Four Ways to Fix GPS Problems in Froyo

[ragnarokx]

Many of us have a working GPS with Froyo, but if your GPS is not working after flashing Froyo, here are four procedures you can try. Note that this does not guarantee that your GPS will work even after you perform one or all these procedures, but it is something to try if you really need GPS working.

Procedure 1 - requires the use of Odin & requires root access
Taken from this post on XDA:
Flash Eclair DI18 using Odin
Go into Google Maps and get a GPS lock
Flash the DK28 modem using Odin, then boot up
Install ClockworkMod Recovery
Flash the DK28 ROM
Your GPS should now work

Procedure 2 - does not require Odin & requires root access
Taken from this post on XDA:
"Fixed it. It was a pain, but overall not that bad. As a refresher, I was originally 2.1 rooted stock, downloaded 2.2.1 directly from Google's server WITHOUT getting a GPS lock first in Eclair, and then completely lost GPS (no satellites even detected). I was peeved since everything else was working great, no force closes, very fast, just completely busted GPS.

This is what I did. First since I lost root I had to get it back and get clockwork mod recovery for DK28 Froyo (one.click.root.exploitv2.5.2.zip):
One Click Root & Recovery for the Epic 4G! v2.5.2 Now has ClockworkMod Redirector! - xda-developers

Did this on a Mac just fine. Then, I downloaded a full stock DI18 Eclair rom (stock.epic.DI18.rom.update.zip):
[Flashable .ZIP] Users WHO DO NOT WANT TO USE ODIN to return to stock DI18 for 2.2.1 - xda-developers

Since I REALLY didn't want to lose my applications, settings & data, especially since everything ELSE was working swimmingly in Froyo, once I booted into clockwork I made a backup. Then I pointed to the above DI18 zip and went back to 2.1. I did not touch ANY modem files during any of this, just flashed and proceeded. There were tons of FCs, my homescreens were completely messed up, etc, but that didn't matter. I immediately fired up GPS Status and got a lock relatively quickly. I immediately rebooted into clockwork recovery again and upgraded again to DK28 Froyo using the same zip from earlier. When everything came back (homescreens still messed up, etc) I fired up GPS Status and got a lock quickly (and close, within 2 meters). Finally, rebooted back into clockwork, restored from my previous working 2.2.1 (other than GPS) backup and rebooted. Everything looked correct, no crashes all day still, all settings & data and apps present, and most importantly, GPS still locks on fast and accurate.

Two things of note. I did NOT wipe/clean cache or anything, just a backup, flash DI18, GPS lock, flash DK28, GPS lock, restore. What exactly are these wipe and clear cache settings doing? Should I go back into clockwork and do them? I'm thinking not since everything has been working perfect all day, but I'd like more details. Second thing, this doesn't make any sense. Being that I restored the backup I took while GPS was busted, I honestly thought I'd just restored bad GPS settings, but that was not the case as GPS works FAR better now. What in the world is going on? Why does this work not just for me, but for so many other people? Puzzled.

To recap, using clockwork on 2.2.1 I backed up, flashed DI18, GPS locked, flashed DK28, GPS locked, restored. I hope this info helps someone!"

Procedure 3 - no flashing method & no root access required
Taken from this post on XDA:

"I was able to fix my GPS by downloading GPS Status from the market and reseting my A-GPS Data.
No flashing, no odin, no problem
Been using this rom for a few days now and have been very happy with it."

Procedure 4 - newest and possibly best method
By NYCSUBWAYRAT, taken from this post:

Fixing the GPS no fix issue on the Samsung Epic 4g requires you to do a manufacturer's reset by obtaining the MSL code from Sprint (see below for alternative method to obtain your MSL code). Once you get the MSL Code, remove the SD Card and Enter ##786# on the dialer keypad. You will see two options: View and Reset. Tap on the Reset option and you will get a prompt to enter the MSL code. At this point you will be asked if you want to do a manufacter's reset, enter yes. The phone will shut down and reset itself after a few seconds. Once the process is complete, the phone will go through a hands free activation. After the activation process, updates may be downloaded and installed. Now that all updates have been performed, you may check to see if your GPS is working by going to Google Maps. You should be able to lock in GPS signal in under 10 seconds. Thats it. Your GPS woes are over.

jrick has a method to get your MSL code without calling Sprint:
You can get MSL code without calling Sprint using ConnectBot (from Market)
Run ConnectBot, in dropdown menu in lower left corner select Local
Type in any name in the nickname box
Type getprop then hit enter
scroll up in the results (ril.MSL) is the MSL code

Brandon4EK has a solution if your phone won't activate and has tons of force closes after attempting Procedure 4:
Pop your SD card in, wait for EVERYTHING to restore properly, then turn off and on your phone. Activation went through after that (as opposed to a reset without the SD card and gmail sync).

See ShIzNiTs post for more info on the reset that is performed with this method.

 

[ragnarokx]

Update: added third procedure

 

[HAAS599]

I never had the time to try procedure one or two. Glad though, because procedure three was ridiculously easy.

 

[deboss]

#3 did not work for me. Need to set aside time for 1 or 2. Bummer!

 

[ksmullins88]

Do you have to be rooted to do all these?

 

[ragnarokx]

Do you have to be rooted to do all these?

OP updated - check next to each Procedure

 

[Butters3605]

Epic FroYo GPS working

Procedure 3 - no flashing method & no root access required
Taken from this post on XDA:

"I was able to fix my GPS by downloading GPS Status from the market and reseting my A-GPS Data.
No flashing, no odin, no problem
Been using this rom for a few days now and have been very happy with it."

This worked for me

 

[ShaLea]

I tried options 1 & 3, dreading the to-do steps in 2, but after going step by step, my GPS is now flawless. It catches w/in like 15 seconds.

Thanks to the AC & XDA Developers, even a noobi can do this.

 

[Paul627g]

I have done procedure #1 on my Epic and my wife's and things seem to be great. Mine wasn't bad before, but my wife was getting 100 meter locks that took forever in Eclair then last night I did Froyo rooted for her with Mammon's Bonsai's ROM and now its quick locks and shes at 3-4 meters.

Hope Sammy comes up with a true fix one day to do away with all these different methods of fixing the GPS. (Not banking on it..)

 

[Butters3605]

Just installed FroYo today, and GPS is working awesome after using GPS Status to get an initial GPS lock.

Just messing around with it here at home, using GPS Test got 9 of 9 satellites within 30 seconds and an accuracy of 7.0 ft... AWESOME!!

 

[Atomic Playboy]

I was FINALLY able to get mine to lock with a combination of all three methods.

First, I tried Method 2, after making a backup using ClockWorkMod. However, flashing back from FroYo to Eclair using CWM seemed to break the bootloader. I was able to boot into Eclair once, and get a GPS lock; however, I couldn't REboot after that. I wound up having to flash back to stock DI18 using Odin.

I re-downloaded GPS Test and GPS Status/Toolbox and was able to get a lock just fine in stock-and-stripped Eclair. Since I still had the update.zip for DK28 on my SD card, I just rebooted and applied the update without using CWM or rooting. After rebooting, I was able to get a lock once again.

Finally, I used the Epic All-In-One system to put CWM and root back on my Epic, restored from backup, rebooted, and crossed my fingers. After letting the dust settle and all the changes that occurred since this morning sink in, I went back outside and used GPS Status to get a fix. I had sat view within seconds and a lock shortly after, and GPS Test said it was down to ~50 feet.

Because of where I work, I'm surrounded by huge metal buildings, so that's the best I can get right now. The last FroYo update before this one that my GPS worked on got me down to <10 feet in an open area, so I'll test it again when I can get more space. However, a good sign is that I was able to see satellites from inside my office (near a window anyway), so it looks like the way the software handles reception has drastically improved over Eclair.

 

[dockramer]

My GPS was complete toast (no lock, no satellites) after upgrading to Froyo (it had been working before). I followed procedure 1 and now get a quick GPS lock.

Thank you!!!

 

[Addie_Goodvibes]

once using step 3 will GPS lock stay If I uninstall the GPS Test App?

I hate having to depend on downloading an app to fix an internal problem.

 

[NYCSUBWAYRAT]

Fix GPS Issue on Epic 4G w/ Android 2.2

Fixing the GPS no fix issue on the Samsung Epic 4g requires you to do a manufacturer's reset by obtaining the MSL code from Sprint. Once you get the MSL Code, remove the SD Card and Enter ##786# on the dialer keypad. You will see two options: View and Reset. Tap on the Reset option and you will get a prompt to enter the MSL code. At this point you will be asked if you want to do a manufacter's reset, enter yes. The phone will shut down and reset itself after a few seconds. Once the process is complete, the phone will go through a hands free activation. After the activation process, updates may be downloaded and installed. Now that all updates have been performed, you may check to see if your GPS is working by going to Google Maps. You should be able to lock in GPS signal in under 10 seconds. Thats it. Your GPS woes are over.

 

[ragnarokx]

Thanks, I've added your method to the 1st post.

 

[Addie_Goodvibes]

how does one get the MSL code? do we have to call sprint?

 

[ragnarokx]

Yup, that's what NYCSUBWAYRAT said.

Sent by a little green robot

 

[Addie_Goodvibes]

Yup, that's what NYCSUBWAYRAT said.

Sent by a little green robot

In your opinion of the 4 methods which is most reliable and permanant vs a simple work around.

Will the Factory reset fix change my new DK28 install? or does it simply just execute a factory reset keeping my 2.2 intact?

 

[ragnarokx]

In your opinion of the 4 methods which is most reliable and permanant vs a simple work around.

Will the Factory reset fix change my new DK28 install? or does it simply just execute a factory reset keeping my 2.2 intact?

I've never tried #4, so I can't comment on that method. But try #3 first since it only takes a couple minutes - if it doesn't work, then go for #1 (which seems to work well for most people).

 

[NYCSUBWAYRAT]

Using method #4 does not uninstall Android 2.2. By doing a factory reset you are simply deleting any data on the chips on the phone and reinstalling the OS that is currently present. After doing the factory reset (manufacturer's reset) the phone will be as if you first turned it on out of the box. The phone will function as a new phone. I have tried this method with several Epics and it has always worked.