GPS does not work on Android, what should I do?. Navigation systems on mobile devices(smartphones and tablets) in Lately have become necessary not only for motorists, but also for pedestrians, thanks to their good ability to build walking routes. But quite a lot of users have to deal with the fact that the GPS system on Android does not work or does not work well. This may result in problems different types, depending on what exactly caused the breakdown.
Definition
What is GPS? This is a navigation system - strictly speaking, GPS / GLONASS is a navigation module that allows you to use many applications that use navigation. This Yandex. Cards, Google. Cards, displaying the weather in your city, determining your actual location and configuring the device taking this factor into account (weather, time zone, etc.).
Routes are most often set using this system. They can be by car, on foot or by bicycle. In fact, when working properly, such a module helps to find any object marked on the maps.
Problems
But in some cases, certain problems may be detected in the operation of such a module. Their nature is different, but they equally interfere with working with the system:
- Complete inability to determine locations;
- Inaccurate location determination;
- Slow data updating or complete lack of updating (for example, you move in space or turn around, and the pointer on the map does not change its position for a long time).
Most problems can disappear on their own when you restart or when you move to another area of the map. But if this does not happen, then you need to know what causes them and how to eliminate them.
Rice. 2 Navigation
Possible reasons
There can be many reasons for this type of problem. But they can all be divided into two large groups These are hardware problems and software problems. We speak about hardware problems when the defect is present in the physical navigation module itself, and about software problems when something is incorrectly configured in software smartphone or tablet.
Important! Software-type problems are quite easy to configure and fix yourself. When we're talking about about hardware failures, it is better to entrust the matter to a service center, since for a non-specialist the repair process can be quite complicated. And there is a risk of making the situation worse.
Rice. 3 Geolocation problems
Hardware
One of the most common problems occurs during the first launch of the module, that is, when you first launch an application that uses GPS on a new smartphone. Within 15-20 minutes, geolocation may not work, nothing will happen, the location will not be determined. This is a normal condition when you first start it, but this should not happen again in the future.
A similar situation may arise if you have traveled a significant distance, for example, moved to another country or region, with the navigation module turned off. In this case, when he first starts in a new place, he will also need time to “think.”
The problem may also occur when starting at high speed, for example, while driving a car - in this case, the module will “slow down” for the first time after switching on.
Keep in mind that GPS does not work in buildings - indoor navigation will not be carried out. Your approximate location in the building is determined using the zone layout wireless internet and towers mobile operators, but not GLONASS.
Rice. 4 Working navigator
Software
The GLONAS module can be disabled through the phone settings; often on new models it is not enabled by default. Therefore, many beginners who are not accustomed to using Android do not turn it on before starting to use navigation applications. By the way, most popular and modern applications This type notifies the user that he needs to enable navigation.
Inaccurate location determination may be due to the characteristics of the zone. The system does not work equally well in all areas due to the nature of satellite operation. There are “blind” zones that the navigator misses or does not detect accurately. It is impossible to fight this.
Rice. 5 Stable geolocation
Elimination
Troubleshooting is usually quite simple. But if after taking all the above measures the problem has not been resolved, it is possible that the problem is a faulty module and it requires replacement at a service center.
Hardware
There are no ways to “cure” the program freezing after the first launch of the navigation module. The user just needs to wait about 15-20 minutes after the first launch of the application - during this time, the electronic components of the navigation device will adjust to the current operating conditions and the location will be determined.
That is why it is recommended to run this module for configuration immediately after purchasing a phone, so as not to wait in a situation where you need it urgently.
Rice. 6 Location problems
Software
Turning on navigation on your smartphone is quite simple. Most often, the application itself “asks” whether to enable navigation when it is disabled. Then you need to click on “ YES" or " OK" in the pop-up window, and the application itself will enable geolocation. If such a notification does not appear, enable it manually, following the algorithm:
1. On the unlocked screen, on the desktop, pull out the menu by sliding it from the top of the screen down;
Good question. Today, many owners of Android smartphones are interested in this question. Once upon a time, when I bought my first Android device, I also encountered the same problem. I am a driver and the first thing I wanted from a smart device was, of course, navigation. I bought a phone, turned it on and immediately started looking for satellites. And what do you think? I waited for about thirty minutes and still nothing. I already had the idea that the phone was defective, without a GPS module. In fact, everything is simple, I poked around a little in the settings and this is what I found:
- the first thing you need to do is go into the settings of your smartphone and find the “my location” item there;
- then activate the GPS module and click on the “via GPS satellites” option. You don’t have to check the boxes next to “access to my geodata” and “by network coordinates”;
- as soon as you have entered the settings of your GPS, you need to check the box next to “GPS EPO assistance data”, then click on the “EPO parameters” item;
- Now check the box next to “autoload”. If you have access to the Internet, you can immediately download data on the position of the satellites.
That's all, now that the satellite location data has been downloaded, your smartphone will find them almost immediately.
What is EPO?
EPO (Extended Prediction Orbit) translated into Russian means a system for predicting the position of satellite orbits. EPO is the property of MediaTek one of the innovations of using a server in offline mode based on A-GPS technology. The system provides a satellite orbital position forecast for up to 30 days, which can significantly improve the user's experience during the first determination of the location of GPS satellites.
The settings that I told you about apply only to devices running MTK processors from MediaTek.
I hope the article was useful to you and you were able to set up your smartphone.
All modern smartphones and most tablets are equipped with a GPS location module. GPS “lays out” routes through unfamiliar areas, can determine your location with an accuracy of several tens of meters, and also automatically launches some programs or turns on reminders in specific places. Perhaps the only disadvantage of GPS is that it drains the battery of a smartphone (tablet) very quickly. Before starting GPS, let's figure out how to properly configure its operating mode. Let's take a closer look at how this can be done, and also explain how to configure GPS using the engineering menu in case of incorrect operation.
Modern devices combine the functions of several devices at once
Setting the GPS operating mode
GPS is enabled in the notification bar. It is indicated by an icon that resembles a needle. You can determine the operating mode by going to “Settings - Personal data - Location - Mode”. The system will offer you three options: “High accuracy”, “Battery saving”, “By device sensors”. In newer Android versions they can be called: “By all sources”, “By network coordinates”, “By GPS satellites”. Let's figure out what's behind each of them.
- "High accuracy"(“According to all sources”). The most accurate, but at the same time the most “gluttonous” mode. Determines coordinates by all available means: GPS, Wi-Fi and using . The space is constantly monitored for the presence of a signal, determines the location as on open area, and indoors. Specified mode also called A-GPS. If conventional navigators pick up signals exclusively from satellites, then not every smartphone and tablet is capable of this. Additional service information downloaded from the World Wide Web will significantly speed up search and communication with satellites.
- "Battery Saver"(“By network coordinates”). Uses only wireless network- GPS module is not enabled. In this case, the accuracy of determining coordinates decreases somewhat. Indoors, the location is quite accurately determined by the Wi-Fi signal on the network mobile operator- by radio tower signal.
- "By device sensors"(“According to GPS satellites”). This mode only works in open areas - the location is determined by the satellite signal. Indoors, the signal is lost, and the location, accordingly, will not be determined.
For optimal battery consumption, you should select the “By device sensors” mode and turn off location detection in the notification panel. If you need to get directions, then you turn on location determination again and follow the instructions of the navigator. If you want to have , and you don't mind a few increased consumption battery, then select the “Battery Saver” mode. If battery consumption issues do not bother you, and you like it when the system determines your location with an accuracy of up to a meter, then your mode is “High Accuracy”.
Setting up GPS through the engineering menu
A flawlessly working GPS module (search for satellites, quick connection to them, stable communication with them) greatly simplifies life, especially when you are moving through unfamiliar terrain.
But in Chinese models running on the MTK processor, if GPS is used for a long time, the connection may become unstable, in the worst case, the location may not be determined at all. This is all due to the fact that the module is not configured quite correctly to work in our latitudes.
In order to adjust the GPS operation, log in where you will have to make a number of simple settings. We would like to warn you that you will perform all actions at your own peril and risk.
So, the device must receive superuser rights (also called Root).
- Turn on GPS and Wi-Fi and go out onto the balcony, or better yet, to any open space.
- Sign in engineering menu. To do this, enter the combination *#*#3646633*#*#, or *#15963#*, or *#*#4636#*#* on the keyboard. It may differ from the combination for your smartphone (tablet). If none of the listed combinations work, download the Mobileuncle ToolHero program and select the appropriate menu item in it. The program itself is Russified, but the engineering menu is in English.
- In the program menu you will see several bookmarks. Scroll to the left, select the Location tab, and go to Location Based Service.
- In the EPO tab, check Enable EPO and Auto Download. EPO is a system file containing information about the coordinates of satellites and their flight path. This item is not active on all devices. How to download EPO can be found on specialized Internet forums, for example, http://4pda.ru/forum/index.php?showtopic=466241.
- Go back to the previous level and select YGPS. In the Satellites tab you will see a diagram with the location of the satellites. They will all be red. This suggests that the gadget sees them, but due to incorrect settings cannot connect with them.
- Go to the Information tab, click full, then after a couple of seconds AGPS restart.
- Return to the Satellites tab. After a few minutes, the tablet will connect to the satellites and the dots will become Green colour. Please note that if you are setting up GPS on the balcony, then your device may still not connect to some of the satellites. This occurs due to signal interference.
- Reboot your device. Now the signal from satellites should be picked up much faster and more reliably.
Conclusion
Nowadays you know everything about the operating modes of the GPS satellite module on an Android tablet, and in case of unstable operation, you can configure it.
We will be very grateful if you share your feedback on the material or add valuable additions regarding the operation of your particular device model.
Nowadays, it’s probably impossible to find a device without a built-in GPS module. With the development of civilization, we, as “humans,” are shifting more and more responsibilities to robots, in particular to green ones. Now it is no longer necessary to look for moss on a tree (which, moreover, is always growing on all sides) or to easily find the polar star in the night sky; it is enough to launch a navigation application on your smartphone. However, GPS not only helps you get out of the forest, it is quite in demand every day: starting from the same navigation, but around the city, and ending with geo-tags in photographs. However, it happens that the module does not work properly. This may be due to problems in the hardware, then only the service can help the user, or maybe with the system settings, in which case you should read the following few tips.
Wipe the windshield, tap the wheel
Let's start with, perhaps, the most “significant” tips. What will any technical support advise, regardless of what device the user is having problems with? Absolutely right, “Have you tried turning it off and on?” To paraphrase this life hack, first of all, you should make sure that GPS is turned on: Settings \ Location \ Use GPS.
Test run
To eliminate the possibility of loss of functionality of the GPS receiver itself, you should use one of special applications, such as GPS Essentials. Click on the satellite icon and the application will clearly show you where and how many satellites your smartphone is observing and which of them it is communicating with at the moment.
If the app shows that you are out of range of any satellite, try leaving the building or at least going to a window. Often Soviet “anti-missile” houses are blocked not only GPS signal, but also the cellular network.
Sometimes the device can become stuck on certain satellites even when they are out of sight, resulting in a weak or no signal.
To solve this problem, you might want to try resetting all GPS data on your device and starting from scratch. The GPS Status & ToolBox application helps with this. To do this, press the “menu” key in the application, select “Tools”, “manage A-GPS states”, and then press “reset”. Then click “download” there.
One possible problem that can affect the accuracy of your location is an incorrectly calibrated compass. In this case, the device receives incorrect orientation information, which causes problems when using navigation applications.
You can calibrate the compass properly in the same GPS Essentials. To do this, launch the application, click on the compass icon, and then follow these steps:
- choose a smooth surface away from electrical appliances to avoid the influence of electromagnetic fields, and place the smartphone on it with the screen facing up
- Slowly and smoothly rotate the device 3 full circles around each of its axes. The direction of rotation does not matter.
The process is clearly demonstrated in this video:
Nothing helps
Some smartphone firmwares themselves are not very good at working with GPS, so flashing the firmware can sometimes solve this problem. But this solution is not for everyone, but rather for a keen user, because in this case you will have to read a lot of specific discussions, most likely not on native language to choose for yourself optimal solution. For everyone else, it might be time to simply upgrade your device.
Does your smartphone replace a GPS navigator? Or cutlets separately, flies separately?
Some users are faced with the problem of GPS not working. What to do in such a situation?
If GPS does not work on Android, then the reason may be hidden in the navigation module. This problem is most often encountered by beginners who do not yet fully understand how the phone works. To solve the problem:
- Activate navigation by sliding the top curtain, where all the necessary icons are hidden
- Activate the “Geodata” item
- Now turn on any navigation program and start using it
By the way, some applications notify users that the reception of geodata has been disabled. For example, Navitel. They display a special alert and even immediately go to the navigation activation menu. Once everything is done, you can start planning the route.
After turning on geolocation and settings, there is no result? The problem here is most likely your impatience. If you launched the GPS module for the first time, then wait about 15 minutes. During this time, the electronics processed information from the satellites. All other launches will be carried out much faster.
You should do the same if your navigator was working in another area and you brought it turned off. The device needs time to determine its position.
Reasons why GPS does not work on Android
- If you are trying to determine your location on the go then worth a stop And stand a little to the navigator could tune in. For some devices The chips are slightly slow, so they take some time to set up
- You entered a building, but GPS will not work through thick walls.
- You have entered the zone adversely affecting signal reception - many trees, rocks or high-rise buildings. In this case, you just need to go out into the open area
- If the option is not activated, then you have a direct route to a specialist, since if problems arise with GPS, namely, if it previously worked well and suddenly stopped, then this indicates internal failures
- If you don’t want to contact a service center, then first do a factory reset, perhaps this will solve the problem
To check the signal reception level, use GPS Test. If the geolocation option is activated, and the chip itself is working, and you are under open air, then the map will show you the points where the satellites are located.
Video: Setting up and testing GPS on an Android smartphone
