Some Galaxy S20 users are reporting GPS lock issues in Google Maps and Waze

By Babu Mohan
last updated

Galaxy S20, S20+ and S20 Ultra
Galaxy S20, S20+ and S20 Ultra (Image credit: Andrew Martonik / Android Central)

What you need to know

  • A number of Galaxy S20 owners are reporting issues locking on to a GPS signal in Google Maps and other similar apps.
  • The issue appears to be limited to the Snapdragon 865-powered variants of the Galaxy S20, Galaxy S20+, and S20 Ultra.
  • Samsung hasn't issued any statement regarding the issue yet.

Samsung's Galaxy S20 series phones are currently among the most impressive flagship Android smartphones money can buy. However, they aren't without issues of their own. Soon after its launch, several reviewers found that the 108MP primary camera on the Galaxy S20 Ultra was plagued with auto focus issues. Since the issue was only software related, it was fixed with a software update.

Now, a number of Galaxy S20 series users are reporting (via XDA Developers) issues locking on to GPS in navigation apps such as Google Maps and Waze. The issue has been reported by users on Twitter, Reddit, as well as Samsung's Community forums (opens in new tab). While some Galaxy S20 units simply fail to get a lock, other units reportedly take up to 15 minutes to lock on to a GPS signal.

There is no permanent fix available currently, although some users claim turning off 5G fixes the issue temporarily. It remains unclear if it is a hardware problem, since some users claim replacement units also suffer from the same issue. Interestingly, the issue only appears to affect the Snapdragon variants of the Galaxy S20 phones. The Exynos variants of the Galaxy S20, Galaxy S20+, and Galaxy S20 Ultra have no issues locking on to a GPS signal.

Samsung hasn't issued any statement regarding the issue yet, although it is possible that the company will be rolling out a software update to fix the issue very soon.

Babu Mohan
Babu Mohan
News Writer
4 Comments
  • Yup! My S20 Ultra. A friend's S20+, both affected. SD865. Waiting on Samsung.
  • Is this a Samsung-only thing, or are other SD865 phones are affected?
  • This isn't "new", really. The Galaxy Note 10+ 5G (T-Mobile and AT&T variants only) have the same issue. Perhaps it's no coincidence that the Snapdragon-based S20's share the same Qualcomm X55 modem as the above mentioned Note10+5G devices.
  • Hi all,
    I am using an Umidigi f2 running android 10 and was having exactly the same issues with all 4 of my navigation apps .
    I found that enabling access to calendar at all times rather than only when using the app fixed the issue.
    Now all apps run in background with voice navigation even with screen switched off. Hope this helps.