The inability of a mobile device running the Android operating system to establish or maintain a stable Global Positioning System (GPS) connection while playing the Pokmon Go game can result in an error message indicating the absence of GPS signal. This prevents accurate location tracking within the game, rendering it unplayable as the core mechanics rely on GPS to position the player’s avatar within the virtual world.
Accurate location data is fundamentally crucial for the proper functioning of location-based augmented reality applications. When the game cannot determine the device’s location, the experience breaks down. Historically, issues with GPS functionality have been prevalent due to a combination of factors ranging from weak satellite signals and device hardware limitations to software bugs and user configurations.