Mobile devices use the GPS network to find your location. Cloud cover, tree cover, high cliffs, and anything else that blocks your line of sight to the sky can affect the accuracy of your device's location.
The onX Backcountry App and Web Map use your mobile device's or computer's location services to find your location. Whether your location is off by more than 20 feet, or not showing correctly, this article will help you fix most causes of these problems.
Table of Contents:
- Fixing location problems on iPhones and iPads.
- Fixing location problems on Android devices.
- Fixing location problems on desktop and laptop computers.
Fixing Location on iPhones and iPads
There are a few steps we'll take to get your location working again:
- Turn on your device's location services.
- Give the onX Backcountry App permission to use your device's location services.
- Turn off lower power mode.
- Reset location and privacy.
- Reboot your device with locations services off.
- Test your device's GPS receiver.
Turn on your device's location services:
To get to your device's location services, open the iPhone or iPad's Settings menu and tap "Privacy."
In the Privacy Menu, tap "Location services."
If your location services are turned off, turn them on to fix the problem. If location services are already turned on, let's check to make sure the onX Backcountry App has permission to use them.
Give the onX Backcountry App permission to use your device's location services:
In the Location Services menu, scroll down and tap "onX Backcountry."
Make sure "Allow Location Access" is set to "Always," and "Precise Location" is turned on.
Turn off low power mode:
In low power mode, your iPhone or iPad's location will be less accurate. To turn off low power mode, return to the main settings menu, tap "Battery."
Turn off Low Power Mode.
Reset location and privacy:
In the main settings menu, tap "General."
In the General menu tap "Transfer or Reset iPhone" at the bottom of the menu.
Tap "Reset" at the bottom of the menu.
Tap "Reset Location & Privacy."
Reboot your device with location services turned off:
Turning your iPhone or iPad off and back on again may also fix this problem. Before turning your device off, turn off your location services. In the main settings menu, tap "Privacy," then tap "Location services," and turn Location Services off.
Turn off your iPhone or iPad and turn it back on. Return to the Location Services menu and turn them back on.
Open the onX Backcountry App and check your location.
Test your device's GPS receiver:
After trying the steps above, if your location is still not working or not accurate, than there may be something wrong with the GPS receiver in your device.
Download the GPS tester app and check the accuracy of your GPS receiver. Click here to download the GPS tester app.
If the GPS tester app shows an inaccurate location then there is an issue with the location services on your device and you will need to contact the device's manufacturer or your cell service provider.
If the GPS tester app shows the correct location, but the onX Backcountry App does not, please let us know.
Fixing Location on Android devices
Each Android device model is unique, so consult your device's owner's manual or service provider for exact instructions.
There are a few steps we'll take to get your location working again:
- Turn on your device's location services.
- Give the onX Backcountry App permission to use your device's location services.
- Allow onX Backcountry to use the battery in the background.
- Turn off battery saver and adaptive battery.
- Calibrate your device's internal compass.
- Test your device's GPS receiver.
Turn on your device's location services:
To get to your device's location services, open your device's settings menu and tap "Location."
If your location services are turned off, turn them on to fix the problem.
If location services are already turned on, let's check to make sure the onX Backcountry App has permission to use them.
Give the onX Backcountry App permission to use your device's location services:
In the Location menu, tap "App access to location," or "App permission."
Scroll down and tap "onX Backcountry."
Make sure "Location Access for this App" is set to "Allow" or "Allow while using the app."
Allow onX Backcountry to use the battery in the background:
Return to the main settings menu, tap "Apps and Notifications,"
Scroll down and tap the onX Backcountry App.
Tap "Battery."
Allow the onX Backcountry App to use the battery in the background.
Turn off battery saver and adaptive battery:
Return to the main settings menu and tap "Battery."
Turn off Battery Saver and Adaptive Battery.
Calibrate your device's internal compass
Open the Google Maps app and make a figure 8 until your compass is calibrated. You should only have to do this a few times.
The "flashlight beam" on your blue location dot should become narrow and point in the right direction.
Click here for Google's instructions on calibrating your device's internal compass.
Test your device's GPS receiver:
After trying the steps above, if your location is still not working or not accurate, then there may be something wrong with the GPS receiver in your device.
Download the GPS tester app and check the accuracy of your GPS receiver. Click here to download the GPS tester app.
If the GPS tester app shows an inaccurate location then there is an issue with the location services on your device and you will need to contact the device's manufacturer or your cell service provider.
If the GPS tester app shows the correct location, but the onX Backcountry App does not, please let us know.
Fixing Location on desktop and laptop computers
The location displayed in onX Backcountry Web Map is based on internet traffic, which is routed through hubs scattered around your area. Most of the time, the closest location your computer will be able to find is the location of one of these hubs.
The onX Backcountry App on your mobile device uses cell phone towers and GPS satellites to determine your location, which will always be much more accurate.
If your location in onX Backcountry Web Map has been less accurate over the past few months, please be aware that Google Chrome has recently updated the way it finds locations, prioritizing internet hubs over actual user locations.
Refreshing the Web Map page may give you a better location reading. If that doesn't work, you can also try clearing your browser history and reloading the page. However, it will most likely not be able to pinpoint your exact physical location.