The smartphone does not pick up GPS satellites. Android GPS calibration, acceleration of satellite acquisition after a cold start, increasing GPS accuracy essentially to the possible limit of hardware

All modern smartphones and most tablets are equipped with a detection module GPS locations. 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.

1. "High precision"(“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, determining the location both in open areas and indoors. This mode is 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 World Wide Web, will significantly speed up search and communication with satellites.
2. "Battery Saver"(“By network coordinates”). Uses only wireless networks- GPS module is not enabled. In this case, the accuracy of determining coordinates decreases somewhat. Indoors, the location is determined quite accurately by Wi-Fi signal, online mobile operator- by radio tower signal.
3. "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 one, and you are not bothered by slightly increased battery consumption, 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

Flawlessly working GPS module (satellite search, fast connection to them, a stable connection with them) greatly simplifies life, especially in those moments when you are moving through unfamiliar terrain.

But in Chinese models, running on the MTK processor, with long work GPS connection may be 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 correct GPS work, enter in which 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).

1. Turn on GPS and Wi-Fi and go out onto the balcony, or better yet, to any open space.
2. 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.
3. In the program menu you will see several bookmarks. Scroll to the left, select the Location tab, and go to Location Based Service.

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Go to the Information tab, click full, then after a couple of seconds AGPS restart.
4. Return to the Satellites tab. After a few minutes, the tablet will connect to the satellites and the dots will become green. Note if GPS settings If you are working out on the balcony, then your device may still not connect to some of the satellites. This occurs due to signal interference.
5. 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 satellite GPS module on an Android tablet, and in case unstable work you can customize it.

We will be very grateful if you share your feedback on the material or add valuable additions regarding the operation of your specific device model.

The benefits of the GPS function implemented in the iPhone can hardly be overestimated - with its help it is easier and easier to get to your destination using software navigator, it is essential when playing Pokémon GO and allows applications to track the user's location. However, like any other system, GPS can fail.

Why did GPS on iPhone suddenly stop working?

The most common problems with GPS:

• No GPS signal;
• GPS does not update current location;
• GPS shows incorrect location;
• The compass points in the wrong direction;
• Applications cannot determine your current location.

Of course, the list goes on, depending on how and where you use your iPhone. Additionally, problems may arise due to applications using different GPS function. Sometimes the error message does not appear at all, which makes it much more difficult to find and fix the cause of the problem.

• “Find Friends,” or how to view the location of friends on iPhone and iPad.
• Orientation with iPhone: How to determine azimuth in the Compass application.

How to fix the most common GPS problems

Below is a number of solutions to the most frequently encountered problems implemented in iPhone function GPS.

Check GPS signal

For the GPS function to work properly in applications, a good radio signal is required. Problems with GPS may occur if you are in a building, basement, or some other place that does not receive a radio signal. In this case, you need to leave the building or move somewhere else so that the device can receive a signal from the satellite.

Check if apps are granted permission to use location services

Very often, users simply forget to activate the Geolocation function in applications. For example, you won't be able to see your location on Maps or other map services, unless the app has been given permission to use the geolocation feature.

To check whether applications have the appropriate permission, go to Settings -> Privacy -> Location Services.

You can prevent some apps from using location services. You can also allow apps to receive location data always or only while they are running (including in the background).

Please note that some applications require permission to use location services at all times. If you select the option to only receive data when the program is open, the GPS function will not work correctly. Make sure the settings for each application are correct.

Turn location services off and on again

Sometimes the cause of problems with the GPS function is just a small glitch in operation software. In this case, you need to disable and re-enable location services. To do this, go to Settings -> Privacy -> Location Services and move the switch to the left, and then to the right again.

You can also turn all wireless services off and on by deactivating and activating Airplane Mode in Control Center.

Reset all geolocation and network data

If none of the above methods work, then the problem is related to geolocation and network information. In this case, it affects not only the GPS function, but also cellular communications.

You can fix the problem by going to Settings -> General -> Reset and clicking on “Reset network settings” and “Reset geo settings”.

Each time you click on “Reset” you must enter a password, after which the information will be completely deleted. Next you need to reconnect to Wi-Fi networks and set all the necessary settings to access the wireless network.

Restart or restore your device in iTunes

In some situations, the only solution to the problem is reboot iPhone. Even if the method described above did not work, all that can be done is to restore the device through iTunes (instructions).

The presented methods should help solve problems with GPS. In case of failure, you should contact service center, perhaps in your case there is a hardware problem.

Based on materials from yablyk

Pocket geolocation is quite common in lately familiar. Now on all models modern phones there is a GPS system. But users often have questions about it. For example, they are interested in how to improve GPS reception on Android or iOS in order to receive more accurate location information or to better play games that require detailed geolocation. Let's look at this problem and find out what can be done.

GPS is a system that allows a smartphone to use navigation applications and determine your location in order to build best option route to your destination. It is based on receiving data from satellites located in outer space.

Why do I need it?

GPS navigation is used navigation apps. Together they help get to the right place without a detailed study of paper maps of the area and asking others about “Where to go next and where to turn?”

The most famous free "Yandex.Maps" or "Yandex.Navigator", GoogleMaps and MapsMe. You can also find it on the Internet pirated version"Navitela". But the program may be from an old year. In this case, it can lead you onto non-existent roads and under “bricks”. In addition, the program may be infected with a virus. Then there is a chance that it will “break” the system of your smartphone, and you will have to change not only the navigator, but also the phone or at least its firmware.

Now the most common and modern models phones - these are IPhone based on IOS and phones that support a different system (“Android”). They use GPS in a more advanced form - A-GPS. This is a function that increases the speed of the application during cold and hot starts, due to other communication channels (WI-FI, cellular), and also increases positioning accuracy.

A situation where the phone cannot connect to new satellites when the application is turned on. In this case, it works autonomously based on the data transmitted when previous power-on those satellites to which he connected. Hot start - when the satellites immediately start working. They appear on the application screen or in a special tab for tracking their operation and data reception.

The first signal improvement option

There are a huge number of ways to improve GPS reception on Android or iOS. Let's look at the 3 most famous ones. The first and most in a simple way The way to strengthen the GPS signal is to enable the appropriate mode in the phone settings. To do this, we take the following steps:

• Turn on GPS (geolocation) and go to the phone settings.
• Find the "Geodata" section.
• Choose top button"Mode".
• A window called "Detection Method" opens.
• Select the item "High accuracy".

The phone's performance will improve by enabling accuracy. At the same time, its operating time without recharging can decrease several times. The thing is that the turned on navigator will simply “eat up” the battery.

The second way to improve GPS reception on Android

The second option is more complicated. But it helps as often as the first one. You need to download an app to clear your GPS data. Once the satellite information is updated, the navigation system will work better than before. But this option may not be suitable for some phones due to incompatibility of the application and model, lack of space, etc.

The most difficult but reliable method

There is a third, most difficult option for solving the problem, how to improve GPS reception on Android. It is more suitable for computer geniuses. Its essence lies in altering the system file that controls the operation of the phone’s GPS system. Let's figure it out in order:

1. You need to extract the GPS.CONF file located in the system/etc/gps/conf folder via special programs, which give access to system files. Then we move it to internal memory phone or SD card so that you can open it on your computer later.
2. Changing GPS.CONF settings is done through the Notepad++ program on a regular PC. The phone is connected to the computer via a standard USB cable.
3. Next, you need to change the settings of the NTP server, which is used to synchronize time. They usually say something like this - north-america.pool.ntp.org. The entry needs to be rewritten - ru.pool.ntp.org or europe.pool.ntp.org. As a result, it should look like this: NTP_SERVER=ru.pool.ntp.org.
4. It would also be a good idea to add additional servers without making any changes to them: 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.
5. Next, you need to decide whether the GPS receiver will use WI-FI to strengthen the signal. When entering the ENABLE_WIPER= parameter, you must enter a number that will allow (1) or prohibit (0) use wireless connection. For example, ENABLE_WIPER=1.
6. The next parameter is connection speed and data accuracy. There your choice is as follows: INTERMEDIATE_POS=0<—— (точно, но медленно) или INTERMEDIATE_POS=1 <—— (не точно, но быстро).
7. In the type of data transfer use, knowledgeable people advise installing User Plane, which is responsible for the wide transfer of subscriber data. Then DEFAULT_USER_PLANE=TRUE is written in the program line.
8. The accuracy of GPS data is monitored through the INTERMEDIATE_POS= parameter, in the line of which you can set whether to take into account all data without exception, or to remove errors. If you put 0 (zero) after the "=" sign, then the geolocation will take into account everything it finds, and if it is 100, 300, 1000, 5000, it will remove errors. Programmers recommend setting it to 0. But if you want to try, you can use error removal.
9. The use of the A-GPS function, as mentioned above, is supported or automatically enabled on all modern devices. But if you still want the function to work, then in the A-GPS activation line you need to set DEFAULT_AGPS_ENABLE=TRUE.
10. The final version of the file needs to be saved and transferred to the phone, and then rebooted.

An important point: if you don’t want to do all this yourself for various reasons, for example, laziness, fear of breaking something in the system, etc., then you can find the GPS.CONF file with the parameters you need and simply copy it to your smartphone. All that remains is to restart the phone and use the improved GPS.

Why doesn't GPS work on Android yet?

There are other reasons for the problem. It happens that GPS on Android does not work at all (does not turn on, does not search for satellites, etc.). Resetting the system to factory settings can help resolve this problem. This is done through the phone settings. In addition, the gadget can be reflashed or given to service center employees, who will “dig” into the electronics and correct the defect.

GPS does not work on Android, what should I do?. Navigation systems on mobile devices (smartphones and tablets) have recently become necessary not only for motorists, but also for pedestrians, due to their good ability to build walking routes. But quite a lot of users have to deal with something that does not work or works poorly GPS system on Android. This can result in different types of problems, depending on what exactly caused the failure.

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 all of them can be divided into two large groups - hardware problems and software problems. We talk about hardware problems when the defect is present in the physical navigation module itself, and about software problems when something is incorrectly configured in the software of a smartphone or tablet.

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 location of wireless Internet zones and cell towers, 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 of this type notify 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 of 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;

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”. It 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 only available 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 or more minutes 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 communications 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 most 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 privileges and a file manager with privileged access, such as .

• 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. As a result, the file should look like this:

Save 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 “”. 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.

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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What to do if your phone does not see satellites or does not connect to them updated: November 1, 2018 by: Johnny Mnemonic