One of the most important features that a smartphone has is a GPS receiver that allows users to access various navigation services and location without carrying around a dedicated handset. However, depending on the device, the GPS might not work as expected. At times, users face difficulties in locking down their position and also delivering of inaccurate data.In fact, many users have been complaining that their GPS sensors have signal problems such as a weak signal which make the navigation services slow. If you really want to improve the
GPS signal on your Android smartphone, here are some useful tips that may help.
1) Make sure you are using Assisted GPS
First of all, make sure that your GPS ample help. Smartphones use AGPS, or Assisted GPS, to determine a location. The
Assisted GPS uses not only the GPS satellites but also nearby Wi-Fi networks and cell networks to find a location. So, you’d want to make sure that this feature is activated. To do that, go to Settings > Location & Security. You should make sure both ‘Use GPS Satellites’ and ‘Use Wireless Networks’ are checked.
2) Activate the high accuracy mode
GPS uses a lot of battery source. The more precise it is, the more power it uses. Most handsets keep accuracy at a moderate level so as to avoid excess power drain. Android phones allow you to activate GPS high accuracy mode that gives more accurate data at the cost of battery power. To enable the high accuracy mode, go Settings by swiping down on the screen and tapping on the clog icon. Find
Locationfrom the menu and switch it on. From the options, click
Modeand choose
High accuracy.
3) Find out whether the GPS problem are software or hardware-related
With the
GPS Essentials, one can diagnose if the cause of the poor signal is a software of a hardware issue. In this app’s main menu, click Satellites, and then watch your smartphone connecting to lots of satellites around the globe.If this doesn’t happen, the issue could be as a result of metallic objects near you, the hardware may not be working properly, or your smartphone case. If the satellites appear, but your GPS still has poor signal, then it is a software issue. For a software problem, refer to other solutions in this article to solve the issue.
4) Use GPS applications to Speed up GPS on Android
There are a number of applications on Google Play Store designed to improve performance in several ways. One of the most effective application is
GPS Status & Toolbox. The app has over 10 million downloads. The basic version is free, incorporating some few ads, but you can upgrade to Pro version for only $1.6. This application has the ability to download the A-GPS XTRA Data. The data provide additional information which makes things sharper and speeds up your GPS. The app also has a leveling tool, an awesome compass, and the ability to set waypoints.So there you go. With these few tips on how to speed up your GPS, you are now prepared to head out and always know where you are going.
