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Android application SatFinder. A program for finding satellites using your phone. Why GPS does not work on an Android device: reasons and solutions Why gps finds Android satellites

Ten years ago, car GPS navigators were a curiosity in the domestic market of electronic devices. But today it is difficult to surprise anyone with the presence of built-in global positioning systems in modern smartphones and tablets.

General information about GPS

Most 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 in a certain point of the 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, an important point is the correct adjustment of the operating mode. 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”. Typically, the operating system provides three options to choose from, including “By device sensors,” “Battery saver,” and “High accuracy.” If we are talking about phones that use the latest versions of 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. Its distinctive feature compared to the operation of conventional navigators is the ability 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

The GPS operating mode “Battery saving” or “By network coordinates” is used to receive signals exclusively from 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 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 the 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, some smartphone models, especially those made in China based on MTK processors, may experience connection difficulties or unstable communication. There are even cases when the device does not determine the location of an object at all. This is due to incorrect configuration of the GPS module for operation in domestic latitudes.

This software malfunction can be mitigated and GPS can be configured on Android through the engineering menu of the mobile device. It should be emphasized that this functionality can be used on devices on which the Root operating mode is activated, which gives the user the opportunity to manage 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 your 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 smartphone models, the symbol combinations may differ, or even not be 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 the 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 must check the Enable EPO and Auto Download boxes. 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 is often deactivated on some phones.

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 the 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 turn 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 is to reboot your device, be it a smartphone or tablet. Thus, the most common ways to set up GPS on Android are discussed.

It often happens that after changing the firmware on the device, or buying a new Chinese phone (sometimes not Chinese), we are faced with the fact that the smartphone does not work GPS . It also happens that GPS does not determine the location for a long time. Why is this happening?

This is due to the fact that the phone often comes to us from the other hemisphere of the planet. And he has an Almanac that is not relevant for our area.

If your GPS is faulty, we will try to fix it.

So, I’ll show you ways to treat GPS:

GPS+AGPS method (ROOT required):

1) You need to enable AGPS in the Android settings, in the “My location” section, then open the top “curtain” on the phone to activate GPS.

2) Then in the dialer, you need to dial *#*#3646633#*#* - this is the entrance to the engineering menu.

Maybe a different number will work on your phone to enter the Android engineering menu:

*#*#4636#*#*
*#*#8255#*#*, *#*#4636#*#* - for Samsung
*#*#3424#*#*, *#*#4636#*#*, *#*#8255#*#* - for HTC
*#*#7378423#*#* - for Sony
*#*#3646633#*#* - for Philips, Fly, Alcatel
*#*#2846579#*#* - for Huawei

If that doesn't work, look for information on how to enter the engineering menu on your Android phone. If you have a phone based on MTK processors (MT 6577, MT 6589 ...), you can use the “Mobileuncle Tools” program (ROOT required), it can be downloaded from Google Play. It contains a section Engineer Mode. That's what we need.

3) When you get (by any means) into the engineering menu of the phone, you need to go to the YGPS tab - and look on the “Satellites” tab to see if the signal scales appear. If yes, then the phone is trying to search for satellites, but cannot find them due to an incorrectly recorded Almanac. And this is not surprising, because the device came from the other “end of the world”.

4) The next step is to go to the “Information” tab, and then press the “full”, “warm”, “hot”, “cold” buttons in turn (to completely reset the old Almanac).

5) After this, on the NMEA Log tab, you need to click the start button. (recording of the new Almanac will begin)

6) Now for the GPS to work correctly, you need to go to the “Satellites” back and wait for 5-15 minutes until the maximum number of satellite scales is found (usually from 10 to 13 pieces) and their scales turn green.

7) When all satellites have been found, go back to the Nmea Log tab and click the “stop” button. Congratulations, a new almanac for your area has been written.

I did this procedure on many Chinese phones - as a result of the procedure, the phone should begin to find satellites faster.

Let me remind you that all the above actions to improve the quality of GPS must be carried out purely in open areas, away from buildings. And the last piece of advice - I recommend setting the exact system time and date on your phone.

GPS+EPO method (ROOT required):

1) Using a file manager that supports Root and root access, you need to delete the following files: /data/misc/EPO.dat /data/misc/mtkgps.dat , /system/etc/gps.conf

2) You need to go to “settings - location data” and turn on GPS.
Then you need to enable EPO and download (i.e. you need to download again - after deleting EPO.dat)

3) Make sure A-GPS is turned off. (this is mandatory!) [and cannot be turned on after, otherwise it will stop working normally]

4) Turn off the phone, remove the battery, insert the battery, turn on the phone.

5) go to the engineering menu (see login methods above) - go to the location tab - there will be 2 sub-items (location based service and YGPS)

6) We go outside into an open area where GPS reception is as good as possible, and go to the YGPS sub-item (we don’t press any buttons!), wait for 3-10 minutes for the correction (this will take a long time to wait).
As soon as the correction is completed, exit the YGPS section with the back button, then enter the YGPS section again. Attention now the most important part:
When you start GPS for the 2nd time, red dots (satellites) should appear, but not all at once, but 1-3 should appear every 2 seconds. Eg:
At the beginning there are 2 - then 5 - then 7 - and at the end there are 10 red dots on the radar.
If the dots appear gradually, it means the EPO is configured correctly.

But if they all appear at the same time - EPO does not work

7) We check the operation of GPS in navigation programs.

The presence of navigation modules on smartphones with Android OS allows you to use numerous navigation applications - they are used to plot walking, cycling and car routes, as well as to track your own location. Therefore, it is customary to give special preference to the presence of GPS/GLONASS chips. GPS not working on Android? It doesn’t matter - first we’ll try to figure out the reasons, and then we’ll talk about troubleshooting.

Why GPS may not work on Android

If GPS does not work on your Android smartphone, then the problem may be extremely trivial - the navigation module is disabled. This is often encountered by novice users who do not fully understand the design of Android smartphones. In order to enable navigation, you need to slide down the top curtain, behind which numerous shortcuts, clocks and notifications are hidden, and find the “Geodata” item here - it should become active (green, bluish, etc.).

Now we can launch the navigation program and start using it. By the way, many navigation applications can notify users that geodata reception is disabled. This is exactly what the popular Navitel application does - it will issue an appropriate warning and even send the user to the navigation enable menu. After this, you can start plotting your route.

Have you enabled geolocation in your device settings, installed the necessary applications, but have not been able to achieve any results? It is quite possible that the whole point is your impatience. If this was the first launch of the GPS/GLONASS module, try waiting 10-15 minutes - during this time the electronics will process information about satellites visible in the area. All subsequent launches will occur much faster.

You need to do the same thing if you arrive with the navigator turned off to another region, for example, from Rostov to Novosibirsk - you need to give the navigator time so that it can recognize its own location (by analogy with the initial “cold” start).

Here are some more reasons for GPS not working:

  • You are trying to perform a “cold” start on the move (in a car) - stop and let the navigator think. Some chips are quite slow, so they need time and rest;
  • You are indoors - GPS does not work inside buildings (not to be confused with calculating location using cell towers and Wi-Fi zones);
  • You are in an unfavorable reception area - the sky is obscured by trees, nearby rocks or tall buildings. In this case, you need to get out under a more open area of ​​the sky.

If the navigation still does not work, try contacting the service center.

GPS stopped working on Android, although it worked before? This behavior indicates the presence of some internal damage.. If you are too lazy to go to a service center, try doing a factory reset.

To test your satellite reception, use the GPS Test app from Chartcross Limited. If the geolocation function is turned on, the GPS chip is working, and you are outdoors, you will see dots indicating satellites on a schematic sky map.

How to set up GPS on Android

Some users are wondering how to set up GPS on Android? No special settings are needed here, but you can play around with the detection method:

  • High accuracy - in this mode, location is determined using all wireless modules (GPS/GLONASS, telephone module, Wi-Fi);
  • Energy saving - Wi-FI and mobile networks are used;
  • GPS only – only satellites are used.

The detection method is selected in the “Settings – Geodata” menu. To further work with navigation you will need suitable software. You can choose the free Maps.ME application with offline maps or the paid Navitel application.

Does GPS work poorly on Android? Set the mode to “GPS Only” or “High Accuracy”, and then try to test the navigation again - these are the most accurate modes.

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 situations can be resolved using software methods. Below we describe what to do if GPS does not work on Android.

To diagnose yourself, take the test. The virtual assistant will identify the problem and tell you what to do.

GPS diagnostics

Problems with GPS

The first thing to do if the GPS sensor does not work is to restart your smartphone and scan it with an antivirus. It is possible that the device's RAM is full and there are not enough processor resources to activate communication with satellites. Or there was a glitch in the operating system.

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 the user’s current location. Based on the information received, an optimal route is built or public transport is selected. If the GPS module stops functioning, normal navigation operation is impossible, even using A-GPS technology. The main causes of failure are usually software problems, but in some cases the source of the malfunction is the failure of a 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 a mechanical impact on the device body, for example, a fall or a strong blow. The cause of the breakdown may also be liquid entering the main board, followed by oxidation of the contacts.
  • Software - infection with malicious software, incorrect firmware or update failures - all these malfunctions can damage the location driver.

Incorrect setting

Correctly setting the smartphone parameters is the key to the correct operation of the GPS system on Android.

  • If Android does not find the location, go to the device settings, tab – “General”, and then open “Location and modes”.
  • On the Location tab, specify your preferred location method. If you select Satellites Only, Android will not use A-GPS technology, which collects data from nearby cellular and Wi-Fi networks to improve geolocation accuracy.
  • Try setting the “Mobile networks only” mode 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. Perform a full reset or contact a service center.
  • To reset your location settings, click on the “Backup and reset” tab, then tap on “Reset network and navigation settings.” Sign in to your Google account to confirm.

Important! All saved passwords from Wi-Fi access points, 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 switched 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”. Setup will take a few minutes when you turn it on.

The method is suitable for devices with damaged firmware. The GPS module will restore functionality after switching to the factory version of the OS.

Module calibration

In some cases, it is necessary to perform a quick calibration of the device.

  • 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 (Leagoo, Oukitel, Ulefone and others) are often equipped with low-quality satellite communication modules. The problem can be corrected by replacing the corresponding module at a service center. Malfunctions occur on both Android and iOS phones.

Sometimes the internal antenna (a small thing on the board) falls off, which also affects the quality of satellite signal reception. It's difficult to fix it yourself.

Ask a question to a virtual expert

If you still have questions, ask them to a virtual expert, the bot will help you find the problem and tell you what to do. You can talk to him about life or just chat, it will be interesting and informative!

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.

Video

– a compact and convenient application for devices on the Android platform. This program will help you find a satellite and set up an antenna for it, take screenshots, and also has very wide capabilities, while not demanding on the resources of your device.

Developer's website: http://www.ftpcafe.com
Download the SatFinder application on the Android market
Requirements: Android 2.0 and higher
Shipped free of charge.

Features of the SatFinder Android application

  • shows azimuth
  • altitude and slope converter for your location (based on GPS coordinates)
  • has a list of satellites
  • has a list of channels
  • the result is shown both as numerical data and as visual graphics on Google maps
  • Built-in compass will help you find the correct satellite azimuth.

The list of satellites is quite comprehensive, so the applications should work all over the world.

Starting from version 1.07, the application has added a list of channels downloaded from the Internet.

To use this program, your phone must have an active GPS receiver to determine location coordinates. The data received from the GPS receiver is sufficiently accurate, since the error in determining the coordinates is not significant for determining the position of the satellites.

Note: In order to get the most accurate azimuth readings, you should calibrate your phone's compass by rotating the phone several times around all three axes after starting the program.

For the application to work properly, the phone must be in a vertical position. This is the position at which the satellites' position displayed through the camera lens will be most accurate.

The search for a satellite can be carried out in two ways:

1. display of the arc with the satellites located on it (the Clark belt) on the sky
2. Accurate determination of the specific position of the selected satellite using a sight.

Arc display, on which all the satellites are located (the Clark belt), allows you to realistically assess the possibility of tuning into the desired satellite in your chosen location, determine the presence of interfering obstacles, such as tree branches, roofs and walls of houses, etc. Moreover: you can take a screenshot (copy of the image) of the screen, so that later, in a convenient environment, you can make a detailed analysis of the location chosen for setup. To do this, simply touch your finger anywhere on the communicator screen and a copy of the screen image will be recorded in the phone’s memory.

Accurate satellite position determination with the help of a sight is used to search for or “capture” the desired satellite. In this mode, the screen displays the name of the selected satellite, its azimuth and elevation angle. In the middle of the screen, yellow arrows indicate which direction you should turn your phone to tune to the satellite.

Once your device is accurately pointed at the satellite, the arrows will turn green and a sound will sound.

Menu items:

1. Menu settings contain three items:

Satellite list- Here you can choose which satellites will be shown in both main tabs and deselect those that are not needed. The list contains all the major satellites. However, by default, satellites that are below the horizon for your location are not displayed.

Target Tolerance– Here you can set the degree of measurement accuracy. That is, at what approach to the satellite (in degrees) the sensor will start to trigger (when the sight arrow turns green). By default, it is set to 3 degrees, since in practice, even if the phone is in the satellite capture position, with values ​​less than 3 degrees, the accuracy of the readings does not increase, but rather, on the contrary, the satellite capture will be disrupted all the time.

Audio Alert- When this item is activated, a sound signal will sound when the satellite is captured. At the same time, an automatic screenshot will be taken.

Conclusion:

According to the results of a study of 3 programs Dish Pointer, Satellite Finder and SatFinder, the latter seems to be the most serious and professionally executed. It has the ability to take screenshots of the screen, both automatically and at will. When tuning to a satellite, it emits a clearly audible sound signal. The principle of capturing a satellite in the form of a sight is implemented quite well: the sight is clearly visible and, when accurately aimed at the satellite, clearly records it.

The disadvantage of this program is that the arc with satellites is poorly visible, the color (green) is poorly chosen, and the points themselves with satellite marks on the arc are very small. This function is most successfully implemented in the Dish Pointer program. Here the arc with satellites is very clearly visible, even against the background of a bright sky, which makes it possible to easily assess the position of the desired satellite in the sky.

A similar principle for capturing a satellite (in the form of a sight) is also available in the Satellite Finder program, but there the sight itself is small and difficult to see, especially against the sky. The sound is also weak, and the process of fixing the satellite itself is more complicated.

Based on the results of acquaintance with 3 programs, the following opinion emerges:

If the task is only to assess the position of the satellite before starting installation - is the satellite visible from the intended installation location, are there any obstacles blocking it, then it is best to use the Dish Pointer program, with its bright and visual Clark belt. The program itself is very easy to use and intuitive.

If you want to estimate the satellite’s position as accurately as possible, then it probably makes sense to use the SatFinder program with its convenient and bright sight, accurate satellite fixation and automatic screenshot creation. If this program had the same type of satellite arc as Dish Pointer, then nothing more would be needed.

But, I would like to note that all these applications help to tune not to the satellite itself, but to a certain value calculated, based on the coordinates of the position of the tuning location received from the GPS receiver, and the satellite position data included in the program. That is, to some mathematical model, to the result of calculations displayed on the screen. And tuning using a receiver or satellite satellite finder is performed directly according to the physical position of the desired satellite, specifically according to its signal. Accordingly, all these programs, although they are only an auxiliary tool, can still sometimes be very useful, especially when assessing the possibility of tuning an antenna in difficult conditions.