I am using /e/ on a Sony Xperia XA2 but my GPS doesn’t seem to be working properly anymore. I don’t think it coincides with a specific version of /e/, but it happened roughly since I migrated to 3.7.
I still think it could be a hardware issue but I would like to confirm it some way before taking any repair decision.
So, my phone can locate me, but it’s not accurate enough for navigation. I tried to use the GPStest application, and it seems to locate the satellites (it recognizes that GPS and Glonass are the only one supported by the hardware), but when I use an app like waze, the location can be totally off.
I wanted to do a hardware test like sony offers with the service menu, but it’s inaccessible on /e/ with the same code (*#*#7378423#*#*). Is there any equivalent service menu on /e/ ?
I believe there is a concept within Android that GPS is given a lower priority partly based on the certainty of the GPS result. Mainstream Android has location input from all Google clients. This is deemed reliable.
AOSP without Google misses this but we do have Network location. Check that Network location is in use (unless proved unhelpful) within Settings > Search: Location.
For your issue I suggest GPS Test has an indicator on the “Sky” view of the certainty from GPS signals. On a good day with a good phone one can hope for high amber / green indicator.
If Network location is active it is useful to know if it is accurate … if it tends to verify GPS then increasingly your map plotted location will become good. If Network location is poor, then (unhelpfully) perhaps GPS will be given lower priority resulting in the inconsistent Network location being used in map plotting.
This app
can help to illustrate any divergence between location services in use.
I find consistent use of one map for a few days better at training the phone than comparison with different map apps.
/e/OS Maps app was ok but a non updated legacy version is shipped at this time; OsmAnd~ is OK.
From MyLocation one can copy and paste the recorded locations onto a Map app to help see any divergence.
A cool way to train Network location is to have it active on train journeys (by following the journey with a Map app) where there are multiple high quality lineside beacons. Buses equipped with the company’s location system may work similarly, especially to build knowledge near home.
Beware also that any map app could retain “bad” information acquired if Hide my Location were in use while actively navigating.