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Is GPS really necessary for accurate maps?

M

MBX

macrumors 68020
Original poster
Sep 14, 2006
2,030
817
I notice big inaccuracy in Google Maps when I only use it over Wifi/ LTE and no GPS. I didn't have that issue with Apple previously.

Does Google Maps really require GPS in order to be accurate?

Edit: actually really weird. I put GPS on just to see if it switched to accurate location and it just remained inaccurate. Showed that I'm at a place many many blocks away from where I actually am.

Anyone know what's going on? I already have location improving on but nothing helping so far.
 
Are you comparing results for the same device or your recollection of an earlier device and software?

Location services without WiFi rely mainly on the WiFi and other detectable radio signal strengths. If someone in your area changed their router's position or installed a new router that could affect the way non-GPS location is determined.

B
 
balamw said:
Are you comparing results for the same device or your recollection of an earlier device and software?

Location services without WiFi rely mainly on the WiFi and other detectable radio signal strengths. If someone in your area changed their router's position or installed a new router that could affect the way non-GPS location is determined.

B
Click to expand...

As just written in the edited version above I switched on GPS but nothing improved, still showing wrong location. Many blocks away from where I actually am :(
 
Restart your phone ?

Or go to the location it's telling you that you are currently at and see what the big mystery is ? Maybe Google are sending you a sign ;)
 
I'm still getting piss poor Google Maps performance even with GPS on and even after restarting many times. I can't believe it.

Google Maps was so much more accurate on the iPhone. Really don't get it. What could be the issue?

It's not only lagging more/ slower but also shows a much wider range (blue circle) even with GPS on. Then it jumps around often showing I'm at a different location when I'm not.

Any ideas?
 
It is probably your phone (or just the GPS chip on your phone). I used to have the same problem with my Samsung Vibrant (a 2010 Galaxy S). It was a widely reported fault that Samsung never copped up to.

When I replaced the phone, the problem went away and none of my other phones have had the issue.

Return your phone.
 
My android devices are spot on just like my Apple devices. Sometimes scary accurate, like down to the exact parking spot.

To me it sounds like a device related issue be it hardware or software.

I don't think GPS accuracy of Android vs iOS has ever been "a thing". However certain devices have had their fair share of issues.
 
Restart your phone? Clear Google Maps data?

I've had GPS inaccuracies from app to app on all my Android devices and now my Windows Phone.

I have pretty bad signal though. GPS doesn't rely on cell signal (I don't think), but if you have shoddy cell signal, you might have GPS problems too.
 
MBX said:
It's not only lagging more/ slower but also shows a much wider range (blue circle) even with GPS on. Then it jumps around often showing I'm at a different location when I'm not.
Click to expand...

Sound like it's using cell towers or WiFi, instead of GPS.

Make sure you really do have GPS enabled... and you gave it at least ten minutes outdoors to lock in, for worst case. (Some devices are sensitive enough to receive the signals indoors. Others are not.)

To be sure that your GPS and its antenna are working, download an app called "GPS Test" from the Play Store, and see if it sees any satellites, and what the signal strengths are.

.
 
Last edited:
MBX said:
I'm still getting piss poor Google Maps performance even with GPS on and even after restarting many times. I can't believe it.

Google Maps was so much more accurate on the iPhone. Really don't get it. What could be the issue?

It's not only lagging more/ slower but also shows a much wider range (blue circle) even with GPS on. Then it jumps around often showing I'm at a different location when I'm not.

Any ideas?
Click to expand...

It would help if you told us what device you were using. And yes, GPS is definitely required if you want accurate maps.
 
MBX said:
I'm still getting piss poor Google Maps performance even with GPS on and even after restarting many times. I can't believe it.

Google Maps was so much more accurate on the iPhone. Really don't get it. What could be the issue?

It's not only lagging more/ slower but also shows a much wider range (blue circle) even with GPS on. Then it jumps around often showing I'm at a different location when I'm not.

Any ideas?
Click to expand...

Have you tried any other mapping app like Waze? If the same thing happens with other mapping apps, it could be a defect with your particular phone.
 
OK so I installed Waze and unlike Google Maps it's totally accurate and smooth!

So it must be Google Maps not playing nice on my Note 3. What could it be???

Edit:

So I tried everything. Turned off/ uninstalled Google Maps, cleared all location data/ cache. Turned back on/ updated it. Still no luck.

I don't understand how Waze is all totally accurate but Google Maps just doesn't play nice on the same device. GPS is on too. Really don't get it.

And this issue is both on Wifi & LTE. :(

What could it be?
 
Last edited:
This is so stupid: after I cleared all the cache & location history from all settings, Google Now thinks I'm in California Berkeley instead of NYC.

UNBELIEVABLE. Is Google really that dumb, sometimes?

On top of everything Maps now has become almost useless. When I try to access my location it just keeps saying "Waiting for location..." and nothing happens.

I can't believe it. GPS is on and everything and yet Google Maps has such issues. WTF.
 
MBX said:
This is so stupid: after I cleared all the cache & location history from all settings, Google Now thinks I'm in California Berkeley instead of NYC.

UNBELIEVABLE. Is Google really that dumb, sometimes?
Click to expand...

That can happen to the iPhone, too.

If GMaps is using WiFi and someone near you just moved from CA to NY and took their WiFi router with them, then Google's hotspot database is still using the router's old location. (*)

It sounds like somehow GMaps is set to not use GPS. Perhaps some privacy setting somewhere.

  • Did you try the GPS Test as I suggested, btw? If you're in NYC, it's not exactly the best GPS place.
  • Edit: Also, are you running the stock ROM? Are you running any kind of privacy guard software?
  • Try this: Settings - Apps - Maps => force Close + clear Data + clear Cache.

(*) A much rarer event is when cell ids are swapped. A few years back, AT&T swapped a cell id between Boulder CO and someplace along the beach in Los Angeles. It mixed up iPhone users for a while!
 
Last edited:
kdarling said:
That can happen to the iPhone, too.

If GMaps is using WiFi and someone near you just moved from CA to NY and took their WiFi router with them, then Google's hotspot database is still using the router's old location. (*)

It really sounds like somehow GMaps is set to not use GPS. Perhaps some privacy setting somewhere.

Did you try the GPS Test as I suggested, btw? If you're in NYC, it's not exactly the best GPS place.

(*) A much rarer event is when cell ids are swapped. A few years back, AT&T swapped a cell id between Boulder CO and someplace along the beach in Los Angeles. It really mixed up iPhone users for a while!
Click to expand...

Funny that you mention this as I was just in the city a few days ago with the wife and we were using her i5 for nav. As we got closer to the FDR, her phone lost its location and could no longer give directions. We thought there were something wrong with her phone so we lit up my Note 3, only to have the same issue.
 
Fanaticalism said:
Funny that you mention this as I was just in the city a few days ago with the wife and we were using her i5 for nav. As we got closer to the FDR, her phone lost its location and could no longer give directions. We thought there were something wrong with her phone so we lit up my Note 3, only to have the same issue.
Click to expand...

I think it's having lots of tall buildings so close together, must block signals or something. Lots of pockets in the city where GPS is totally unreliable.
 
Night Spring said:
I think it's having lots of tall buildings so close together, must block signals or something. Lots of pockets in the city where GPS is totally unreliable.
Click to expand...

I never had any issues with my iPhones (Apple or Google maps). This Google maps being so wrong is a first time for me. And I can't find a solution how to fix it. Waze is totally accurate but not Google Maps. Wtf.
 
Night Spring said:
I think it's having lots of tall buildings so close together, must block signals or something. Lots of pockets in the city where GPS is totally unreliable.
Click to expand...

Indeed. GPS requires signals from four satellites for a solution. (It can be done with fewer under certain circumstances, but let's ignore that for now.)

There's usually about a half dozen satellites in view at any one time... IF you're in the open. In a city, between buildings, it'd be surprising to see more than a couple.

They're also constantly moving, orbiting the Earth about twice a day. And they have to be at least 15 degrees above the horizon to be useful without too much atmospheric interference. So usable ones in the city will be almost fleeting glimpses.

Add in the fact that most of a GPS orbit is south of NYC. (GPS satellites only go between 55 degrees north or south latitude, and NYC is at 40 north.) Southern views are probably blocked in many places.

MBX said:
I never had any issues with my iPhones (Apple or Google maps). This Google maps being so wrong is a first time for me. And I can't find a solution how to fix it. Waze is totally accurate but not Google Maps. Wtf.
Click to expand...

Once again I repeat: if other GPS programs work, it might mean you have somehow revoked Google Maps' permission to use GPS. See my previous post for some tests to make. Clearing its data should clear your preferences.

Also I've read (i.e. I don't know for sure) that both Google Play Store and Google Services must have location permission, for Google Maps to use GPS.
 
Last edited:
kdarling said:
Indeed. GPS requires signals from four satellites for a solution. (It can be done with fewer under certain circumstances, but let's ignore that for now.)

There's usually about a half dozen satellites in view at any one time... IF you're in the open. In a city, between buildings, it'd be surprising to see more than a couple.

They're also constantly moving, orbiting the Earth about twice a day. And they have to be at least 15 degrees above the horizon to be useful without too much atmospheric interference. So usable ones in the city will be almost fleeting glimpses.

Add in the fact that most of a GPS orbit is south of NYC. (GPS satellites only go between 55 degrees north or south latitude, and NYC is at 40 north.) Southern views are probably blocked in many places.



Once again I repeat: if other GPS programs work, it might mean you have somehow revoked Google Maps' permission to use GPS. See my previous post for some tests to make. Clearing its data should clear your preferences.

Also I've read (i.e. I don't know for sure) that both Google Play Store and Google Services must have location permission, for Google Maps to use GPS.
Click to expand...

Already done that. Didn't help. But I'm not gonna bother restoring my phone to factory settings. To much work to get everything back on again and all settings. Plus no guarantee it would help at all. I guess I'll just wait to see if some next AT&T/ Android/ Maps updates solve the problem.
 
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