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Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Best GPS Fix for Samsung GT-i9000 Galaxy S

As you may have noticed, the Samsung Galaxy S smartphone has an annoying issue with the built-in GPS, it's almost impossible to get a fix on a satellite if you're inside a building, outside it works a little bit better, but sometimes the signal is lost or it displays the wrong speed / address.
Well, many of us have tried with different custom rom's or system specific tools, but with no luck. And i'll tell you why, because its an HARDWARE issue, check this out:

All you have to do is open the back cover of your phone and to the upper right (near the speaker) you'll find the GPS antenna. It is covered with some kind of black plastic tape.
Now, just apply some pressure to the very top of the antenna with your finger (the area marked with the red circle), not the middle or bottom, that makes it worse.

Open a GPS test app ( i use GPS Test Plus v1.2.1 - mirror) and check how fast you'll get a GPS signal / fix. You can try it before and after, to see if there's an improvement for you.
If it works on your phone, all you need to do is simply attach a small piece of double sided tape or similar to the top of the antenna so that when you put the back cover on again their is pressure on that spot.

Hope this will finally solve your Samsung Galaxy S GPS issue.

credits for this fix go to allottios & sxi200 @ xda forums, thanks guys ;)   



Posted by

117 comments:

  1. AnonymousJune 29, 2011 at 6:06 PM

    This works indeed

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousOctober 25, 2011 at 4:04 PM

    This worked fo me too! I was surprised. Now I need to find a bit of tape..

    ReplyDelete
  3. clijferingDecember 10, 2011 at 1:01 PM

    Yes it works....thanks!!!! :-)

    ReplyDelete
  4. SquidleyDecember 12, 2011 at 6:40 PM

    Where is it in the Samsung Galaxy S2 Epic 4G Touch (Sprint's version)?

    ReplyDelete
  5. androidumDecember 14, 2011 at 10:11 PM

    @Squidley - i really don't know where's the antenna on that phone, but you can open the back plate and look for something similar to the one in my pic, it should look basically the same

    ReplyDelete
  6. MEDJanuary 17, 2012 at 10:06 PM

    really strangee, it works very well

    ReplyDelete
  7. The DragonJanuary 21, 2012 at 9:17 PM

    Yeeeah This is really cool its works like charm

    ReplyDelete
  8. AnonymousJanuary 23, 2012 at 11:09 AM

    not working for me :(

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnonymousJanuary 23, 2012 at 11:19 AM

      hoo sorry !! worked now !
      i just forgot staying pressing lol

      Delete
  9. Chris Ian FielFebruary 6, 2012 at 2:47 AM

    thanks it works!!!

    ReplyDelete
  10. AHMED ELADLFebruary 13, 2012 at 10:28 PM

    I don't know what 2 say
    thank you soooooooooooooo much...

    ReplyDelete
  11. AnonymousFebruary 24, 2012 at 9:17 AM

    doesnt work for me :(. am i putting too much pressure or something? never works

    ReplyDelete
  12. AnonymousMarch 18, 2012 at 4:41 AM

    Works for me! Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  13. solcutterApril 1, 2012 at 11:45 PM

    you sure its not because the body is conducting the signal?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AndroidumApril 1, 2012 at 11:56 PM

      no, I'm not sure, i just know it works and that's good enough ;)

      Delete
  14. HariApril 2, 2012 at 5:23 PM

    It is not working for me. I am using the same model from India. It is working only when the Data connection is enabled.

    ReplyDelete
  15. AnonymousApril 4, 2012 at 6:12 AM

    Thank you so much, worked 100%, have been searching the internet for the past week trying to find a solution. I was seeing a few satellites but could not get a lock at all, as soon as I try this, I get a lock in about 3 seconds! I was getting to the point where I was going to return my phone but now I don't need to! Thanks again

    ReplyDelete
  16. AnonymousApril 12, 2012 at 10:55 AM

    Fixed two phones in 20 minutes. The GPS function had become more and more flaky over the last 6 months. Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  17. AnonymousApril 12, 2012 at 4:00 PM

    Thank you very much. I nearly sold my Galaxy S. Now I can use my device to navigate at Madeira (Portugal), thanks to your exellent GPS-fix. I will also try this fix on the 3 Galaxy S smartphones of my friends.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AndroidumApril 12, 2012 at 4:12 PM

      i was in the same situation because of this annoying issue, I'm glad to know that other people can benefit from this fix.

      Delete
    2. AnonymousJune 6, 2012 at 4:48 PM

      Haha, I hope your SGS is water proof, that's a lot of underwater driving to get to Madeira!

      Delete
  18. Michael FletcherApril 15, 2012 at 1:39 AM

    OMFG! Fanks tho!!! x x

    ReplyDelete
  19. CanuckleApril 18, 2012 at 10:02 PM

    I honestly can't freakin' believe it. I've now tested it inside my office, outside my office. Without pressure, I can pick up a satellite or two, but never lock. As soon as I apply pressure...BAM...works like a charm. BUT...regular double-sided tape will work?? And I don't know if I can apply the right kind of pressure to it...that's the other problem. With a finger press, it works awesome!

    Our own antenna-gate for SGS owners?? Class-action against Samsung! Free SGS3s for all! :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AndroidumApril 19, 2012 at 11:20 AM

      that would be cool :D

      Delete
    2. AnonymousAugust 9, 2012 at 3:40 PM

      Seriously..did anybony the samsung support on this one?

      Delete
  20. 2Pietjuh2April 27, 2012 at 8:36 PM

    Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  21. Very Greatfull Galaxy S OwnerApril 29, 2012 at 6:50 AM

    i have spent the best part of 2 months looking for a work around for this, several new radio software's, several different roms and none worked, i'm glad i finally found this i was beginning to think it was a hopeless cause. who'd a thought it would be down to Samsungs dodgy build quality lol. When i first got the phone almost 18months ago it was brilliant never missed a beat but over the last 6 months or so it has just gone down the pan. now i can pick up 10/11 satellites no problem, now i can use my sports apps again without any issues. Thank you

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AndroidumApril 29, 2012 at 9:54 AM

      Good news man, i'm glad this neat trick worked for you ;)

      Delete
  22. Riccardo BellettiApril 30, 2012 at 2:22 AM

    that's amazing. it worked for me too. now I left a small folded piece of paper inside between the top of the antenna and the cover :D

    ReplyDelete
  23. AnonymousApril 30, 2012 at 10:13 AM

    works for me too

    ReplyDelete
  24. AnonymousMay 5, 2012 at 11:04 PM

    It works with a finger pressure but I really don't see how you can simulate the same pressure with a tape or whatever. A tape will never apply a pressure.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AndroidumMay 5, 2012 at 11:16 PM

      no, but the back plate will, just put tape and close the cover, that's all the pressure you'll need

      Delete
  25. isuruMay 7, 2012 at 5:37 AM

    Thanks bro...It seems to be work perfectly.Although so many people told that this might be a software problem,actually this is a hardware problem finally.

    ReplyDelete
  26. AnonymousMay 8, 2012 at 12:50 AM

    is there a similar fix for the Captivate?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AndroidumMay 8, 2012 at 12:57 AM

      you can try this method, but i can't guarantee that it will work

      Delete
  27. AnonymousMay 12, 2012 at 10:42 AM

    Wow I acctually cannot belive my eyes :D its working before 15min or more to lock, allways loosing signal, but now, from 0-8 satelites in less than 5s :D

    Just need to try it in the car if it will work there than sgs can be with me for just a bit longer :D

    Thank you soo much :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AndroidumMay 12, 2012 at 8:52 PM

      great work man, I'm really happy that people can benefit from this fix :)

      Delete
    2. AnonymousMay 13, 2012 at 9:47 AM

      Just to add to my post, its way better in car too. No it has allmost all the time at least 7 gps fixex before 3 at maximum. Before one single tree has got me lost my position XD

      Tnx again. Saying is so right, the best solutions are allways the sime ones :D

      Delete
  28. AnonymousMay 17, 2012 at 2:59 PM

    Did not work on my S I9000 2.3.6 Value Pack

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. UnknownJune 6, 2012 at 12:34 PM

      unfortunately i had 2.3.3. then updated to 2.3.6 value pack and I started to have gps problems while using for example Endomondo sport tracker it starts then it got the signal and it losts after the screen goes dark and i start train...

      I pushed the antenna now and afternoon i will test it i hope it will be good..

      Delete
    2. AndroidumJune 6, 2012 at 12:37 PM

      good luck man, hope it will work for you too :)

      Delete
  29. stuMay 17, 2012 at 9:04 PM

    My god it worked for me too lol after all that heartache.

    ReplyDelete
  30. AnonymousMay 23, 2012 at 3:26 AM

    This astonishingly simple mechanical fix has worked wonders on my Samsung Galaxy S GTI9000 running IMM76I Infinitum on Android 4.0.4 - all is now working perfectly. John M

    ReplyDelete
  31. AnonymousMay 28, 2012 at 1:38 PM

    Thank you, you are great !!

    ReplyDelete
  32. AnonymousMay 28, 2012 at 7:32 PM

    Amazing
    Works great.
    Thank you.
    Thank you.
    Thank you Sir.

    ReplyDelete
  33. AnonymousMay 30, 2012 at 1:30 AM

    I'm both impressed and surprised; this actually works. Went from ~40-60s until lock to ~10s. Kudos to you, sir!

    ReplyDelete
  34. AnonymousJune 5, 2012 at 3:31 PM

    I was skeptical at first. tryed it and ...
    it worked. good job!!! iwas looking for a software prbl but it was a hardware one. Thank you

    ReplyDelete
  35. AnonymousJune 10, 2012 at 6:08 PM

    Working ! Thank you, now can I run with GPS tracker on !

    ReplyDelete
  36. AnonymousJune 16, 2012 at 8:08 PM

    Another happy customer. Always nice to find a no-cost fix.

    ReplyDelete
  37. AnonymousJune 18, 2012 at 8:42 PM

    This is suprising and great. Thanks a lot. It has been working for two weeks and I hope it will stay that way.

    ReplyDelete
  38. AnonymousJune 19, 2012 at 6:16 PM

    Yes. Tried it last night. My phone's GPS used to work when first purchased. After eight months, my phone was occasionally able to "see" but not "use" satellites. Getting an actual position was rare and never took less than a minute. Now I get an accurate position in <10 seconds every time.

    ReplyDelete
  39. Marcin MrozowskiJune 20, 2012 at 3:09 PM

    THX man!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  40. AnonymousJune 20, 2012 at 10:06 PM

    Gracias!!!!!!!!!Thank You!!!

    ReplyDelete
  41. OviDyuJune 21, 2012 at 1:42 AM

    I am stunned! Really!
    It's two years since I own my SGS and it is the for first time I'm connecting the GPS so damn fast! Congratulations!
    Puzzels me what might be the explanation for this fix and if it will be affected in the long term.
    Nevertheless THANK YOU!

    ReplyDelete
  42. Ovidiu RomanJune 30, 2012 at 12:19 PM

    Its working. thank u sooo much!!!

    ReplyDelete
  43. GerVorJune 30, 2012 at 1:53 PM

    Absolutely Genius!
    You saved me a lot of money because I was just about to replace my Galaxy S because of the crap GPS.

    ReplyDelete
  44. UnknownJuly 3, 2012 at 12:55 PM

    OMG, it's really working, I've been trying everything in the past few months but to no avail, my wife started slagging my phone off as we got lost on few occasins relaying on my phones satnav ability.

    Thank you so much Androidum your fix was god send and is best thing after sliced bread.

    igor

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AndroidumJuly 4, 2012 at 9:59 AM

      I'm very glad that this fix is working for you guys :)

      please keep posting your results here, so others can benefit from this easy and practical fix.

      Delete
  45. wogoJuly 4, 2012 at 3:05 PM

    Seems to work indeed!

    ReplyDelete
  46. AnonymousJuly 5, 2012 at 2:36 AM

    Sweet, it appears to work well for me. I used some (thin, cellophane) double-sided tape and stuck some wadded up paper to it, folded over three times. In addition I used the gps.conf and SuplRootCert from here for improved AGPS and faster location data:

    http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1657108

    Now getting a GPS fix takes seconds.

    ReplyDelete
  47. wogoJuly 5, 2012 at 10:29 PM

    It really works. For me, adding more tape seemed to make it work even better.
    First it found about 5 sat's, adding some more made it now find about 10. (with about 8 or 9 in use).

    It added as much as tape as possible, so the case still fits. And it doenst matter whether its double sided or not..

    ReplyDelete
  48. FoxisJuly 7, 2012 at 8:10 AM

    Guys, it is just a temporary fix. It is works because under that back case, there is a connector pin. That pin will gets bend more and more after some time and you will get poor GPS signal as the pin is not contact properly with the antenna. The fix that you all applied will actually push the back cover so that they contact again with each other. BUT, after the pin bend even more after some time, the issue will come back again. The best solution is to solder the connection (which voided warranty). It is a design flaws.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AndroidumJuly 7, 2012 at 10:09 AM

      A year after applying this fix, the gps is still working great, for the most of us, this small fix is all we need.

      Delete
  49. AnonymousJuly 11, 2012 at 2:58 AM

    I red like ....lots of these positive feedbacks in disbelief.

    So i did like your brief tip tells us and i´m really amazed that it found 9 satellites fast instead of 2 like before.

    When i wake up im gonna go to central to test my navogator software and see how this works now =).

    Looking really promising. Thanks dude !!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnonymousJuly 11, 2012 at 5:37 PM

      had to reply. Navigation while driving car worked now seemlessly!

      Thanks again !

      Delete
    2. AndroidumJuly 11, 2012 at 5:45 PM

      Good news man! Thanks for your feedback.

      Delete
  50. AnonymousJuly 11, 2012 at 7:30 PM

    Simply incredible.
    I'm getting a gps fix inside my house now!
    And this is not only with a finger press but after some tape on the antenna too.

    ReplyDelete
  51. PeterDJuly 21, 2012 at 9:53 PM

    Thanks !! Its working.

    ReplyDelete
  52. Andy BootJuly 22, 2012 at 8:07 PM

    I can vouch that this also works!

    I used a 0.7mm square piece of cardboard from a toilet roll, removed one layer of card board from this, double sided tape & similar sized sticky cushion pad (stuck to the cover). This allows for zero spacing and maximum pressure.

    Without removing one layer of cardboard, the cover won't close properly.

    ReplyDelete
  53. AnonymousAugust 1, 2012 at 1:16 AM

    This fix is just great! Didnt't believe it before i tried it. Thanks for this easy fix!! :)

    ReplyDelete
  54. TomAugust 2, 2012 at 7:48 PM

    Unbelievable, but this really works.

    ReplyDelete
  55. AnonymousAugust 4, 2012 at 1:52 PM

    Works, thank you!:)

    ReplyDelete
  56. AnonymousAugust 4, 2012 at 2:03 PM

    legend mate thanks a lot!!

    ReplyDelete
  57. AnonymousAugust 17, 2012 at 8:46 AM

    Unglaublich aber wahr. Es hilft - THanX a lot

    ReplyDelete
  58. AnonymousAugust 18, 2012 at 7:44 PM

    thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  59. AnonymousAugust 21, 2012 at 10:27 AM

    an easier way to fix the hardware instead of soldering:
    try aluminum foil from your favorite chocolate bar.

    worked for me.

    one tip from my experience:
    much better gps reception while holding the i9000 vertically than horizontally.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. GianAugust 21, 2012 at 10:16 PM

      Hi, can you give more details? May be a picture?
      Thank you

      Delete
  60. GianAugust 22, 2012 at 4:34 PM

    When I apply pressure with my finger the improvment is indeed amazing. However I could not reproduce this just by increasing the pressure from the back cover using tape and different layers thickness.At last I used doulbe side scotch and 0.5 x 0.7 cm cardboard. Just a slight improvement. You may be willing to post a picture of your system?
    In any case thank you

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. GianAugust 28, 2012 at 9:30 PM

      After having testing the GPS for some days I acknowledge that there is a significant improvement thanks to your fix. Now I can use the GPS to navigate, although the signal is still frequently lost. Thank you

      Delete
  61. AnonymousAugust 23, 2012 at 5:08 PM

    Thank you! It works

    ReplyDelete
  62. wogoAugust 28, 2012 at 9:45 PM

    When i just applied this fix, running Slim ICS, i could see about 9 satellites, and use about 6.

    Now i run Slim JB, and it's become much less, i see 2/3, and use 1 or 2. Still better then before the fix..but i wonder why i have much less sat's now.

    Anyone knows why?

    ReplyDelete
  63. AnonymousAugust 28, 2012 at 9:49 PM

    wtf!! it works like a charm... big thanks man!

    ReplyDelete
  64. wogoSeptember 4, 2012 at 7:13 PM

    :( i want my sats back! :(

    ReplyDelete
  65. UnknownSeptember 6, 2012 at 11:18 PM

    Hi all. I have done some work with electronics and as I see it there are, at least, two possibilities; Poor connection in the interface connector/flexcable-antenna OR Broken flexcable antenna. Since the antenna has a pretty good and rigid mounting, the most reasonable is the case of the poor connection. Just rubbing/pushing the antenna at the connecting point might cause just enough to make it connect again (as Foxis pointed out, you could bend or solder it). I've just disassembled my SGS and CLEANED all gold plated connectors with toluene. Then I went out tracking. Works perfect now. 11/11 sats. 40+ on signal strength and no missing data or faulty positions. :)

    Best Regards

    Erik Hagelberg

    ReplyDelete
  66. NethwinSeptember 9, 2012 at 7:42 PM

    Brilliant, been wondering why mine didnt work, but of card and tape and its 100%.

    ReplyDelete
  67. AnonymousSeptember 17, 2012 at 9:40 AM

    great ! I put on a blue tack on it.

    ReplyDelete
  68. _ROX_September 20, 2012 at 12:24 PM

    Works great, two small pieces of ducktape, thats all.
    Thanx for this tip.

    ReplyDelete
  69. UnknownSeptember 21, 2012 at 6:46 PM

    Just putting tape on the connector will only solve it temporary. Especially if there is a lot of dirt inside. You just scratch the connector surface and made a slightly better contact. The real solution is cleaning and/or bending the connector inside the phone.

    ReplyDelete
  70. AnonymousOctober 15, 2012 at 10:32 PM

    Thanks alot man!!it works!!

    ReplyDelete
  71. AnonymousOctober 24, 2012 at 5:18 PM

    Nice and easy soliuton:) Great job!

    ReplyDelete
  72. AnonymousOctober 27, 2012 at 11:42 PM

    Working on Galaxy S i9000 with Jelly Bean! Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  73. AnonymousNovember 1, 2012 at 9:12 PM

    Working man! Thank you. God Bless you! for posting this.

    ReplyDelete
  74. AnonymousNovember 7, 2012 at 6:45 AM

    Haha. What is nice solution? Cleaning och putting tack on your phone to get the GPS to work??

    ReplyDelete
  75. AnonymousNovember 20, 2012 at 10:12 PM

    hey dude. life saver. cheers

    ReplyDelete
  76. AnonymousNovember 20, 2012 at 10:13 PM

    I used multiple layers of black duck tape cut with scissors to desired size. worked a charm, and you can remove and add layers easily depending on results. obviously if it comes loose in future just add a layer!

    ReplyDelete
  77. AnonymousJanuary 9, 2013 at 5:29 PM

    works a charm. Stuck a (very) small rubber grip from the bottom of a keyboard in there and it caught a GP lock in a matter of seconds, even indoors... cheers

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AndroidumJanuary 9, 2013 at 5:34 PM

      happy to hear that man, good job

      it would be nice if some of you guys would also post some pics with your custom modifications so other have some inspiration too :)

      Delete
  78. UnknownJanuary 30, 2013 at 12:52 PM

    thanks it works!!!

    ReplyDelete
  79. Download GPS Test Plus apkFebruary 1, 2013 at 4:33 PM

    Also, I would like to get my high/low lights touched up.. Any available date/time???

    ReplyDelete
  80. UnknownFebruary 6, 2013 at 12:53 PM

    Thanks!!!!!!!
    I wander whether a more robust solution already found eg soldering something?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AndroidumFebruary 6, 2013 at 12:56 PM

      yep, for the more technical guys, there's a soldering method, here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=878970

      Delete
  81. AnonymousFebruary 24, 2013 at 6:41 AM

    Glad to say it does work. But can someone confirm is this only a temporary fix or permanent, cause I heard that after a while it bends the pins. Is this true?

    ReplyDelete
  82. AnonymousMarch 21, 2013 at 2:02 PM

    Heh, it works. It detect GPS in only 3-10 seconds, before I must waiting 2-3 minutes to start running :).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AndroidumMarch 21, 2013 at 2:06 PM

      glad to hear it, mate, this phone is still going strong!

      Delete
  83. UnknownMarch 29, 2013 at 6:11 AM

    Damn! This works... The best way is to test it indoor. Till now I wasn't able to lock down GPS indoor of office, but after trying this method. Hell yeah! It WORKS!

    Androidum R0cks!!!

    ReplyDelete
  84. UnknownApril 6, 2013 at 1:59 PM

    will not work.
    I can press it to death, it makes no difference at all.

    ReplyDelete
  85. AnonymousJune 4, 2013 at 12:32 AM

    thank you. You save me for a trip to the warranty boys.

    ReplyDelete
  86. UnknownJune 5, 2013 at 1:38 AM

    This also works on my Samsung Galaxy S Advance i9070. Before this fix i was able to "see" 5 max satelite and no fix with them. Now in 5 sec i'm connecting with 5 of 9-10 satelittes.
    Thank you very much

    ReplyDelete
  87. PP11June 22, 2013 at 11:35 PM

    Incredible.
    I've a GT 9001, the Galaxy S Plus, i.e. the revisited version of the original Galaxy.
    Same problem. GPS works fine for one year and then, no lock.
    The solution works.

    How is it possible that such an important manufacturer as Samsung hasn't solved this ... !

    Thanks very much for your post guys !

    Patrick

    ReplyDelete
  88. matcho13July 25, 2013 at 2:19 PM

    omg, what kind of magic is that? really works, thanks for the tip :)

    ReplyDelete
  89. DeadyJuly 28, 2013 at 9:49 AM

    I used some Bluetek to keep the pressure on and works like a charm.
    Thanks mate;)

    ReplyDelete
  90. UnknownJuly 30, 2013 at 3:53 AM

    it works on my vibrant thanx

    ReplyDelete
  91. UnknownMarch 2, 2014 at 7:10 PM

    How do i fix my fone samsung gt-i9000 it has no data connection after i restore factory settings?????

    ReplyDelete

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