Occasionally SailPro may briefly show a boat in an incorrect position or appear to jump a large distance on the map. This behaviour is almost always caused by the location data provided by the mobile device itself, rather than an issue with SailPro.
Most reports occur on Android devices, where the phone’s location system combines information from several sources such as GPS satellites, Wi-Fi networks, and mobile towers. If the device temporarily receives poor satellite data or falls back to lower accuracy sources, the reported position can occasionally be incorrect.
This can result in short-lived anomalies where the device reports a location that is far from the actual position.
Weak GPS signal
If the phone is inside the cabin, under a dodger, in a pocket, or surrounded by metal structures, the GPS antenna may not receive a strong signal from satellites.
Device using network-based location
If GPS is temporarily unavailable, Android may estimate location using nearby Wi-Fi networks or mobile towers, which can sometimes place the device many kilometres away.
Low accuracy or “Approximate Location” permissions
Some Android devices allow users to provide only approximate location data to apps. This reduces accuracy and can cause unstable position updates.
Battery optimisation or background restrictions
If the operating system restricts SailPro’s access to GPS while running in the background, the device may deliver delayed or cached location updates.
Temporary device GPS glitches
Like any sensor, GPS hardware can occasionally produce incorrect readings, especially if the device has not yet locked onto enough satellites.
If you notice inaccurate tracking, the following steps usually resolve the issue.
Enable High Accuracy Location Mode
Android Settings
Location
Location Services / Mode
Select High Accuracy
Allow Precise Location for SailPro
Settings
Apps
SailPro
Permissions
Location
Enable Precise Location
Ensure SailPro is not battery restricted
Settings
Apps
SailPro
Battery
Select Unrestricted
Keep the phone where it has clear sky view
Avoid placing the device inside pockets, bags, or below deck.
Mounting the phone near the cockpit or companionway usually works best.
Allow the device time to acquire a GPS lock
When SailPro first opens, allow a few seconds for the device to obtain a strong GPS fix before starting tracking.
These location anomalies are usually temporary and self-correct within a few seconds once the device receives a stronger GPS signal.
SailPro relies on the location data provided by your phone’s operating system and cannot override the device’s GPS hardware or location services.
Our team is continually working on improving both the SailPro tracking system and the way we process device location data to further increase accuracy and reliability across different devices.
If you continue to experience problems, please contact SailPro support and include:
• Your phone model
• Android version
• Whether Precise Location is enabled
• A screenshot of the incorrect position
This information helps us investigate device-specific behaviour and improve tracking performance for all SailPro users.