Photo GPS incorrect

[anon(40376)]

Anyone having problems with the GPS location on a photo is being off and when I mean off, I mean by about a mile or more?

I have read that it is a known issue in with the Exynos processor; however, I have the Snapdragon.

 

[Post Nine]

Submit an error report after replicating the issue
Samsung Members app > Get help > Send feedback > Error reports

 

[KupKrazy]

Anyone having problems with the GPS location on a photo is being off and when I mean off, I mean by about a mile or more?

I have read that it is a known issue in with the Exynos processor; however, I have the Snapdragon.

Is it one photo or many photos? I had a series of photos I took at a concert and ONE of the photos registered 3k miles away in Irvine, CA when I'm in NYC. I don't know how that happened but I suspect maybe it didn't get a good GPS lock and it relied on Wifi or other source. I only say this because I was in an arena, and it thought I was in another arena in CA - so maybe a hardware thing. But it was just for one pic. Weird.

 

[anon(40376)]

Submit an error report after replicating the issue
Samsung Members app > Get help > Send feedback > Error reports

I did.

 

[anon(40376)]

Is it one photo or many photos? I had a series of photos I took at a concert and ONE of the photos registered 3k miles away in Irvine, CA when I'm in NYC. I don't know how that happened but I suspect maybe it didn't get a good GPS lock and it relied on Wifi or other source. I only say this because I was in an arena, and it thought I was in another arena in CA - so maybe a hardware thing. But it was just for one pic. Weird.

That could be the problem. However, I have taken photos from the same place with my Pixel 4XL and it shows me within a few feet of where I was standing. Also, just took another one this AM, and it was off, different location, and checked the location wit my Garmin and it has me standing where I should be. Plenty of satellites shown.

 

[Michael_Archangel]

Yes! I am having this issue too. Exynos phone here. Just noticed that photos I took at home have a GPS location of several roads away!

 

[anon(40376)]

I just spent over an hour with Samsung tech having taken control of my phone and "RESETTING" it. Right now, I'm seriously thinking about doing a factory reset and shipping it back to Amazon and purchasing the cheapest motorola made, or just remaining with my Pixel 4XL till it dissolves in my hands from age.

Exynos phones having this problem is a known problem by Samsung and a software update is coming, but I was just told it is not a problem with the Snapdragon models; that is according to the technician who was resetting my phone and trying to find the problem.

 

[anon(40376)]

I got curious and pulled the photos from my phone onto my laptop and opened an application I have that reads EXIF files. Interesting. The EXIF file for the photos I have taken with the S22 are showing NO GPS coordinates. Therefore, the location to the photos is most likely via triangulation off cell sites or just a SWAG.
And yes, cell phone photos do implant GPS coordinates into a EXIF file from a phone; just verified that photos taken with my Pixel 4XL has GPS coordinates recorded into the file.

Also, just pulled a generic camera app off play store, took some photos and same problem. NO GPS coordinates are being implanted into the EXIF file. So if not an application error and Google Maps shows me in the right location, I'm thinking the snapdragon has the same problem the Exynos models have and the person at Samsung tech does not realize this.

 

[NationalTrust]

I just spent over an hour with Samsung tech having taken control of my phone and "RESETTING" it. Right now, I'm seriously thinking about doing a factory reset and shipping it back to Amazon and purchasing the cheapest motorola made, or just remaining with my Pixel 4XL till it dissolves in my hands from age.

Exynos phones having this problem is a known problem by Samsung and a software update is coming, but I was just told it is not a problem with the Snapdragon models; that is according to the technician who was resetting my phone and trying to find the problem.

What were the steps to get in touch with a Samsung tech. I need help with a different issue I can't resolve. (Losing my network connection)

 

[anon(40376)]

What were the steps to get in touch with a Samsung tech. I need help with a different issue I can't resolve. (Losing my network connection)

I went to Samsung's website, to customer assistance and went through the options and called. It as answered on the first ring. She spent a good hour on the phone via a remote app that allowed her to take control of the phone. I have also talked with Amazon customer assistance (where i purchase the phone) and their reply was basically the same. Return for an exchange or refund.

If anyone else is having the same problem , I would suggest they get a program to read the EXIF file of the photo. (Nikon View NX-i is a free app that reads the EXIF FILE). If you read the Exif file and there are NO GPS coordinates implanted in the file, it would be a sign that phone is not placing the coordinates where you are into the cameras photo file. And like in my case, reading location info via the cell towers or just throwing out a scientific wild A** guess (SWAG).

 

[Morty2264]

I just spent over an hour with Samsung tech having taken control of my phone and "RESETTING" it. Right now, I'm seriously thinking about doing a factory reset and shipping it back to Amazon and purchasing the cheapest motorola made, or just remaining with my Pixel 4XL till it dissolves in my hands from age.

Exynos phones having this problem is a known problem by Samsung and a software update is coming, but I was just told it is not a problem with the Snapdragon models; that is according to the technician who was resetting my phone and trying to find the problem.

I'm sorry this is happening to you! Let us know what you decide to do with your S32 device!

 

[Laura Knotek]

Have you tried Expert RAW camera? Using it gives my exact address. The default camera app is off but only by .2 mi. However, my previous S10+ also had the 0.2 mi off exif data.

 

[anon(40376)]

No. I have not tried Expert Raw. However, after working with another Samsung Tech, the phone is going back. Amazon is shipping a NEW S22U and I should have it Thursday so today; I'm back on the Pixel 4XL.

I guess 105 feet would be acceptable; my Pixel 4XL is a lot more accurate than that figure. This one is close somewhere around 3/4 to one mile off in accuracy. And the GPS units I have on top of my Nikon 850s are very accurate.

Problem is it is not the GPS that is inaccurate. Google maps has me very close to my exact location. However, as I stated earlier, the problem appears to be the GPS coordinates are NOT being sent to the camera app and it appears the app is using cell phone triangulation that can be more accurate than on my photos; however, living where I live it is not accurate. And I tried a third party camera app, and the results were the same.

Therefore, between my theory and the tech's at Samsung, it sure appears the GPS data is not supplied makes it most likely a problem with the system's software. Something the tech's cannot fix unless a software fix is supplied.

This could be the same problem the Exynos processor is having and there is a software fix coming. The Snapdragon processors MIGHT get the same fix, MIGHT NOT. I am not going to wait around and see if a fix comes or not. I am going to get a new model and Amazon is doing what they do best, customer care.

First thing I will do with the new S22 when it arrives is to take a photo and see if the GPS coordinates are in the EXIF file. If not, phone goes back, I move on to something, other than Samsung.

And that causes a problem. Pixel 6 Pro appears to have problems, One Plus 10 Pro breaks apart like a candy bar, so what's left? Sony? Not impressed. The new Motorola Frontier? Maybe. If the new S22 does not work, might just keep the Pixel 4XL running till it dissolves in my hands.

 

[anon(40376)]

Just to add information.
Using Nikon NX-i software, I brought up two photos. One taken last year with my Pixel 4XL when camping in WY (Standard Google camera app). This is a copy of the EXIF file as read by Nikon NX-i. Note the GPS information is contained in the EXIF File.

This is a copy of the EXIF file from the photos taken with the S22 (using the Standard Samsung Camera app). Note: NO GPS INFO

All camera (phone) info is contained in both EXIF files; just missing the GPS Latitude/Longitude coordinates. And yet, the GPS works ok with Google maps (quite accurately) so the internal GPS of the phone is working; the information is not getting to the camera app. And trying out a third party camera app, the same applies; no GPS information in the EXIF file from the third party camera app.

One article...
Some Galaxy S22 Ultra models have GPS issues, but a fix is coming

• Samsung is working on a fix for a GPS issue affecting Exynos S22 Ultra models.
  [*] Users report no GPS signal when using various mapping/navigation apps.

https://www.androidauthority.com/samsung-galaxy-s22-ultra-exynos-gps-issue-3143050/

There are other articles out there in regard to the same problem.

That is one subject I was trying to get Samsung Tech support to research and find out if the software update to fix the problem with the Exynos models would be available for Snapdragon models and if yes, would it work (probably not). Not one person could answer, other than to say they have no idea what software will be released.

Possibly, Samsung should give as much info to their techs as possible and if a new software might or will be released it should be passed on. If I had been told a software update was coming, I would have waited. With no indication it will be coming, the phone goes back and hopefully, the new phone received will work properly. If not, it goes back and I will wash my hands of anything Samsung in my future.

If anyone wants or needs to check their EXIF files from their photos; Nikon NX-i is free. Just search for Nikon NX-i and it should take you to the page to download. Very easy app to use on your computer. Left side shows all your folders on the computer, go to a folder with photos from your phone or camera (if GPS info is contained) and click on the photo and the EXIF info is on the right side of the application.

 

[Will_T]

I just checked a photo I took today on a hike with location from my GPSMAP 66sr and the photo was very close.

 

[anon(40376)]

I just checked a photo I took today on a hike with location from my GPSMAP 66sr and the photo was very close.

Hope my new one works correctly. I coud easily have a one of a kind or one of many. Hope it is the former; increases my odds my next one will work correctly.

 

[J Dubbs]

No. I have not tried Expert Raw. However, after working with another Samsung Tech, the phone is going back. Amazon is shipping a NEW S22U and I should have it Thursday so today; I'm back on the Pixel 4XL.

I guess 105 feet would be acceptable; my Pixel 4XL is a lot more accurate than that figure. This one is close somewhere around 3/4 to one mile off in accuracy. And the GPS units I have on top of my Nikon 850s are very accurate.

Problem is it is not the GPS that is inaccurate. Google maps has me very close to my exact location. However, as I stated earlier, the problem appears to be the GPS coordinates are NOT being sent to the camera app and it appears the app is using cell phone triangulation that can be more accurate than on my photos; however, living where I live it is not accurate. And I tried a third party camera app, and the results were the same.

Therefore, between my theory and the tech's at Samsung, it sure appears the GPS data is not supplied makes it most likely a problem with the system's software. Something the tech's cannot fix unless a software fix is supplied.

This could be the same problem the Exynos processor is having and there is a software fix coming. The Snapdragon processors MIGHT get the same fix, MIGHT NOT. I am not going to wait around and see if a fix comes or not. I am going to get a new model and Amazon is doing what they do best, customer care.

First thing I will do with the new S22 when it arrives is to take a photo and see if the GPS coordinates are in the EXIF file. If not, phone goes back, I move on to something, other than Samsung.

And that causes a problem. Pixel 6 Pro appears to have problems, One Plus 10 Pro breaks apart like a candy bar, so what's left? Sony? Not impressed. The new Motorola Frontier? Maybe. If the new S22 does not work, might just keep the Pixel 4XL running till it dissolves in my hands.

It seems like your pixel is trying to tell you it REALLY doesn't want to get retired yet lol.

On a serious note it sucks that you're having such a hard time finding a good replacement for your pixel. Phone choices have decreased, while prices have increased, and the gap between quality phones and "lesser" quality devices has also grown. It is kind of a tough time to be phone shopping.... it seems like everything comes with compromises you have to live with

 

[anon(40376)]

It is a tough time for what I would consider high-end flagship models. But another round is coming in a few months. Pixel 7 probably in Oct, new Moto Frontier possibly in June, Sony I read has a newer model coming out...when not sure; maybe just say the hell with it and get a A-series Samsung or a mid-range Motorola and just toss them every year to keep up with Android updates.

Miss the days when plastic flip phones were the norm...miss my old StarTAC....

 

[Michael_Archangel]

Tried to use the GPS today, it didn't work at all as my position only updated every minute or so.

 

[Will_T]

Tried to use the GPS today, it didn't work at all as my position only updated every minute or so.

Interesting. I wonder if there is a S22 setting somewhere that controls that timing? I know on my Garmin devices there is.