Are you among the users who encounter Google Pixel GPS issues?
Google Pixel is one of the best flagship smartphones out there. However, this doesn’t mean that it is flawless. Recently, several users complained about their Pixel’s GPS being inaccurate or not working at all.
This is a serious problem that needs to be addressed right away since it greatly affects your phone’s functionality.
Most of the time, improper configurations and corrupted software cause this issue. However, it can also be due to a faulty GPS antenna, thick protective cases, or network-related problems.
In this guide, we’ll show you what to do if you encounter Google Pixel GPS issues.
Let’s get right into it!
1. Restart Your Device.
Whenever you encounter problems on your Pixel, the first thing you should do is perform a system restart. This should reload your resources and eliminate temporary errors that may have occurred during use.
Pixel 5A and Earlier:
- Press and hold your phone’s Power button for 30 seconds or until it restarts.
Pixel 6 and Later:
- Press and hold the Volume Up and Power buttons until your device restarts.
Once done, try using Maps or any app that needs GPS to see if the problem is solved.
2. Toggle Location Services.
You can try toggling your Pixel’s location service feature on and off if you encounter issues with it. This should refresh your device’s GPS.
See the steps below to enable/disable your location:
- First, go to Settings on your Pixel.
- After that, tap on Location. If you have a work profile tap on Advanced.
- At the top, turn Use Location off and then on.
Go back to Maps and see if your GPS is working.
3. Check Your Network Connectivity.
If your GPS is not working, you should ensure that your Google Pixel smartphone is connected to Wi-Fi or cellular data. As it turns out, your GPS won’t work properly if you don’t have access to the internet.
Go ahead and perform a test on your network using Fast.com to measure its bandwidth.
If the result indicates a problem with your connection, restart your modem to re-establish the link with your ISP. Unplug your router from the outlet and wait for several seconds before plugging it back in.
For cellular data users, simply toggle your mobile data on and off to restart it.
Once done, perform another test to check if the problem is solved. Contact your provider if you continue to encounter issues and ask them to fix their service.
Related: How to Fix Call History Not Showing on Android
4. Boost GPS Accuracy.
Google’s location services have majority of the world covered but there are still areas where GPS reception is poor or weak. If you encounter GPS issues on your Google Pixel, it’s possible that you are in an area with weak GPS.
To fix this, you can use third-party tools such as GPS Status and Toolbox. It boosts your GPS accuracy by using other available networks and devices to pin your location.
GPS Status and Toolbox is available on Google Play Store.
5. Clear App Cache.
If you encounter GPS problems on Google Maps or similar applications, try clearing their app cache. This should refresh the app and clear out any corrupted files or data from your storage.
Here’s what you need to do:
- On your Pixel, access the home screen and look for the app you want to clear the cache.
- Now, hold down its app icon until the selection menu appears.
- Tap on App Info and access the Storage tab.
- Finally, tap on Clear Cache.
Relaunch Google Maps on your device to see if your GPS works.
6. Update Your Pixel.
The version of Android running on your Google Pixel might have an underlying issue that causes your GPS to malfunction. To rule this out, update your device to the latest version possible.
Follow the steps below to update your Pixel:
- Access your Pixel’s Settings.
- Next, scroll down and tap on System.
- Choose System Update.
- Follow the steps on the screen if there’s an available update.
Wait for your device to restart after installing the update and see if your GPS works.
7. Update Your Apps.
If you encounter GPS issues on your Google Pixel while using specific applications, try updating the app. There might be a problem with the app you’re using and an update is needed to patch the error.
See the steps below to update your apps:
- Launch Google Play Store on your device.
- Tap on your Profile and choose Manage Apps & Device.
- Go to the Updates Available tab.
- Find the app you want to update and hit the Update button beside it.
Once done, try using the app and see if your GPS is now working.
Head to the next solution if you continue to encounter GPS issues on your Google Pixel.
Related: Best Flagship Phones 2022
8. Reset Your Device.
We recommend resetting your Pixel back to factory defaults if its GPS is still not working. This should roll back any changes on your system and ensure that everything is in order. Make sure to perform a backup before resetting your Pixel.
Here’s how you can reset your Pixel:
- Open Settings on your device.
- Now, go to System and choose Reset.
- Tap on Erase All Data. Enter your PIN to continue.
After resetting your device, set up your phone and restore your backed-up data. Try using Google Maps to see if your GPS works.
9. Contact Google.
If none of the solutions above work, the last option you have is to visit Pixel Phone Help Center and check their other guides. You might be able to find solutions not mentioned in our guide.
You can also ask the community if you can’t find anything on their page. Hopefully, someone has experienced your problem and they can help you out in solving the issue with your Google Pixel.
That brings us to the end of our guide for fixing Google Pixel GPS issues. If you have questions or other concerns, please leave a comment below, and we’ll do our best to respond.
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