• After 15+ years, we've made a big change: Android Forums is now Early Bird Club. Learn more here.

Offline GPS location not working on any apps.

N

Ninethousand

Lurker
Hello all!

These past few days, I've downloaded several map applications that supposedly allow offline GPS location, but that part doesn't seem to be working for me on any of them (Maverick, OSMAnd, MapDroyd and Maps-). If I allow the GPS to use network resources (online) it does work, but when I deactivate that option none of the applications are able to find me (I've tried inside and outside, and waiting over 2 hours for it to retrieve my location, but all in vain).

Is there some option inside those applications, or in the general phone configuration, that I'm missing?

If it helps, my phone's model is a Huawei U8650, running Android 2.3.5.
 
Have you tried yet ... Settings > Location & security ... uncheck Use Quick GPS?

Harry
 
Ninethousand said:
Hi Harri.

I have tried, but it prompts that it would lead to data traffic, so I think it wouldn't work offline.
Click to expand...

That's exactly what I've meant :) if it is checked, it'll need a data connection (for aGPS) ... and if it can't get the data, it might block GPS at all.
But this is just guessing.

Edit:
Install 'GPS Test', the app will show you your satellite situation.

Harry
 
Harry2 said:
That's exactly what I've meant :) if it is checked, it'll need a data connection (for aGPS) ... and if it can't get the data, it might block GPS at all.
But this is just guessing.

Harry
Click to expand...

Ah, I see. Unfortunately, that option (as well as "use wifi") is unchecked. Must be something else. Thank you for your input though :).
 
I see, I was late with my edit ;)

Install 'GPS Test', the app will show you your satellite situation.

Harry
 
I downloaded GPS Test, and it seems that the problem is indeed the lack of satellites nearby (0 in view). Tomorrow I will try other places to see if it detects something or the gps functionality is just non-existent.
 
Outdoors with 0 satellites in view?
I'd say your phone's GPS is broken ... but maybe only very weak because you said you get a satellite lock with data switched on. Means that with data on that you see the locked GPS icon in your notification bar?

Edit: With data on use GPS Test's clearing aGPS option, let GPS Test get a satellite lock and then shut off data.

Harry
 
All that aGPS does is use tower triangulation (very roughly) to approximate your location, then it polls the satellite position database via data and that gives your GPS receiver a "starting point" to begin its satellite search. If, for some reason, your approximate location is way off and you get the wrong set of data, it could take hours for your GPS to obtain a lock without tower assist. I have read of this happening before and the user's regional data was incorrect in their device. The device does maintain its own satellite database on the GPS chip, but once GPS is turned off the data starts becoming stale.

First, check and make sure your device has the correct regional data.
Second, use GPS Test (or I prefer GPS Status, but both are good) and reset your aGPS data and then allow it to reacquire aGPS data via the internet.
Third, allow the GPS to hold a fix for several minutes. Monitor GPS Test and let the device acquire as many satellites as it can lock onto. This will best be done outside in clear view of the sky.
Finally, turn off your GPS and then your data and then try to acquire a lock via GPS (stand alone) again. If you can't lock after all that without data, something is wrong with the device.

This is worth mentioning. I have heard many people complain about data usage with aGPS, but these folks are just misinformed. aGPS does a single download of less than 1K of data when the GPS is first activated. After that, unless the unit loses its GPS lock, no more data is downloaded. If the downloaded data is good and a lock is acquired, then the GPS is operating in "stand alone" mode. The data hog is typically the map app that the person has chosen. I had a friend that was griping about all the data that navigation used and how the GPS required so much data. When I had a look at his phone, he was navigating in "Satellite View" mode with a map overlay. Anyway, I have begun to ramble...

Hope this helps,
BigRedGonzo
 
For me the gps doesn't work at all when offline if it's set to use all sources. But if I set it to work gps only, it's all fine. I guess it just bugs because it's trying to find the rough location by network but can't do it.

Go settings, general, location, mode, gps only. I didn't notice at first that it was a selectable option.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom