Clear Your Map Cache
Depending on which navigation app you use, such as Google Maps, you can clear your map cache to help get a better lock and faster response time when using GPS. You can find and clear your cache by going to Manage Applications and under Menu choose Filter -> Show All. This will list all apps on your device. Choose each app that uses GPS and clear its cache.
If this does not clear up the problem, it may be an issue with the connection data itself. Your device may not have the correct information to connect to the satellites necessary to use GPS, which is causing the connection problem.
Use Assisted GPS
Assisted GPS (AGPS) is used by most smart phones these days and is a method of using cell towers to assist in locating your signal. This method of location is less precise than true GPS locating, but is faster because your GPS module does not need to connect to a satellite before it can begin to locate you. Assisted GPS is also helpful if you do not have clear skies and cannot get in contact with a satellite.
Assisted GPS will also make use of available Wi-Fi networks to help pinpoint your location which can dramatically change the amount of time it takes to provide your position.
To enable assisted GPS on your Android device, go to Settings -> Location & Security Settings and check the checkbox for Enable Assisted GPS.
Note that Assisted GPS will constantly be searching for and connecting to cell towers while this feature is on, creating a noticeable drain on your battery. This is most likely a feature you do not want to always leave enabled but is definitely helpful when you are using your device for navigation.
If you are still having trouble with your GPS after turning AGPS on, you can try resetting your Assisted GPS Data.
Using GPS Status & Toolbox
Sometimes the problem continues because the data for towers and satellites that your phone holds is incorrect for your location. The GPS Status & Toolbox is an app available in the Android market and is used to wipe out and re-download the AGPS data. This can help your device acquire the correct towers and get up-to-date satellite information. Once you have downloaded the app, here are the steps to get your new data:
When you start the app, you will see a compass and the data statistics for your phone. Be sure you have an active data connection.
Go to Manage A-GPS State.
Click Download in the menu.
Exit the app when it is finished.
This will remove all of the old Wi-Fi and satellite information in your device and download the most pertinent data for your current location. You should now check your navigation app to see if you can get a location lock. After this process it should be much quicker.
The downside to this process is that you will most likely need to repeat it on a regular basis. Any time your GPS begins to act up, you will need to download new AGPS data using the GPS Status & Toolbox app. Annoying but a small price to pay for your navigation to work correctly.
If your GPS is still not working correctly after downloading new AGPS data, your only recourse may be to root your phone and flash a new ROM or radio to your device. This can make your GPS more reliable as some ROMs have configuration tweaks that can be used to make the radio work better. While this step may be extreme for some in order to fix their GPS and it can be a bit riskier, it can sometimes make your device work better, if you are prepared to deal with the consequences of rooting your device to make it happen.
Hopefully by working through these steps you are able to obtain a better GPS signal and a faster lock. Remember that if your device continues to act up you may need to continue using the GPS Status & Toolbox app to reset your connection data. Since this problem seems worse in some Android devices than others, you may also want to look into changing devices if you cannot get the GPS to work reliably.
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