Simple Fix for your GPS - Samsung Galaxy S III

crobs808 · Apr 12, 2013

If this REALLY is helping people, then I am really frustrated at Samsung. It is ridiculous that this kind of thing would even be needed to be done by users. I am a HUGE Samsung fan, but this is a big potmark on an otherwise perfect face. Luckily my S3 was good when I got it, but after reading this thread I tightened all my screws - hey, it can't hurt.

I am still not sure if it is voodoo, placebo, or whatever you want to call it, since I did not have the problem before hand.

tbuff80 · Apr 12, 2013

This worked for me! Thank you!!

Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda premium

Hypnosis4U2NV · Apr 12, 2013

crobs808 said:
If this REALLY is helping people, then I am really frustrated at Samsung. It is ridiculous that this kind of thing would even be needed to be done by users. I am a HUGE Samsung fan, but this is a big potmark on an otherwise perfect face. Luckily my S3 was good when I got it, but after reading this thread I tightened all my screws - hey, it can't hurt.

I am still not sure if it is voodoo, placebo, or whatever you want to call it, since I did not have the problem before hand.

No sir.. Actual results here..

Check here for my opinion why it works..

http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?p=39570338

Sent from my Commodore 64..
READY.
load"*", 8,1

crobs808 · Apr 12, 2013

Hypnosis4U2NV said:
No sir.. Actual results here..

Check here for my opinion why it works..

http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?p=39570338

Sent from my Commodore 64..
READY.
load"*", 8,1

I know about the piece of metal that gets pushed down to contact the other, which is why I am frustrated. That is something I would expect from Daewoo, not Samsung.

Hypnosis4U2NV · Apr 12, 2013

I was referring to your comment of:

I am still not sure if it is voodoo, placebo, or whatever you want to call it, since I did not have the problem before hand.

It's not voodoo, placebo or whatever.. Like you observed it's technical and damn shameful.. They could of at least had a connector attached rather than simple pressed contact..

Sent from my Commodore 64..
READY.
load"*", 8,1

popcorn1122 · Apr 15, 2013

http://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=40207546&postcount=67

Download this files and place it in /system/etc .... permission it to rw r r
then delete all files in /data/gps folder

restart and use gpstest to see results. try it with data on on first try to fix the satellite faster.

derberts · Apr 15, 2013

Do you guys think its possible for this to also be an LTE fix? I've had my LTE lock consistently after doing this I don't know if it's a coincidence or not...

Hypnosis4U2NV · Apr 16, 2013

derberts said:
Do you guys think its possible for this to also be an LTE fix? I've had my LTE lock consistently after doing this I don't know if it's a coincidence or not...

Maybe, but the cell antenna is located opposite of the GPS antenna which is the bottom right corner of the rear.. It's also connected by clip rather than just mere pressure like the GPS antenna.. Maybe screwing the case down helped seat the clip of the antenna a bit better..

Sent from my Commodore 64..
READY.
load"*", 8,1

fatasian · Apr 18, 2013

jasonl99 said:
I think you are right about this. The fix worked for me for a day, then quit working (it went back to locking only occassionally). After I saw this post with the picture of the location of the GPS antenna, I thought maybe all the screws shouldn't be torqued quite so much.

I really tightened the screw in the upper left, right near what you are suggesting is the GPS antenna connection point. I also tightened the other two screws on the left pretty tight. Then, as you work right, I didn't tighten quite so much.

Since I did that, my GPS is working great, and -- more importantly -- it staying great. I think that upper left screw needs to be tighter than all the rest, and the further you get from it it needs to a little looser (still tight, but not torqued down).

Having said that, I don't know if anyone else had this fix only "sort of" work for them -- it seems like it works for everyone. But if you do you have any difficult with the fix keeping the phone fixed, give this a try.

Thank you baby Jesus. Loosening a few others did it!

Samsung.Galaxy.S3 · Apr 24, 2013

Tiny Screwdrivers

Ok, I need to give this a whirl. Now only if I have screwdrivers that tiny! Doh! :silly:

nicholi2789 · May 7, 2013

I thought I would share my testimonial as well.. I've always had kinda wonky gps. I've had two S3s, one was brand new, the other refurbished. Both of them always took at least 60-120 seconds to get a lock, and usually it would only be accurate to around 30 feet or so (I just figured that was kinda the limit of this technology). Then I came across this thread and saw that the GPS inaccuracy is a wide-spread issue with S3s, and thought, what the hell? What do I have to lose?
So I shut my phone down and got out my precision screwdriver set. I was appalled at just how loose those screws were on the back. Some of them I was able to get two or three full turns before they were tight. Couldn't believe it.
It even seems as though I am getting a better signal, thought that could be a placebo effect. I live in a rural area and don't have 4G (soon says VZW) at any give time my signal strength would usually be around -90--95 dbm 6 asu. Now I'm getting a consistent -75 to -80 dbm 2 asu.
Maybe that is coincedence but I'm definetely getting a stronger signal.
Thanks for posting this!!

chayesfss · May 13, 2013

I was very doubtful this would fix my issue. Thought it was rom/kernel related and as such had changed roms quite a bit looking for something that worked.

I pulled the back off, just tightened all of them and am amazed that I'm getting a lock right away! Wouldn't have ever thought this would work and can't figure out why but I can't thank you enough!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

engelba · May 14, 2013

Another "me too" story but... I had started having problems about 2 weeks ago with my phone getting a poor fix and in the past 5 days it getting no fix what so ever. I tried a couple of GPS tools to reset it and download new satellite data - nothing. Reflashed and wiped with a new ROM and new Radio.... nothing - same problem.

I saw this solution and thought it was total BS but figured what do I have to lose? Flipped the phone over, took the back off and tightened up the screws (esp the ones in the upper left corner). Put the back back on and without even rebooting, walked outside and bam! nearly instant fix.... 19 of 20 satellites.

Sounds crazy but this does really work. I would urge folks to not go too crazy and over tighten the screws as you risk stripping them. Just snug them up, and see if it makes a difference. If not, snug them a little more and see if that works.

Making me wonder if I should take the back off and clean the contact between the board and the GPS antenna in the back of the phone.

syintiphic · May 15, 2013

There is a lot of good positive feedback and suggestions on this thread. This is great! I am glad this has helped many people. So funny, many people were just like me. I was about ready to give up on my phone until I stumbled on the screw fix.

I've read in other forums that some ROMs are better than others are at enhancing/maintaining GPS functionality. I definitely think this is true. Although I believe tightening the screws should definitely be the first thing to check, I would however also say some ROMs degrade GPS functionality.

I can't really explain this but I was on a TouchWiz ROM for about 2-3 weeks with the GPS functioning great. I noticed that I started to get slower locks and the location wasn't as accurate. I checked the screws and all were screwed in pretty well. I still was able to use my GPS but it just wasn't functioning as well as previously...it didn't bother me too much. As many of you do, I like to try out other ROMs. I tried an AOSP ROM and noticed that the phone (beyond just GPS) wasn't functioning quite the way I would have liked it so hours later I flashed the nandroid of my TouchWiz ROM. After flashing I noticed that my GPS worked fine again. Was this dumb luck or a coincidence? Did it have something to do with the fact that I wiped and did a factory reset before flashing my nandroid?

This got me thinking that there is something deep inside the OS or folder structure that is impacting my GPS so I decided that I would experiment a bit and wipe my phone so that I can start fresh with another TouchWiz ROM. Well I'm happy to report that the past month or so my phone's GPS has been rock solid. Not one issue. I can't really explain this. I have noticed that overall the GPS locks are faster and more accurate, even indoors. I'm sure many of you probably know the reason for this.

After discovering the screw fix, which improved my GPS (noticed a night and day difference), I also think there is something that may get corrupted when flashing ROMs, which impacts your GPS. I haven't tested it too much but I wonder if there is something with the sdcard/0 folder that gets created when using 4.2.X ROMs. Perhaps something there is causing the GPS to act erratic.

I must say, now that I have my phone functioning the way I want it I don't tweak it too much. I use GPS quite a bit so I'm always hesitant to tweak or add something unless I research it quite a bit and fully understand how it may impact my phone. I just don't want to take a chance impacting my GPS.

I'm interested what you all think about corrupted files that are impacting GPS and what ROMs (types or specific ones) you think are better for GPS functionality?

Cheers.

jonsoini · May 16, 2013

Just another 'this fixed it for me' reply. Thanks for this, was driving my wife nuts and I wasn't looking forward to a warranty exchange. Simple tightening of the screws and GPS fired right up, no more 'waiting for location' from Navigation.

stas_ · May 24, 2013

Worked Magically for my Galaxy Note

Another satisfied customer here, except with a different device.

I have a Galaxy Note, and I haven't had a GPS lock in weeks. I tightened the top left screw in the back and now I have instant, perfect GPS lock, even with an obstructed view of the sky.

Thank you!

InfInIteGMKg · May 25, 2013

This is a DIFFERENT, but easy fix that worked for me!!!

I tried everything, tightening screws, apps, etc. FINALLY GOT FED UP my Gps was turning on but could not get a lock on my location. My GPS would blink in status bar and whatever app I was using would say searching for signal... To make a long story short THIS FIX WORKED FOR ME, BUT BE CAREFUL, IF YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND OR SOMETHING GOES WRONG WITH YOUR PHONE I WILL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE...
Ok I ran USSD code running, First,
On dialpad press *#197328640# this will bring up a page automatically after pressingthe last # symbol.. DONT FORGET TO DIAL * at the beginning
Next- press UMTS-then press Common-NV Rebuild - NV Rebuild again, then wait till system says to reboot... Press and hold power button to reboot and your done.
After I completed these steps my GPS worked perfectly again, hopefully this does some people some good.
If curious Iam running 4.1.2 rooted sg3 tmo, should work on 4.1.1 also. Not sure about cm, pac, ROMs etc.

Wontfinishlast · May 26, 2013

InfInIteGMKg said:
I tried everything, tightening screws, apps, etc. FINALLY GOT FED UP my Gps was turning on but could not get a lock on my location. My GPS would blink in status bar and whatever app I was using would say searching for signal... To make a long story short THIS FIX WORKED FOR ME, BUT BE CAREFUL, IF YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND OR SOMETHING GOES WRONG WITH YOUR PHONE I WILL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE...
Ok I ran USSD code running, First,
On dialpad press *#197328640# this will bring up a page automatically after pressingthe last # symbol.. DONT FORGET TO DIAL * at the beginning
Next- press UMTS-then press Common-NV Rebuild - NV Rebuild again, then wait till system says to reboot... Press and hold power button to reboot and your done.
After I completed these steps my GPS worked perfectly again, hopefully this does some people some good.
If curious Iam running 4.1.2 rooted sg3 tmo, should work on 4.1.1 also. Not sure about cm, pac, ROMs etc.

Anyone with a vzw model get this menu to work?

EDIT: Had to enable hidden menus. For anyone else that had this problem, first dial *#22745927 and click hidden menu then "enable". The above code now works. Now to see if this finally resolves my GPS woes!

nomad2172 · Jun 2, 2013

solution worked perfectly

This solution worked perfectly for me on my Galaxy S3. Now my GPS locks in every time and is fully functional. This post saved me countless hours in attempting to work with Verizon support. Thanks a milliom!!!!!!

vandizzam · Jun 2, 2013

Wontfinishlast said:
Anyone with a vzw model get this menu to work?

EDIT: Had to enable hidden menus. For anyone else that had this problem, first dial *#22745927 and click hidden menu then "enable". The above code now works. Now to see if this finally resolves my GPS woes!

Tried it and still nothing. Did the screw thing as well. Any more ideas?

Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium

Simple Fix for your GPS - Samsung Galaxy S III

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