Hey guys,
so my G5 locks on to up to 20 satellites with more satellites being visible, but doesn't establish a GPS lock. It will sometimes acquire a lock after 15 minutes or so, but accuracy will be atrocious (300m+). It used to have <10m accuracy with less satellites locked. I did not change anything about my rom or installed software. Is there anything I can try?
Do a Google search for "LG G5 GPS Fix". There are several threads both on XDA and Reddit related to this and how to fix it, but this one should get you started...
https://www.reddit.com/r/lgg5/comments/4u8m9p/how_to_fix_your_gps_fixed_in_10_minutes/
Many commenters noted that bending the pins up only fixed the problem temporarily, that they eventually will lose contact w/ the back plate again. When I fixed mine last week, I put a 2x2mm square shim under the motherboard to keep the pins raised up enough to make good contact. I just cut a corner off a business card, removed the MB screw just above the pins, slid in the shim then replaced the screw. It only raised the MB a hair, but it was enough to keep the leads making contact with the back plate. My GPS has been working great ever since.
If you don't want to tear down your phone and risk voiding the warranty (or cracking the screen), others have said they had good luck sending their phones back for warranty repair. But you'll be w/o a phone for a week or more if you do that.
Thank you. The thing is, I already did that fix and my phone is seeing and gets a fix on plenty of satellites. It just doesn't get decent gps coordinates even with 20+ satellites connected.
So for anyone reading this: What worked for me was to open the phone again and actually use a slightly *thinner* piece of paper than before to raise the Mainboard. Currently seeing +-8m indoors and +-4m outdoors with 20+ SATs in use. No idea if it's going to last, though.
Related
Hi,
I'm having an ongoing problem with my Vibrant not locking onto satellites. I've tried every trick, mod and software update I could find to no avail. After visiting Samsung's web site I saw that every time somebody asked a question about the GPS not working, Samsung's response was that it's a hardware problem and to send the phone in for repair. So I did and this is what happened......
1. I call and give them the exact problem I'm having. That the phone will not see let alone lock onto a real satellite. She emails me a 2day shipping label. I taped a note to my phone also detailing the problem for the tech to see.
2. I get an email a week later saying that they're shipping my phone back to me and this is what they did (Copied from the actual email).....
Original Problem:
Technical Inquiry
GPS
Acquiring Location
Problem found:
DROP CALLS
SW,PRL,OTSL RESET
Solution:
Passed All Functional Testing
After Google'ing what SW,PRL,OTSL RESET meant and finding out that it's just software resets, I called Samsung support back. I asked them if and why the hardware wasn't repaired and reminded them that their web site, in many places says that it's a hardware problem and to send it in for repair and that my phone NEVER DROPPED CALLS. She states that it tested ok and to wait and see. She then tells me that if I receive the phone and still have the same problem, they will find another solution so I wouldn't have to send my phone in again.
3. I received the phone last night. I put my sim and battery back in and turn on the phone. I did nothing but add my gmail account back in so I can download GPSTEST from the Marketplace. After doing so I walked outside and sure enough, after 10 minutes, no satellites. Nothing. This morning I called Samsung and to make a long story short, after talking to level three support, they tell me all they can do is have me send the phone back again.
Here's my problem with Samsung.... I followed their direction and sent my phone in for repair. I twice gave them the EXACT problem I was having. Their own website states that there is a HARDWARE problem. So instead of fixing the exact problem, they find a totally different problem to "fix" instead. They never touched the actual hardware or fixed my problem. They won't take responsibility for their error and find a solution that works. They tell me they don't replace phones, only repair them so they can't send me another phone. They won't even send me a overnight shipping label so I will only be without my phone for 5 days instead of 10. The only solution to my frustration he can offer was to give me an address to send a letter of complaint.
I'm done with Samsung. Is there anybody who can offer a solution to my GPS problem. From what I can tell, it is a hardware problem. Are there any fixes out there or do I just have to get another phone (It'll never be another Samsung)?
Also.. What other recourse with Samsung do I have? It doesn't sit well with me that I just have to accept their excuses and policies that do more for them than the customer.
Thanks
I had the same issue and I just had them send me a replacement. Just go through the live chat on your account, choose the warranty/exchange option, and then tell the rep that you tried all the fixes and updates and nothing works. It took about 15 minutes before the person said they would replace mine. Also, I would talk like you know more about the phone than they do.
Hope Samsung didn't break your gps connector tab
Gps is a hardware issue on vibrant and the best you can get is 25 feet accuracy and 30 sec lock times mostly.
In your case, you do need a replacement that can at least do this much
Sent from my SGH-T959 using Tapatalk
Why didnt you simply call tmobile and have it swapped?
Did you try the self hardware fix in this forum? Worked wonders for me and many others.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA Premium App
frankwhitten said:
I had the same issue and I just had them send me a replacement. Just go through the live chat on your account, choose the warranty/exchange option, and then tell the rep that you tried all the fixes and updates and nothing works. It took about 15 minutes before the person said they would replace mine. Also, I would talk like you know more about the phone than they do.
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Click to collapse
Was this with Samsung or T-mobile?
I had much the same experience with Samsung as cconnell11. I last talked with Samsung a month before 2.2 was available. They assured me that 2.2 would fix it, and there was no point sending it in since they didn't have a repair procedure for it and it would come back the same way it was. I asked what would happen if 2.2 didn't fix it. They said all I could do would be to send a complaint letter.
Naturally 2.2 didn't fix the GPS. I'm thinking about what to do next.
I tried the hardware fix today and I still do not see a big improvement. I have gotten mine down as low as 6 meters but no less. My old MT3G would get really accurate compared to the Vibrant. I have more issues with Wifi than I think I do GPS. I adjusted both antennas this morning but my wifi still isn't stellar. I wish Samsung and T-Mobile would just send you a replacement phone up front and repair your phone and re-use it as a replacement after they repair it. The whole 2 day shipping thing sucks when you need your phone for work.
cyberpyr8 said:
I tried the hardware fix today and I still do not see a big improvement. I have gotten mine down as low as 6 meters but no less. My old MT3G would get really accurate compared to the Vibrant. I have more issues with Wifi than I think I do GPS. I adjusted both antennas this morning but my wifi still isn't stellar. I wish Samsung and T-Mobile would just send you a replacement phone up front and repair your phone and re-use it as a replacement after they repair it. The whole 2 day shipping thing sucks when you need your phone for work.
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Click to collapse
Wow I only get 10m accuracy most of the times. I know other phones can get upto 6 ~ 9 feet
You can check here http://www.n2yo.com/whats-up/?c=20 to see what satellites are in your view.
If you get a different set you will have zero chance of locking on. If you show no sat numbers initially you are getting no or incorrect GPS assist to give you at least almanac info. If that is case try GPSrestore.
Do you get any grey bars on GPS test app? They need to be greater then 30 db/No to get initial data lock. It appears that Broadcomm GPS firmware does not report any sat lock until at least 3 satellites are locked enabling a 2D fix.
The only significant HW issue reported is the antenna contact. If for some reason the GPS TCXO calibration value has been lost it could take a very long time to get a lock, maybe never. Once it does it will establish a new TCXO calibration value which is then saved for future use. GPSrestore may retrieve factory firmware stored TCXO calibration.
GPSstatus does a network request for assist data that should get you at least correct sats to look for. Use WiFi if you have it with GPSstatus. Just use GPSstatus for assist download, then close and open GPS test.
I have not tried any of the hardware fixes (yet), but have tried the software reset from Samsung with not much change. When I notice that my GPS is having a hard time locking, I turn off Wifi and it locks almost instantly. I can then turn Wifi back on and it seems to keep a lock.
As an example, I can have a lock/see of 0/2 in "GPS Status" app for minutes. I turn off wifi, wait about a minute and get have 5/12. After turning wifi back on (after lock), I still have 5/12.
By comparison, my Galaxy Tab quickly goest to 7/10 with or without Wifi on.
Accuracy (according to Google Maps) is 10m on the Vibrant and 4m on the Tab.
I am thinking that my new golf GPS app is not going to be too useful with only a 10m accuracy.
thank me later
buy a bluetooth gps receiver such as globalsat bt-359 or any sirfIII or better. Next download bluetooth gps provider from the app market. let their powers combine and you vibrant may become a fully functional gps with the purchase of onboard gps vavigation. hehe
My solution
Since originally posting this I've tried the bending the pins up hardware fix to no avail. If I'm outside with a clear sky GPS status shows several satellites and after about 5 minutes will lock onto maybe three or four of them with about 10m accuracy. Maintaining that lock though is tricky. If I get into the car, it looses it. If I turn the phone upside down and have the bottom face the sky I get a lock on 7-10 satellites with about 7m accuracy. Either way it isn't good enough and I found a new problem. Google Maps just doesn't work with the default settings. It locks the phone up no matter what updates you've done. I fixed that though by changing the Operation Mode to MS Based and the Server FQDN Type to AUTO Config. Now it doesn't lock up and works fine with the exception of the GPS problem. I looked at the Samsung car cradle and noticed that it holds the phone sideways so the internal GPS antenna is facing the sky. This should work great but I don't want it attached to my windshield.
My main problem is that I want to use the phone for Geocaching like I did with my LG Optimus. That was a great phone and the GPS was accurate to 5m consistently. So I went ahead a bought a bluetooth GPS receiver. After a lot of research I decided that the Gosget SB-369 was the best option and it was only $30.00 online. This thing is great. I get a good steady lock on 7-10 satellites with 3m accuracy. This is perfect for Geocaching and was better than my Magellan when it worked right (don't buy anything Magellan). It has a hole in it and is small and light enough to be worn around your neck with a lanyard while Geocaching. You could also just put it in your pocket. It's antenna isn't a standard patch type. It's internal, but round and omni-directional and maintains the same lock no matter what way it's facing. I would recommend this to anyone who needs good accuracy for things like golfing and Geocaching.
I'm going to use this as a solution. I get great accuracy that I need at the expense of having another little gadget to carry.
Ever since I upgraded to Honey comb I guess it is... the upgrade that HTC put out, my GPS and Pen have been screwy.
I drove all the way to chicago and back last year with my flyer as the GPS and it never lost a signal. Now I can't drive 1000 feet without it continously losing and finding signal. I have it placed in the front window of the car...it is in the otter box case, I dont know if that would cause a problem but I did take it out for a 50 mile trip and it still wouldnt do right. Any one else having this issue?
Also the pen... For some reason I can be writing on the screen, inking along and move my hand away... and it just keeps inking. I can be maybe 1-2" away from the screen and it just keeps inking. Is there away to adjust the sensitivity or anything like that?
A lot of honeycomb users are reporting GPS problems. We can only hope that HTC will issue a patch to fix it.
As to the pen … two things to check, make sure the nib is free to move in and out. When you make contact with the screen the nib moves back and begins to draw power. I have read that a weak battery can also cause what you described.
thanks for the reply, i have a new battery and will change it. Glad to know i am not the only with gps issues and i am not crazy
TS 1/8 2100, "4th list"
My GPS suddenly started to take a lot longer to connect. AGPS is setup, EPO data is fresh (using MT GPS app), data connection is active, the device has connected within the last 24 h. Previously, the GPS connected in tens of seconds, now it takes many minutes, also at clear skies and standstill. Sats have about 2/3 signal compared to a loaner 512/4 2100 and my Samsung Galaxy S2. Using GPS Test I get maybe 4 sats connected at the best, SNR around 18, long time to get a lock from a window (not the best reception, but other GPS lock).
There are another problem too; occasionally, the TS do not see any sats at all. This maybe occurred previously even if I did not investigate it. Toggle GPS enables sats again. So this is likely a firmware problem, the MT drivers are not stellar...
This could be a broken antenna connection. I do not get better signal when softly twisting the wrist band. I doubt the antenna is completely broken. For those with badly working GPS, what readings do you get?
Another is a loose contact or water immersion. Backplane is not opened, only SIM. No water seen in SIM or other strange effects that could be caused by water. (Of course not a proof it is not water related.) I have used the TS when exercising.
I do not want take the discussion with Omate after paying $15 for posting to HK and they claim it is the water that caused this.
Any other suggestions?
My 2nd post with this accound but ive been a member for qutie a while but was inactive for a few years and cant recover my account.
Anyhow i bought a Timmy E86 . Its pretty cheap but pretty good apart from the GPS
It has the mediatek 6582 chip.
Ive been through just about every mediatek gps fix.
EPO Downloads
AGPS servers
MTK Engineering mode
FasterGps
er
When i got the phone GPS signal was non existant. even after using many different gps fix apps.
I then discoverd that without the cover on and the antenna peeled back i managed to get signal, put cover back on and signal goes. So the cover is blocking signal.
I extended the antenna with a make shift foil antenna, which improved the signal slightly and allowed signal with the cover on. Great thinking its fixed, however navigation was terrible, loosing signal and the heading facing wrong way.
Then it lost all signal again after a restart and woukldnt get signal again randomly until smoe while later. Satilites show but zero signal.
The antenna is rubbish on this phone,
I know this is probably the main source of the problem, i plan on remove the case cleaning the contacts and installing a better antenna, either made of copper tape or perhaps something else.
But im pretty sure theres something else wrong deeper down in the software.
I done some further testing yesterday managed to get gps signal and 3d fix. Since i was being a passanger rather than driver i could see what was gong on. as soon as we started moving the satilite signals would drop to 0.....
ni thoughts?
bazsound said:
ni thoughts?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Finally tracked the issue down to really poor GPS antenna.
Remoived it, replaced it with bare copper wire from a power cord , made sure it was well twisted so all the strands were together and neat.
Used the end of the GPS antanna that contacted the board and soldered it to the the pad of the old gps antanne end, so that when the case went back in it contacted the board pin.
Success. GPS lock indoors at a window and still picking up satilites away from window but not enough for lock.
Until i screwed everything back together and tried to put the back on, the cable was too thick and it pushed the board. GPS signal no longer works.
Even tried replacing with thinner cable and solering direct to board but same result. satalites in view but no signal, not even outside now.
Guess ive either burned out the gps somewhere or something on the board got damaged from the cable pushing on it. Even removed the SMD contact pin and soldered wire directly onto the board. Still nothing
bazsound said:
Finally tracked the issue down to really poor GPS antenna.
Remoived it, replaced it with bare copper wire from a power cord , made sure it was well twisted so all the strands were together and neat.
Used the end of the GPS antanna that contacted the board and soldered it to the the pad of the old gps antanne end, so that when the case went back in it contacted the board pin.
Success. GPS lock indoors at a window and still picking up satilites away from window but not enough for lock.
Until i screwed everything back together and tried to put the back on, the cable was too thick and it pushed the board. GPS signal no longer works.
Even tried replacing with thinner cable and solering direct to board but same result. satalites in view but no signal, not even outside now.
Guess ive either burned out the gps somewhere or something on the board got damaged from the cable pushing on it. Even removed the SMD contact pin and soldered wire directly onto the board. Still nothing
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Click to collapse
Given up on getting this to work. either ive broken something in the gps or the phones setup has went iffy.
Satilites are apparently in view but dont ever get a signal from any, all 12 satalites sit there with zero signal even outdoors.
The easy solution?
Use my old phone that can get a lock inside next to a window as a bluetooth GPS reciever. Using Bluetooth GPS output, and then the bluetooth GPS app on my timmy phone.
Result? Perfect navigation using Tom Tom GO. This is actually a much better solution since the phones GPS is off its using much less power. My old phone is an alcatel one touch which is pretty good for battery even with gps on plus with the screen off doesnt need charged while using it for hours as gps+bluetooth.
Another advantage, i can have a gps app open on old phone for speed and have a GPS speedometer running while navagation running on my larger timmy e86.
My recomendation is just get a bluetooth GPS reciever if your gps sucks.
My AT&T H820 LG G5 is out of warranty and LG won't honor any repair since I bought it on eBay. I have tried 2 band aid fixes - shimming underneath the metal mesh damper gasket and also shimming underneath the motherboard where the 3 gold pins touch along with bending pins upward. Both "repairs" lasted a week. So is there a definitive and gauranteed fix? What is LG doing, just replacing the metal mesh and damper gasket and then it fails again? I also noticed that my metal mesh damper gasket is a different appearance than what I have seen photos of online, as if there is a revised part. My GPS is now completely non-functioning.
Anybody? Surely there has to be a lasting repair and known cause.
Seems not. I have given up, aside from occasionally popping back here to see if anyone's found something new. I have taken to using an old phone as a bluetooth GPS transmitter. It's a pain, but it works.
Unfortunately LG still uses those same old crappy useless springs that it did several years ago, and they are not very flexible hence why it fails and then fails again. I think putting items underneath will only bend it even further slightly raising them would have been a better fix and then firmly attaching the case. Probably too late for you. The only other option would be solder in some more but I haven't seen the board for ths device.
Would it be possible to use the GPS antenna from my bootloop G4?
Jezza0 said:
Seems not. I have given up, aside from occasionally popping back here to see if anyone's found something new. I have taken to using an old phone as a bluetooth GPS transmitter. It's a pain, but it works.
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Click to collapse
I've looked how to do this and can only see how to use a phone as a GPS transmitter for a pc, please could you tell me how you did it?
Edit: I found one, worked my way through until it came to allow mock locations within developer settings, to find that as I am running android 7 this option has been removed so back to square one
Sent from my LG-H850 using XDA-Developers Legacy app
3dd1 said:
I've looked how to do this and can only see how to use a phone as a GPS transmitter for a pc, please could you tell me how you did it?[/URL]
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Click to collapse
Sure. On the phone with working GPS you want to share, install btGPS from Meowsbox, and get the licence key too (£1 if I recall correctly).
On the G5, install Bluetooth GPS from GG MobLab (which is free and fully functioning).
Once both apps are installed, you just have to pair the devices via bluetooth, enable the transmitter on the old phone, and finally select the old phone in the dropdown on the G5 and press connect.
Is it annoying? Yeah, a bit, but actually I can keep my old phone (Samsung S3) hidden away in the car and it still gives decent reception. And because the screen's off on that device, it lasts for hours without killing the battery.
HTH.
Jezza0 said:
Sure. On the phone with working GPS you want to share, install btGPS from Meowsbox, and get the licence key too (£1 if I recall correctly).
On the G5, install Bluetooth GPS from GG MobLab (which is free and fully functioning).
Once both apps are installed, you just have to pair the devices via bluetooth, enable the transmitter on the old phone, and finally select the old phone in the dropdown on the G5 and press connect.
Is it annoying? Yeah, a bit, but actually I can keep my old phone (Samsung S3) hidden away in the car and it still gives decent reception. And because the screen's off on that device, it lasts for hours without killing the battery.
HTH.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for that Before I buy the software for the phone with working gps, does it require GPS mock locations on the G5 as it appears that functionality has been removed from the developer settings in android 7
Sent from my LG-H850 using XDA-Developers Legacy app
3dd1 said:
Thanks for that Before I buy the software for the phone with working gps, does it require GPS mock locations on the G5 as it appears that functionality has been removed from the developer settings in android 7
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Click to collapse
Ahh - yes, good point. I also had to set Bluetooth GPS as the mock location app. Since that's the free app, I'd install that first and see if it can be configured. Also you can test out the transmitter app for (IIRC) 10 minutes before it dies in good crippleware form. Plenty of time to make sure it's working though.
Although... I'm using Android 7.0 on my H860 and mock locations is working fine
I ended up taking a chance and dropped a very small amount of solder on each of the spring contacts everyone keeps talking about lifting or putting a small piece of plastic underneath. In the past lifting the spring helped for a month or so before it started to not seek GPS again.
Yes, I've tried the whole APN update, using GPS Toolbox (which I've had before LG G5), rooted, etc but believe too this is simply a hardware issue on the contacts.
As far as the soldering is concerned, if you're near sighted, you won't need a magnifying glass but the contacts are very small so a very steady hand is a must and of course some soldering skill is required. I'll try to take a macro shot of how it looks this weekend. So far after a month it's been rock solid.
The 3 golden pins are from the volume control. The internet has been spread with fake information relevant to fixing the LG G5's GPS Fix as I also think that opening it up and closing it back down and so on just reseats the contact from the real place for a little while See the most useful marked answer for further explaination: https://nl.ifixit.com/Answers/View/394237/GPS+Not+working+well+at+all
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