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Improve your location's accuracy (Android)

Google Maps may have trouble finding your location. If the GPS location of your blue dot on the map is inaccurate or missing, you can take steps to help fix the problem.

Tip: These steps will also improve your search results and make them more relevant to you.

Find your current location on the map

  1. On your Android phone or tablet, open the Google Maps app Google Карты;
  2. The blue dot on the map will show your location. If there isn’t a blue dot, at the bottom right, tap Your location Местоположение.

How Maps finds your current location

Maps estimates where you are from sources like:

  1. GPS: Maps uses satellites to know your location up to around 20 meters. When you're inside buildings or underground, the GPS is sometimes inaccurate;
  2. Wi-Fi: The location of nearby Wi-Fi networks helps Maps know where you are;
  3. Cell tower: Your connection to mobile data can be accurate up to a few thousand meters;

Turn on high accuracy mode

To help Google Maps find your location with the most accurate blue dot, use high accuracy mode.

  1. On your Android phone or tablet, open the Settings appНастройки;
  2. Tap Location;
  3. At the top, switch location on;
  4. Tap Mode —> High accuracy.

More ways to improve location accuracy

If your location is still wrong, here are some things you can try.

Turn on Wi-Fi

  1. On your Android phone or tablet, open the Settings app Настройки ;
  2. Choose Wi-Fi;
  3. At the top, turn on Wi-Fi.

Restart your phone or tablet

To restart your Android phone or tablet, turn it off and on.

  • Turn your phone or tablet off: Hold down the power button to Power off.
  • Turn your phone or tablet on: Hold down the power button until your device turns on.

Calibrate your phone or tablet

If your blue dot's beam is wide or pointing in the wrong direction, you’ll need to calibrate your compass.

  1. On your Android phone or tablet, open the Google Maps app Google Карты;
  2. Make a figure 8 until your compass is calibrated. You should only have to do this a few times;
  3. The beam should become narrow and point in the right direction.

Compass calibration

What the blue dot means

The blue dot shows your location on the map. When Google Maps isn’t sure about your location, there will be a light blue circle around the blue dot. You might be anywhere within the light blue circle. The smaller the circle, the more certain the app is about your location.

Tips:

  • If the blue dot isn’t visible or is gray, Maps can’t find your current location and shows you the last location you visited;
  • If there’s something between you and cell towers, like a parking garage or tall buildings, your blue dot might not be accurate.