labs
I wonder if data is turned on either by samsung to maybe location service or remote lock service?
Im not sure but does Note 9 has "aGPS"? Doesn't it connect to cell towers for faster position lock?
Do you have any anti theft software installed what pinging server once a while?
darekz said:
I wonder if data is turned on either by samsung to maybe location service or remote lock service?
Im not sure but does Note 9 has "aGPS"? Doesn't it connect to cell towers for faster position lock?
Do you have any anti theft software installed what pinging server once a while?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have installed Cerberus as anti theft service. I doubt thats culprit of this because I had it installed previously on Note 2 and Note 4 fo about 6 years in total and never had this issue before. Maybe this is something different in new app version, but I am very suspicious about Samsung preinstalled stuff.
AGPS is of course present, like on any phone since around 2012. But you really dont need internet connection for using that. It should use coordinates from BTS mobile stations and those data should be obtained without internet. As far as I know...
Now its 2 days without data enabled issue. Few more days and we will know if disabling background data for those 3 services helped.
So i recently switched from sprinit to verizon and at the sametime updated my phone with the new system update. Since then my gps randomly stops keeping track of my location in a trip. I downloaded a gps tool from the app store and when it happens i use the app to reset my gps and it works. But then later if I use google maps again it randomly gives me the same issue. Its a easy enough fix but its annoying to have to keep doing that.
Was hoping there was some kind of fix or am I just unlucky and the gps is starting to go out.
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks
Check here...settings, connections, mobile network. Make sure u r on lte/cdma for Verizon
Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk
chefjl said:
Check here...settings, connections, mobile network. Make sure u r on lte/cdma for Verizon
Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ya it was set to global. Hopefully it fixes it. Will test it out later when i need to leave work.
Having the same issue. I believe it started occurring after software update: N950USQU7DSL5 which was pushed out early February for me.
sjsuguy83 said:
Having the same issue. I believe it started occurring after software update: N950USQU7DSL5 which was pushed out early February for me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ya I switched over from global to lte/cmda like chefji suggested and it helped were its not occuring as much but I still have the issue. Hopefully it gets fixed. If not i may have to try to revert back to an older update.
I just saw this thread after posting my questio above. Same issue and I'm on Verizon too. Mine has always been a Verizon phone. I dont recall exactly when the problem started but definitely within last 2 months. Never had issues before. For me, the workaround seems to be to use an app called GPS Fix/Optimizer and on the home page of that app, click on the button that says System off on bottom left and turn it to System on. I hate having to do these extra steps and never had a problem with any other Android phone doing this.
Try wiping the Cache Partition. If that doesn't help, backup your device and perform a Hard Factory reset.
iceepyon said:
Try wiping the Cache Partition. If that doesn't help, backup your device and perform a Hard Factory reset.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wipe cache partition but there is no reason to do a hard factory reset. This is a GPS problem and not a software issue. It is not isolated to Note 8 phones but seems to affect S9, S9+, Note 9, Note 10, and possibly a few others. It also started early Feb after Note 8's received a security update and the others received the Android 10 update. Samsung, Google, and especially Verizon are all pointing fingers at each other for blame instead of working together to try and come up with a fix. One thing I have found is that unlike the countless Android phones I have had in the past, there is absolutely no way to control the GPS. There no longer is an on/off switch. The best available choice is to search deep in settings to find Location but the only thing it controls is on/off switches for Wifi Scanning or bluetooth scanning. Turning both of those on now is considered High Accuracy. The only thing that has worked for me is using an app called GPS Fix/Optimizer in conjunction with an app called GPS Status. By using both of those apps before using Waze or Google maps, allows me to successfully navigate and it can find my exact position. I have also discovered that besides Waze and G Maps, many are reporting the same kind of problem with other location based apps such as Uber and Lyft. This needs to be fixed and I could care less which company is at fault but one of them needs to step up or all need to come together and figure out the problem...
mikeyk101 said:
Wipe cache partition but there is no reason to do a hard factory reset. This is a GPS problem and not a software issue. It is not isolated to Note 8 phones but seems to affect S9, S9+, Note 9, Note 10, and possibly a few others. It also started early Feb after Note 8's received a security update and the others received the Android 10 update. Samsung, Google, and especially Verizon are all pointing fingers at each other for blame instead of working together to try and come up with a fix. One thing I have found is that unlike the countless Android phones I have had in the past, there is absolutely no way to control the GPS. There no longer is an on/off switch. The best available choice is to search deep in settings to find Location but the only thing it controls is on/off switches for Wifi Scanning or bluetooth scanning. Turning both of those on now is considered High Accuracy. The only thing that has worked for me is using an app called GPS Fix/Optimizer in conjunction with an app called GPS Status. By using both of those apps before using Waze or Google maps, allows me to successfully navigate and it can find my exact position. I have also discovered that besides Waze and G Maps, many are reporting the same kind of problem with other location based apps such as Uber and Lyft. This needs to be fixed and I could care less which company is at fault but one of them needs to step up or all need to come together and figure out the problem...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello, I am having the same problem. I have a Galaxy Note 8 from AT&T, this problem started end of February, workaround is to switch the location OFF and then back ON but is annoying. I reset network, clear cache and nothing fixed the problem so I thought was a problem in the phone itself so I submitted a claim to Asurion, got the brand new replacement phone and the following day exact same problem appeared.
Now reading this thread I am fully convinced that is a bug. I hope it gets solved ASAP.
I posted about this on another thread and what I have stumbled on:
https://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=82337821&postcount=18
I have seemed to narrow it down to it only happening when I connect my Note 8 to my 2016 Chevy Silverado and use Waze or Google maps on my radio via Android Auto. I made a few changes that I mentioned in the above thread to the battery settings for a couple apps. Because of the VID, I haven't been driving as much so I haven't done a lot of testing but this has seemed to help.
Well I thought it was fixed but it doesnt seem to be and it really seems to be an Android Auto glitch. Just yesterday, I had to run a couple errands and had phone plugged in for Android Auto. First couple trips, it worked just fine. Then one more trip, all I saw was the floating blue dot in Waze. While still plugged in to my Chevy, I went to GPS Fix and clicked to turn system on. I then went to GPS Status and it couldnt get a location fix. In GPS Status, I also selected Manage A-GPS State. First I tried reset and no fix. Then I did download and again, no fix. I gave it a little bit of time to see if it would work but it didnt. So next I unplugged my phone from my Chevy and again checked in GPS Status and no fix. I again went into Manage A-GPS State, reset, no fix, then download, and it fixed on my location right away. So for me, this is really pointing to an Android Auto issue. Hopefully a fix will come along soon...
Just to add, Waze had already been started once I fired up the Android Auto on the My Link Chevy radio as I had started a route. Waze was still running in the background when I disconnected from my Chevy radio so that kind of eliminates Waze as the problem, at least for me. Especially when GPS Status couldnt get a fix while I still had Android Auto running on my Chevy but as soon as I disconnected and ran through the GPS Status reset and download, I had a fix and Waze worked fine again.
Has this been resolved yet? Any fixes found?
Not completely resolved yet but the annoying workaround gets it working again. It should just work on it's own without all the extra steps. And I was able to get semi confirmation after creating a thread in the Google Support sub forum for Android Auto. I am being told that when plugging in the phone to use Android Auto that Android Auto attempts to also connect to the gps in my Chevy. It's kind of confusing and dont quite understand exactly what is happening. My vehicle does not have a dedicated gps system but I am being told that there could be some kind of GPS in the vehicle anyway and that could be causing the problem. I call BS on this info but I also didnt have any part of creating Android Auto. If this is what is happening, it pretty much says that Android Auto is probably the cause of the issue. I dont need military precision on my gps location and my phone inside my house will give me an accuracy of around 10 feet. No reason to be more accurate than that and this shouldn't even be a part of the Android Auto app.
https://support.google.com/androidauto/thread/45792804?hl=en
I posted this in the other thread but I'll add it here for completeness. I'm having the same issue on an unbranded note 8. But I'm not using android auto. I can use gps tools and it holds a lock fine. But if additional programs are launched, waze, maps, jbv1 I lose lock.
My Note 8 has the problem, I am not using WAZE, I am using The FitBit App with my VERSA 2, My Husband has the Note 9 and is using the FitBit App with his VERSA 2. His resulting miles walked and my resulting miles walked should be almost identical. They are not. I am consistently showing less miles than he does. When looking at the exercise map, generated by the GPS data, His walk path follows the streets we walked accurately, while mine cuts the corners, has me walking in drunken path across the properties located near the road and in some instances cutting across non walkable terrain. Giving me less mileage than my husband. Thankfully, my steps are accurately accounted for. I want this problem fixed. I don't like being cheated of my exercise miles.
Any update here? Note8 on Verizon. Having the same problem with Endomondo (fitness app) and Google Maps. Hard reset phone, and it's still problematic. For me, it might start out working fine, then midway thru a run it will stop. Usually resetting the app will make it work again.
I use T-mobile, and I tried just about everything and almost gave up. Today I was thinking that mayve its the wifi and bluetooth settings helping the GPS so I went to location and turned off the wifi and bluetooth improve accuracy settings and problem is fixed for me! So much headache gone. I was about to buy a new phone.
Dominicgage1994 said:
I use T-mobile, and I tried just about everything and almost gave up. Today I was thinking that mayve its the wifi and bluetooth settings helping the GPS so I went to location and turned off the wifi and bluetooth improve accuracy settings and problem is fixed for me! So much headache gone. I was about to buy a new phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Keep us updated if this continues to work. I will try this as well to see if it helps on mine too.
Dominicgage1994 said:
I use T-mobile, and I tried just about everything and almost gave up. Today I was thinking that mayve its the wifi and bluetooth settings helping the GPS so I went to location and turned off the wifi and bluetooth improve accuracy settings and problem is fixed for me! So much headache gone. I was about to buy a new phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just tried this and it failed location fix right away after opening Waze in Android Auto on my Chevy. So still searching for a real fix...
Well it looks like the Android Auto developers are starting to listen. After creating a thread on their google community page months ago, and numerous others posting same issue, they said they were going to reach out to several posters by email with directions on creating a bug report to forward to them. They claim they have been unable to recreate the problem and wanted bug reports from several having the problem so they could take a look. I had another failure today on a trip so I created a bug file and forwarded it. We shall see what they find...
I had posted this over on the Note 8 Verizon board but dont think it is really a Verizon problem but more of a Note 8 problem and might get a better response here.
Just recently over the last couple months, I have been having a problem with getting a good gps signal in programs such as Waze and Google maps. I have done all kinds of searches and many mention to go into settings and in location settings, turn on High Accuracy. That option is bo longer available and not sure if it was eliminated in Pie. I have been doing all the latest updates and believe I am current. The only thing I have been able to find is to go into settings, then Google, and then Account Services and there I found location. The only choices under Improve Accuracy is to turn on Wifi scanning and Bluetooth scanning which I have done. There no longer is a choice of High Accuracy and the ability to turn GPS on or off like I had in previous phones and previous versions of Android. I have even tried turning on High Performance under Battery Power settings and turned off any choices to optimize battery or disable apps. I ended up downloading 2 different GPS apps from Store, GPS Status and GPS Fix/Optimizer. I will normally use Waze or Google maps through Android Auto. I can tell when there is a problem when the position indicator keeps bouncing all over the place in Waze and cant find exactly where I am. When that happens, I will check on GPS Status and it always shows that it is having a problem acquiring the satellite signals. I will then open up GPS Fix/Optimizer and on the home screen, there is a button that will say Service Off. I press it and it will then read Service On. Switching back to GPS Status will now show that it is starting to acquire multiple satellite signals. When I switch back to Waze, now it is able to show my exact location and begins to work properly.
This is driving me nuts. I never had this problem on any other of multiple different phones or Android versions. I can get GPS working but have to jump through all these hoops each time and it sucks. So what other steps can I do to be able to fire up Waze and have it find me right away?
I've had this problem for YEARS on all my Samsung devices running the latest firmware updates and unrooted while connected to a LTE data plan. The issue doesn't affect my other (new) Samsung A30 however. I've always had the latest note series since the Note2, 3, 4, 5, 8.
If I have my Samsung A30 and Note 8 with Google Maps giving me turn by turn directions, my Note 8 (as with my current phones) will stop reporting my location from the very begining of the trip while my Samsung A30 is giving the correct updates. All phones are connected to the same carrier, and same GPS / App settings.
---------- Post added at 08:05 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:01 AM ----------
What is consistent about all my Notes is that I've been using Samsung Smart Switch to transfer over the data from the previous Note to the next. I wonder if I transferred over some corrupt settings somewhere. No GPS app works as it should for me unless I'm connected to WiFi, or restart my device, then it works for a few minutes, then gets "lost" again.
Anonymously_Unknown said:
I've had this problem for YEARS on all my Samsung devices running the latest firmware updates and unrooted while connected to a LTE data plan. The issue doesn't affect my other (new) Samsung A30 however. I've always had the latest note series since the Note2, 3, 4, 5, 8.
If I have my Samsung A30 and Note 8 with Google Maps giving me turn by turn directions, my Note 8 (as with my current phones) will stop reporting my location from the very begining of the trip while my Samsung A30 is giving the correct updates. All phones are connected to the same carrier, and same GPS / App settings.
---------- Post added at 08:05 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:01 AM ----------
What is consistent about all my Notes is that I've been using Samsung Smart Switch to transfer over the data from the previous Note to the next. I wonder if I transferred over some corrupt settings somewhere. No GPS app works as it should for me unless I'm connected to WiFi, or restart my device, then it works for a few minutes, then gets "lost" again.
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Click to collapse
The more I've looked into it, it seems to have occurred following the early Feb update. It also seems to have affected S9 phones and Note 9 and 10 and possibly others after they got the Android 10 update. But it seems to be only a Samsung problem. Samsung, Google, and Verizon are all blaming each other instead of trying to figure out a fix. The biggest issue I see is the lack of control of being able to change the GPS from off to on. Without being able to control the GPS, we are at the mercy of the software to do that and it is obviously failing. The only workaround I have found was what I posted above and utilizing GPS Fix/Optimizer and GPS Status apps, I can get both Waze and Google Maps to work properly. It just bugs me that I have to go through several steps to do this instead of just firing up my navigation app and taking off...
And just to add, I too have used Smart Switch many times before and never had problem. It only started recently. As far as the control for GPS, I'm not sure when that setting was removed. I never paid much attention before because it wasnt necessary. But what I did find curious was that Location setting was buried instead of it being one of the main settings. You really have to dig to find it now...
Anonymously_Unknown said:
[/COLOR]What is consistent about all my Notes is that I've been using Samsung Smart Switch to transfer over the data from the previous Note to the next. I wonder if I transferred over some corrupt settings somewhere. No GPS app works as it should for me unless I'm connected to WiFi, or restart my device, then it works for a few minutes, then gets "lost" again.
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I have noticed that certain apps like GPS apps require that you reinstall them onto your new device from scratch. As SmartSwitch doesn't seem to transfer the data files corrected to other Samsung devices.
iceepyon said:
I have noticed that certain apps like GPS apps require that you reinstall them onto your new device from scratch. As SmartSwitch doesn't seem to transfer the data files corrected to other Samsung devices.
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I agree with that but this is not a new device nor have I done any kind of restore or transfer from an old phone in quite a while. All my apps have been fine for over a year now on this Note 8. This only started after the first February "Security" update.
mikeyk101 said:
I agree with that but this is not a new device nor have I done any kind of restore or transfer from an old phone in quite a while. All my apps have been fine for over a year now on this Note 8. This only started after the first February "Security" update.
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Could be that an OS update requires you to install a newer version of the GPS app, which you are currently using
iceepyon said:
Could be that an OS update requires you to install a newer version of the GPS app, which you are currently using
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Im pretty sure that's not the case. My Note is still on Android 9 (Pie) which it has been for almost a year now. It has only gotten security and various minor updates but not any kind of OS update. Note 8 will not be getting Android 10, only security updates. I always update Waze and Google maps anytime an update comes out. I usually update all the other apps at least once a week. The GPS apps that I recently downloaded are the only reason that I am able to access and use my GPS through Waze and Google maps.
mikeyk101 said:
Im pretty sure that's not the case. My Note is still on Android 9 (Pie) which it has been for almost a year now. It has only gotten security and various minor updates but not any kind of OS update. Note 8 will not be getting Android 10, only security updates. I always update Waze and Google maps anytime an update comes out. I usually update all the other apps at least once a week. The GPS apps that I recently downloaded are the only reason that I am able to access and use my GPS through Waze and Google maps.
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That is interesting as I am running Sygic on my Note 8 and it seems to be working just fine. I am rocking the N950N with the latest OS security updates.
iceepyon said:
Could be that an OS update requires you to install a newer version of the GPS app, which you are currently using
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I've cleared cache, app data, uninstalled all GPS apps, before re-installing in an unsuccessful attempt to resolve the issue.
I even left the Google Maps "beta testing programme" thinking that a beta copy of the app might have been the issue.
Anonymously_Unknown said:
I've cleared cache, app data, uninstalled all GPS apps, before re-installing in an unsuccessful attempt to resolve the issue.
I even left the Google Maps "beta testing programme" thinking that a beta copy of the app might have been the issue.
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Download the 2 apps I mentioned and run them. You may have to do that every time before using Google Maps but it should get you working. It's just aggravating to have to go through several steps when I should be able to open the main app I want and have it work.
Something weird just happened. I know that a couple days ago to find the location setting, I had to go to settings, Google, Account Services, and I found location there. Tonight just messing around, I noticed that it is no longer there. Instead, it is now found under settings, and then Biometrics and Security. It is down towards the bottom. Not sure how this happened as I have not received any kind of system updates. Also GPS Status app seems to just run in the background. When I open up Waze, it seems to find my location right away. I will have to keep monitoring this and see if the problem has actually been worked out.
mikeyk101 said:
Download the 2 apps I mentioned and run them. You may have to do that every time before using Google Maps but it should get you working. It's just aggravating to have to go through several steps when I should be able to open the main app I want and have it work.
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I've already done this from even before this thread was created, but as you said, it is frustrating for me to have to do this every 10 or so minutes, as GPS stops working quite frequently on my Note 8. GPS was fine with the bone-stock firmware out of the box.
Anonymously_Unknown said:
I've already done this from even before this thread was created, but as you said, it is frustrating for me to have to do this every 10 or so minutes, as GPS stops working quite frequently on my Note 8. GPS was fine with the bone-stock firmware out of the box.
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In GPS Status, did you go into Manage A-GPS State and do the reset and download choices? Also did you try the GPS Fix/Optimizer app and run the Fix GPS?
mikeyk101 said:
t is now found under settings, and then Biometrics and Security. It is down towards the bottom.
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Mine is on the February 1, 2020 security patch, and I have that option there as well. All my permissions are enabled for Location for all apps
---------- Post added at 12:37 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:33 AM ----------
mikeyk101 said:
Also did you try the GPS Fix/Optimizer app and run the Fix GPS?
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Yes, and yes. 10 minutes later, GPS stops working. It works great if I'm driving past WiFi, however.
I can stream YouTube continuously, so I know my LTE connection is active.
mikeyk101 said:
Something weird just happened. I know that a couple days ago to find the location setting, I had to go to settings, Google, Account Services, and I found location there. Tonight just messing around, I noticed that it is no longer there. Instead, it is now found under settings, and then Biometrics and Security. It is down towards the bottom. Not sure how this happened as I have not received any kind of system updates. Also GPS Status app seems to just run in the background. When I open up Waze, it seems to find my location right away. I will have to keep monitoring this and see if the problem has actually been worked out.
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Hey Mikey,
I've noticed that it has improved, but definitely not resolved.
I'm wondering if a factory reset will revert all software updates? I have an appointment tomorrow at the samsung store, and they are going to factory reset and install the most recent software update via their system rather than an OTA which builds upon other updates. I'm backing up my phone now... which in itself is a pain. If not, I did try the GPS fix and the other GPS software, but I did not try them concurrently together, as I found GPS fix to work better. Ultimately though, I didn't think it helped by itself.
sjsuguy83 said:
I'm wondering if a factory reset will revert all software updates?
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No.
I'm bumping this back up to the top. One thing I have noticed is that if I haven't used any location type apps such as google maps or Waze in a while and then open up Android Auto in my Chevy, I have a 50/50 shot of the gps actually working. Actually probably less although occasionally it will work right away. When it doesnt, I have to pull the cord out of the phone disconnecting the Chevy from My Note 8 and even if I only open up Waze or google maps after that, it will still not be able to locate my exact position. When this happens, I have opened up GPS status app and the phone gps is definitely not working. I will then open up GPS fix/optimizer and in the bottom left of the home screen, I will toggle the Service Off to Service On. Checking back with GPS Status, within a couple seconds, it shows that the GPS is now working. I can then plug my phone back into my Chevy and Android Auto with either Waze or Google Maps will be working fine for as long as I'm using it.
I originally thought it was a Samsung software issue. Now I'm starting to wonder. If I use Waze or Google Maps as standalone, they seem to work most of the time. It seems to happen mostly using Android Auto first which then opens the navigation software and if I haven't used any apps that call for location recently. I'm stumped...
Looks like I may be on the right track and Android Auto could be the cause of my issues: https://support.google.com/androidauto/thread/17860576
I also found some other info that Adaptive Battery and battery optimization might also have something to do with it. I turned off adaptive battery by going into settings, then device care, then clicked on the battery icon. There are 3 dots in upper right which let you into battery settings. You can turn off adaptive battery there. Next, I went into settings, then apps, and first selected Android Auto. I clicked on the battery choice and then optimize battery usage. There in the top left, I switched from apps not optimized to all. From there I then found Android Auto and turned it off. I then while ein same screen turned off optimization for Maps and Waze. Unfortunately I dont drive that often and now with the VID, I am driving even less so it may be a while before I can verify that this worked.
An update to this. I reached out to the sub forum for Android Auto over on Google Support and got semi confirmation that the problem could actually be coming from Android Auto. One of the explanations given had something to do with Android Auto trying to get info from the vehicles gps device to make it more accurate but it may have problems communicating with the vehicle gps system. I do not have a dedicated navigation in my vehicle so not sure what it is trying to actually connect to so this could partially explain the problem. Why Android Auto would need to connect to any gps device in vehicle is beyond me because for years, my phones have always relied on the in phone GPS and have worked just fine. Here is that thread:
https://support.google.com/androidauto/thread/45792804?hl=en
So I'm having the same issue on an unbranded note 8. But I'm not using android auto. I can use gps tools and it holds a lock fine. But if additional programs are launched, waze, maps, jbv1 I lose lock.