Samsung Galaxy J7 pops up “Unfortunately, Maps has stopped” when GPS is enabled [Troubleshooting Guide]

• Read on to understand why a mid-range device like the #Samsung Galaxy #J7 may encounter errors like “Unfortunately, Maps has stopped” and learn how to troubleshoot it when it happens to you.

Turning on the GPS service on your phone will also open other apps and run services necessary to give you a more accurate information about your location but the app that’s most often used by the GPS service is the Maps, a built-in app used by other services that offer similar functions.

The error message “Unfortunately, Maps has stopped” is basically notifying the user that, for some reason, the Google Maps has stopped and something has to be done to fix it. In this post, however, we will be basing our troubleshooting on a report from our reader claiming the error shows up when GPS is enabled.

If you own a phone like this and are currently experiencing similar issue, read on to learn more about the problem and how to troubleshoot it in a bid to get rid of the error for good.

If, however, you have other issues or concerns, visit our troubleshooting page for we have already addressed a lot of issues with this device especially most common ones. Find problems that are similar with yours and use the solutions we suggested. If they don’t work for you or if you need further assistance, then fill up our Android issues questionnaire and hit submit. Make sure you include important information as to when and how the issue started so that it would be easier for us to troubleshoot the problem.

Troubleshooting Galaxy J7 that shows “Unfortunately, Maps has stopped” error

While we are sure our procedures are safe, things might still occur while you’re troubleshooting and in which case, complications may happen. So, proceed at your own risk but don’t let it stop you from trying anything that could fix the problem. We’ve already addressed some similar issues before and I think this problem is pretty minor. Before we jump into our troubleshooting, here’s the message our reader sent us that best describes this problem:

Hi guys. I hope you’re all doing fine. I have a Samsung Galaxy J7 phone I bought in November last year and I did encounter a few hiccups here and there that I was able to fix on my own. However, the recent problem I encountered has something to do with the GPS. I often use GPS when I drive and this phone has been helping me since I got it but recently I could no longer use the GPS due to the error “Unfortunately, Maps has stopped” that shows up whenever I enable the service. I’m not quite sure what this problem is all about but I just want it gone so I can continue using my phone like before. Thanks a lot!

Now that we have a problem we’ll based our troubleshooting on, this is what I suggest you do…

Step 1: Enable GPS in Safe mode

We will immediately try to isolate the problem to know if third-party apps play a significant role in triggering this issue. It’s just suspicious because the GPS is a built-in service and the Maps app is pre-installed and between default services and apps, there shouldn’t be a problem…unless there’s interference from third-parties. By booting in safe mode, we’ll be able to tell immediately if the problem is due to a third-party app.

1. Press and hold the Power button (located on the right) until Phone options is displayed then release.
2. Select and hold Power off until the Reboot to Safe Mode prompt appears then release.
3. Tap RESTART. Note: This restart process may take up to one minute to complete.
4. Upon restart, Safe mode appears in the lower left of the unlock/home screen.

Or you may use this method…

1. Power off your Galaxy J7. Press and hold the Power key, tap Power off and then touch POWER OFF to confirm.
2. Press and hold the Power key past the screen with the device name.
3. When ‘SAMSUNG’ appears on the screen, release the Power key.
4. Immediately after releasing the Power key, press and hold the Volume down key.
5. Continue to hold the Volume down key until the device finishes restarting.
6. Safe mode will display in the bottom left corner of the screen.
7. Release the Volume down key when you see ‘Safe Mode’.

Once the phone successfully booted up in this mode, try enabling the GPS to see if the error still shows up and if so, then the next step might help.

Step 2: Clear cache and data of Google Maps

The error explicitly mentions the app that crashes and while we’re not sure if it’s an issue with the app itself or not considering it shows up when GPS is enabled, it’s still the most logical procedure to do right now. You may lose your settings and other data that have been accumulated by the app but aside from that, everything won’t be touched.

1. From any Home screen, tap the Apps icon.
2. Tap Settings.
3. Tap Applications.
4. Tap Application manager.
5. Tap Maps.
6. Tap Storage.
7. Tap Clear data and then tap OK.
8. Tap Clear cache.

You may do this while the phone is in safe mode or not. If in safe mode and the error won’t show up after clearing the cache and data, then try to boot in normal mode to know if it shows up and if so, then proceed to the next step.

Step 3: Wipe the cache partition to replace old system caches

After clearing the data of Maps and the issue still occurs, it’s a sign that the problem might be caused by a firmware issue. We need to rule this out first that’s why it’s necessary you wipe the cache partition so old caches will be deleted and replaced with new ones. Don’t worry, all you have to do is delete them and the system will create new files by itself.

1. Turn off the device.
2. Press and hold the Volume Up key and the Home key, then press and hold the Power key.
3. When the device logo screen displays, release only the Power key
4. When the Android logo displays, release all keys (‘Installing system update’ will show for about 30 – 60 seconds before showing the Android system recovery menu options).
5. Press the Volume down key several times key to highlight ‘wipe cache partition.’
6. Press the Power key to select.
7. Press the Volume down key to highlight ‘yes’ and press the Power key to select.
8. When the wipe cache partition is complete, ‘Reboot system now’ is highlighted.
9. Press the Power key to restart the device.

Step 4: Reset your Galaxy J7

If the wiping of the cache partition failed to get rid of the error, then it’s time you reset your phone. This will bring the device back to its default factory settings or a configuration that works, however, make sure you make a backup of your files and data as they will be deleted during the reset process.

1. Back up data on the internal memory. If you have signed into a Google account on the device, you have activated Anti-theft and will need your Google credentials to finish the Master reset.
2. Turn off your Galaxy J7.
3. Press and hold the Volume Up button and the Home key, then press and hold the Power key.
4. When the device logo screen displays, release only the Power key
5. When the Android logo displays, release all keys (‘Installing system update’ will show for about 30 – 60 seconds before showing the Android system recovery menu options).
6. Press the Volume down key several times key to highlight ‘wipe data / factory reset.’
7. Press Power button to select.
8. Press the Volume down key until ‘Yes — delete all user data’ is highlighted.
9. Press Power button to select and start the master reset.
10. When the master reset is complete, ‘Reboot system now’ is highlighted.
11. Press the Power key to restart the device.

For the error “Unfortunately, Maps has stopped” a mere factory reset will fix the problem for you but then again there’s no guarantee. So after this and the problem remained, it’s time to have the phone checked by a technician.

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