How to Fix Android GPS Not Working

You open Google Maps. You see a blue dot. But that dot doesn’t move. Or it jumps around like it’s confused. Or worse, you see a message that says “Your location is temporarily unavailable” or “GPS signal lost.” This happens at the worst times. When you’re driving somewhere new. When you’re trying to meet a friend. When you’re using a rideshare app.

The GPS on your Android phone should just work. But sometimes it doesn’t. The good news is most GPS problems are software related. You don’t need a new phone. You don’t need to take it to a repair shop. You just need to know which setting got messed up.

Let me show you exactly how to fix Android GPS issues. Start from the top and work your way down.

First, Understand How Phone GPS Works

Your Android phone finds your location using three different methods. GPS satellites in space are the most accurate. WiFi networks around you also help. And cell phone towers provide a rough location when satellites are blocked.

When people say “GPS not working,” they usually mean the phone can’t find their location at all, or the location is wrong, or it keeps losing the signal. Sometimes only one of the three methods stops working. Other times all of them fail.

The fixes below cover every possible reason. Let’s get started.

Fix 1: Check Your Location Settings

This sounds obvious, but many people accidentally turn off location without realizing it. Or an update changes the setting.

How to check:

Swipe down from the top of your screen to open Quick Settings. Look for the Location icon. It looks like a small pin or dot. Make sure it’s blue or highlighted. If it’s gray, tap it to turn it on.

Now go deeper. Open Settings → Location (or Security & location → Location). Make sure the main toggle is On. Then tap Mode or Accuracy. Choose High accuracy. This uses GPS, WiFi, and mobile networks together. It gives the best results.

Avoid using “Battery saving” mode because it turns off GPS satellites and only uses WiFi and cell towers. Avoid “Device only” mode because it only uses GPS satellites and takes much longer to find you.

Fix 2: Restart Your Phone

I say this in every guide because it works. GPS chips can freeze just like any other part of your phone. A restart clears out whatever temporary glitch is blocking the signal.

Press and hold the power button. Tap Restart or Reboot. Wait for the phone to fully turn back on. Open Google Maps and see if the blue dot follows your movement.

This fix takes thirty seconds. Do it before trying anything complicated.

Fix 3: Turn Airplane Mode On and Off

Airplane mode resets all wireless connections on your phone, including the GPS receiver. This is faster than a full restart.

How to do it:

Swipe down to open Quick Settings. Tap the Airplane mode icon. Wait ten seconds. Tap it again to turn it off. Wait another ten seconds. Open a mapping app and check if your location works.

This forces the GPS hardware to restart and search for satellites from scratch.

Fix 4: Calibrate Your Compass in Google Maps

If your location dot is there but the arrow points the wrong way or the dot moves when you’re standing still, your phone’s compass needs calibration.

How to calibrate:

Open Google Maps. Tap the blue dot that shows your location. At the bottom of the screen, tap Calibrate (if you don’t see it, look for a small message that says “Accuracy low”). Follow the on-screen instructions. Usually you need to move your phone in a figure-eight motion a few times. The screen will show when calibration is done.

After calibration, the blue dot should have a narrow beam instead of a wide cone. That means your direction accuracy is good.

Fix 5: Improve Google Maps Accuracy with Live View

Google Maps has a feature called Live View that uses your camera to scan buildings and signs around you. It helps the app figure out exactly where you are.

How to use it:

Open Google Maps. Tap the blue dot. Tap Calibrate with Live View if available. Point your camera at buildings, street signs, or stores across the street. The app will compare what your camera sees with its database of Street View images. After a few seconds, your location becomes much more accurate.

You only need to do this once in a while. The improvement usually lasts.

Fix 6: Check App Permissions for GPS

If Google Maps or other navigation apps can’t find your location, the app might not have permission to access GPS. Android’s permission system is strict. If you denied location access by accident, the app will never get your location.

How to check:

Go to Settings → Apps → See all apps. Find the app that’s having GPS trouble (like Google Maps, Waze, Uber, etc.). Tap it. Tap Permissions. Look for Location. Make sure it’s set to Allow all the time or Allow only while using the app. Do not choose “Deny.”

For navigation apps while driving, “Allow all the time” is the best option. For other apps, “Allow only while using the app” is fine.

Fix 7: Turn Off Battery Saver Mode

Battery saver mode is a common enemy of GPS. When battery saver turns on, Android restricts background activity. That includes GPS updates. Your phone might still show a location, but it won’t update as you move. Or it updates very slowly.

How to check:

Swipe down to open Quick Settings. Look for Battery saver or Power saving icon. If it’s on, tap it to turn it off.

Also go to Settings → Battery → Battery saver. Make sure it’s off. Some phones have an “Adaptive battery” or “Optimized charging” feature. Try turning those off temporarily to see if GPS improves.

If you must use battery saver, go to Settings → Apps → Maps → Battery → choose Unrestricted. This tells Android to let GPS run normally even when battery saver is on.

Fix 8: Clear Google Maps Cache and Data

Sometimes the problem isn’t the GPS hardware. Sometimes it’s Google Maps itself. Old cached data can confuse the app.

How to clear cache:

Go to Settings → Apps → See all apps → Maps. Tap Storage & cache. Tap Clear cache first. Test the app. If that doesn’t work, go back and tap Clear storage (this resets Maps to factory settings. You’ll lose saved places and settings but not your actual location ability).

After clearing storage, open Google Maps again. Sign in if needed. Test your GPS.

Fix 9: Download GPS Test Tool to See What’s Wrong

There’s a free app called GPS Test (made by Chartcross Limited) that shows you exactly what your phone’s GPS is doing. It’s a diagnostic tool, not a fix. But it tells you if the problem is hardware or software.

How to use it:

Download GPS Test from the Play Store. Open it. Stand outside with a clear view of the sky. Wait one minute. Look at the screen.

• If you see 0 satellites in use, your GPS hardware might be broken.
• If you see 3 to 6 satellites in use, your GPS is working but weakly. You need better signal.
• If you see 7 or more satellites in use, your GPS is fine. The problem is your navigation app.

The app also shows your accuracy in meters. Under 5 meters is great. Over 20 meters is poor.

Fix 10: Go Outside and Hold Your Phone Correctly

This sounds silly, but it’s real. GPS signals from satellites are weak. They go through clouds, trees, and thin roofs. But thick concrete, metal, underground parking, and dense buildings block them completely.

What to do:

Step outside away from tall buildings. Hold your phone with the screen facing up toward the sky. Don’t put it in a car mount with a thick case. Don’t put it in your pocket. Don’t put it in a metal box or a bag. Just hold it in your hand with a clear view above you.

Wait thirty seconds. Most phones lock onto GPS satellites within ten to twenty seconds outside. If you’re inside a building, near a window might still work. But outside is always better.

Fix 11: Check for Metal Cases or Magnetic Mounts

Your phone case can kill your GPS signal. Metal cases block radio waves. Magnetic car mounts can interfere with the compass and GPS. Even some thick rugged cases with metal plates inside cause problems.

How to test:

Take your phone out of its case. Walk outside and test GPS with the case off. If the signal improves, your case is the problem. Get a plastic or silicone case instead.

For magnetic mounts, remove the metal plate from your phone case or switch to a non-magnetic mount.

Fix 12: Update Your Phone’s Software

Android updates often include fixes for GPS issues. Manufacturers like Samsung, Google, Xiaomi, and OnePlus release patches that improve satellite locking and location accuracy.

How to check:

Go to Settings → System → System update. Tap Check for update. If an update is available, install it. Restart your phone afterward.

Also update your navigation apps through the Play Store. Old versions of Google Maps or Waze can have bugs that newer versions fixed.

Fix 13: Reset All Network Settings

GPS relies on something called A-GPS (Assisted GPS). This uses your mobile network to download satellite position data faster. If your network settings are corrupted, A-GPS fails and your phone takes forever to find satellites.

How to reset:

Go to Settings → System → Reset options → Reset WiFi, mobile & Bluetooth (or Reset network settings). Confirm. This will delete saved WiFi passwords and paired Bluetooth devices. But it won’t delete your photos or apps.

After the reset, reconnect to your WiFi. Test GPS again.

Fix 14: Use a GPS Status App to Refresh A-GPS Data

There’s an app called GPS Status & Toolbox (by EclipSim). It can download fresh A-GPS data and reset your GPS receiver.

How to use:

Install GPS Status & Toolbox from the Play Store. Open it. Tap anywhere on the screen. Tap the menu button (three dots). Tap Manage A-GPS state. Tap Reset. Then tap Download. The app will download fresh satellite prediction data. Go outside and let the app find satellites.

This forces your phone to forget old satellite data and get new information from the internet. It’s very effective for phones that take too long to get a GPS lock.

When Is It a Hardware Problem?

If you tried all the fixes above and your phone still won’t find any GPS satellites (GPS Test shows zero in use even outside with clear sky), the GPS chip or antenna might be damaged. This can happen after dropping the phone or getting it wet.

At this point, you have two options. Take your phone to a repair shop. Or buy an external Bluetooth GPS receiver. These are small devices that connect to your phone and provide accurate GPS even if the internal one is broken.

But hardware failure is rare. Most people solve GPS problems with calibration, permissions, or simply stepping outside.

Quick Summary for Fast Results

If you’re in a hurry, do these four things in order:

1. Turn on High accuracy mode in location settings.
2. Turn off battery saver.
3. Calibrate your compass in Google Maps.
4. Step outside with a clear view of the sky.

These four solve the majority of Android GPS issues within two minutes.

If your Android phone is also experiencing connectivity hurdles beyond just GPS, such as WiFi issues, you may find our specialized guide helpful:

Android WiFi Authentication Problem Fix