Google Maps is a comprehensive navigation app that helps you find the best route option, andView your site history , AndMeasuring area and distances To any location on Earth. But at the end of the day, it's just an app, and it will have its fair share of flaws. One of those is when the app displays an incorrect location. Here are the 7 best ways to fix Google Maps showing the wrong location on Android and iOS.
The problem could be caused by several reasons, ranging from incorrect location settings to a faulty GPS. If the usual tricks like restarting the app and your phone don't help, we've compiled a list of effective fixes you can apply to improve location accuracy in the Google Maps app. So, let's get straight to it.
1. Enable high-precision location
Enabling high-accuracy mode on your device helps Google Maps calculate your location as accurately as possible. So, if Google Maps is having difficulty pinpointing your current location, you can enable high-accuracy mode on your location to see if it helps. Read on to learn how.
Android
Step 1: Open the Settings app on your phone and go to Location.
Step 2: Expand the Advanced menu and tap Google Location Accuracy. Now toggle the "Improve Location Accuracy" button if it isn't already.
iOS
Step 1: Launch the Settings app on your iPhone and go to Privacy. Now tap Location Services.
Step 2: Find Google Maps from the menu to toggle the precise location option.
That's it. Restart the Google Maps app now to see if the location issue is resolved.
2. Turn off battery saver.
Your phone's battery saver often cuts off power-hungry features like GPS and background app data to save battery. As a result, it can prevent Google Maps from pinpointing your precise location. Therefore, it's recommended to turn off battery saver while using the Google Maps app for optimal performance. Read on to find out how.
Android
To turn off Power Saver on Android, open the Settings app on your phone and go to Battery. Now turn off Battery Saver mode.
iOS
To turn off Battery Saver on your iPhone, launch the Settings app, go to Battery, and turn off Low Power Mode.
3. Calibrate the compass
Google Maps uses a sensor called a magnetometer on your smartphone to accurately calculate your location. It's a best practice to calibrate this sensor from time to time or whenever the app shows an inaccurate location. Here's how.
Step 1: Launch the Google Maps app on your Android or iPhone and tap the blue dot that shows your current location.
Step 2: Now tap on the Calibrate Compass option at the bottom and perform the on-screen gesture to make a figure 8 with your phone.
Once calibrated, go ahead and check if Google Maps can detect your correct location.
4. Clear cache
If you've been using the Google Maps app for some time, the app may have accumulated a significant amount of cache data over that time. Sometimes, this cache can interfere with app performance, eventually leading to issues such as incorrect location.
To resolve this, try clearing the cache data associated with the app. Here's how.
Step 1: Open the Settings app on your Android device and go to Apps & notifications. Scroll down to find and tap the Google Maps app.
Step 2: Now go to Storage & Cache and tap on Clear Cache button.
Once scanned, restart the Google Maps app to see if it can accurately detect your location.
5. Disable MOCK sites
Developer Options It's a nifty Android tool that lets you adjust animation scale, boost gaming performance, and even fake GPS coordinates by creating a mock location on your phone. You may have enabled mock locations while gaming using one of these settings. If so, try disabling it by following the steps below.
Step 1: Launch the Settings app on your Android device and go to System. Now open the Developer Options menu.
Step 2: Scroll down and locate "Select fake location app." Make sure no app is selected here.
Alternatively, you can also turn off the Developer Options menu to disable all changes made through it.
6. Turn on WI-FI
Aside from your phone's GPS, Google Maps also uses nearby Wi-Fi networks to accurately estimate your current location. Therefore, if Google Maps is showing an incorrect location, you can try turning on your phone's Wi-Fi (even if you don't want to connect to a network) to resolve the issue.
7. Reinstall Google Maps
Finally, if all the above methods fail, you can try reinstalling the Google Maps app. This removes any data associated with the app and also refreshes the app in the process.
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Guaranteed accuracy
It's easy to get confused when apps like Google Maps crash. We hope the solutions above helped you get things back to normal and fix Google Maps showing the wrong location on Android and iOS. If the problem persists, you might consider switching to a lighter version, Google Maps Go.
Planning to travel to an area where internet connection may be problematic? Check out how Download Google Maps and use it offline.
