GPS Test

How to test your GPS

1. Turn on Location (GPS) in the phone settings. On Android, also turn on Google Location Accuracy for faster fixes.
2. Tap Start GPS test and allow location access when the browser asks.
3. Go outside with a clear view of the sky and wait. The first fix may come from Wi-Fi with a large radius; within a minute satellite fixes should bring the accuracy under 15 m.
4. Stand still for a minute and watch the plot. The red dots show each fix; the circle around the blue dot is the accuracy the phone claims.
5. Walk or drive (as a passenger) to check that speed and heading update. Tick Hide coordinates before taking a screenshot to share.

What the results mean

Accuracy is the radius in metres around the reported point within which the phone is confident you are. Lower is better.

Source is a best guess: satellite fixes nearly always include an altitude and a tight radius, while Wi-Fi and cell fixes do not. Half within and 95% within measure how far your fixes wander from their average while you stand still: a few metres is healthy; tens of metres outdoors means weak signal or a GPS problem. A first fix within 5 to 30 seconds outdoors is normal; minutes means the phone had to download satellite data from scratch.

Why accuracy is worse indoors and in cities

GPS satellites are about 20,000 km away and their signal is very weak by the time it reaches you. Roofs and walls block it, and tall buildings reflect it, so the phone measures a longer path and puts you on the wrong side of the street. Phones combine GPS with Galileo, GLONASS and BeiDou satellites and with Wi-Fi networks to help, which is why the accuracy improves as you move into the open. Tips in how to improve GPS accuracy.

Laptops, desktops and privacy

Most laptops and desktops have no GPS chip. Their browser asks a location service to estimate the position from nearby Wi-Fi networks or the IP address, so accuracy of 50 m to several kilometres is normal there. This page reads the position only in your browser and never sends it to Testnook. The Google Maps button opens the coordinates in a new tab only if you tap it.

Common problems and fixes

Location permission was refused

Tap the lock icon by the address, open Permissions and allow Location. On iPhone, also check Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services is on and Safari Websites is set to "While Using the App" with Precise Location on.

Accuracy never gets better than 50 m

You may be indoors, or precise location is off. On iPhone turn on Precise Location for Safari; on Android open Settings > Location and turn on Google Location Accuracy (or Improve accuracy). Then test outside.

The first fix takes minutes

The phone has to download satellite positions. Keep mobile data on (it speeds this up), stay outside and keep the screen on. Restarting the phone or turning airplane mode on and off clears a stuck GPS.

The position jumps around

Reflections from buildings cause jumps. Watch the plot in an open field: if the 95% radius is still tens of metres, the GPS antenna or a metal case may be the issue. A compass test helps if only the direction is wrong.