Zhps works. How to set up GPS on Android? Global positioning system in smartphones and tablets
Often when buying a new Android smartphone (especially Chinese manufacturers), users are facing the problem of GPS not working. And if you don’t use this functionality, then it’s okay, but if on the contrary, then the problem needs to be solved.
We will tell you why GPS does not work on Android and how to fix the situation.
Why GPS doesn't work on Android
Here are the most common causes of this unpleasant phenomenon:
- Weak (defective) GPS module
- A case that shields the GPS antenna and degrades the quality of signal reception
- Incorrect parameters in the GPS.conf system file
- Broken firmware
If there are problems with the GPS module (hardware), then only repairs can help, which can only be carried out by service center specialists.
You can always remove the cover and check whether the GPS is working correctly. And if there is a problem with the firmware, then simply reflash the device (read how to do this here).
But we will not focus on this, but move on to the third point.
Automatic GPS setup
The easiest way is to set geolocation settings automatically using special application, for example, FasterGPS:
You just need to select your continent and region - the program will do the rest for you.
Manual GPS setup on Android
You can also configure GPS manually. To edit the GPS.conf file you will need Root rights(how to get them -
Today I thought about this topic again bad reception GPS signal on my Chinese smartphone Jiayu G2. But, unexpectedly for me, the problem was solved in just a couple of minutes - the “Chinese” finds satellites within 20 seconds. Now let's talk about everything in order.
In October I received chinese phone, ordered on Aliexpress. The phone is excellent for the money, and everything would be perfect, but the GPS module found the satellites for a very, very long time, in about an hour, no faster. And this is with Wi-Fi on and checked boxes A-GPS and GPS EPO assistance. This didn’t make me happy at all and I had to remember a useful post on the livejournal blog, the advice from which I used when setting up my first smartphone on Android. It came down to editing gps.conf auxiliary programs. This helped the “Chinese friend”, but after the first (and so far last) factory reset GPS settings The fishing began to get even worse - I left it in the open air for an hour to search for satellites and no results. And today I started looking for that one again useful post on the livejournal blog and came across an update in the post header:
"Fantastic!" I thought and immediately followed the link. Compared to the first post, this time even more specific actions were proposed, namely replacing the contents of the file gps.conf(you can find it along the way /etc/gps.conf, must be root-rights) to the following settings:
NTP_SERVER=ua.pool.ntp.org
NTP_SERVER=0.ua.pool.ntp.org
NTP_SERVER=1.ua.pool.ntp.org
NTP_SERVER=2.ua.pool.ntp.org
NTP_SERVER=3.ua.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
These settings are designed for residents of Ukraine, but for residents of Russia they are very easy to adapt by replacing ua.pool on ru.pool.
On my own behalf, I can add that I use the GPS Status application, and after rebooting when I first launched the application, I reset the cache data: in the program, call up the menu, then select Tools, there Manage A-GPS state and click Reset and then Download.
I take my hat off to the author of the original post, dear mechanicuss. His advice helped not only me, and can help many more sufferers.
That's all. Clear skies and a stable signal from space to everyone.
Ten years ago car GPS navigators were a curiosity on the domestic market electronic devices. But today it’s difficult to surprise anyone with the presence of built-in systems in modern smartphones and tablets global positioning.
General information about GPS
Majority modern smartphones and tablets on the mobile device market today are equipped with a GPS module for determining location. This is a really convenient and advanced option. In addition to plotting a route for a car or bicycle on the ground, the GPS module will be able to determine its own location with high accuracy up to tens of meters. Along with this, the system makes it possible to turn on some programs or activate the reminder function on the phone when you are at a certain point globe. on Android?
The main disadvantage of GPS positioning
The main disadvantage of GPS positioning in a smartphone is the rapid drainage of the battery. In this regard important point the correct adjustment of the operating mode seems to be below. Below we will discuss the basic tools for how to set up GPS on Android, as well as the principles of working in the engineering menu of a smartphone in case of incorrect functioning of the system.
Enabling GPS operating mode
To enable GPS navigation, you can use the notification panel of your smartphone. The enabled positioning system is displayed at the top of the screen in the form of a periodically flickering circle. To change or view how GPS functions, you need to go to the smartphone settings, then to the “Personal Data” section, from there to “Location” and select “Mode”. As a rule, operating system provides a choice of three options, including “By device sensors”, “Battery saving” and “High accuracy”. If we are talking about phones that use latest versions"Android", the menu may look slightly different. How to set up GPS on Android 5.1? In this case, the listed items will be named “By all sources”, “By network coordinates” and “By GPS satellites".
Highest level of GPS accuracy
The most accurate positioning option is the “High accuracy” or “Across all sources” mode. At the same time, with this operating procedure, battery consumption will be the most intense and rapid. In this mode, the system tries to determine the location by all means available to it, namely: GPS, Wi-Fi and using mobile networks. The smartphone will constantly evaluate the space for the presence of a signal and try to determine the location not only in open areas, but also indoors.
This operating procedure is also sometimes called A-GPS. His distinctive feature Compared to the work of conventional navigators, it is possible to obtain additional service information about satellites via an Internet connection. This speeds up the search for satellites and obtaining data on their signals.
Other Global Positioning Modes of Operation
Mode GPS operation"Battery saver" or "By network coordinates" is used to receive a signal exclusively wireless networks. In this case, the GPS module is not used. Of course, with this mode, the accuracy of position determination deteriorates somewhat. At the same time, indoor position can be determined using Wi-Fi.
The operating mode “By device sensors” or “By GPS satellites” can only function in open areas in the absence of interference. IN in this case The position of the object is determined using satellites. If interference occurs in the form of high-rise buildings or walls and ceilings of premises, the satellite signal will be lost and the position will no longer be determined. It would be appropriate to say that this article is about how to set up GPS on Android without the Internet. But it should be noted that such installations are also possible using World Wide Web. In this case, the Internet is used to correct the position if the signal from the satellites is not good enough.
The last operating mode is the most economical for the battery. In addition, you can disable determining your own position on the ground in the notification panel. If you need to get a route from point A to point B, you can turn on positioning and follow the prompts of the navigator built into your smartphone. If you need a personalized search for an object, you should give preference to the "Battery Saver" mode. Well, if the phone has a powerful and capacious battery the user may well choose the most expensive method of operation, “High precision”. The methods described above are suitable for solving the problem of how to set up GPS on Android through the main menu of the device.
Configuration using the smartphone’s engineering menu
However, on some smartphone models, especially those made in China based on MTK processors, connection difficulties or unstable communication may occur. There are even cases when the device does not determine the location of an object at all. This is due to incorrect setting GPS module for work in domestic geographic latitudes.
This software malfunction you can level and configure GPS on Android via engineering menu mobile device. It should be emphasized that you can use this functionality on devices on which the mode is activated Root works, giving the user the opportunity to control the smartphone as developers.
Next, you should perform a series of sequential operations. First you need to turn on GPS and Wi-Fi and go outside or to the balcony of the room. After this, you will need to enter the engineering menu by entering the combinations on the phone keyboard: *#*#3646633*#*#, *#15963#* or *#*#4636#*#*. It should be noted that on different models On smartphones, the combination of symbols may be different, or even not suitable at all. Then, to solve the problem of how to set up GPS on Android, you can use the Mobileuncle ToolHero application, in which, after launching, select desired item and enter the engineering menu.
Here the user will find several bookmarks, from which he must select Location, and then go to Location Based Service. In the EPO line, you need to check the boxes next to Enable EPO and Auto Download. It should be clarified that EPO is a system file that contains information about the coordinates of GPS satellites and their lines of movement. This item In some phones it is often deactivated.
Now you need to go back a step and select YGPS, and then go to the Satellites tab, in which the user will find a map of the position of the satellites in orbit. If satellites are displayed in red, this indicates that mobile device sees them, but cannot receive a signal from them due to incorrect settings.
To fix this problem, you need to go to the Information section, click full, and after a few seconds AGPS restart. After this, you need to return to Satellites and wait until the satellite icons light up green. It is best to carry out this operation in an open area, since on the balcony, due to significant interference in the form of house walls and trees, the signal quality is much worse. The last step will reboot the device, be it a smartphone or tablet. Thus, the most common ways to set up GPS on Android are discussed.
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.
Why GPS stops working and how to deal with it
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 GPS malfunctions - transition 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 " cold start" It is done very simply.
1. Leave the room for a relatively free space. If you are using a cover, we recommend removing it.
2. Enable on your device GPS reception. Go to " Settings».
On Android up to 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, on the right top corner, there is an enable slider. Move it to the right.
4. GPS will be turned on on the device. All you need to do next is wait 15-20 minutes until the device adjusts to the position of the satellites in this area.
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 file gps.conf. This manipulation It 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: and with the ability to access system files. The most convenient way is to use Root Explorer.
1. Launch Ruth Explorer and navigate to the root folder internal memory, aka 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.
Click and hold on it to select it. Then tap on the three dots in the top right to bring up 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, you will see the following options:
5. NTP_SERVER parameter should be changed to the following values:
- For 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 in gps.conf Your device is missing the INTERMEDIATE_POS parameter , enter it with the value 0 - this will slow down the operation of the receiver somewhat, but will make its readings much more accurate.
7. Do the same with the DEFAULT_AGPS_ENABLE option , to which you need to add a value TRUE . This will allow you to use the data cellular networks 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 GPS functionality using special programs for testing or 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. Similar problems You can’t fix it yourself, so the best solution will contact the service center for help. If the warranty period for the device has not yet expired, you should have it replaced or your money refunded.
Incorrect operation of the GPS module is a fairly common problem with Android devices. The system can connect to satellites, but navigation will still not work. In some cases, the defect is associated with a breakdown of the gadget’s hardware, but most of the situation is solvable using software methods. Below we describe what to do if GPS does not work on Android.
First, let's determine how the navigator on the phone works. Yandex.Maps or navigation from Google contacts the system satellites and requests data about current location user. Based on the information received, a construction is made optimal route or selection public transport. If the GPS module stops functioning - normal operation navigation is not possible, even using A-GPS technology. The main reasons for failure are usually software problems, but in some cases the source of the malfunction is the failure of the hardware module.
Geolocation services do not work on Android if the settings are incorrect. The defect may also be caused by the installation of incompatible firmware or the lack of necessary drivers.
The navigator from Google or Yandex does not work well even with a weak satellite signal. It is worth remembering that programs do not always display location correctly, and you should not rely on the system when hiking or off-road. To troubleshoot, let’s look at the causes and solutions to popular problems.
Reasons for no signal
There are two main groups of faults: hardware and software. The former can be fixed by qualified specialists in service centers, while the latter can be fixed at home.
- Hardware - a component can fail after mechanical impact to the device body, for example, due to a fall or strong impact. The cause of the breakdown may also be liquid entering the main board, followed by oxidation of the contacts.
- Software – malware infection software, incorrect firmware or update failures - all these faults can damage the location driver.
The first thing to do if the GPS sensor does not work is to restart your smartphone and scan it with an antivirus. Maybe, RAM The device is full, and there are not enough processor resources to activate communication with satellites.
Incorrect setting
Correctly setting your smartphone parameters is the key proper operation GPS systems on Android.
- If Android does not find the location, go to the device settings, then “General”, and then open “Location and modes”.
- On the Location tab, specify your preferred location method. If you specify "Satellites only", Android will not use A-GPS technology, which collects data from nearby cell phones and Wi-Fi networks to improve geopositioning accuracy.
- Try setting the mode to "Only mobile networks» and check the functionality of the cards. If navigation turns on, there is a problem with the driver or hardware.
- When GPS on Android does not turn on (the system does not respond to switching the option), there is probably a problem in the firmware. Execute full reset settings or contact the service center.
- To reset your location settings, click on the “Backup and reset” tab, then tap on “Reset network and navigation settings.” Login to Google account for confirmation.
Important! All saved passwords from points Wi-Fi access, as well as cellular network data will be deleted.
The described method helps eliminate most problems with the software.
Incorrect firmware
The consequences of careless firmware on Android can be quite unpredictable. Installation of third-party OS versions is performed to speed up the operation of the gadget, but as a result, the phone modules stop functioning.
If you decide to reflash your device, download firmware files only from trusted forums - XDA and w3bsit3-dns.com. Do not try to flash your smartphone with an OS version from another phone, as the drivers necessary for operation may no longer function. If the device has become a brick, perform a full data reset.
- Press the volume up and lock buttons for 5-7 seconds. When the Android logo appears on the screen of the turned off gadget, release Volume Up.
- The Recovery menu will load. Select “Wipe Data/Factory Reset”, confirm Hard Reset.
- To reboot your smartphone, tap “Reboot system now”. The setup will take a few minutes when you turn it on.
The method is suitable for devices with damaged firmware. GPS module will restore functionality after switching to the factory version of the OS.
Module calibration
In some cases it is necessary to perform quick calibration devices.
- Open the “Essential setup” application, it can be downloaded for free from the Play Market.
- Click on the compass icon and place your smartphone on a flat surface.
- Tap the “Test” button and wait 10 minutes until testing ends. Once completed, try turning on satellite navigation.
Hardware problems
Cheap Chinese smartphones are often equipped with low-quality satellite communication modules. Problems can be corrected by replacing the corresponding module in service center. Malfunctions occur on both Android and iOS phones.
Ask a question to a virtual expert
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Type your question in the field and press Enter or Submit.
Conclusion
If navigation on Android does not work or you cannot connect to satellites in open areas, determine whether the cause of the defect is in the gadget’s parameters or whether the electronic board has failed. Repairs to hardware faults should only be carried out at authorized service centers.
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