FAQ

FAQ

GPS Data

GPS is a system to estimate location on Earth by using signals from a set of orbiting satellites. The GPS system includes the chip in your Android device as well as the satellites above the Earth.

The viRace mobile APP depends on good and consisting GPS data tracked by your mobile phone. We do everything possible to collect and save the most accurate GPS data. Here are a few points you can do if you encounter bad GPS data.

Where do I put my mobile phone while running?

In order to get the best position data from your mobile phone, the mobile phone should have an ‘unobstructed view’ of the sky. Therefore we suggest that you carry it as open and high as possible. It is best to wear it on your upper arm with a phone armband or in a backpack as high up as possible. It is also okay to hold it in your hand. If the phone is carried on your stomach with a belt, the data can be very inaccurate.

 

GPS Issues while Tracking (Android phones)

Especially with mobile phones of the Android type, it may be that different data is supplied by the manufacturer and manufacturer or certain authorizations for the viRace APP (GPS data, power saving mode) must be given manually.

Steps to Take when investigating GPS Issues on Android Devices:

  1. Turn GPS off/on.
  2. Be sure viRace is allowed to use your location and “Physical activity”. Settings > Apps > viRace > Permissions > Toggle Location and physical activity ON. Be sure that you’ve allowed viRace to use GPS in the background.
  3. Disable any battery saver settings including Power Saving Mode, Battery Management, Optimization or any third-party apps. More information on specific devices running Android 6 or higher:
    1. HTC: Settings > Power > Battery optimization > Not optimized > All apps > viRace > Don’t optimize > Done.
    2. Huawei:
      1. Huawei P9 Plus: Phone settings > Apps > Settings > Special access > Ignore battery optimisation > select allow for viRACE
      2. Huawei P20, Huawei P20 Lite, Huawei Mate 10
        Phone settings > Battery > App launch and then set viRACE app to “Manage manually” and make sure everything is turned on. Huawei will then ask you frequently whether you want to optimise the battery, which should be denied. Under Settings > Apps > Apps > viRACE > Power consumption details, the power consumption warning can be deactivated.
      3. Turn Energy Settings to Normal and add viRace to “Protected Apps.”
      4. Settings > Apps > Advanced > Ignore optimizations > Allowed > All apps > viRace > Allow.
    3. OnePlus
    4. Nokia (HMD):
      Go to Phone settings > Apps > See all apps. Tap on the right top corner menu > Show system. Find Power saver app in the list, select it and Force close. It will remain stopped for a while, but will restart itself eventually.
    5. LG: Settings > Battery & power saving > Battery usage > Ignore optimizations > turn ON for viRace.
    6. Motorola: Settings > Battery > select the menu in the upper right-hand corner > Battery optimization > Not optimized > All Apps > viRace > Don’t Optimize.
    7. Samsung: Settings > Apps > select the menu in the upper right-hand corner > Special access > Optimize battery usage > All apps > Toggle OFF for viRace.
      For some users, the following settings were necessary to allow the app to access the GPS, even though permission had been granted in the app:
      Under Settings > Apps > viRACE > Permissions > Location, select the option “Always allow”.If necessary, remove the viRACE app from the list under Settings > Device maintenance > Battery > Power management of apps > Apps in standby.
    8. Sony: Settings > Battery > select the menu in the upper right-hand corner > Battery optimization > Apps > viRace.
    9. Xiaomi:
      Xiaomi has an aggressive way of removing the apps from the background, which is detrimental to the functioning of viRACE. The settings have to be handled differently from model to model, which makes it difficult to generalise. The following settings should be checked: Power management.
      Activate the following services for your app:

      • Settings > Advanced Settings > Battery manager > Power plan is set to Performance
      • Device Settings > Advanced Settings > Battery Manager > Protected apps – your app needs to be Protected
      • Device Settings > Apps > your app > Battery > Power-intensive prompt and Keep running after screen off
      • Settings > Additional Settings > Battery & Performance > Manage apps’ battery usage and here:
        1. Switch Power Saving Modes to Off
        2. Choose the next options: Saving Power in The Background > Choose apps > select your app > Background Settings > No restrictions

      App battery saver
      Make sure the setting under Security > Battery > App Battery Saver > viRACE is set on No restriction

      Autostart
      Open Security app > Permissions > Auto-start and activate Auto-start

      MIUI OS: 

      1. Settings > Additional Settings > Battery & performance > Manage apps battery usage > apps > viRace.
      2. Settings > Additional Settings > Privacy > Location > ensure you are using High Accuracy for Location Mode and allowing location access.
  4. Check that your location settings are set to High accuracy. Settings > Connections > Location > Locating method > High accuracy.
  5. Perform an “AGPS reset” by installing the App GPS Status & Toolbox, then in that app, go to Menu > Manage A-GPS State > Reset.
  6. Final Steps
    1. Try using the viRace app to record for 10 minutes, letting it search for signals with a wide-open view of the sky, and keeping it completely immobile. If this does not produce useful location estimates, determine if GPS works in other apps. Navigation apps use cell towers to snap your position to known roads and trails which can give the illusion that your GPS is working perfectly. viRace and many other fitness apps do not do this and just use GPS to position you. Because of this, you may notice viRace is having a hard time locating you but other navigation apps aren’t.
    2. Try running one of the free apps that present detailed GPS operating information. “GPS Status” is a free app that can reset your GPS and download fresh A-GPS data. The link to download the app is here, and you should see it eventually reporting 5 or more satellites acquired, and an overall accuracy range of fewer than 30 meters if everything is working properly.