GNSS on Android: how satellite navigation works in your smartphone and why it is more important than GPS

Have you ever wondered how your smartphone on Android determines your location with an accuracy of several meters? Behind this magic is technology GNSS —a global navigation satellite system that has become an integral part of modern gadgets. Many mistakenly call it simply GPS, but in fact GNSS it is a whole complex of systems, including not only American GPS, but also Russian GLONASS, European Galileo, Chinese BeiDou and others. Without it, maps, taxis, fitness trackers and even some banking applications would not work.

In this article we will look in detail at what it is GNSS on Android, how it differs from the usual one GPS, why modern smartphones use several satellite systems at once, and how to check which ones modules supported by your device. You will also learn how to enable or disable GNSS, why it sometimes works incorrectly, and what settings will help improve the accuracy of location determination. If you have ever encountered the fact that the maps on your phone are “lying” or are looking for a signal for a long time, here you will find answers to your questions.

What is GNSS and how does it differ from GPS

Abbreviation GNSS stands for as Global Navigation Satellite System —global navigation satellite system. This is a general term that combines all existing satellite navigation systems, while GPS (Global Positioning System) is just one of them, developed and operated by the US government. Here are the key differences:

• 🌍 GNSS is together systems: GPS (USA), GLONASS (Russia), Galileo (EU), BeiDou (China), IRNSS (India) and others. Modern smartphones use several of them at once to increase accuracy.
• 📡 GPS is one of the systems included in GNSS. It was the first and most famous, so many people mistakenly call all satellite navigation "GPS".
• 🎯 Accuracy: the use of multiple systems (multi-GNSS) allows the smartphone to “catch” signals from a larger number of satellites, which improves the accuracy of determining coordinates, especially in cities with tall buildings or in mountainous areas.

For example, if your smartphone supports GPS + GLONASS + Galileo, it can simultaneously receive data from 20-30 satellites instead of 8-12, as is the case with one GPS. This is especially important in conditions of poor sky visibility (for example, in a forest or among skyscrapers), where the signal from one satellite may be blocked.

Modern chipsets (for example, Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 or Mediatek Dimensity 9300) support multi-GNSS "out of the box". This means that the smartphone manufacturer does not need to modify the hardware - just configure the software correctly. However, not all budget models use this potential to the fullest.

Which satellite systems are supported by your Android smartphone

To find out which ones GNSS systems are available on your device, you do not need to disassemble the phone. It is enough to use standard settings or third-party applications. Here's how to do it:

Method 1: Through Android settings (without root)

In most smartphones, information about supported ones GNSS is hidden in the engineering menu. To get there:

1. Open the application Phone and enter the combination:

   ##4636##

2. In the menu that appears, select the item Information about phone (or Phone information).
3. Scroll down to the block GNSS or Satellite navigation.

Here you will see a list of supported systems (for example GPS, GLONASS, BDS, Galileo) and the current status of connection to satellites Please note: some manufacturers. (for example, Xiaomi or Samsung) can block access to this menu on their firmware.

Method 2: Using the application GPS Test or GPSTest

If the engineering menu is not available, install one of the specialized applications:

• 📱 GPS Test (from Chartcross Limited) - shows a list of satellites, their signal and supported systems.
• 🛰️ GPSTest (from Android GNSS) - a more advanced tool with visualization of satellite orbits.
• 🌐 GPS Status & Toolbox - allows you to test the accuracy and calibrate the compass.

After installation, open the application and wait until it detects available satellites. A list of supported GNSS systemss is usually displayed at the top of the screen. For example, on Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra you will see GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou, QZSS and IRNSS.

How to enable or disable GNSS on Android

Unlike Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, GNSS does not have a separate switch in quick settings. Satellite navigation is controlled through location permissions. Here's how it works:

Enable GNSS (location permission)

1. Go to Settings → Privacy → Manager permissions → Location (the path may differ depending on the shell).
2. Activate the switch Location (or Geodata).
3. Select accuracy mode:
   • 🎯 High accuracy — uses GNSS, Wi-Fi, mobile networks and sensors. The most accurate, but consumes more battery.
   • 📶 Saving charge - determines location only from cell towers and Wi-Fi (without satellites).
   • 🚫 Only by device —uses only GNSS, without data from networks. The least accurate indoors.

For maximum accuracy (for example, in navigators or trackers), select High accuracy. If you just need to determine the city for the weather or social networks, it’s enough Battery saving.

Complete disabling of GNSS

To completely deactivate satellite navigation:

1. Disable Location in the settings (as described above).
2. For some applications (for example, Google Maps), additionally deny access to geodata in their individual settings.

☑️ Checking the GNSS operation

Enable "Location" in the settingsSelect the "High accuracy" modeOpen the map application (Google Maps, Yandex.Maps)Wait for coordinates to be determined (blue circle)Check the number of visible satellites in GPSTest

Done: 0 / 5

Attention! Some applications (for example, banking or taxi services) may require switched on GNSS to work. If you disable geodata, it will either not start or will work with limitations.

Why GNSS on Android works inaccurately or does not work at all

If your smartphone takes a long time to search for satellites, shows incorrect coordinates or does not determine the location at all, the reasons may be both hardware and software. Let's consider the main ones:

Problem	Possible cause	Solution
Long location determination (more than 5 minutes)	Weak signal (buildings, weather, interference)	Go out into the open area, wait for a “cold start”
Coordinates “jump” or deviate greatly	Used only GPS without other systems	Enable High accuracy and check support multi-GNSS
Satellites are not located at all	Missing file AGPS (startup help)	Update Google Play Services or reset settings networks
Navigation only works with Wi-Fi/mobile data	GNSS module is disabled or faulty	Check in the engineering menu or take it to service

One of the most common reasons for inaccurate operation are lack of data AGPS (Assisted GPS). This is a technology that helps a smartphone quickly “find” satellites using data from the Internet about their current location. If Google Play Services is outdated or the Internet is disconnected, GNSS it may work very slowly.

Attention! If navigation stops working after a fall or impact of the smartphone, this may indicate damage to the antenna GNSS (it is often combined with antennas Wi-Fi/Bluetooth). In this case, only repair will help.

What is a “cold” and “warm” GNSS start?

Cold start - when the smartphone does not have any data about the satellites and their orbits (for example, after a long shutdown). In this case, the search may take up to 10-15 minutes. Warm start - when the device has approximate data (for example, after a short shutdown), and the search takes 1-2 minutes.

How to improve GNSS accuracy on Android: practical tips

If your smartphone supports multi-GNSS, but navigation still leaves much to be desired, try the following methods:

• 📶 Update the firmware and Google Play Services. Manufacturers regularly optimize performance GNSSespecially for new satellite systems.
• 🔄 Reset AGPS data. To do this, in the engineering menu (##4636##) find the item AGPS and press Reset or Delete.
• 🛠️ Calibrate the compass. In the app Google Maps draw a figure eight in the air while holding the phone in your hand - this will help the orientation sensors.
• 📱 Use supported apps multi-GNSS. For example, Gaia GPS or OsmAnd are better optimized for working with all satellite systems than standard Google Maps.

For owners of devices with root access there are additional features:

• 🔧 Install a modified file gps.conf, optimized for your region (for example, with priority for GLONASS in Russia).
• 📡 Try alternative GNSSdrivers (for example, for chipsets Mediatek).

Important: on some smartphones (for example, Xiaomi or Realme) support for Galileo or BeiDou is disabled by default to save energy. To enable it, you need to edit system files, which may lead to loss of warranty.

GNSS and battery: how navigation affects autonomy

One of the main disadvantages GNSS is high power consumption. Constant use of satellite navigation can reduce the operating time of a smartphone by 20-40%. consumption:

• 🔋 Disable geodatawhen they are not needed. For example, after completing a taxi trip.
• 📉 Use the "Battery Saving" mode in location settings if high accuracy is not required.
• 🛑 Close background applicationsthat request location data (for example, fitness trackers or social networks).
• 🔄 Update applicationsthat use GNSS —new versions are often optimized for less battery consumption.

Some smartphones (for example, Samsung Galaxy or OnePlus) have a feature Adaptive batterythat automatically limits background usage GNSS for little-used applications. We recommend turning it on in the battery settings.

Attention! Some applications (for example, Pokémon GO or Waze) may block battery optimization for themselves in order to maintain constant location detection. This greatly reduces battery life - check such applications in the energy saving settings.

GNSS in the future: what awaits satellite navigation in Android

Technology GNSS does not stand still. In the coming years, we can expect the following innovations:

• 🛰️ Support for new satellites systems: for example, the Japanese QZSS (Quasi-Zenith Satellite System) is already integrated into many flagships, and the Indian IRNSS is actively developing.
• 📡 Dual-band GNSS: modern chipsets (for example, Snapdragon 8 Gen 3) support receiving signals at two frequencies (L1 + L5), which increases accuracy to 30 cm instead of the usual 3-5 meters.
• 🤖 Integration with AI: Google is already testing algorithms that predict user movement and optimize operation GNSS, saving battery power.
• 🚗 Autonomous vehicles: GNSS will become a key element for the navigation of self-driving cars, where accuracy is down to the centimeter is critically important.