Xperia E1 and the GPS problem

[lorenzoaber]

I have always had problems with the GPS, and I would like to share with you how I have solved it.

Before I go on, I need to tell you that my wifi and data are always off, and I only switch them on when I need them.

1. Go to Google Maps and downgrade the app. You cannot uninstall it, but you can downgrade it.
2. Stop Maps. Don’t be afraid, nothing will happen. You can also disable it if you feel like it. If you only stop Maps, the moment the GPS is off and then on, the GPS data resets, or causes “interferences”, corrupts the gps data. Google Maps is always off on mine
3. If you have Stamina on, this also creates problems once you switch the GPS on. Just don’t use it. One of the biggest killers for the battery is Google play services. Just stop the app, and you will be fine. I have stopped Google play services on mine.
4. Go to Settings and then to Location. Switch the GPS on, and then select from the Device only.
5. Just keep the GPS on all the time. Your battery won’t notice it. Just for you not to be tempted to switch it off and then on from your quick settings, go to Quick settings and remove it from there.
6. Install one of the following apps, and follow the instructions to clear your GPS data and download the proper gps data. You will need connection to the Internet for this. I suggest one of these apps:

GPS test

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.chartcross.gpstest&hl=en_GB

Or

GPS status, test and fix

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.cochibo.gpsstatus&hl=en_GB

1. Test your GPS with one of the apps, and you will see a fix in less that 20 seconds. And this will always be like this from now on. The only time when your GPS will be corrupted, is if you power off your mobile. If you need to do this for whatever reason, just follow the instructions on point 5, for your GPS data to be updated again, less than a minute job.
2. As the Xperia E1 only has 512Mb ram, I use one of the following maps (although I have all installed), as they are light enough:

Maps.me: (free)

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mapswithme.maps.pro&hl=en_GB

MapFactor GPS Navigation: (free)

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mapfactor.navigator&hl=en_GB

Here: (free)

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.here.app.maps&hl=en_GB

and my favorite,

Sygic (free):

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.sygic.aura&hl=en_GB

After you have finished using GPS (testing apps and map apps), please do the following:

Close the Gps Test or Gps Status if they are running on the background. Do this from the home menu.

Stop any map apps you have running. Go to settings, go to Apps, select the map application and stop it.  

This is how I do it, I know that is not the best workflow on your mobile, but it works.

I have been trying to solve the issue for so long, and this has been working now for the last 3 weeks. The antenna is not excellent, but the gps has between 5 and 15 meters error, good enough for driving, or whatever you do with it. No loss of GPS, always a fix. I hope it helps you too.