Pokémon Go Error 12 – Failed to Detect Location Fixed

Pokémon Go is an Augmented Reality application designed by Niantic with Nintendo for Android and iOS users. The game relies on GPS in order to locate, catch and train Pokémon from your area and any area of the real world you choose to travel to.

However, some users get the Failed to detect location error when using Pokemon Go – also referred to as Error 12. Here’s what to do if you get that error.

Pokémon Go Error 12 – Failed to Detect Location Fixed

One key issue with Pokémon Go stems from its use of GPS, which is known in the gaming community as Error 12. Error 12 on the Pokémon Go app, is an issue users face when their GPS cannot be detected, and there are many reasons this error can occur.

So why do users see Error 12 and importantly, how can you fix it? Below are some tried and tested methods to resolve Error 12 when you are playing Pokémon Go.

There are a couple of main reasons you see Error 12 on the Pokémon Go app;

  • There is no signal in your current area so your location services cannot be connected.
  • There are geo-restriction policies that are blocking the app from working, Pokémon Go cannot be accessed in certain countries.
  • Mock Location is not disabled in your developer options.

Making sure that your phone can receive proper GPS signals is necessary if you want to avoid location errors.

Step 1 – Update your device

If your Android or iOS device is running older software, then you can experience several GPS issues. Make sure you update your software on your device to the most recent version available.

Also then, check your Pokémon Go app is up to date to avoid any conflict between the new software update and the app itself.

Making sure you update your iOS or Android device to the newest version is an easy way to fix the failed to detect location error.

Step 2 – Log out of Pokémon Go and log back in again

Occasionally the most simple fixes are the best, so before you go through the rest of the methods in this article, try signing out of your account and signing back in again using the following steps:

  1. Launch the Pokémon Go app.
  2. Go to ‘Settings.’
  3. Scroll down to ‘Sign Out.’
  4. Close down the app completely.
  5. Relaunch the app.
  6. Once prompted sign back in using your account details.

Step 3 – Check your location settings

Sometimes your location settings can interfere with the proper running of your Pokémon Go app. To resolve this you should check your location settings and reset them just in case.

This can help to recalibrate your device to your current location, in turn fixing ‘Error 12’ that users of the Pokémon Go app sometimes experience.

  1. Go to ‘Settings.’
  2. Disable your Location Settings.
  3. Reenable your Location Settings.
  4. Re-open the Pokémon Go app to see if this has fixed the issue.

Step 4 – Enable ‘Mock Locations’

Using a location-centric app like Pokémon means that turning off ‘Mock Locations’ is essential. Mock locations effectively disguise the actual location of your device, it is part of the Developer Options in Android devices.

Normally used during testing of the device but people use it outside of testing for various reasons. When playing Pokémon Go it is important you turn off the Mock Locations option in order for the app to work correctly. To do so:

  1. Close your Pokémon Go app.
  2. Go to ‘Settings.’
  3. Choose ‘Developer Options.’
  4. Go to ‘Allow mock Locations.’
  5. Turn off this option.
  6. Relaunch Pokémon Go to see if the Error 12 issue is now fixed.

Obviously if you’re using an unreliable GPS spoofer or a mock locations app to change your location, you’ll want to disable these too. But making sure that the Mock location option is disabled is the most common way to resolve this error.

Step 5 – Reset Pokémon Go data

Probably the last resort option you should try is resetting your Pokémon Go data. This will clear all the data and clear your cache so if there are any corrupt pathways they will be resolved.

Clearing the data and cache will allow something that may be interfering with your GPS being detected to be reset, so it is usually a good thing to try with any malfunctioning app you have.

  1. Go to ‘Settings.’
  2. Go to ‘Storage.’
  3. Find Pokémon Go in the list of available apps.
  4. Go to ‘Clear Storage and tap this option.
  5. Wait for a few seconds for the data to be cleared.
  6. Relaunch the app to see if Error 12 is now resolved.

Conclusion

Pokemon Go is generally quite a reliable app. However, like any app, there are issues occasionally – like the GPS signal error 11 that some users have faced, or the more common Failed to Detect location error.

In conclusion, the Pokémon Go Error 12 issue can be down to many reasons, too many to sit down and go through, but above we have supplied you with ways and means around this Error should you ever experience it.

Hopefully, now, you have put it to bed and are back to battling in the gyms. And, next time you have an issue you can be a nerd like me and say “Apps UK – I CHOOSE YOU!” whenever you have a Poke problem.

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Author

Tracy

An avid gamer, historian and all-round literature buff, Tracy is our go-to when it comes to using different devices. MacOS, iOS, Android, Windows, Linux or whatever else, Tracy's got a device that runs it (she's even got an old Blackberry laying around somewhere!).

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