Fix: “GPS Signal Lost” or “Searching for GPS” Alerts in Google Maps

Alerts like “GPS Signal Lost” or “Searching for GPS” in Google Maps on Android devices usually appear when the phone is unable to maintain a strong, stable GPS signal during navigation. This often happens when the screen turns off or when the app runs in the background, disrupting GPS tracking.

These alerts are commonly triggered by:

• Buggy Google Maps updates
• Corrupted cache or app data
• Restricted app permissions
• Background process failures
• Aggressive battery optimization

Now that you’re aware of the problem and its possible causes, follow the steps below to fix it.

1. Restart Your Phone

Restarting your phone can reset the GPS sensors, clear temporary glitches that may block signal acquisition, and terminate any failed background processes interfering with location tracking. It also refreshes mobile data or Wi-Fi connectivity, which can help restore proper GPS function.

2. Enable “Allow All the Time” Location Access for Google Maps

Google Maps requires continuous GPS access for accurate navigation. If it’s set to “While using the app”, Android may restrict its access when the screen turns off or when you switch apps, causing location issues. Allowing location access at all times helps ensure uninterrupted tracking and prevents battery optimization from interfering with GPS.

1. Go to Settings > Search for Google Maps > Maps.
2. Tap Permissions.
3. Select Location and choose Allow all the time.
4. Reopen Google Maps and start navigation to check if the issue is resolved.

3. Clear App Cache and Data for Google Maps and Android Auto

Outdated or corrupted cached data in Google Maps and Android Auto can interfere with GPS functionality. Clearing this data removes old GPS logs, corrupted files, and temporary glitches without needing to reinstall the app. Since Android Auto relies on Google Maps, clearing both is necessary.

1. Go to Settings > Search Google Maps > Maps.
2. Tap Storage & Cache.
3. Select Clear cache.
4. Then select Clear data.
5. Now go to Settings > Apps > Android Auto.
6. Tap Storage.
7. Select Clear cache.
8. Then tap Clear data.
9. Restart your phone to apply the changes.

4. Enable Background Activity for Google Maps

Android may limit background activity to save battery, which can interfere with Google Maps when the screen is off. Setting it to Unrestricted prevents Android from cutting off GPS access in the background.

1. Open Settings > Apps > Google Maps.
2. Tap Battery.
3. Select Unrestricted.
4. Restart Google Maps and test the navigation.

5. Uninstall Recent Updates for Google Maps

Sometimes, a recent Google Maps update may include bugs or incompatibilities that break GPS functionality. Rolling back the app can resolve this by restoring the previous stable version.

1. Open Settings and go to Google Maps.
2. Tap the three dots in the top-right corner > Uninstall updates > Confirm.
3. Reopen Google Maps and test if GPS navigation works correctly.