Current location could not be found in Vanadium

Zer0

Issue summary

I am opening Google Maps web app on Vanadium. When I click on the icon to find my current location and see the places around me, nothing happens. Just the icon disappears and an infinite looped loading bar on top of the screen.

Before Click : https://i.postimg.cc/7hKmph2T/01-Start.jpg
: https://i.postimg.cc/pdvzJx98/02-Loading-loop.jpg

Anybody knows how I can resolve this issue?

Relevant notes

The same exact behavior happens when I use the Google Maps Go app (container for web app provided by google - running in Vanadium)
This location functionality used to work before. I have previously successfully used it on my last travel in October 2025.
This functionality works fine on Firefox. i.e. if I open Google Maps website on Firefox, then I can easily (and very quickly) find my location.

Relevant permissions

Location is on.
Wi-Fi scanning, Bluetooth scanning, Network location, Geocoder, SUPL & PSDS are all enabled (with GrapheneOS proxy wherever possible).
Vanadium has been granted access to Location (and sensors) in OS permissions.
google.com has been granted access to location in Vanadium Site Settings.
Google Maps Go app has been granted access to Location (and sensors) in OS permissions.

Device information

Device model: Pixel 8a
Android version: 16
Android security update: November 5, 2025
Build number: 2025112100

Notes on system setup

I have three users:

Admin (Main): Rarely actively used (however it may auto-update in the background). Only for app install and update. Contains app stores (Obtainium & Aurora Store). All apps (excluding Google play store and Google Play Services) are installed and disabled here. Other users install the apps from Admin user.
Daily: Most used. Runs in the background. Contains almost all apps which do not require Google Play Services. Google play store and Google Play Services are not installed.
Google: Rarely used. Does not run in the background. Used only for apps which require Google Play Services. Google play store and Google Play Services are only installed here.

I used to use the Google Maps Go app (or the website of Google Maps on Vanadium) in my daily user whenever I could not find some information on other map apps. I do have Google Maps app installed on my Google user as a backup, but I prefer using the Google Maps Go app to minimize my opening of Google Play Services.

Murcielago

Zer0

Unfortunately, I can't identify what's causing your problem.

However, I can confirm that I can access https://maps.google.com in Vanadium and that my location is displayed correctly after turning on location and giving permission to access it ("allow this time").

Pixel 10 Pro build 2025120401
Vanadium 143.0.7499.52.0

igelkott

Hi.
I have a similar issue with my Pixel 8a (Android version 16; Android security update November 5, 2025; Build number 2025112101). I have SUPL & PSDS enabled with GrapheneOS proxy.
Since some update update on November I can't get my location in www.openstreetmap.org opened in Vanadium (I also have tried Google maps in Vanadium and OrganicMaps application, and location doesn't work there either).
If I enable Network location, location becomes available in all cases, although accuracy is poor.

de0u

igelkott If I enable Network location, location becomes available in all cases, although accuracy is poor.

If network location works, but location doesn't work without network location, I suggest getting a copy of the GPSTest app, going outside, and seeing what happens. Without either the GrapheneOS network location service or Google's network location service, location depends on GPS (GNSS), and GPS doesn't work well indoors. It is always possible that the GPS receiver on a particular device is marginal or broken.

Zer0

igelkott Interesting. I have Network location enabled and it still doesn't work for me. I think de0u's response may be the right approach here.

Zer0

Murcielago That is strange then. I am also on Vanadium 143.0.7499.52...
It is strange that it seems to be limited to my device. I have tried resetting vanadium and using a different user and it still doesn't work for me.

Zer0

de0u I wish that would resolve my issue as well. However, for my case, I have all the settings (including Network location) enabled. I have tried it also outdoors with clear weather. In all scenarios: other apps (e.g. CoMaps) or Google Maps website inside Firefox find my location in a matter of seconds and Vanadium never finds it. I have also tried any type of resetting that I could think of or could find (short of resetting my whole OS).

Per Murcielago's comment, it seems like this issue is limited to my device, hence won't be worth investigating further. I will keep using Firefox for the time being instead and try to find a better solution later on.

Thanks anyway guys.

igelkott

de0u Thanks for the reply. I tested it outdoors and location (I have SUPL and PSDS enabled with GrapheneOS proxy; Wi-Fi/Bluetooth/Network/Geocoder disabled) works properly in GPSTest, Organic Maps and Firefox browser. I'm still unable to get location in Vanadium without enabling Network Location, so it seems to be a Vanadium problem.

de0u

Zer0 Can anything else running in Vanadium determine location? For example, if I visit HomeDepot.com a location permission pop-up appears right away.

Zer0

de0u I have already tried openstreetmap.com, bing maps, and a bunch of other map services that I could think of. So in summary:

It is not the OS --> Other apps or Firefox work fine. It is only Vanadium (I have not tried any other Chromium based browsers, so I cannot say if it is engine related. If need be, please let me know which browser I should test and I will do so)
It is not limited to any websites: Any map related website I use fails to find my location.
It is not any OS permission (neither general nor Vanadium permissions in OS settings) --> I have triple checked every permission (granted every permission with GrapheneOS servers as proxy wherever the option was provided by OS) and searched any location related settings in the OS.
I don't think it is permission related inside vanadium browser --> Only place I could find location related settings was the site settings, which already includes location permission for all the websites I have used for testing (which I have granted via the popup the first time I opened those websites)...

I could not test with HomeDepot.com per se, since I live in Germany and cannot access that website.

Zer0

Hi guys.
Just wanted to share my current status, maybe it will help someone else.

I noticed that if the device location is already accessed and known (using another app to find the location), then Vanadium can also detect the location and works fine. So it seems like it only has a problem initiating the location service.
Additionally, comparing my phone with a friend's, I noticed that a bunch of system services are missing in the location permissions on my device. So next, I need to figure out:

What are these missing system services?
Which ones may be causing my issue (If any are)?
How can I add these missing system services?

Here are some screenshots of location permissions from the owner (admin) user, including system services:

Location permissions - page 1 : https://i.postimg.cc/8CnwKc01/location-permissions-01.png
Location permissions - page 2 : https://i.postimg.cc/k5Dvb9XL/location-permissions-02.png
Location permissions - page 3 : https://i.postimg.cc/bJ9rYSfJ/location-permissions-03.png

If you have any information with this regard, specifically on how I can add these system services, I would appreciate it. :)
Thank you in advance.

Novalissoide

Zer0 this is a simple test site for location in any browser
https://mylocation.org/

If unsure about your permissions settings, it may help to go

Settings > System > Reset options > Reset app preferences

It won't wipe the apps data, but restore most of their permissions to defaults.

Zer0

Novalissoide Thank you. :)
I will try that.