Pokemon Go Location Errors: Your Fixes

Pokemon Go, the augmented reality sensation that encourages players to explore the real world, relies heavily on a stable GPS signal to function. When this crucial element falters, players are often met with frustrating error messages, the most common being 'Pokemon GO failed to detect location'. This can be particularly vexing for those attempting to use location spoofing tools or joysticks to enhance their gameplay. If you've found yourself frequently encountering this error, this comprehensive guide will equip you with the knowledge and actionable steps to resolve it and get back to your Pokemon adventures.

Why Does Pokemon GO Fail to Detect a Location?

Understanding the root cause of the 'Pokemon GO failed to detect location' error is the first step towards a solution. Several factors can contribute to this issue:

• Enabled Mock Location: This is arguably the most frequent culprit. When you enable 'mock locations' on your device, you're essentially telling your phone to use a simulated GPS signal. Pokemon Go, designed to use your actual location, often flags this as an error.
• Poor GPS Signal Strength: Just like any location-based service, Pokemon Go needs a strong and consistent GPS signal. Obstructions like being indoors, in tunnels, or in densely built-up urban areas can interfere with signal reception.
• 'Find My Device' or 'Find My iPhone' Enabled: These built-in location tracking features can sometimes conflict with apps trying to access your device's GPS, leading to detection failures.
• Outdated Game Version: Running an older version of Pokemon Go can lead to compatibility issues with your device's GPS or spoofing software.
• Unreliable Spoofing Software: The effectiveness of location spoofing hinges on the quality of the software used. Unstable or poorly designed spoofing tools can send inaccurate location data, triggering the error.
• Network Connectivity Issues: While not directly a GPS problem, a weak Wi-Fi or mobile data connection can also impact how Pokemon Go communicates location data.

Troubleshooting: Fixing the 'Failed to Detect Location' Error

Now that we understand the common causes, let's delve into the solutions. We'll cover everything from basic checks to more advanced methods.

1. Check Your Device's Signal Strength

A stable internet connection is paramount. While this might seem obvious, many players overlook it. Ensure you have a strong Wi-Fi or mobile data signal. Even if your signal bars appear full, the connection might be unstable. If you suspect network issues, try moving to a more open area or switching between Wi-Fi and mobile data to see if it improves the situation.

2. Optimise GPS Location Services

Your device's GPS settings play a critical role. Many smartphones have location accuracy settings that can be adjusted. Here's how to ensure yours is optimised:

• Enable Location Services: First, confirm that Location Services are enabled on your device. On Android, navigate to Settings > Location and ensure the toggle is on. On iOS, go to Settings > Privacy > Location Services and make sure it's enabled.
• Select 'High Accuracy' Mode: For the best GPS performance, select the 'High Accuracy' mode. On Android, this is typically found under Settings > Location > Location Mode. On iOS, ensure 'Significant-Change Location' is enabled under Settings > Privacy > Location Services > System Services, and consider enabling Wi-Fi and Bluetooth scanning for improved accuracy.
• Improve Location Accuracy (Android): Some Android devices offer a setting called 'Google Location Accuracy' or 'Improve Location Accuracy'. Enabling this can help your device use Wi-Fi and mobile networks to pinpoint your location more precisely.

3. Disable Mock Locations

If you're not actively using a GPS spoofing app, ensure that the 'mock location' feature is disabled. If you are using a spoofing app, this is where you'll configure it correctly (see point 4). To disable mock locations:

• Enable Developer Options: On most Android devices, you'll need to enable Developer Options first. Go to Settings > About Phone and tap on the 'Build Number' seven times until you see a message saying 'You are now a developer'.
• Locate Mock Location Setting: Return to the main Settings menu. You should now see 'Developer Options'. Navigate to it and look for an option like 'Select mock location app' or 'Allow mock locations'.
• Disable or Unselect: If you're not using a spoofing app, ensure this option is disabled or that no app is selected. If you are using one, this is where you'll select your chosen spoofing app.
• Restart Your Device: After making changes, it's always a good idea to restart your smartphone.

4. Connecting Spoofing Software to Your Game

For those who intentionally use location spoofing, the key is to configure the mock location setting correctly. Instead of disabling it, you need to select your spoofing app from the 'Select mock location app' option within Developer Options. Once selected, restart your device and then launch your spoofing app before starting Pokemon Go. This tells your phone to use the spoofed location for all apps, including Pokemon Go.

5. Disable 'Find My Device' / 'Find My iPhone'

While these features are useful for security, they can sometimes interfere with GPS spoofing. If you're using spoofing software and encountering errors, temporarily disabling these can help:

• On iPhone: Go to Settings > [Your Name] > Find My. Tap on 'Find My iPhone' and toggle it off. You may need to enter your Apple ID password.
• On Android: Go to Settings > Security (or Security & Location, or similar). Find and tap on 'Find My Device' and toggle it off. The exact path may vary slightly depending on your Android version and manufacturer.

6. Restart Your Smartphone

A simple restart can resolve many temporary glitches. Powering your phone off and on again can clear cached data that might be interfering with the GPS or the game's location detection. Give it a good 20-30 seconds before turning it back on.

7. Using Expert Mode in Spoofing Apps

Some advanced spoofing applications offer an 'Expert Mode'. While not always necessary, enabling this mode can sometimes provide more robust spoofing capabilities and may resolve detection issues. Consult the specific instructions for your chosen spoofing app.

8. The Google Maps Switch Trick

This is a handy trick for users who aren't necessarily spoofing but are experiencing general location detection issues. Open Google Maps first, allow it to find your location, and then switch back to Pokemon Go. If you encounter the error in Pokemon Go, try switching to Google Maps and then back to the game. This can sometimes help the game re-calibrate and detect your location correctly.

9. Update the Pokemon Go Application

Keeping your Pokemon Go app up-to-date is crucial for compatibility and performance. Visit your device's app store (Google Play Store for Android, App Store for iOS) and check for any available updates for Pokemon Go. Installing the latest version can often resolve bugs and improve GPS detection.

10. Reset Location Settings

As a more drastic measure, you can reset your device's location settings. This will revert all location-related permissions and settings to their defaults, requiring you to re-grant access to apps.

• On iPhone: Go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset Location & Privacy. You'll need to enter your passcode.
• On Android: The path varies, but look for Settings > System > Reset options > Reset Wi-Fi, mobile & Bluetooth or a similar 'Reset settings' option that includes location.

11. Trying Alternative Spoofing Apps

If your current GPS spoofing app is consistently failing, it might be time to try a different one. The effectiveness of these tools can vary, and newer or more reputable apps might offer better compatibility.

Recommended Spoofing Tools:

When using these tools, remember to follow their specific setup instructions carefully, often involving enabling mock locations and selecting the app within Developer Options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What prevents me from detecting my location in Pokemon GO?
Common reasons include having mock locations enabled without proper configuration, poor GPS signal strength, network connectivity issues, or sometimes, conflicts with other device settings like 'Find My Device'. Using unreliable spoofing software can also be a factor.

Q2: How do I fix the 'Failed to Detect Location 12' error while spoofing?
Ensure your spoofing app is correctly selected in your device's Developer Options under 'Select mock location app'. Clear Pokemon Go's cache and data (Settings > Apps > Pokemon Go > Storage > Clear Cache/Data) and then restart your phone. Make sure your spoofing app is running before launching Pokemon Go.

Q3: Does Fake GPS still work with Pokemon GO?
Yes, Fake GPS and similar spoofing applications can still work with Pokemon Go, provided they are configured correctly. The critical step is to enable the app in your device's Developer Options under the 'Select mock location app' setting. Without this, Pokemon Go will likely detect the spoofing attempt as an error.

Q4: Can I play Pokemon Go without a GPS signal?
No, Pokemon Go is fundamentally a GPS-dependent game. Without an active and accurate GPS signal, you won't be able to see your character on the map, spin Pokestops, catch Pokemon, or participate in gym battles.

Conclusion

Experiencing the 'Pokemon GO failed to detect location' error can be a significant hurdle, effectively turning you into a spectator in a game that thrives on active participation. However, as demonstrated, there are numerous reliable methods to troubleshoot and resolve this issue. By systematically checking your device's signal strength, optimising GPS settings, correctly configuring (or disabling) mock locations, and keeping your app updated, you can overcome these frustrating errors. Whether you're a seasoned player relying on spoofing or just encountering a random glitch, this guide provides the tools to get you back out there, exploring and catching Pokemon.

Did any of these solutions work for you? Share your experiences or any other tips you might have in the comments below!