• GPS does not work on Nokia 5. How to improve GPS reception on Android: instructions for setting up a GPS signal. Checking the contacts of the GPS antenna

    Some owners of Android smartphones often encounter the problem that the GPS module cannot catch or takes a very long time to catch GPS navigation satellites. This mainly happens with phones that were brought from China or purchased from Chinese sites such as Aliexpress and they were not fully customized to Russian conditions.

    The first thing we should do is go to the settings of the smartphone and go to the tab My location. Turn on GPS and check the boxes opposite, By GPS satellites And By network coordinates. If you have any additional settings options, such as EPO parameters then put a tick in front of the item, go down to the bottom and press the button download.

    Next we need to go to the engineering menu. In the engineering menu we go Location - Location Based Service - EPO and bet against the parameters Enable EPO And Auto Download checkboxes, if you don’t have these parameters, then they are by default and hidden from your eyes.

    We return to Location and go to the section YGPS and on the tab INFORMATION press the buttons sequentially fuii - warm - hot - cold And AGPS restart This is done to reset the old almanac, and in order for us to record a new almanac, we go to the tab NMEALOG and press Start to record a new almanac.


    Go to the tab SATELLITES and we see that we have several red satellites on the radar. After some time, from 5 to 30 minutes, some of the satellites should turn green, and signal strength scales will appear below, this means that your phone has established a connection with these satellites. You need to catch satellites on the street and preferably away from houses, since indoors the signal is extinguished and it is almost impossible to catch them.



    If after a while the connection with the satellites has not been established, then the problem lies deeper and in order to fix it, you will need root rights on your smartphone. How to get root We read the rights in the article “Opening root rights in Android”. Rights root we need to edit the file GPS.conf. So using a file manager that works with root(I used Root Browser) go to the root directory of the phone and look for the file at the following address system - etc - gps.conf. Open the file using a text editor gps.conf and look at what’s there, this file stores the addresses of the satellite servers, but for some reason it turned out to be empty for me. If yours is also empty or there are some addresses of other countries, then we change the contents of the file to the settings we need, save, close and reboot our smartphone.

    NTP_SERVER=ru.pool.ntp.org
    NTP_SERVER=0.ru.pool.ntp.org
    NTP_SERVER=1.ru.pool.ntp.org
    NTP_SERVER=2.ru.pool.ntp.org
    NTP_SERVER=3.ru.pool.ntp.org
    NTP_SERVER=europe.pool.ntp.org
    NTP_SERVER=0.europe.pool.ntp.org
    NTP_SERVER=1.europe.pool.ntp.org
    NTP_SERVER=2.europe.pool.ntp.org
    NTP_SERVER=3.europe.pool.ntp.org
    XTRA_SERVER_1=/data/xtra.bin
    AGPS=/data/xtra.bin
    AGPS=http://xtra1.gpsonextra.net/xtra.bin
    XTRA_SERVER_1=http://xtra1.gpsonextra.net/xtra.bin
    XTRA_SERVER_2=http://xtra2.gpsonextra.net/xtra.bin
    XTRA_SERVER_3=http://xtra3.gpsonextra.net/xtra.bin
    DEFAULT_AGPS_ENABLE=TRUE
    DEFAULT_USER_PLANE=TRUE
    REPORT_POSITION_USE_SUPL_REFLOC=1
    QOS_ACCURACY=50
    QOS_TIME_OUT_STANDALONE=60
    QOS_TIME_OUT_agps=89
    QosHorizontalThreshold=1000

    QosVerticalThreshold=500
    AssistMethodType=1
    AgpsUse=1
    AgpsMtConf=0
    AgpsMtResponseType=1
    AgpsServerType=1
    AgpsServerIp=3232235555
    INTERMEDIATE_POS=1
    C2K_HOST=c2k.pde.com
    C2K_PORT=1234
    SUPL_HOST=FQDN
    SUPL_HOST=lbs.geo.t-mobile.com
    SUPL_HOST=supl.google.com
    SUPL_PORT=7276
    SUPL_SECURE_PORT=7275
    SUPL_NO_SECURE_PORT=3425
    SUPL_TLS_HOST=FQDN
    SUPL_TLS_CERT=/etc/SuplRootCert
    ACCURACY_THRES=5000
    CURRENT_CARRIER=common

    Next, you will need to repeat all the manipulations with the engineering menu and on the tab SATELLITES Let's see how our smartphone catches satellites. All the above actions helped me and the phone immediately began connecting with 6-10 satellites.

    The GPS navigation function is now available in every modern smartphone. Most people need this technology almost daily. For example, drivers who do not have car navigators often use their mobile gadget as a portable navigator. Since these devices are not designed to be full-fledged navigators, their operation sometimes fails.

    This is often due to incorrect software settings. For many people, GPS does not work on Xiaomi devices, namely, it shows the incorrect location. There are several ways to make your device search for satellites faster.

    To compare the results of your manipulations with the device, we recommend using the GPS Test program. It will show you how many satellites your phone sees, which ones it is connected to and the quality of this connection.

    GPS Status - Displays the GPS status, whether it is currently enabled or not. Each column is a satellite that your phone sees, their total number can be seen in the upper left corner of “In View”, in the upper right corner of “In Use” - how many of them the phone uses. The color and number of the column indicates the connection quality.

    • Gray column - satellite is not used
    • from 0 to 20 (red, orange) - poor connection
    • from 20 to 40 (yellow) - acceptable quality
    • from 40 (green) - excellent quality

    In the program you will find many more useful functions, such as satellite map, compass, accuracy and more.

    We give access to the desired application

    • Additionally;
    • Battery and performance;
    • Background mode;
    • Applications.

    Select the required application that does not work correctly with the GPS module. We give the desired program full access and remove all restrictions.

    Changing system settings

    There are a number of users whose smartphone finds many satellites, but displays the wrong positioning point and works poorly and slowly. Here the firmware version does not play any role. For example, on the Xiaomi Mi5 device there were problems with GPS on most firmware, both custom and stock. The problem can be solved by making changes to the system file.

    In order to make changes to the system, you must obtain the .

    1. Download any explorer. You can use ES Explorer or Root Explorer.
    2. Go to the system/etc folder. There we look for a file called gps.config.

    1. We recommend that you copy this file in advance. After making changes, navigation may stop working completely, so a backup copy may come in handy.
    2. Open the file using the built-in text editor, go to the end of the file and add the following on a new line:

    NTP_SERVER=ru.pool.ntp.org

    1. Save the changes and reboot the smartphone.
    2. To be completely sure, you can also reset the cache.

    This method has also been successfully tested on xiaomi mi4 and several other android devices. After making changes to the system file, the smartphone found the location accurately, with an error of only 2 meters.

    Possible problems with MiKey

    A rather banal solution to the problem associated with a special MiKey button. Users of xiaomi redmi note 3 pro devices noticed that GPS does not work when the additional MiKey button is inserted into the headphone jack of the phone.

    In fact, some devices take a very long time to connect to satellites along with the button.

    As it turned out, MiKey interferes with the normal operation of the GPS antenna, so communication is established slowly.

    Checking the contacts of the GPS antenna

    If you have tried all the methods, but your GPS still does not work, then you need to check the GPS antenna contacts.

    Attention, this method involves disassembling the device, which may void the warranty. If you are not confident in your abilities, we do not recommend using this method. You do all actions at your own peril and risk.

    This procedure should be done carefully so as not to damage the motherboard.

    1. Remove the back cover of the phone.
    2. Using a Phillips screwdriver, you need to unscrew the metal cover located above the battery. We remove it from the device.
    3. On the smartphone's circuit board you will see several springs that should be cleaned with a miniature file or screwdriver. These are the antenna contacts that come into contact with the metal cover. If the contact is poor, the signal level will be low, which leads to a long search for satellites.

    1. It is not known exactly which of them is responsible for receiving the GPS signal, so clear everything. Do the same on the metal lid from the inside.
    2. We put the cover in place and tighten the bolts. Close the main back cover and reboot the smartphone.

    One of the American users decided to go a different route; he bent the contacts so that they were in maximum contact with the antennas on the inner cover. His photo report can be seen just below (you can scroll through the photos).

    Antenna location Before fix After fix

    After the operations performed, our experimental device is now searching for a larger number of satellites, the signal quality has increased, and accordingly the location accuracy now has a minimum error.

    The geolocation function in Android devices is one of the most used and in demand, and therefore it is doubly unpleasant when this option suddenly stops working. Therefore, in our material today we want to talk about methods of dealing with this problem.

    Like many other problems with communication modules, problems with GPS can be caused by both hardware and software reasons. As practice shows, the latter are much more common. Hardware reasons include:

    • poor quality module;
    • a metal or simply thick case that shields the signal;
    • poor reception in a particular location;
    • factory defect.

    Software reasons for problems with geopositioning:

    • change location with GPS turned off;
    • incorrect data in the gps.conf system file;
    • outdated version of software for working with GPS.

    Now let's move on to methods to fix the problem.

    Method 1: Cold start GPS

    One of the most common reasons for GPS failures is moving to another coverage area with data transmission turned off. For example, you went to another country, but did not turn on GPS. The navigation module did not receive data updates in time, so it will need to re-establish communication with the satellites. This is called a “cold start”. It is done very simply.

    1. Leave the room to a relatively free space. If you are using a cover, we recommend removing it.
    2. Enable GPS reception on your device. Go to "Settings".

      On Android before 5.1 - select the option "Geodata"(other options - "GPS", "Location" or "Geopositioning"), which is located in the network connections block.

      In Android 6.0-7.1.2 - scroll down the list of settings to the block "Personal information" and tap on "Locations".

      On devices with Android 8.0-8.1, go to "Security and Location", go there and select the option "Location".

    3. In the geodata settings block, in the upper right corner, there is an enable slider. Move it to the right.

    4. The device will have GPS enabled. All you need to do next is wait 15-20 minutes until the device adjusts to the position of the satellites in this area.

      5. As a rule, after the specified time has passed, the satellites will be put into operation, and navigation on your device will work correctly.

      Method 2: Manipulating the gps.conf file (root only)

      The quality and stability of GPS signal reception in an Android device can be improved by editing the system gps.conf file. This manipulation is recommended for devices that are not officially supplied to your country (for example, Pixel, Motorola devices released before 2016, as well as Chinese or Japanese smartphones for the domestic market).

      In order to edit the GPS settings file yourself, you will need two things: root rights and a file manager with the ability to access system files. The most convenient way is to use Root Explorer.

      1. Launch Ruth Explorer and go to the root folder of the internal memory, also known as root. If required, grant the application access to use root rights.

      2. Go to the folder system, then in /etc.

      3. Find the file inside the directory gps.conf.

        Attention! This file is missing on some devices from Chinese manufacturers! If you encounter this problem, do not try to create it, otherwise you may disrupt the GPS!

        Click and hold on it to select it. Then tap on the three dots at the top right to bring up the context menu. In it select "Open in a text editor".

        Confirm your consent to file system changes.

      4. The file will be opened for editing and you will see the following options:

      5. The NTP_SERVER parameter should be changed to the following values:
        • For the Russian Federation - ru.pool.ntp.org;
        • For Ukraine - ua.pool.ntp.org;
        • For Belarus - by.pool.ntp.org.

        You can also use the pan-European server europe.pool.ntp.org.

      6. If the INTERMEDIATE_POS parameter is missing in gps.conf on your device, enter it with a value of 0 - this will slightly slow down the operation of the receiver, but will make its readings much more accurate.

      7. Do the same with the DEFAULT_AGPS_ENABLE option, to which you need to add the value TRUE. This will allow you to use cellular network data for geopositioning, which will also have a beneficial effect on the accuracy and quality of reception.

        The use of A-GPS technology is also responsible for the DEFAULT_USER_PLANE=TRUE setting, which should also be added to the file.

      8. After all manipulations, exit the editing mode. Don't forget to save your changes.

      9. Reboot your device and check the GPS operation using special testing programs or a navigator application. Geolocation should function correctly.

      This method is especially suitable for devices with SoC made by MediaTek, but is also effective on processors from other manufacturers

      Conclusion

      To summarize, we note that problems with GPS are still rare, and mainly on devices in the budget segment. As practice shows, one of the two methods described above will definitely help you. If this does not happen, then you are most likely experiencing a hardware problem. It is impossible to fix such problems on your own, so the best solution would be to contact a service center for help. If the warranty period for the device has not yet expired, you should have it replaced or your money refunded.

    Many Android smartphone users often complain about problems with GPS. Some claim that it can take forever for a smartphone to determine their location, while others may claim that GPS doesn't work at all.

    Most often, similar problems are encountered by users who have flashed their smartphone or who have brand new Chinese gadgets. However, some people note that they also have problems with GPS on new gadgets from trusted companies.

    In today's article, we will look at the reasons why GPS on a smartphone may begin to work poorly or stop functioning completely, and we will also look at several solutions for these problems.

    Ok, let's talk about the reasons why the navigator and GPS may not work well on Android. There are several reasons for this:

    • deactivated GPS module;
    • disgusting custom firmware for a smartphone;
    • damaged GPS module;
    • inappropriate GPS Almanac;

    GPS stopped working on Android? Try the tips below!

    Solutions for problems with GPS on Android

    Activating the GPS module

    So, let's start with the simplest solution, which you have probably already reached. Before using the navigator on your smartphone, do not forget to activate the GPS module. When starting some navigators, this module can be activated automatically, however, in some cases the user needs to do this independently. Make sure that the GPS module is activated and try using navigation again.

    Firmware change

    However, what if this module seems to be functioning, but geolocation still does not work? If you recently reflashed your smartphone, then the reason may lie in the firmware. Read reviews from other users about this firmware version and see if they have similar problems. Install some proven Android firmware on your smartphone, where GPS works normally.

    Re-recording of the Almanac

    But what to do if the GPS module works and you haven’t reflashed your device? As we mentioned in the reasons, owners of Chinese smartphones often complain about poorly working GPS. For example, on the Internet you can find many Meizu smartphone users with a similar problem. Let's assume that you have approximately the same device.

    The reason for problems with GPS in Chinese smartphones is that they often contain an irrelevant Almanac for our hemisphere. An almanac is a type of data transmitted by a GPS satellite that contains the orbital parameters of all other satellites. To fix the GPS problem in this case, you will need to rewrite the Almanac. This can be done by following these steps:

    • activate A-GPS in the settings of your smartphone, and then GPS;
    • then enter the Android engineering menu by entering the code *#*#4636#*#* into the dialing menu;

      Note: If the given secret code does not work, then you will need to find out the code for your smartphone on the Internet. Owners of smartphones with an MTK processor will still need to use the MobileuncleTools utility.

    • as soon as you open the engineering menu, go to the tab called “YGPS”;
    • now take a look at "Satellites" and check if signs of a signal appear;

      Note: if they appear, then the theory with the wrong Almanac has been confirmed and you can continue to follow the steps below.

    • go to the “Information” tab and press the following row of buttons one by one: full→warm→hot→cold;
    • next you need to click on the “Start” button in the “NMEA Log” tab;

      Note: it is precisely this action that will ensure the recording of a new Almanac corresponding to your region.

    It’s still good that modern smartphones are equipped with a GPS module: thanks to it, you can save on a navigator, and it’s also useful. However, all your plans can be disrupted by one little thing - the connection between your phone and “space”. He will take it and disappear.

    Let's figure out what a GPS navigation system is, what causes its failures, and what to do if your Android and iOS phone does not find satellites or does not establish contact with them.

    How does this work

    So, what does the GPS module do in mobile devices? Receives navigation signals from satellites. And not only those included in the system, which corresponds to its name, but also analogues - GLONASS, BDS and others (with support). The very concept of “GPS” today has become a general synonym for satellite navigation.

    In addition to GPS, there is AGPS navigation (LBS), which determines the location of the phone using signals from nearby cell towers. Despite the similarity of spelling, there is no connection between these systems. But there are differences, and very significant ones:

    • The AGPS system is available only in cellular coverage areas, GPS is available everywhere.
    • AGPS determines the coordinates of an object with an accuracy of up to 500 m, GPS - up to 5 m.
    • AGPS does not depend on weather conditions; all that is required for its operation is a connection to a mobile network and the presence of money on your balance. GPS is free, to activate it you just need to turn on geolocation on your phone, but the quality of communication is highly dependent on cloud cover and other external factors. The signal only travels in line of sight.

    Thick clouds, tall buildings, thickets of trees and thick walls of rooms dampen satellite signals. Therefore, to improve GPS communication in adverse conditions, another technology was developed - A-GPS (how can you not get confused here?). The essence of this technology is that if the signal is lost, the phone connects to a special server, from where it receives the exact coordinates of the satellites, and establishes a connection using them. For A-GPS to work, the smartphone must be connected to a mobile operator's network or have another method of accessing the Internet (in particular, Wi-Fi).

    What determines the speed of finding satellites?

    The speed of satellite detection depends on how long ago the navigation signal receiver was turned on in the phone. The duration of its activation determines the type of start - cold, warm or hot. No, the point is not in the “warming up” of the GPS module, but in what data it relies on when searching.

    When turned on, the GPS receiver retrieves from its memory the latest information about satellite coordinates: almanacs and ephemeris (ephemeris).

    • Almanacs contain information about the orbital parameters of all satellites in the system. They are not very accurate, but remain relevant for several months.
    • The ephemeris contains precise data on the clock adjustments and orbital parameters of each specific satellite. Their relevance does not exceed half an hour.

    GPS satellites around the Earth

    At cold start– this is considered to be turning on the GPS receiver after 30 minutes or more of shutdown; the device searches for satellites only using known almanacs. If the almanac data is no longer relevant, it downloads it again. At this time, outdated ephemeris are also erased and new ephemerides are loaded. The duration of a cold start is 5 minutes or more, depending on environmental conditions and the position of the phone. To make the connection faster, the device should be held motionless.

    At warm start, which refers to turning on the GPS module a little more than half an hour after turning it off, only the ephemeris is updated. It takes about 1 minute.

    Instantaneous hot start is possible only if the ephemeris remains relevant, that is, as long as less than 30 minutes have passed since the GPS was turned off.

    Why can't my phone see satellites or lose contact with them?

    The reasons for the lack and instability of a phone’s connection with GPS satellites can be external and internal. The former are caused by the influence of environmental factors on signal transmission, the latter by problems with the receiving device itself.

    External reasons:

    • Unfavorable atmospheric conditions (dense clouds), being in a forest or among high-rise buildings. Unfortunately, we have not yet learned how to disperse clouds, but A-GPS technology helps to overcome these obstacles.
    • The telephone is indoors. To solve the problem, it is usually enough to go to the window or go out onto the balcony.
    • The phone is in motion, for example while driving. For a cold start of the GPS module, this can be a serious obstacle. To find satellites faster, stop and place the device on a flat surface.

    Internal reasons:

    • The phone is not equipped with a satellite communication module at all or only has A-GPS, the operation of which depends on the level of the cellular signal and Wi-Fi.
    • The device has a GPS receiver with a low-power antenna, usually of the film type. In this case, communication with satellites is possible, but it is unstable and highly dependent on external conditions: even the case on the phone can interfere with it. Sometimes the connection only works when the Internet is connected. The problem is usually identified immediately after purchasing the gadget.
    • The GPS module is faulty. A breakdown (usually damage or failure of the receiver antenna) is detected after a shock, fall or disassembly of the device, although not always. It happens that it occurs for no apparent reason. Manifests itself as a complete or periodic inability to detect satellites and establish communication with them. Or the fact that the signal is received only at a certain position of the phone.
    • Systemic problems. The source of the problem lies in incorrect settings or faulty firmware of the device.
    • Incorrectly set system time.
    • The influence of third-party software or malware. This version is supported by the relationship between the failure and the installation of an application, as well as the presence of symptoms of virus infection.

    How to fix the problem on an Android smartphone

    Problems associated with the absence or malfunction of a GPS receiver cannot be solved at home. More precisely, the first one is insoluble in principle, and the second one should be addressed to a service center. But you can clean your phone of viruses, adjust settings, etc. yourself. So let's get started.

    If the reason is more likely to be software in nature and occurs after a period of normal operation, do the following:

    • Make sure the system time is correct.
    • Uninstall apps that you installed shortly before the crash.
    • If there is no effect.

    If the phone does not find satellites initially (no cold start), although it is equipped with a GPS module, it may very well be that it is simply configured incorrectly. This is especially true for devices brought from abroad or purchased in foreign online stores - that is, not intended for the Russian market.

    To correct an incorrect setting, namely, to reset an almanac that is relevant for the territory of another country, you need access to the device’s engineering menu. To enter this menu, use special telephone codes specific to devices of different brands. They are entered in the same way as USSD commands - in the calling application.

    On the majority of Android smartphones, the code used to enter the engineering menu is
    *#*#3646633#*#*
    If your device does not accept it, use search engine tips. Or, if your phone has a MediaTek processor, install one of the following applications:

    Or their equivalent.

    • Make sure geolocation is turned on on your phone.
    • Having opened the engineering menu, go to the " Location» – « YGPS».

    • On the " Satellites» the satellites that your device recognizes should be shown. If you only see red dots there, it means the phone finds them, but cannot establish a connection.

    • Open the tab " Information" and touch the buttons " Hot», « Cold», « Warm», « Full" And " AGPS Restart" This will delete the current almanac.

    • Open the tab " NMEALog" and click " Start" This will start downloading the new almanac.

    • To control the connection establishment, open the section “ Satellites" If some of the dots on the blue field turn green, it means your phone has received the signal. Open " NMEALog" again and press " Stop».

    In some cases, the cause of an unsuccessful cold start is an incorrectly specified time server in the GPS configuration file. To fix this setting you will need root permissions and a file manager with privileged access, e.g. RootExplorer .

    • So, launch Root Explorer or its equivalent and find the /system/etc/gps.conf file

    • Open it with any text editor and in the line NTP_SERVER= write down pool.ntp.org. This is if you are in Russia. You can check the data for other countries on the website www.pool.ntp.org/ru/zone/@ As a result, the file should look like this:

    Save the changes to gps.conf and reboot your phone.

    If you don’t want to tinker with the settings at all, but want to do everything faster, you can use a tool for automatically optimizing satellite communication parameters, which is called “ Fix my GPS" To get the desired result, just press one button. I can’t judge the effectiveness, but many users are satisfied with this application.

    If you use your phone as a navigator and it often loses satellites, for example, when the screen turns off or when leaving tunnels, the A-GPS signal fixation and data reset tool will help - GPS Locker .

    In addition, there are quite a lot of free applications in the Google Play market for testing the operation of the GPS receiver, which may also be useful to you:

    And others.

    How to fix the problem on iPhone

    Owners of Apple gadgets are less likely to encounter problems finding satellites, the reasons for which lie in the devices themselves. Apparently, this is why there are much fewer ways to solve them on iOS than on Android.

    If geolocation on an iPhone does not work at all, it is usually disabled in the settings. If it is available in some applications and not in others, the reason is most likely hidden in the settings. To fix them:

    • Open the section " Confidentiality" and tap the line " Location Services».
    • The next screen contains a list of applications. Next to each of them it is indicated whether it has access to this service. Tap the items you want to change and set the permissions you want.

    In cases where the geolocation service is unstable or the iPhone does not find satellites for a long time, it is often enough to open the settings section “ Basic", go to " Reset" and press " Reset location settings».

    This will return the geolocation and privacy settings to their original state, and the problem will most likely be resolved.

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