[Trick] Speed Up Satelite Fix for GPS on Android

Xenova · Aug 29, 2011

Guys,

I decided to write this because a lot of us here still facing GPS issue on their device. I almost give up on my HTC Desire HD because of the GPS problem. After I find this trick, now I realized that HTC devices have one of the most brilliant GPS hardware. It always get a location lock within 5 - 15 seconds.

This trick not only to speedup the satelite fixing. Some also found that it increase the reception (strong signal even during cloudy, light raining, and inside building's window). I am one of this case .

Here is the tricks. It is tested on HTC desire HD, SGSII, and speculated to work on most Android device (Please note that it is in sequential order):

Requirements:

Rooted Device

File Manager: e.g. Root Explorer

1. Searching for NTP server information

Go to http://www.pool.ntp.org/en/

At the right side of webpage, there is "Active Servers". Go in and look for the setting of your 1)region and 2)country

For example, one's region is Europe then you write down the NTP server for that: 0.europe.pool.ntp.org; 1.europe.pool.ntp.org; 2.europe.pool.ntp.org; 3.europe.pool.ntp.org

Then the servers for your country from the list down there and click the link(Example: Switzerland — ch.pool.ntp.org; 0.ch.pool.ntp.org; 1.ch.pool.ntp.org; 2.ch.pool.ntp.org; 3.ch.pool.ntp.org

The "Italic" words are the information you need to jot down for later use

3. Modify the gps.conf file (Most Crucial Stage)

Copy the codes in grey box (in first post) to a notepad, then change the extension name from .txt to .conf then copy to your phone

Use file manager to copy to this location: /etc/gps.conf and replace the original gps.conf

Open and Edit the gps.conf using rootexplorer or others file managers

Change the COUNTRY and REGION in following lines with the info you got from the website just now. Keep other values unchange unless you know what it is. Example of REGION such as NorthAmerica, Asia, Africa, Europe.

Your new gps.conf should look as below:

NTP_SERVER=0.COUNTRY.pool.ntp.org
NTP_SERVER=1.COUNTRY.pool.ntp.org
NTP_SERVER=2.COUNTRY.pool.ntp.org
NTP_SERVER=3.COUNTRY.pool.ntp.org
NTP_SERVER=0.REGION.pool.ntp.org
NTP_SERVER=1.REGION.pool.ntp.org
NTP_SERVER=2.REGION.pool.ntp.org
NTP_SERVER=3.REGION.pool.ntp.org
NTP_SERVER=COUNTRY.pool.ntp.org <-This is changed from the top line to here. It may works better if we put it here.

XTRA_SERVER_1=http://xtra1.gpsonextra.net/xtra.bin
XTRA_SERVER_2=http://xtra2.gpsonextra.net/xtra.bin
XTRA_SERVER_3=http://xtra3.gpsonextra.net/xtra.bin

# DEBUG LEVELS: 0 - none, 1 - Error, 2 - Warning, 3 - Info
# 4 - Debug, 5 - Verbose
DEBUG_LEVEL =0

# Intermediate position report, 1=enable, 0=disable
INTERMEDIATE_POS=0

# Accuracy threshold for intermediate positions
# less accurate positions are ignored, 0 for passing all positions
ACCURACY_THRES=0

# Report supl ref location as position, 1=enable, 0=disable
REPORT_POSITION_USE_SUPL_REFLOC=1

# Wiper (wifi positioning), 1=enable, 0=disable
ENABLE_WIPER=1

################################
##### AGPS server settings #####
################################

# FOR SUPL SUPPORT, set the following
SUPL_HOST=supl.google.com
SUPL_PORT=7276
SUPL_NO_SECURE_PORT=3425
SUPL_SECURE_PORT=7275
SUPL_TLS_HOST=FQDN
SUPL_TLS_CERT=/etc/SuplRootCert

# FOR C2K PDE SUPPORT, set the following
C2K_HOST=c2k.pde.com
C2K_PORT=1234

CURRENT_CARRIER=common
DEFAULT_AGPS_ENABLE=TRUE
DEFAULT_SSL_ENABLE=FALSE

# TRUE for "User Plane", FALSE for "Control Plane"
DEFAULT_USER_PLANE=TRUE

Make sure the permission of the file is rw-r--r--

4. Reboot

Go setting, turn on your "use GPS satelites" and "Integrate Google Navigation"

Restart the device (normal restart)[/B]

5. Use GPS status and Toolbox

Tool available in market for free, please donate so developers are encouraged for better release in the future[/B]

Open app> tools> manage A-GPS state>Reset

Open app> tools> manage A-GPS state>Download

Optional restart device (not compulsory)

Use GPS status to start fixing satelites

Your satelite fixing speed should VERY FAST now

After get a successul GPS Lock, open your GPS applications and use like normal (e.g. Copilot, Sygic, or TomTom)

Extra Suggestion: Please make sure your GPS is enabled before your device is turnoff or restart. It won't actually use GPS unless you open map-related app or google.com.

CAUTION!!!: DO NOT use fasterfix after this. It will overwrite all the content in gps.conf

Credits: Thanks for JMax and Vault Killer for the gps.conf file
WARNING: Please do backup before messing with your device
Do it at your own risk, I cannot be held resposible for any damage or dysfunctional of your device

[Update: 17 August 2012]
Sometime even my phone won't work consistently. It won't able to get fix within 30seconds everytime. And i found this tool can be very very help to make sure my agps 95% up to date and thus has the best performance.

The tool is called "Leo AGPS Injector" developed by Tytung. Please click thanks or consider donation on the following post to thanks for the developer - Tytung. I have no credit at all for this tool. I just share it.
Here is the link http://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=16384028&postcount=1907

Step to use the tool:

Install and place the widget on your home screen
Ensure your GPS setting is on
Make sure you're conencted to Internet / Mobile data
Press on the widget to inject AGPS data
Now you're good to go. The internet can be turn-off now. and your gps should work well

Note: I noticed once i connect to a big internet network (such as my university internet network). My GPS won't work anymore.
This is what i do to make it back to normal:

Connect to Mobile data (3G) and use "Leo GPS injector"
if it is still not working, i switch to airplane mode and back to normal mode again, then repeat step 1

And i notice, it works better if you use mobile internet, rather than fixed source internet at home. This is just what i feel, not necessary true.

Please post your feedback to let others know it works on your device model

Please click "Thanks" if you feel this post is useful for you

Wacco001 · Aug 29, 2011

Thank you very much for this post.

Fortunately I've never had a GPS issue on my DHD, but still I would love to "fully" understand your solution ...

If it is possible, can you please explain what exactly these settings do, or can you post some links where I can find some extra info regarding these settings and their "ïmpact" for my DHD ..

(Always curious, you know !

)

# DEBUG LEVELS: 0 - none, 1 - Error, 2 - Warning, 3 - Info
# 4 - Debug, 5 - Verbose
DEBUG_LEVEL =0

# Intermediate position report, 1=enable, 0=disable
INTERMEDIATE_POS=0

# Accuracy threshold for intermediate positions
# less accurate positions are ignored, 0 for passing all positions
ACCURACY_THRES=0

# Report supl ref location as position, 1=enable, 0=disable
REPORT_POSITION_USE_SUPL_REFLOC=1

# Wiper (wifi positioning), 1=enable, 0=disable
ENABLE_WIPER=1

################################
##### AGPS server settings #####
################################

# FOR SUPL SUPPORT, set the following
SUPL_HOST=supl.google.com
SUPL_PORT=7276
SUPL_NO_SECURE_PORT=3425
SUPL_SECURE_PORT=7275
SUPL_TLS_HOST=FQDN
SUPL_TLS_CERT=/etc/SuplRootCert

# FOR C2K PDE SUPPORT, set the following
C2K_HOST=c2k.pde.com
C2K_PORT=1234

CURRENT_CARRIER=common
DEFAULT_AGPS_ENABLE=TRUE
DEFAULT_SSL_ENABLE=FALSE

# TRUE for "User Plane", FALSE for "Control Plane"
DEFAULT_USER_PLANE=TRUE

and, what exactly is meant by

4. Reboot
Go setting, turn on your "use GPS satelites" and "Integrate Google Navigation" rw-r--r--
Restart the device (normal restart)[/B]

Do you want me to put permissions on a settings selection in the "Settings - Location" options ?

Sorry if my question is unclear, but I'm a bit puzzled by that part of your solution post.

AGAIN !! Thanks for the nice post and great effort .. Much appreciated !!

DalSegno · Aug 29, 2011

Should we be removing extra lines at the top if we have less NTP servers available? For example, Canada only has 1, so should I be copying that multiple times or just put it in once?

Xenova · Aug 29, 2011

DalSegno said:
Should we be removing extra lines at the top if we have less NTP servers available? For example, Canada only has 1, so should I be copying that multiple times or just put it in once?

Yes. Remove the extra lines if you need less servers for your place

Xenova · Aug 29, 2011

Wacco001 said:
Thank you very much for this post.

Fortunately I've never had a GPS issue on my DHD, but still I would love to "fully" understand your solution ...
If it is possible, can you please explain what exactly these settings do, or can you post some links where I can find some extra info regarding these settings and their "ïmpact" for my DHD ..

(Always curious, you know ! )

and, what exactly is meant by

Do you want me to put permissions on a settings selection in the "Settings - Location" options ?

Sorry if my question is unclear, but I'm a bit puzzled by that part of your solution post.

AGAIN !! Thanks for the nice post and great effort .. Much appreciated !!

Hi Wacco,

That's rw--r--r things was an typo mistake, I will removed it. Thanks for pointing it out.

Unfortunately, a friend of mine send the file to me. He said all the descriptions are as per in the comment (#). I think he said he extracted from the firmware of a GPS system in my country. And i wasn't expert in GPS things, I afraid I'm not the right person to answer you

Perhaps some experts may drop by and asnwer you question soon. I also wanted to know the details too

theblob27 · Aug 29, 2011

The app faster fix will not work for me in my sgs2 it just shows a black screen is this step needed or can i miss it out?

theblob27 · Aug 29, 2011

Please ignore my nooby type post before i needed to upgrade my busybox duhh

wjsturgis3 · Aug 29, 2011

This works like a a champ. Best GPS lock time I've ever had!

Thanks a bunch.

bongd · Aug 29, 2011

Tried it on my Motorola Atrix and it didn't make an improvement but it wasn't a detriment as well. Granted, my office is a cable head end with satellites and ****loads of cable equipment which may interfere.

I'm sure it will probably help if anything though. Thanks for the tips!

Xenova · Aug 30, 2011

Yes. The surrounding is very influential to the working of GPS.
My car's windows are tinted with silver chrome tint. I nearly cannot get a single satellite fix inside my car.
But the GPS just work like charms in my bro's car with normal tints.

This trick mainly is to help users with slow GPS fix, it is not a magic

THe main idea is hope that before users mess with the risky fix (e.g. messing with hardware: physically adjust the antenna), they can try these low-risk tweak. So that they won't broke their device.

And most of the time, it is software issue, rather than hardware

Xenova · Aug 30, 2011

wjsturgis3 said:
This works like a a champ. Best GPS lock time I've ever had!

Thanks a bunch.

Thanks for the feedback. Glad to hear that

flipper44 · Aug 30, 2011

What roll does Fix it Actually play?

What roll does Fix it Actually play since we are replacing the GPS.conf file anyways?

About to try on a Toshiba THRiVE Tablet will let you know if it helps...

UPDATE: I think it made it REALLY WORSE...2 mins and no fix

Goodm7sn · Aug 30, 2011

when we upgrade our ROM (for ex from ARHD 5.2.6 to ARHD 5.2.7) , do we need to redo this ? or we only redo it if we fully wipe before ROM install ?

cheers

bongd · Aug 30, 2011

flipper44 said:
What roll does Fix it Actually play since we are replacing the GPS.conf file anyways?

About to try on a Toshiba THRiVE Tablet will let you know if it helps...

UPDATE: I think it made it REALLY WORSE...2 mins and no fix

If you look at the comments in the script it's self explanatory.

I tested this from home and another few locations and it locked on very quickly. Thanks for the tweak!

Xenova · Aug 31, 2011

Goodm7sn said:
when we upgrade our ROM (for ex from ARHD 5.2.6 to ARHD 5.2.7) , do we need to redo this ? or we only redo it if we fully wipe before ROM install ?

cheers

Hi mate, I really not sure cuz I always do a clean flash. Maybe you can share with us when you upgrade your ROM. And a quick way is to save your gps.confirm file in sdcard. Then replace the one after flash (if the flashing revert it back to normal).

Sent from my Desire HD using Tapatalk

Xenova · Aug 31, 2011

bongd said:
If you look at the comments in the script it's self explanatory.

I tested this from home and another few locations and it locked on very quickly. Thanks for the tweak!

Lolz glad to hear it works ; )

Sent from my Desire HD using Tapatalk

Xenova · Aug 31, 2011

flipper44 said:
What roll does Fix it Actually play since we are replacing the GPS.conf file anyways?

About to try on a Toshiba THRiVE Tablet will let you know if it helps...

UPDATE: I think it made it REALLY WORSE...2 mins and no fix

If you willing, please keep and try for few more days (keep your agps data updated via downloading tru gps status frequently). Cuz one of my friend also didn't work immediately but a few days after that.

Sent from my Desire HD using Tapatalk

flipper44 · Aug 31, 2011

bongd said:
If you look at the comments in the script it's self explanatory.

I tested this from home and another few locations and it locked on very quickly. Thanks for the tweak!

Am i missing something..i run fixit.apk, that is an installed program...not a script...then i replace a bunch of text in gps.conf...again not a script...what im asking is what does fixit.apk do...i could replace the gps.conf file without fixit.apk

flipper44 · Aug 31, 2011

Xenova said:
If you willing, please keep and try for few more days (keep your agps data updated via downloading tru gps status frequently). Cuz one of my friend also didn't work immediately but a few days after that.

Sent from my Desire HD using Tapatalk

Will do will let you know

Xenova · Aug 31, 2011

flipper44 said:
Am i missing something..i run fixit.apk, that is an installed program...not a script...then i replace a bunch of text in gps.conf...again not a script...what im asking is what does fixit.apk do...i could replace the gps.conf file without fixit.apk

Hm... In my tweak, the first step is to download, install, and run Fasterfix (not Fixit, i not sure whether they did the same thing or not). But i didn't mentioned that it is optional to use the faster fix or not. I suggest to run, to be a safer step. Yes, it will write the gps.conf (but currently not sure whether the app change other things or not until i verify with the app dev). So i just keep the whole process that i gone through to make my gps works

[Trick] Speed Up Satelite Fix for GPS on Android

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