[Q] GPS issues with custom ROMs - Galaxy S III Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

This issue repeats itself with 4 out of 5 galaxy s3 owners (owners which I know, that live in Israel):
I've always had GPS issues with my sgs3.
Most of the time I get around 8 satellites in view - I'm testing it using GPSTest.
Occasionally I get only 4-5 satellites with no fix.
At the same time and place, my HTC Desire Z (custom ROM), my Dad's sgs3 (original ROM from the cellular provider), my brother's sgs2 (custom ROM) and my girlfriends's sgs3 (custom ROM) get around 15 satellites with much higher db, much more stable signal and much much faster fix.
The same issue occurs in 3 other sgs3 with custom ROMs (2 of them are Omega ROMs).
Since I'm the go-to guy of my friends and family, I've tried to fix this problem in any way I could think of:
I've installed about 5 different ROMs - didn't help.
I even flashed a few days ago the latest official stock ROM and unofficial 4.2.1 stock ROM from samsung-updates.com - didn't help.
I've used FasterGPS and PimpMyROM to setup my location - these apps modify the gps.conf file - it helped temporarily - sometimes only until reboot, sometimes it didn't help at all.
I even went to a Samsung official lab, complaining I have a GPS issue - they installed the original 4.0.4 Israeli (I live in Israel) ROM and everything started working great again - I got 15-18 satellites in view, 1-2 seconds signal fix, high db signals - everything was working great.
Then I installed a custom ROM again (Omega is my default one) and since then this issue is back for good.
I've searched ALL of the forums, I've searched everywhere for a fix to this issue and came up with nothing besides temp fixes like FasterGPS etc.
Does anyone has a suggestion?
Any help would be much appreciated.
Thanks!

Alonzzo2 said:
This issue repeats itself with 4 out of 5 galaxy s3 owners:
Total nonsense 4 out of 5 galaxy owners do not have this problem .
Try the AGPS fix post or return phone to a service centre .
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1563226
jje
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

JJEgan said:
Total nonsense 4 out of 5 galaxy owners do not have this problem
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You misunderstood me. out of 5 sgs3 owners i know, friends of mine, this happened to 4 of them.
not 4 out of 5 worldwide...
I'll try looking at the AGPS, thanks

Alonzzo2 said:
You misunderstood me. out of 5 sgs3 owners i know, friends of mine, this happened to 4 of them.
not 4 out of 5 worldwide...
Well you wrote 4 out of 5 that means 4 out of 5 total users .
jje
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

JJEgan said:
Alonzzo2 said:
You misunderstood me. out of 5 sgs3 owners i know, friends of mine, this happened to 4 of them.
not 4 out of 5 worldwide...
Well you wrote 4 out of 5 that means 4 out of 5 total users .
jje
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK, I've edited the original post. thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

JJEgan said:
Try the AGPS fix post or return phone to a service centre .
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1563226
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tried the AGPS fix (I've already tried it several months ago) and it didn't help both times.
Any suggestions?

Alonzzo2 said:
Tried the AGPS fix (I've already tried it several months ago) and it didn't help both times.
Any suggestions?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your only choice left is a service centre .
jje

JJEgan said:
Your only choice left is a service centre .
jje
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try this fix. I've posted in other forums and many people have confirmed with me that it works.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2201668

Your custom ROM will incude a gps.conf file that works well in the country of the ROM chef, probably not for your country.
If the stock Israel ROM is working well for GPS then copy the whole gps.conf file from that ROM to your new ROM. I would assume the correct modem & RIL for Israel would also be essential for GPS.
An alternative is use the custom AGPS patch, which I've been using for years:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1881655&highlight=agps

syintiphic said:
Try this fix. I've posted in other forums and many people have confirmed with me that it works.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2201668
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you very much for the good intentions, one of the screws was indeed a bit loose, but it didn't help...

Alonzzo2 said:
Thank you very much for the good intentions, one of the screws was indeed a bit loose, but it didn't help...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tried again, and this fix worked!
I did it to 2 friends of mine also, and it fixed their gps also!
Thanks!

gps failure to lock gt-i9305t
Firstly a bit of history a stock i9305t rooted rom that showed failure of gps use was vrtoxin from a early version to one of the latter versions.
Followed maho's instructions at
http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s3/help-i9305/how-to-fix-gps-location-locking-to-t3176151
by downgrading to stock rom then upgrading to stock 4.4 rom still gps an issue - no lock
Tried other apps and hardware fix as on you tube tightening screws etc.
Apps re applied region of gps location I think.
Then rooted phone to use other apps to do the above also.
Also previously flashed fixes by twrp to fix but not fixed. Same issue.
Using GPS fix to test no fix of gps no satelites etc.
About to purchase a new gps antenna in the upper housing of phone which includes torch light etc. or take to an service shop.
Just annoyed that is is probably hardware as all software options have been attempted.
Any other options or something I am missing this is a very large forum.
Currently running RR rom 6.0.1 mm with no gps

Related

GPS fix

some one knows the best mod that make works the gps?
thanks
Flash nero. or at the least flash the JL1 modem
i running axura and y really like it. i just what to fix the gps issue is the modem jl1 helps?
i've tried nero beta 2 rom and the GPS seemed to work ok, i would say better than the jk6 or any other rom. but it still had some bugs in the system,,, so hopefully the Nero Beta 3 will be a better build.. thx to all the devs...
why u guys gps working fine...is it my device faulty? sad...the gps nvr work for me and im sitting on XDA forum for a week...still yet to get the solution....
kitoro said:
why u guys gps working fine...is it my device faulty? sad...the gps nvr work for me and im sitting on XDA forum for a week...still yet to get the solution....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Because we have flashed ROMS where the devs have fixed it. Go flash one.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
kitoro said:
why u guys gps working fine...is it my device faulty? sad...the gps nvr work for me and im sitting on XDA forum for a week...still yet to get the solution....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
fcbarca17 said:
Because we have flashed ROMS where the devs have fixed it. Go flash one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know of any devs who have altered the GPS code from Samsung, and regardless there is no sure thing to fix anyone's GPS issues.
If your GPS doesn't work, try a few different software versions and GPS settings. There is no miracle cure.
</thread>
kadoh said:
some one knows the best mod that make works the gps?
thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is the only solution that worked for me (works on JK6):
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=831725&highlight=pilotx
from my experience, they all work the same as long as drivers are present. What changes are the settings in lbstest. I always set the server to auto config and it learns pretty quick, but I'm in Japan.
kadoh said:
i running axura and y really like it. i just what to fix the gps issue is the modem jl1 helps?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
GPS issues are fixed in Axura 2.1 - see http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=862519
Telanis said:
I don't know of any devs who have altered the GPS code from Samsung, and regardless there is no sure thing to fix anyone's GPS issues.
</thread>
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly. These guys aren't fixing anything. Generally speaking, these guys theme ROM's. With some basic scripting of tasks and features. Devs.......I still laugh at that.
How to fix your GPS:
1) Accept that the Samsung Galaxy S GPS will never be fixed, just slightly improved upon a forever ****ty performing GPS. If you can accept this, then you are 1 step closer to enjoying your GPS.
2) Never f*ck with your GPS settings ever again after this day.
3) Download GPSRestore made by Samsung in the Android Market.
4) Run the program, if still having GPS problems then do a full factory format by dialing this into your phone *2767*3855#.
5) If still having problems after running the GPSRstore and doing a factory format via that code, then exchange the phone, and NEVER EVER EVER listen to anyone who suggests you should f*ck around with the LBStestmode settings on your new replacement.
6) Once again, stop tinkering with the GPS settings
7) One more time, leave the GPS settings alone.
Hope that helps, if all else fails, return the Vibrant, get a different phone, and never touch the GPS settings on that phone either.
Master has used the following GPS fix in his roms.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=9551790
I'm using this on nero b2 and it fixes on to 9/12 satellites for me in most locations under 10 seconds when directly under the sky and under 30-40 seconds when inside a building.
You can also search for an app called GpsRestore by Samsung Mobile in the Market. Depending on your rom, as long as it recognizes your device, it can work wonders. For best results go outside when you run it. When I tried it it took me from 50 meters to <10. Good luck.

[Q] PH users having trouble with GPS?

Is it just my Ace or everyone in the Philippines are having problems with the GPS?... Tried checking my location through a map application(e.g. map droyd, facebook or any location aware apps) and it takes a long time for the gps search then fails.
Any fix for this?
Thanks
i also had this problem, anyway, whats your rom? mine is the myth ics, i think its also location based,
ikaw said:
i also had this problem, anyway, whats your rom? mine is the myth ics, i think its also location based,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well, I'm now back in the stock rom.. DXKPD...
I though it was my custom rom (CM7.2) that was causing the GPS failure. So I tried flashing back the stock.. but still GPS is failing...
hmmmm, two weeks ago ive used my phones gps in taguig and it worked well, now its not working properly, i think its also location based, right now im in pasig,
ikaw said:
hmmmm, two weeks ago ive used my phones gps in taguig and it worked well, now its not working properly, i think its also location based, right now im in pasig,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh Really? Well, I'm in the visayas area right now (Aklan)... didn't work since day 1.
Thanks for the info. I'll try checking the GPS in other places (if I can travel).
working well here in negros

[Q] GPS NOT Working!

I never get a GPS lock how much ever time I wait, even outdoors. It doesn't work in the latest stock rom also. I tried various GPS fixes from the market but nothing works and I searched the forum too. It used to work properly a year ago. Please help...
Thanks in advance.
vtlrockz said:
I never get a GPS lock how much ever time I wait, even outdoors. It doesn't work in the latest stock rom also. I tried various GPS fixes from the market but nothing works and I searched the forum too. It used to work properly a year ago. Please help...
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. Suggestion: Try GPS Status app => free from Play store.
Works fine on my SGS2.
2. Suggestion: Try to flash stock ROM, and do a factory reset/wipe data after flashing. Maybe there is something messed up in your ROM for GPS.
3. Suggestion: If your still on warranty, go the the store/service center and try to get a replacement. Maybe it is a kind of hardware defect.
Good luck !
It_ler said:
3. Suggestion: If your still on warranty, go the the store/service center and try to get a replacement. Maybe it is a kind of hardware defect.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, it is out of warranty but it worked fine initially. Thanks for the quick reply. Will try the other suggestions...
It_ler said:
1. Suggestion: Try GPS Status app => free from Play store.
Works fine on my SGS2.
2. Suggestion: Try to flash stock ROM, and do a factory reset/wipe data after flashing. Maybe there is something messed up in your ROM for GPS.
3. Suggestion: If your still on warranty, go the the store/service center and try to get a replacement. Maybe it is a kind of hardware defect.
Good luck !
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try faster fix from the play store too.
Sent from my GT-P7510 using xda premium
I've started having GPS problems from a few days ago, did the whole flashing to stock then back to my one, re-flashed the kernels, tried faster fix. BUT still no joy, was working absolutely fine until now.
Same for me. Upgrade from lp7 to lpf and now i don't get a fix.
With gps test i even see 11 satellite in view, but don't get a fix.
I tried gps aids to inject xtra data but nothing...
Red_Vex said:
Same for me. Upgrade from lp7 to lpf and now i don't get a fix.
With gps test i even see 11 satellite in view, but don't get a fix.
I tried gps aids to inject xtra data but nothing...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/21/sun-solar-flare-sunspot_n_1690576.html
GPS fix and so on won't do anything....
Any of you heard of Google search by the way? Lots of answers there...
LenAsh said:
Any of you heard of Google search by the way? Lots of answers there...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
NO IM SURE NO ONE HAS EVER HEARD OF GOOGLE EVER.
Anyways, I am in a similar situation and was going to make my own thread but I'll start here.
Been running stock 4.0.3 for a few weeks but wanted to flash touchwiz ux back on because I kind of missed it. So I rooted again and behold, sucked back in to flashing all the new roms I haven't tried.
Problem-and the reason I am posting this to general q&a- is this ; Across all the roms that I flash (slim ics , rootbox, rr 2.6 etc and 3 different custom kernels)- the GPS cannot get a lock.
When I revert back to my nandroid stock 4.0.3 cf root its fine. And TBH I could get a kick out of slim being my daily so I've been searching ask Jeeves and Bing (the only two searches I've ever heard of) and trying many things to no success. Could some one point me to a thread that has helped you if you've had the same problem? Much appreciated.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk 2
i had gps problems when using cm9, but since i flashed sensation rom 3.5, my gps started working again.
so its software based, you could try agps patch
manmad said:
i had gps problems when using cm9, but since i flashed sensation rom 3.5, my gps started working again.
so its software based, you could try agps patch
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No it isn't - if you look further than the end of your nose, you will realise.
Be a little more circumspect...
manmad said:
i had gps problems when using cm9, but since i flashed sensation rom 3.5, my gps started working again.
so its software based, you could try agps patch
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. About to compose a reply in that thread now as I have tried it on all but 1 of the four roms I flashed today with the same results. Both 3.1 versions fail and abort on flash in cwm. 3.0 passes and the problem remains.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk 2
My GPS has miraculously started working again, strange! Solar flare it might have been then by the looks of things?

[Q] CM 10 with JellyBeanMod GPS Issues

Hi everybody. I have been reading many of the posts here over the past 6 months and trying to learn as much as I can about different ROMs and issues related to my particular phone which is the Samsung Epic 4G Touch.
Thanks Exit_Only for your helpful work in this thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1975379. In that thread Sydius 08 asked "How are the Stable 1 tweaks running for you guys? Running CM10 11/18 nightly" I would like to focus on one aspect of that.
First I am currently running cm-10-20121117-UNOFFICIAL-d710 with gapps-jb-20121011-signed. I had installed JellyBeanMod_Stable-One_EO in hopes that it would resolve my long-standing GPS issue. I have read so many threads and I do appreciate all of the comments and attempted fixes by this community. I also use GPS Status and GPS Essentials where I see zero satellites but saw eight or nine instantly with #3 below. Here are the three times when my GPS has worked:
1) When I first got it just over a year ago. It was running Gingerbread 2.3.x (don't remember the last number but think it was 1). It worked perfectly but stopped after about 2 months and worked on and off after that.
2) After the GPS completely stopped working I started learning all I could about using a custom ROM. I tried CyanogenMod 9 but it did not resolve the issue. There's more to the story and more ROMs and tips provided here that I tried but all failed. However, whenever I Odin back to StockCWM-EL26.tar it works perfectly. I followed the tip about getting a fix prior to putting an ICS or JB ROM on.
3) I installed this on 11/15 http://sbrissen.chris41g.org/sbrissen-ALPHA6.zip and my GPS worked perfectly. However, lots of other apps failed miserably and it kept freezing up.
So here I am with nowhere else to turn. This latest CM 10 works perfectly EXCEPT the GPS. I would appreciate any thoughts on this.
i'm sure someone will mention this, but have you attempted to acquire a GPS lock on a stock ROM, for example, and revert to one of your desired ROMs?
smoresrock said:
i'm sure someone will mention this, but have you attempted to acquire a GPS lock on a stock ROM, for example, and revert to one of your desired ROMs?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the reply and yes: "whenever I Odin back to StockCWM-EL26.tar it works perfectly."
[ROM]Phantom's Blazer Rom[Yo][8/2/12][v0.1.5][FF18] try this Rom seems to have GPS work in it
Shlickwilly said:
[ROM]Phantom's Blazer Rom[Yo][8/2/12][v0.1.5][FF18] try this Rom seems to have GPS work in it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you. I had actually tried that one and ran into a problem with flashing it but I think that's because I didn't go back to StockCWM-EL26.tar first. I might give it a try again. I do love CM 10 and it would be perfect if the GPS worked.
For those who may not know this guy, QBKing77, is one of the best at teaching how to do this. Here is one for the SGIII and the Blazer ROM which he considers one of his favorites. I had to remove the link because I'm such a newbie. Here is the YouTube description: Blazer Rom on the Samsung Galaxy S III [REVIEW]
allenp007 said:
Thanks for the reply and yes: "whenever I Odin back to StockCWM-EL26.tar it works perfectly."
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yep. this is the same method i used to fix my friend's GPS issue on a jelly bean ROM. after seeing to it that i was getting a GPS lock on the stock ROM, i went back into recovery, and flashed the ROM she wanted (paranoid android i think it was)... since then, she's been a happy camper locking into 7-9 satellites indoors
Great news! I was able to resolve this issue by following Qbking's YouTube tutorial: "How to Temporary Boot Stock EL29 on the Samsung Epic 4G Touch." I was able to lock on to 9 satellites and get a fix on my exact location. It was literally showing me in front of the building where I was standing.
I hope this helps someone else who might be going through the same problem with their GPS on an E4GT. If someone could post this information and possibly the link to the thread I referenced earlier I would appreciate it.
Thank you everyone for your comments.

GPS and Modem versions - test

I recently had najor problems with gps reception and locking.
I flashed many different roms in trying to solve it.
I searched the forums and saw many suggestions, all of them spoke about tweaking or using a different gps.conf files.
Tried many of them and nothing helped.
Then I flashed a rom that changed the modem also and what do you know, gps was working again. Good reception and fast locking time.
It also was a sammy based rom and not an aosp/aokp/cm rom.
The thing is that I think the modem was the main solution. Maybe the sammy rom helped too since I did get a response from someone saying that there is a piece of software in sammy roms that is needed by the gps and can not be integrated in the aosp aokp cm roms.
Since then I am kind of reluctant to try another rom, maybe an aosp one with this modem and see if the gps works good.
Maybe a group of people can check this, me included, and report thier results with different modems and roms.
Since I use my gps daily it realy was a difficult time for me when I experienced these problems.
So this topic may become a good guide to people with s2 gps problems.
My problematic modem was xms2 while good ones were xlq6, kh3 and xlph. Also on a friend s2 xls8 worked fine.
A good thing will be to include your location as results may vary according to it.
My location is Israel.
Thanks
Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk 2
It's not the modem, GPS has nothing to do with which modem you use.
It's probably more with the fact you went back to a Sammy based rom instead of aosp/aokp/cm
Damienoid said:
It's not the modem, GPS has nothing to do with which modem you use.
It's probably more with the fact you went back to a Sammy based rom instead of aosp/aokp/cm
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
From my experience with embeded modems they usually contains the gps receiver as well, this is why I believe there is a connection but it can be also be related to the rom.
This is why I asked other users to try it out so we can get more statistics on the issue.
Thanks
Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk 2
I did some testings today and here are my resuls.
It seems tat there ae two problems one is the modem used the other is the rom.
Changing the modem did help a lot on aosp/aokp/cm roms in terms of reception and locking time. It seems though that after dalvik wipe it will take much longer to lock the firsttime, then it is much faster took my device to lock about 17 to 30 seconds while on the first time it took as mch as 2 minutes.
But on these roms it seems that less satellites are viewed and used, they only managed to use 4 or 5 ay most when there where between 7 to 9 satellites visible.
Sammy roms used all or most of the satellites visible, which led to a more accurate locking.
Good modems where KH3, XLPH, XLQ6, XLS8. I believe that KH3 was the best followed by XLPH.
Bad modem XMS2.
ROMS Avatar rom for aosp/aokp/cm based, ROMs4 and vivik for sammy based.
Regards and hope it will be of use for someone.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk 2
how can I know
hi guys,
I'm struggling with my weak GPS signal too.
and I was googling looking for something that could help me and here I am.
but, as a noob, I don't even know how to know my modem model, can you help me out?
Thx in advance!
marcosnanny said:
hi guys,
I'm struggling with my weak GPS signal too.
and I was googling looking for something that could help me and here I am.
but, as a noob, I don't even know how to know my modem model, can you help me out?
Thx in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Go to settings->About phone and look at the Baseband.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk 2
E120LKLJMA2
This is my modem then.
Can I flash any modem, or it must be specific to my phone's model (S2 SHV E120L)?
Sent from my SHV-E120L using xda app-developers app
marcosnanny said:
E120LKLJMA2
This is my modem then.
Can I flash any modem, or it must be specific to my phone's model (S2 SHV E120L)?
Sent from my SHV-E120L using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I believe you have to flash a modem designed for your device specifically.
I suppose you will find it in your device forum.
Regards
Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk 2

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