Problem with GPS

[Petr]

Hi

I have problem with using of GPS. When I am using my endomondo it fixed the location, but after few minutes it just loses the gps signal on the open road under clear sky and looks like it remains in search mode. It never fix position again. I need to manualy disable GPS. And after enabling it will fixed within few seconds. Unfortunatelly this problem occurs randomly and always I have to do this GPS disable/enable procedure. And this is really annoying.

Similar behaviour happen with other software like Sygic navi or GPS test

Is there any help? New firmware? Anything?

I am using Xperiam M Dual

model c2005

android 4.2.2

kernel 3.4.0

build number 15.2.A.1.12 (latest in our country)

Thank you

[cwthomas]

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@Antonyt56 wrote:

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@cwthomas wrote:

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@Antonyt56 wrote:

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@cwthomas wrote:

I returned my phone to Sony UK for repair, hopefully the phone will be returned with fully functioning GPS (if not I will be requesting a replacmnt unit / model).

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Good luck, Sony don't care. I went through the exact same process only to have my phone returned to me last week with the GPS still not working (I think all they had done at the repair centre was reset the phone and maybe install a newer version of jellybean 4.3). I then phoned Sony to complain and they said all they could do is a manufacturer's repair under the warranty, which is what I just had had the phone returned from! Useless. Basically, as I explained to the Sony customer services lady, this is an issue (unless the poster above is correct which I don't beleive he/she is but I will try the fix all the same just to see) with android jellybean 4.3, which people have been complaining about for ages on google support forums (https://productforums.google.com/forum/#!topic/maps/GAiqqqTlbIY%5B1-25-false%5D)

@cwthomas, keep us posted on how you get on asking ffor a replacement as if you manage to get them to give you a replacement model not on Jellybean 4.3 I will get them to give me one too. 

I came acros another possible fix here (http://www.askstudent.com/how-to/solved-searching-for-gps-issue-on-nexus-4-or-android-phones/ - look for Matt Hill's comment in the comments at the bottom of the page), which I've just tried tonight so I'll feedback to say if it works.

The most important question is IF and WHEN Sony Xperia M will be getting kitkat update. Does anyone know, a poster on these boards seems to think it will be sometime this year (http://talk.sonymobile.com/t5/Xperia-M-M-dual/Sony-Xperia-M-Going-To-Get-Android-4-4-Kitkat-Soon/m-p...

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My issues are pretty much the same as those explaind in the 4th post on page one of this thread, I reckon this issue relates to the Xperia M as opposed to 4.3

Reading through this thread makes for pretty damning reading re so called 'support' from Sony, they appear to have been aware of the issue for a number of months and for whatever reason are failing to rectify - it should not be up to the customer to find 'work around' solutions - the product should work straight from the box.

I'll see what the the next week or so brings, in the meantime if someone from Sony could post the email address for the deparment that deals with complaints it would be appreciated.

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Noone from Sony will comment on these threads, I've made them aware of the threads several times, they just do not care. I don't think it's an Xperia M issue, if you look at the first link in my previous post you'll see that the exact issue has been occuring across a vareity of devices all sharing one commonality - they are running jellybean 4.3. Sadly the Xperia M is the only phone that meets all of my needs, otherwise I would have made a chargeback request with my credit card provider, gotten the money back for my phone and bought a differernt phone and as a result of the standard of customer service I've recevied in this case I will never buy a Sony product where there is a suitable alternative and I will also advise my family and friends to do the same (no wonder the company is going down the pan - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-27234511). Fundamentally this is a Google/Android issue in that they've released an OS with a faulty GPS and have done nothing to fix it, despite countless numbers of people complaining to them (again, see the first link in my previous post). Unfortunately this is what happens when virtual monopolies arise, I mean what else are people who can't afford whatver it is for an iPhone £500-600, going to use? A windows phone or a blackberry? Hmmmmmm......  

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I was having the same GPS issues prior to updating to 4.3 (I was hoping that the update would resolve the issue, sadly it didn't) - we'll see what the next week brings...

[Antonyt56]

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@cwthomas wrote:

---

@Antonyt56 wrote:

---

@cwthomas wrote:

---

@Antonyt56 wrote:

---

@cwthomas wrote:

I returned my phone to Sony UK for repair, hopefully the phone will be returned with fully functioning GPS (if not I will be requesting a replacmnt unit / model).

---

Good luck, Sony don't care. I went through the exact same process only to have my phone returned to me last week with the GPS still not working (I think all they had done at the repair centre was reset the phone and maybe install a newer version of jellybean 4.3). I then phoned Sony to complain and they said all they could do is a manufacturer's repair under the warranty, which is what I just had had the phone returned from! Useless. Basically, as I explained to the Sony customer services lady, this is an issue (unless the poster above is correct which I don't beleive he/she is but I will try the fix all the same just to see) with android jellybean 4.3, which people have been complaining about for ages on google support forums (https://productforums.google.com/forum/#!topic/maps/GAiqqqTlbIY%5B1-25-false%5D)

@cwthomas, keep us posted on how you get on asking ffor a replacement as if you manage to get them to give you a replacement model not on Jellybean 4.3 I will get them to give me one too. 

I came acros another possible fix here (http://www.askstudent.com/how-to/solved-searching-for-gps-issue-on-nexus-4-or-android-phones/ - look for Matt Hill's comment in the comments at the bottom of the page), which I've just tried tonight so I'll feedback to say if it works.

The most important question is IF and WHEN Sony Xperia M will be getting kitkat update. Does anyone know, a poster on these boards seems to think it will be sometime this year (http://talk.sonymobile.com/t5/Xperia-M-M-dual/Sony-Xperia-M-Going-To-Get-Android-4-4-Kitkat-Soon/m-p...

---

My issues are pretty much the same as those explaind in the 4th post on page one of this thread, I reckon this issue relates to the Xperia M as opposed to 4.3

Reading through this thread makes for pretty damning reading re so called 'support' from Sony, they appear to have been aware of the issue for a number of months and for whatever reason are failing to rectify - it should not be up to the customer to find 'work around' solutions - the product should work straight from the box.

I'll see what the the next week or so brings, in the meantime if someone from Sony could post the email address for the deparment that deals with complaints it would be appreciated.

---

Noone from Sony will comment on these threads, I've made them aware of the threads several times, they just do not care. I don't think it's an Xperia M issue, if you look at the first link in my previous post you'll see that the exact issue has been occuring across a vareity of devices all sharing one commonality - they are running jellybean 4.3. Sadly the Xperia M is the only phone that meets all of my needs, otherwise I would have made a chargeback request with my credit card provider, gotten the money back for my phone and bought a differernt phone and as a result of the standard of customer service I've recevied in this case I will never buy a Sony product where there is a suitable alternative and I will also advise my family and friends to do the same (no wonder the company is going down the pan - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-27234511). Fundamentally this is a Google/Android issue in that they've released an OS with a faulty GPS and have done nothing to fix it, despite countless numbers of people complaining to them (again, see the first link in my previous post). Unfortunately this is what happens when virtual monopolies arise, I mean what else are people who can't afford whatver it is for an iPhone £500-600, going to use? A windows phone or a blackberry? Hmmmmmm......  

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I was having the same GPS issues prior to updating to 4.3 (I was hoping that the update would resolve the issue, sadly it didn't) - we'll see what the next week brings...

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OK I meant the Jellybean OS, which runs from 4.1-4.3, has the GPS problem

[Rodrigo_76]

Hello there,

I bought the Xperia M dual and yeah, the GPS issue is very disappointing. Im used to Garmim devices as well other Sony phones from the past (Xperia Mini Pro), and they were just perfect regarding to GPS. After trying so many fixes and so many researches on internet the conclusion is what you guys pointed out already: It’s a Android problem. In fact, the hardware GPS reception on Xperia M is very good really, blame the software for the issue.

After researching I found many people claiming that this problem started for updates after Android 4.1.2, or that it was working on 4.1.2 at least. Trying to solve this I crossflashed 4.1.2 firmware from Xperia M(C1904), on my Xperia M dual(C2004), and surprise! Now I got a efficient GPS, just like expected. By doing this I lose the dual SIM capability but have now a working GPS at least. (I did not find the 4.1.2 version for M dual)

I think that for now at least, the only solution is to downgrade to 4.1.2 or crossflash 4.1.2 from C1904 (or C1905 for C2005 phones).

It’s very suspicious how google is dealing with this, it’s really a lot of user complaints for a bug, for something that was working previously and now with issues, repeating across updates. The only conclusion I can end is that it’s something related to patent wars or programmed obsolescence. I start reading on internet already about same issues in KitKat.

So yeah, if you are able, downgrade to 4.1.2 (specifically in here is 15.1.A.1.9 that is working), and be (half), happy.

[Rodrigo_76]

Just to mention too:

Prior to downgrading to 4.1.2 I tested with 4.2.2 and same issues. 4.3, same issues. It's not only about 4.3 but versions after 4.1.2, among various devices from different brands. Welcomo to the google world, there's nothing that Sony can do about it because it's a google problem. Well, they can return your money or stop selling phones with "gps capabilities" to keep their reputation.

[Antonyt56]

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@Rodrigo_76 wrote:

Hello there,

I bought the Xperia M dual and yeah, the GPS issue is very disappointing. Im used to Garmim devices as well other Sony phones from the past (Xperia Mini Pro), and they were just perfect regarding to GPS. After trying so many fixes and so many researches on internet the conclusion is what you guys pointed out already: It’s a Android problem. In fact, the hardware GPS reception on Xperia M is very good really, blame the software for the issue.
After researching I found many people claiming that this problem started for updates after Android 4.1.2, or that it was working on 4.1.2 at least. Trying to solve this I crossflashed 4.1.2 firmware from Xperia M(C1904), on my Xperia M dual(C2004), and surprise! Now I got a efficient GPS, just like expected. By doing this I lose the dual SIM capability but have now a working GPS at least. (I did not find the 4.1.2 version for M dual) I think that for now at least, the only solution is to downgrade to 4.1.2 or crossflash 4.1.2 from C1904 (or C1905 for C2005 phones).

It’s very suspicious how google is dealing with this, it’s really a lot of user complaints for a bug, for something that was working previously and now with issues, repeating across updates. The only conclusion I can end is that it’s something related to patent wars or programmed obsolescence. I start reading on internet already about same issues in KitKat.
So yeah, if you are able, downgrade to 4.1.2 (specifically in here is 15.1.A.1.9 that is working), and be (half), happy.

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Either that or try to upgrade to the CyanogenMod 11 alpha version of kitkat for the Xperia M ( http://www.xda-developers.com/android/functional-android-4-4-2-kitkat-arrives-on-the-sony-xperia-m  From what I've seen although kitkat does have some GPS issues they're nothing like as critical as the 'searching for GPS' one that plagues jellybean. The really crucial issue is whether Xperia M will be getting a bona fide Sony kitkat update, I mean the phone meets the minimum specs, a user on this forum says in one post ( http://talk.sonymobile.com/t5/Xperia-M-M-dual/Android-4-4/m-p/616855#M5147 that he's heard form Sony that they are going to offer the update and then says the opposite in another ( http://talk.sonymobile.com/t5/Xperia-M-M-dual/why-xperia-m-don-t-get-JB-4-3-or-kitkat-upgarde/m-p/66... . I was onto Sony chat support today and the agent said that there is no official information one way or another yet but it sort of looks like at the bottom of the Xperia M software page ( http://www.sonymobile.com/global-en/software/phones/xperia-m  that there is space for antoehr update.

[twm]

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@twm wrote:

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@MarekJuju wrote:

I think I've found a solution:

1. Latest software: 15.4.A.0.23

2. Turn on everything in Location Services

3. Use some app that constantly measures satellite signal strength (for example 'Satellite Check') thus preventing GPS signal loss

4. Open your fitness app after the signal stabilizes

I use it for mountain biking and last 4-5 rides everything's ok.

This is a hardware problem, GPS antenna is too weak...

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I can confirm the method working also with Jellybean 4.1 as I now managed to track 50km successfully during cycling.

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For people using the workaround I recommend "GPS Status" as it can run in the background and will trigger itself when gps is started by another app.

Make sure to enable communication when screen is turned off in app settings too.

[twm]

I think I've found a solution:

1. Latest software: 15.4.A.0.23

2. Turn on everything in Location Services

3. Use some app that constantly measures satellite signal strength (for example 'Satellite Check') thus preventing GPS signal loss

4. Open your fitness app after the signal stabilizes

I use it for mountain biking and last 4-5 rides everything's ok.

This is a hardware problem, GPS antenna is too weak...

[cwthomas]

As expect my phone has been returned with the GPS fault still evident, unfortunately the above workaround is not working for me, any other suggestions?

[Antonyt56]

Bend over and hope for kitkat like the rest of us

[#11]

In my Xperia M (Jelly Bean 4.3 (latest at these days) is the same problem with gps. Device can't detect my place on Google map. Everytime i must to restart my Xperia M, to check all points of location service (it's annoying to do that everytime) again and again and it is not sometime working for me, Sony MUST fix that as soon as possible to do that if they care their costumers.