This is an awesome phone, it does everything I want it to and battery lasts more than a day :). Unfortunately I started having GPS problems and after googling soon realized it was a common problem with the phone :/ . Thanks to the XDA thread I was able to do the fix below which improved my GPS signal 🙂 . The GPS readings were taken from the front of my house for consistency.
Disclaimer: Disassembling your phone will void your warranty, follow steps at your own risk, I am not responsible for any damage incurred following this guide
Note: Some users with Android 7.1.1, have reported that this may be a software issue. Please look at the links below to see more information on the issue. Although I have three Moto G4 Plays recently upgraded to 7.1.1 and none have the GPS problems (tested using GPS Test app.
Problem:
- Poor GPS connection or no GPS lock
Solution 1 : Get a replacement
- This appears to be a hardware problem in which the antenna springs don’t have good contact with the gold pads
- If you phone is under warranty, get a replacement.
Solution 2 : Add copper (or other metal) pads above antenna connections
- If it is out of warranty you need to increase contact on the pads, take a look at the images below. I added two copper pads on top of the original pads to increase tension, I used electrical tape to secure the copper pads and placed a electrical tape sliver as a spacer.
- Disassembly Video
- Link to GPS Test App
Solution 3: Add solder on the antenna pads
- Disassemble the phone
- Place a bead of solder on each pads on the plastic piece of the phone (the antenna pads)
- Reassemble
Sources: