No GPS location in the Golf Pad phone app

Modified on Wed, 26 Feb at 6:27 PM

If you're experiencing GPS issues in the Golf Pad app, follow these steps to check and adjust your location permissions.


Checking location permissions


For Android users:


  1. Open Settings → Location (or Security & Privacy) → Location Permissions/Location access (depending on your phone model).
  2. Use the search bar to look for Location if you can't find it.
  3. Find Golf Pad in the list of apps.
  4. Set location access to "Always" or "All the time" to ensure the app receives accurate location data.


For Android 10 and later: Select "Allow all the time" to get the most precise GPS location instantly whenever you check your phone.

Learn why Golf Pad uses the "always-on" background location.



For iPhone users:


  1. Open Settings → Privacy & Security → Location Services.
  2. Ensure Location Services is turned on.
  3. Scroll down to Golf Pad and select "Always" for location access.


Click here for more details on iPhone location services.


Note: Acquiring a GPS signal may take a few minutes. Ensure you are outdoors with a clear, unobstructed view of the sky.


Still no GPS location?


The steps above usually resolve location issues. If GPS is still unavailable in Golf Pad, use a GPS Test app to check GPS signal availability and accuracy.

Please note, apps like Google Maps rely on multiple sources to acquire approximate location (like cellular towers and Wi-Fi networks), so they may show location even if GPS signal is not acquired. Golf Pad does require the actual GPS location to ensure accurate rangefinder distances.



How to test:


  • Open the GPS Test app when Golf Pad shows no location (start it at the same time).
  • If GPS Test does not acquire a signal within 5 minutes while you are outside with a clear sky view, contact your phone manufacturer. This may indicate a hardware or system configuration issue.
  • If GPS Test reports an accurate location (within 10 meters/yards) but Golf Pad still has no GPS, email support@golfpadgps.com with a screenshot of the GPS Test app for further assistance.



Location issues on smartwatch


If distances do not update on your Golf Pad smartwatch app when your phone screen is off, refer to this troubleshooting guide: Distances in Golf Pad do not update when phone screen is off 

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