Let me start by saying my Mogul (Bell) has ALWAYS LOCKED (found satellites) with ALL of DCD's ROMS from the day he started creating the ROMs for the GPS. All the "GPS" radio's have worked and am lucky never to have a problem except one: Not Finding GPS/Satellites after the Mogul Sleeps or being able to get it working again without a soft/hard reset everytime!!!
I have been using only DCD's ROMS and currently have radio 3.35.04 and DCD 3.01 installed. I am using Garmin XT and GPS Tuner. I get the same results with every GPS software I have tried.
Here are brief details:
After hard/soft reset - if its within a few seconds and I catch it quickly, there are no problems, both the AGPS and the software are working fine.
After 2-? Minutes - if I let the unit go to sleep, and awake it via the Power button, the gps program is looking for satellites. Sometimes it finds them, most of the time not. It wont find them in ANY program, even GPS Viewer and/or any other navigation program.
After Many Minutes - not only are the satellites gone, but now the navigation software cannot find the AGPS with any program OR method.
Sometimes a soft start fixes it, sometimes only a hard start will do the trick.
I have tried as much of the "forced start" software that I could find, but to no avail.
I also changed the com port to 5 thinking that there maybe is a conflict with 4, (you have to make sure the com port setting in all of your GPS software is also changed unless the software does this automatically) but the SAME issues stated above occur.
I have loaded and reloaded probably 20 different configurations of my software even to the point where all I had loaded was the bare DCD rom (no options or unnecessary OEM's) and JUST my Navigation software. Same issues......
I hope I am not the only one and hope that the contributions to this thread will fix this issue.
Please.....Keep this thread focused on this issue only - Keeping the GPS alive!!! ( no Where did you get this or that program? How did you install it?)
keeping the gps alive will kill the battery.
yea, i have teh same issue as you. soft reset is the only way i get gps working.
thecalip said:
keeping the gps alive will kill the battery.
yea, i have teh same issue as you. soft reset is the only way i get gps working.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe a better way to phrase it would have been to make the GPS available without having to do a soft reset every time.
We don't want to keep GPS alive indefinately! We just want so if we accidentily press power button while navigation is happening, we not have to reset the phone.. because this is a little inconvenient. If I am driving down the road and I hit my power button, now I have to pull over and reset my Titan because otherwise I have no GPS navigation ability and that's not a good happening, you know? We just want so if navigation software is active, not kill GPS, then when shutdown GPS navigation software, shut down GPS gate properly so when want to relaunch GPS navigation software, not need to reboot Titan.
I'm sorry to post in a rather old post.
But I'm having the same problem with my Samsung i780.
When I already used my GPS after turning on my phone and put it back to sleep, it can't find a valid GPS signal when waking it up.
After a soft reset, the GPS signal is found very quickly.
Any fix for this?
yeah, the fix is GC's aGPS fix. I never have to soft reset my device to get a lock ever.
I don't use aGPS, just the internal GPS receiver.
Will it also fix the problem then?
>> edit:
It's not that the GPS doesn't work after accidentally pushing the power button. It's more like when I use the GPS the first time after turning the phone on, everything works fast and good. But when I close the Navigator software and turn it back on in -let's say- two hours, it doesn't get a signal from the GPS. I don't use aGPS.
I only use Google Maps and TomTom7. If I make sure the phone doesn't go to sleep while Google Maps is tracking GPS all is fine. However, if the phone goes to sleep while Google Maps is using the GPS it will not work again, in any program, until I soft reset. If I bring the phone out of sleep fast enough, it's fine. If the same happens with TomTom though it takes a few seconds to fix itself and then everything works just like it did before.
I'm not sure why it works fine with TomTom and not Google Maps though.
I found that if I use the GPS toggle program and leave it on. It finds the GPS signal after sleep mode. It is a small today screen plugin. I also have attached the latest version of Google maps. If i am using the GPS with Google maps it doesn't stop when the phone goes into sleep mode. See if this helps.
i use the same gps toggle program that tommvee suggested using and it works great. i wasn't originally having problems finding GPS satellites after waking from sleep mode, but was having to wait up to 5 minutes before garmin xt could find my location. after installing the gps toggle .cab, doing a soft reset, activating the gps toggle and letting it run in the background for a few minutes, both garmin xt, and googlemaps can now find me in about 30 seconds. i do believe however, that you'll have to reactivate the gps toggle after restarting the phone but it will stay running while your phone is in sleep/standby mode.
tommvee said:
It finds the GPS signal after sleep mode. It is a small today screen plugin./QUOTE]
Is there anyway to activate the program without the today screen plugin?
I'm using the default Samsung Home plugin and it takes the whole screen...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
kflipproductions said:
yeah, the fix is GC's aGPS fix. I never have to soft reset my device to get a lock ever.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am also using aGPS but still have problems if I accidently hit the power button in Google Maps and forget to turn it back on. My power button is very sensitive so even brushing it as I set the phone down will put it to sleep. It doesn't click anymore like the other buttons do :/
As for the battery usage, I only use GPS in my car where I have the phone plugged in 90% of the time.
Where can I get GC's GPS fix?
RedRamage said:
Where can I get GC's GPS fix?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think there's a link to the How To in the Titan wiki.
Any pointers on shutting down the gps gate? I could try a utility for doing the shutdown manually.
well i've got a problem with the Gps ...
i can run the gps once every 100 Tries ..
i installed Gps test
and it shows the bars and stuff .. Again.. only one time every 100 tries .. Wtf ??
i had the same issue, turning off and on the phone solved the problem.
GPS Fix
Well, here is what I did to get my GPS working again.
Take your SIM out of the mobile
Power on the device
Turn WiFi on
Turn GPS on
Open application: GPS Status
Go into its Settings menu
Click on GPS and Sensors
Click Manage A-GPS state
Click Reset
Click Manage A-GPS state again
Click Download (You'll see a message telling you that a data connection is needed, ignore it)
Now put your phone on a stable, straight surface in order to enable the phone to get a lock, within GPS Status. This time, you’ll see your phone get the lock way faster than before.
With that done, now it’s time to put your SIM back in and use the network to secure a quick GPS fix as well.
Put your SIM back in, and turn the device on
Check the APN settings, make sure that your default APN has the following entry in its APN Type: “default,supl” – without the inverted commas (T-Mobile customers can try keeping this field empty, if "default,supl" doesn't work)
Open either Google Maps, or the application GPS Status
This time you should witness a really quick fix at the GPS signal by your phone. And you should not face lag in getting a fix at the GPS-signal even after a re-boot, or in case of moving away from the area.
This Tips is from other source.I found it on net.
raiderkilo said:
Well, here is what I did to get my GPS working again.
Take your SIM out of the mobile
Power on the device
Turn WiFi on
Turn GPS on
Open application: GPS Status
Go into its Settings menu
Click on GPS and Sensors
Click Manage A-GPS state
Click Reset
Click Manage A-GPS state again
Click Download (You'll see a message telling you that a data connection is needed, ignore it)
Now put your phone on a stable, straight surface in order to enable the phone to get a lock, within GPS Status. This time, you’ll see your phone get the lock way faster than before.
With that done, now it’s time to put your SIM back in and use the network to secure a quick GPS fix as well.
Put your SIM back in, and turn the device on
Check the APN settings, make sure that your default APN has the following entry in its APN Type: “default,supl” – without the inverted commas (T-Mobile customers can try keeping this field empty, if "default,supl" doesn't work)
Open either Google Maps, or the application GPS Status
This time you should witness a really quick fix at the GPS signal by your phone. And you should not face lag in getting a fix at the GPS-signal even after a re-boot, or in case of moving away from the area.
This Tips is from other source.I found it on net.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
uhhhhhhh ... there aint nothing called GPS and Sensors
You must first install app called GPS Status from the Market
http://eclipsim.com/gpsstatus/
http://www.androlib.com/android.application.com-eclipsim-gpsstatus2-zF.aspx
i have some trouble with my x10 mini , it has the lastest official firmware, and my gps worked when i bought the phone , but when i try to use it in igo/google maps/ gps tools i have no signal, i tried what was said in this thread, i even reflashed my phone... nothing , please help, the icon appears in the status bar when searching for sattelites but that`s all, i`ve left it 10 min to find satelites but nothing
Funguje to! Vďaka.
This is a great solution. It worked for me but I didn't remove the SIM. Here is how I did:
1. Install GPS Status
2. Menu-->tools
3. Reset A-GPS
That's it. I waited a litlle (less than five minute) and it catched quickly all the satellites.
Now it is working quickly with any app.
I've used many of the rom with their respective kernels....everytime in google maps it shows my location but the pointer doesn't move with my movements and it is just because compass is not working..... currently i am using CM7 v2.2.0 with nAa 11 kernel...
Help me....!
Sent from my E10i using xda premium
Hey guys, first off, I have searched for no less than 2 hours for an answer to this question, and while there are lots of discussions, none of them seem to replicate what I am seeing.
Can anyone confirm this, and does anyone have a fix?
GPS will not lock a single satelite in Airplane Mode. I'm in American Samoa without cell coverage, and using the GPS Status app to test. Here's my findings:
First, I turn off Airplane mode, turn on WiFi (connected), turn on GPS. I do not get a cell signal. I open GPS Status, GPS locks onto the first satelite within a minute, and locks position in 10 seconds after that. I turn Airplane mode on which turns WiFi off. Interestingly enough, GPS is not turned off. I turn GP Soff, and then turn it back on (have read suggestions to do so, and have also tried not switching it at all). I then turn Wifi on and verify connection. I open GPS Status, and let it sit for up to an hour outdoors, not a single satelite ever appears. I turn Airplane mode off, and within a minute I have a locked location.
So, two questions, is it possible to get GPS to work when in Airplane mode, or is it possible to disable the cell radio some other way (possibly keeping GPS enabled)?
Here's my stats:
Phone: Moto Razr Maxx
Rooted: Yup
Carrier: Verizon
Sys Version: 6.12.181.XT912.Verizon.en.US
Android Version: 2.3.6
Baseband: CMDA_N_04.07.01R LTEDC_U_07.1F.00
Purchased about a month ago
Playing around a bit more, I noticed that when I have airplane mode off, and GPS on, and GPS Status open, if I quickly hit the home button, turn Airplane mode on, and go back into GPS Status, a lock remains for about 3-5 seconds, and then satelites slowly start disappearing until there's none left. Airplane mode is definitely disabling GPS on my phone.
Anyone? Bueller.... Bueller... Bueller...
I can post video if you don't believe me...
I have read that the GPS needs a data connection to make a lock. I don't remember where I read that, but I had the same problem when I was in Europe trying to use my phone primarily as a GPS device with cached maps. There was maybe once or twice that it actually locked, out of many many many many attempts.
I have airplane mode on, wifi and blutooth off, then turn on gps, I get gps lock on my Droid Razr with stock gingerbread for a short period then lose all satellites. It appears that you can't use gps with airplane mode on.
bump i have been wondering about this also. airlines often expressly allow gps. after all, gps RECEIVES, it doesn't transmit.
droidmo said:
I have read that the GPS needs a data connection to make a lock. I don't remember where I read that, but I had the same problem when I was in Europe trying to use my phone primarily as a GPS device with cached maps. There was maybe once or twice that it actually locked, out of many many many many attempts.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually GPS doesn't need data connection to make a lock. But with data connection it helps make lock much faster.. that's the features called A-GPS (Assisted-GPS), google around about A-GPS for more detailed info how it works.
I always turn off my data connection every time i use my razr for navigation. I only turn data connection sometimes to make the GPS locked and after i got a lock i always turn off the data connection (I'm not on data plan) and even i didn't turn on my data connection I still can get a lock as long as i am outdoor. So far i never had razr GPS lock problems. This phone's GPS never disappoint me.
My guess is maybe it's some kinda bug on the airplane mode or maybe that's intentionally for some safety reasons.
Same here. I did:
- open maps, locate my position. ok.
- turn off wifi and data
- go back to maps, position ok.
- longpress power, turrn on airplane
- gps starts blinking, position lost
- turn off airplane, but data remains off
- gps position found in 2 seconds
(also tried with "GPS Test" app - same result)
I have MAXX AsiaRetail stock 2.3.6
Sent from my XT910 using XDA
Thanks guys, nice to know it's not just me! Just to clarify some other posts, GPS works with or without a data connection as long as airplane mode is off.
So, seeing as though airplane mode kills GPS, does anyone know of a way to disable the cell radio (to save battery life) without turning on airplane mode?
And just to comfort those who worry about flying, I'm just using the phone for directions and what not (American Samoa doesn't have street addresses believe it or not, and 2 houses past the third palm tree doesn't cut it ). I download the directions while at the hotel on wifi, then go about my way, but if I can't use GPS in airplane mode, it kills the battery searching for a cell tower.
kreez said:
So far i never had razr GPS lock problems. This phone's GPS never disappoint me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Couldn't agree more, while in the states with cell reception, this phone's GPS is fantastic! Unfortunately, if you have to keep airplane mode off to have it work, it's useless in the back country, or 3rd world countries. Maybe today's ICS release will fix the bug!
I don't think it's a bug. My droid X did the same thing.
risslerp said:
I don't think it's a bug. My droid X did the same thing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah yes, feature not bug. :cyclops:
Moved To Q&A
Please Post questions in the Q&A section
On my Razr Maxx I also have no gps in airplane mode. I'm running the official 4.04.
I'm going to guess this is because the droid radio chip has gps integrated along with the cellular radios. Here's my evidence:
Turning off the radio with the LTE OnOff app (it just opens the radio service menu, same as dialing the service number), and pressing "Turn radio off": Gps Test would never see any satellites and would never get a gps lock.
Setting the "preferred network type" to "GSM only" (this has no service in Seattle with Verizon): Gps Test immediately sees satellites and I get a gps lock.
I wish there was an option to turn off all the cellular radios but to leave the gps radio on. I use my razr maxx hiking with offline topo maps and OruxMaps, and it lasts about 8 hours recording tracks every 1 minute.
Possible solution?
My findings are that when using my Razr Maxx still on 2.3.6 stock settings, If I run the GPS Test application with GPS, 3G data and cellular on (airplane mode off) it acquires my location accurate of 10 feet, using 8-12 satellites in approximately 10 or so seconds. If I exit, toggle Airplane mode on, relaunch GPS Test, it will acquire my location in the same time, accuracy and with again 8-12 satellites. But If I exit, toggle GPS off and then Airplane mode on, Toggle GPS on, relaunch GPS Test, it will not be able to locate any satellites.
Now, with that said, if I go into my data/data/com.android.providers.settings/databases/ directory and open the settings.db file, in the "system" entry, I do not have gps listed in either the "airplane_mode_radios" or the "airplane_mode_toggleable_radios" values. I do have "cell,bluetooth,wifi" under the airplane_mode_radios value, and "bluetooth,wifi" under the airplane_mode_toggleable_radios value.
I do not know how this looks in ICS for the Razr (4.0.4). I also do not know if gps is even able to be included here. Just a theory.
I might be on to something that may work and you will need to be rooted.
I warn you, that I have not tried modifying this myself, so I cannot verify it will work. Do not try this if you aren't comfortable with attempting it without it being verified to work first.
What I'm thinking is to use an app like Root Explorer and navigate into the data/data/com.android.providers.settings/databases/ directory. Open and edit the settings.db file with an app like SQLite editor. Then open the "system" database entry. Check to see if on around lines 21 and 22 there are entries named "airplane_mode_radios" and "airplane_mode_toggleable_radios". Once located, check to see if their values include gps among the other available radios. If the airplane_mode_radios value includes gps, then long press, tap edit field, remove it and save. If gps is not listed under the airplane_mode_toggleable_radios then long press, edit field, add gps and save. Exit and reboot.
I think with doing this, it should not turn GPS off when airplane mode is toggled on and it should allow you to toggle GPS on and off while airplane mode is on.
If anyone else knows of an easier or proven way to do this then let us know.
If you know this will not work, correct me and let me know.
Ryco26 said:
My findings are that when using my Razr Maxx still on 2.3.6 stock settings, If I run the GPS Test application with GPS, 3G data and cellular on (airplane mode off) it acquires my location accurate of 10 feet, using 8-12 satellites in approximately 10 or so seconds. If I exit, toggle Airplane mode on, relaunch GPS Test, it will acquire my location in the same time, accuracy and with again 8-12 satellites. But If I exit, toggle GPS off and then Airplane mode on, Toggle GPS on, relaunch GPS Test, it will not be able to locate any satellites.
Now, with that said, if I go into my data/data/com.android.providers.settings/databases/ directory and open the settings.db file, in the "system" entry, I do not have gps listed in either the "airplane_mode_radios" or the "airplane_mode_toggleable_radios" values. I do have "cell,bluetooth,wifi" under the airplane_mode_radios value, and "bluetooth,wifi" under the airplane_mode_toggleable_radios value.
I do not know how this looks in ICS for the Razr (4.0.4). I also do not know if gps is even able to be included here. Just a theory.
I might be on to something that may work and you will need to be rooted.
I warn you, that I have not tried modifying this myself, so I cannot verify it will work. Do not try this if you aren't comfortable with attempting it without it being verified to work first.
What I'm thinking is to use an app like Root Explorer and navigate into the data/data/com.android.providers.settings/databases/ directory. Open and edit the settings.db file with an app like SQLite editor. Then open the "system" database entry. Check to see if on around lines 21 and 22 there are entries named "airplane_mode_radios" and "airplane_mode_toggleable_radios". Once located, check to see if their values include gps among the other available radios. If the airplane_mode_radios value includes gps, then long press, tap edit field, remove it and save. If gps is not listed under the airplane_mode_toggleable_radios then long press, edit field, add gps and save. Exit and reboot.
I think with doing this, it should not turn GPS off when airplane mode is toggled on and it should allow you to toggle GPS on and off while airplane mode is on.
If anyone else knows of an easier or proven way to do this then let us know.
If you know this will not work, correct me and let me know.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd like to confirm that I'm having the same issue of having no GPS connectivity when in airplane mode even though the GPS has been toggled on. Numerous other forums have stated that this is a hardware issue with Motorola phones. I'm curious if the above quoted solution has worked for anybody.
Thank you!
This is the response that I got from Motorola after asking the general question about having GPS turned on when airplane mode is on:
"When airplane mode is enabled, this will automatically disable all wireless and radio communication on the device including the GPS receiver. Because the phone, in order to determine location, takes readings from both GPS satellites and nearby cellular base stations (towers), with the help of a location server on the network. In other words, the phone relies on the network for help in determining location. Although the phone does receive GPS signals directly from the satellites, it can't determine actual location without help from the cell network."
Therefore, you can't use the GPS radio by itself.
hantav said:
This is the response that I got from Motorola after asking the general question about having GPS turned on when airplane mode is on:
"When airplane mode is enabled, this will automatically disable all wireless and radio communication on the device including the GPS receiver. Because the phone, in order to determine location, takes readings from both GPS satellites and nearby cellular base stations (towers), with the help of a location server on the network. In other words, the phone relies on the network for help in determining location. Although the phone does receive GPS signals directly from the satellites, it can't determine actual location without help from the cell network."
Therefore, you can't use the GPS radio by itself.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But the GPS still works fine when I am far away from any cell towers of any kind...
I think whoever responded to you was trying to justify airplane mode turning off GPS. There must be a way to force it to stay on.
It has certainly frustrated me that I can't use airplane mode to save battery while using GPS.
I'm by no means an expert on this issue but I think the GPS and cellular radios are physically connected (on the same chip??) inside most Motorola phones. So even though you might not be near a cellular tower, and if airplane mode if off, you should be able to get a GPS signal. But if airplane mode is on, then both the cellular and GPS radios will be turned off.
Basically, the interwebs is pointing to a hardware issue rather then an a software issue. However, I hope a software solution is available.
MrCavity said:
But the GPS still works fine when I am far away from any cell towers of any kind...
I think whoever responded to you was trying to justify airplane mode turning off GPS. There must be a way to force it to stay on.
It has certainly frustrated me that I can't use airplane mode to save battery while using GPS.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd give $20 for a software solution to this problem. I am an avid hiker. Using a cell phone in Airplane Mode you get 4x, 5x, 6x the battery life. If I can use GPS while in Airplane Mode, I can hike a very long time, but if I'm forced to leave the cell radio on merely to use GPS, the battery won't last a full day's hike. It is ridiculous that we can't (yet) use GPS in Airplane Mode. I have been using ViewRanger offline navigation app for years. I download to the phone before I leave home all of the topo maps that I need for a hike, so I have no need for data when I'm hiking.
Did anyone ever try editing the systems.db file in data/data/com.android.providers.settings/databases/ directory? I can't tell that the guy that wrote that post ever tried it himself.
EDIT: I found here documentation of these two settings.
AIRPLANE_MODE_RADIOS -- A comma separated list of radios that need to be disabled when airplane mode is on.
AIRPLANE_MODE_TOGGLEABLE_RADIOS -- A comma separated list of radios that should to be disabled when airplane mode is on, but can be manually reenabled by the user.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My XT912 is rooted and I have System set to read-write. I tried to use SQLite to edit the value of AIRPLANE_MODE_TOGGLEABLE_RADIOS in the System table of /data/data/com.android.providers.settings/databases/System.db to change it from "bluetooth,wifi,nfc" to "bluetooth,wifi,nfc,gps" but even though I have write permissions to the file, when I tried, I received this error:
Update Failed - Error Code 5. Database is locked.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I went searching for how to edit settings.db and found this thread and this other thread, but I don't fully understand the instructions.
Bottom Line: if this is truly a hardware problem, then editing this file won't fix the problem (but likely won't cause any harm either), but if this is merely a software problem, then this may finally give us GPS use while in Airplane Mode.
I have the international sgs3 with 32gb, non rooted, everything is stock. My rom build number is IMM76D.I9300BUALF1. I can get a lock very fast (<5 secs) but after ~15 min the phones looses the gps lock!. This happens with all apps: Google Maps (ver 6.6, i don't use 6.9, it is to glitchy), latest igo and gps status. When this happens gps status shows me that the phone sees ~15 satellites but is not locking on any of them (to be more precise: when i open gps status it shows 0/15 fix/stats ). It does not lock again until i disable gps from settings, and re-enable it after a 10 sec of inactivity. In location services i have everything selected. i always have data connection. I am in Bucharest, Romania (if it counts). It always loses lock after ~15 min, it doesn't matter what i do, what app i use, or what time of day it is
Please help. What is the problem? I have cleared and re downloaded agps data with gps status and it still happens. Is it solar activity? if so, anyone else has this issue? Is it a faulty gps unit in my phone? Is it a common problem with sgs3 or with this rom? if so, we should make this problem known. Any help is appreciated.
My GPS works fine.
Ventura8 said:
I have the international sgs3 with 32gb, non rooted, everything is stock. My rom build number is IMM76D.I9300BUALF1. I can get a lock very fast (<5 secs) but after ~15 min the phones looses the gps lock!. This happens with all apps: Google Maps (ver 6.6, i don't use 6.9, it is to glitchy), latest igo and gps status. When this happens gps status shows me that the phone sees ~15 satellites but is not locking on any of them (to be more precise: when i open gps status it shows 0/15 fix/stats ). It does not lock again until i disable gps from settings, and re-enable it after a 10 sec of inactivity. In location services i have everything selected. i always have data connection. I am in Bucharest, Romania (if it counts). It always loses lock after ~15 min, it doesn't matter what i do, what app i use, or what time of day it is
Please help. What is the problem? I have cleared and re downloaded agps data with gps status and it still happens. Is it solar activity? if so, anyone else has this issue? Is it a faulty gps unit in my phone? Is it a common problem with sgs3 or with this rom? if so, we should make this problem known. Any help is appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi. I also have the SGS3 - I9300, International, non rooted, all stock, in australia.
GPS has worked fine for me - did a 3hr trip, kept GPS lock (as far as I can remember) all through the trip. Even when it lost cellphone signal.
I was using the NAVIGON app (included, maps are predownloaded so I don't need internet connection through the whole trip).
I've even had it get a lock inside buildings - usually even normal GPS-es have problems with GPS inside buildings...
So it might just be your specific phone. I don't know whether your location matters - is it always pretty much on 15min? If so it's possibly a manufacturing error. Can you take it back to where you bought it and get them to send it in for warranty fix?
If it's a manufacturing error, they should be able to get it fixed for free.
Thats old firmware you could try updating .
Certainly GPS is not a problem on SGS3 .
jje