Buzz
Nowadays, every smartphone is equipped with a Global Positioning System (GPS) sensor. Used in conjunction with a mapping application like Google Maps, they are extremely useful for finding directions and determining your orientation. However, not all GPS sensors work well, and they don't always function properly. In this article, Mytour.vn will share with you various methods to fix location unavailability issues on both Android and iOS devices.
I - Troubleshooting Location Unavailability Issue on Android Devices
1. Enable GPS
The simplest and easiest way to resolve the issue is to toggle the GPS off and on to give it a refresh. You can toggle GPS from the notification panel on your Android device. Tap on Location to turn it off and wait for about 5 seconds. Then, turn GPS back on and let it do its job. Now, check if the issue you're facing has been resolved. Alternatively, you can go to Settings > tap on Location and toggle the switch On at the top of the screen.
2. Toggle Airplane Mode
Many users report that toggling Airplane Mode on and off can help fix GPS issues. Airplane Mode can be easily toggled by accessing the notification panel of your Android phone. There, you turn on Airplane Mode and wait for 15-20 seconds before turning it off. This allows the network connection to start afresh and helps fix simple GPS errors.
3. Remove Phone Case
Phone cases can interfere with GPS. It can lead to incorrect location displays or inability to locate the position. Therefore, try removing the phone case and check if GPS returns to normal operation. If the issue is resolved, then you've identified the phone case as the culprit. You may want to purchase a better phone case or refrain from using one altogether.
4. Power Saving Mode
If you tend to use Power Saving Mode frequently, it might be the reason why your phone can't locate your position as expected. Power Saving Mode disables some critical functions such as Wi-Fi and GPS. While trying to conserve battery can be very helpful, if you need to use GPS, you should turn off Power Saving Mode.
5. Restart Your Phone
You can solve many issues by restarting your mobile device. Restarting helps the phone refresh settings and fix some of the errors you might encounter. Try restarting your phone and attempt to use GPS again. You may find that the GPS issue disappears just by this simple step. This method is particularly useful when you need to find your location quickly without having much time to go through many troubleshooting steps.
6. Adjust GPS Settings
Your phone's GPS settings can make a big difference in determining your location. GPS may utilize assistance from other technologies to help pinpoint your location better. However, this will only happen if you choose the right settings. To check the GPS settings on your phone, follow these steps:
- Open Settings on your phone and select Location.
- Under Location, tap on Mode.
- Here, you'll see several different settings. Depending on the setting you choose, GPS can determine the most accurate location. You should select High Accuracy because other options will limit how GPS determines your location.
7. Update Google Maps
Google Maps plays a crucial role in accurately locating your position. If you've postponed updates for a significant period, it's possible that the maps on your phone are outdated and causing GPS malfunctions. Update the Google Maps app to the latest version to ensure all functions, including GPS, work accurately.
- Open Play Store and tap on the three-dot icon to open the dropdown menu.
- There, select My Apps and Games.
- Browse the list and find Google Maps.
- Tap on Update.
Once the update process is complete, restart your device and allow GPS to recheck your location once again.
8. Clear Cache and Data for Maps
Sometimes, the cache and data files of the Google Maps app on your phone may encounter errors. This can cause issues for GPS, leading to abnormal behavior. To address this, you need to clear the cache and data for Maps. While clearing the cache won't make any difference as cache files will be automatically recreated the next time you use the app, all stored data will be erased. Your saved locations will be lost. So, if there's anything important, make sure to note it down before proceeding with the deletion.
- Open Settings on your phone and select Application Manager.
- Under the Downloaded Apps tab, choose Maps.
- Tap on Clear Cache and confirm when prompted.
- Once the cache files are cleared, tap on Clear Data.
Finally, restart your phone and try using GPS again.
9. Safe Mode
Many apps utilize GPS data on the device. When these apps have corrupted files, it can affect GPS. To check if any app is causing the issue, use your phone in Safe mode.
- Press and hold the power button until the Power Options screen appears.
- Press and hold the Power Off option on the screen until a window pops up asking if you want to restart your device in Safe Mode.
- Press Ok.
Safe Mode will appear on your phone screen to confirm that you are using the device in Safe Mode.
Check if the GPS of your device works normally in Safe Mode. If it does, then the issue may lie with one of the third-party apps you have installed on the device. You can return to using the phone in normal mode by restarting the device.
To troubleshoot the issue, you can reset your phone, which will remove all data including all apps you have installed on the phone, bringing the phone back to the settings as if it were just taken out of the box. Alternatively, you can uninstall the app you suspect is the culprit.
10. Update Firmware
Delaying system updates for a while can affect GPS functionality. Each update fixes bugs and addresses potential issues. It's best to update the device whenever a new operating system version is released.
To check for updates, go to Settings > About Device > Check updates and if an update is available, install it and check if the GPS issue still persists.
11. Perform Factory Reset
Resetting the device to Factory Settings will revert the device's software back to its original state as when you took it out of the box. Resetting the device will erase all data. Therefore, you need to back up important data before proceeding. You can store data in the Cloud or transfer it to another device. Your phone also has the option to create a backup before resetting the device to Factory Settings.
- Go to Settings and tap on Backup and Reset.
- You can choose whether to enable or disable the backup option.
- Tap on Reset Phone to reset the device.
The reset process may take some time. Your phone will restart. Then, use an app that requires GPS functionality to see if the phone has accurately located the position. However, if the issue persists, you may need to consider taking your phone for warranty repair or to a reputable repair shop.
II - Troubleshoot GPS Location Issue on iOS Devices
1. Enable Location Services
Many users find that simply toggling the Location Services on and off can resolve inaccuracies or issues with GPS location detection on iOS devices. Here's the simple way to troubleshoot the location detection issue on your iOS device:
- Go to Settings> Privacy > Location Services.
- Turn off Location Services, wait 15-20 seconds, and then turn the location service back on.
2. Enable/Disable Airplane Mode
The second solution is also simple yet effective. Simply toggle the airplane mode on and wait for about 20 seconds, then turn it off. Enabling/disabling airplane mode can be effective in many cases, not just for GPS issues. If you encounter 'no service' errors or Wi-Fi issues, toggling airplane mode on and off might resolve the problem.
3. Disable LTE
Many users have fixed the location detection issue on their phones by turning off LTE. If the above solutions don't work, you can try this method. Go to Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Options >select 3G.
4. Restart Your iPhone
GPS issues can sometimes be due to software glitches. You can try restarting your iPhone to fix them. Press and hold the power button and swipe on Slide to power off to turn off the device. Then, press and hold the power button again until you see the Apple logo appear.
5. Update Apps
If GPS functionality is only problematic in a specific app, make sure that the app is updated to the latest version. Simply open the App Store, tap on Updates, search for the app, and proceed with the update.
6. Reset Network Settings
When GPS service isn't working on your iPhone, or if it's working but inaccurately, you should reset the network settings. You'll need to re-enter Wi-Fi passwords afterward. Here are the steps to reset network settings on iPhone:
- Go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings.
- Enter your passcode and tap on Reset Network Settings.
7. Update Operating System
When many users complain about a similar issue, a new iOS version will address that problem and bring bug fixes. If a new version is available, install it.
- Go to Settings > General > Software Update.
- Tap on Download and Install or Install Now.
8. Reset iPhone
If the above troubleshooting methods are ineffective, you should consider a more 'heavy-handed' approach, which is to reset all settings on the device. Before doing so, ensure to back up all data on your iPhone.
- To reset your iPhone, go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset All Settings.
- Once the reset process is complete, you can choose Restore from iCloud Backup to recover your data.
Another method is to perform a Factory Reset to return your iOS device to its factory state. You can do this by going to Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings.
https://Mytour.vn/cach-sua-loi-khong-dinh-vi-duoc-vi-tri-tren-dien-thoai-27292n.aspx
There are quite a few ways to fix the issue of not being able to locate your phone, and you should try each method one by one, from simple to complex, to resolve this problem.
