Pokémon GO GPS Signal Not Found: How to Fix It

If Pokémon GO says “GPS signal not found,” first turn on your phone’s location service and allow Pokémon GO to access your location, then move somewhere with a clearer view of the sky. If the warning remains, check the app’s precise-location permission, internet connection, and device settings before restarting or updating the app.

Why Pokémon GO loses GPS

Pokémon GO uses location data to place your avatar on the map and support features such as nearby Pokémon, PokéStops, Gyms, and distance tracking. Phones estimate location using satellite signals as well as nearby Wi-Fi networks and mobile towers. A weak or delayed location fix can leave the map blank or trigger the GPS warning.

The message does not always mean the GPS hardware is broken. Location may be switched off, permission may be limited, the phone may be indoors or surrounded by tall buildings, or the app may be having trouble reaching its servers over the network. These causes can look similar, so work through the checks in order.

Try these fixes in order

1. Go outdoors and wait briefly. Move away from roofs, underground spaces, and dense buildings. Keep the phone still with an open view of the sky for a short time. A first location fix can take longer than updates after the phone has already found satellites.
2. Check Location Services. On Android, open Settings and look for Location; turn it on. On iPhone, open Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services and turn it on. Menu wording can differ by device and software version.
3. Allow Pokémon GO to use location. In the phone’s app-permission settings, select Pokémon GO and allow location access while using the app. If the phone offers precise location, enable it. Approximate location may not be accurate enough for reliable gameplay.
4. Check the connection. Confirm that Wi-Fi or mobile data works by loading a webpage or another service. You do not necessarily need to join a Wi-Fi network: a mobile data connection can work. If service is unreliable, try switching between Wi-Fi and mobile data.
5. Close and reopen the game. Fully close Pokémon GO, then launch it again. If the warning persists, restart the phone; this can clear a temporary problem with the location service or network.
6. Update the app and system software. Check the app store for a Pokémon GO update and install available operating-system updates when appropriate. An outdated app or temporary compatibility issue can interfere with normal operation.

Location settings to check

Permission names and paths vary across Android manufacturers, so use Settings search for “Location” or “App permissions” if the menus do not match. Check that Pokémon GO is permitted to access location while in use, rather than denied. On iPhone, review the app’s entry under Location Services and confirm that Precise Location is enabled if available.

Some Android phones have a location-accuracy option that uses wireless networks and sensors alongside GPS. If location remains inaccurate, look in the phone’s Location settings for an option such as Google Location Accuracy and enable it if available. This setting may use Wi-Fi or mobile-network information; it is separate from granting the game permission to use location.

Also make sure the phone’s date and time are set automatically. Incorrect time can contribute to connection or location-service problems, though it is not the most common cause. Avoid changing unrelated developer settings or installing apps that claim to create a fake location; those are not legitimate troubleshooting fixes and can conflict with game rules.

When GPS works but the map does not

If your avatar appears in the wrong place, drifts, or stops moving, the phone may have a location-accuracy issue rather than a complete GPS failure. Test outdoors, keep the app open, and give the location service time to settle. A small amount of variation is normal because phone location is an estimate, not a pinpoint guarantee.

If the avatar appears to move only when you walk, check that the game is open and that location permission is not restricted. Battery-saving modes can limit background activity or reduce performance on some devices; temporarily turn off an especially restrictive power-saving mode and check whether the map improves. The exact effect depends on the phone.

A map that loads slowly or shows missing game content may instead point to an internet or service problem. GPS determines where you are; the network is used to retrieve game data. A strong GPS fix cannot compensate for a connection outage, and a good internet connection cannot provide accurate location if permission is denied.

What not to do

• Do not repeatedly reinstall the game before checking location permission and connectivity. Reinstallation may not address the underlying phone setting.
• Do not assume that Wi-Fi must be enabled for GPS. Wi-Fi scanning can help some phones estimate location, but cellular data can provide the game connection.
• Do not use mock-location tools, GPS spoofing, or location manipulation to get around the warning. These can break location-based features and may violate the game’s rules.
• Do not keep changing settings at random. Change one relevant setting at a time, then reopen the game to see whether it helped.

If the warning keeps returning

Check whether other apps that use maps can find your position. If they also fail outdoors, the issue is more likely with the phone’s location service, permission, or hardware than with Pokémon GO alone. If other apps locate you correctly but the game does not, focus on Pokémon GO’s permission, updates, network access, and app restart.

As a later step, clear the app cache if your Android phone offers that option in Pokémon GO’s storage settings. Clearing cache removes temporary files; do not choose an option that deletes app data unless you understand the consequences and can sign back in. On iPhone, there is no equivalent general cache-clear button for every app; restarting or reinstalling may be the available options. Before reinstalling, make sure you know how to access your account.

If the problem began suddenly and the basic checks do not help, it may be a temporary service issue. Wait and try again, and consult the game’s official support channels for current service or account-specific guidance. If the phone cannot determine location in any app, contact the device maker or carrier for help appropriate to the model.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Pokémon GO say GPS signal not found indoors?
Walls, roofs, and nearby structures can weaken satellite signals. Try again outdoors in an open area and wait briefly for the phone to establish a location.

Does Pokémon GO need Wi-Fi for GPS?
No. GPS can receive satellite signals without Wi-Fi, and the game can use mobile data. Wi-Fi scanning may help a phone estimate location, but a working internet connection is still needed to load online game data.

How do I enable Precise Location for Pokémon GO?
Open your phone’s Location or app-permission settings, choose Pokémon GO, allow location while using the app, and enable Precise Location if that option appears. Menu labels vary by device.

Why is my Pokémon GO avatar in the wrong place?
Location estimates can be less accurate indoors, between tall buildings, or when the phone has a weak signal. Check precise-location permission, test outdoors, and allow the phone a moment to update.

Will restarting my phone fix the GPS warning?
It can resolve a temporary location-service or connection problem, but it will not fix disabled Location Services or denied app permission. Check those settings first.

What if GPS works in other apps but not Pokémon GO?
Confirm the game’s location permission and precise-location access, check its internet connection, close and reopen it, and install any available update. If the issue continues, use official game support.

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