Kyocera Hydro Elite - Nag Screens?

I have had a Kyocera Hydro Elite since October 2013. Initially, I didn't find anything particularly bad about the phone, other than horrible battery life. However, an update was forced on me and I now get some nag screens popping up quite frequently.

One nag is regarding the media volume level being too high and potentially causing hearing damage, so the phone automatically set the volume lower. Too late, I already have hearing damage from years working in noisy environments and NEED the high volume level.

The next nag is "Verizon Locator Service is sending a large number of SMS messages. Do you want this app to continue sending messages?" I get this mostly when I'm in a roaming area, but I have nationwide coverage and unlimited SMS, so it doesn't matter to me. The message pops up almost constantly and makes it very difficult to use any of the phone's functions. While in the same area, I also get warnings about global roaming, but usually only once or twice in a day.

Lastly, one that everyone with this phone seems to have: the slow charging warning. Using the factory-supplied charger and factory-supplied cable, the phone will show a slow charging notification and advise that the factory-supplied charger and factory supplied cable should be used.

Is there any way to get the phone to stop nagging about these conditions? I haven't found it in any of the menus.

Accepted answers

OritronDS

.kburto,

Ok, so I went into my local Verizon store. Here is what was done for me. Not sure if it fixed the problem or not; but I will keep you all updated. She did the following:

Go to Settings --> Apps --> Slide screen to the right to "All" --> Scroll down to bottom to "Verizon Location Agent"

Click "Force Stop" and uncheck "Show Notifications".

So again; I don't know if this fixes the problem, but I will let you know. I am giving it until Wednesday and if its still a problem; I'm taking it back and getting a different phone. Hope this information helps you out.

All comments

Verizon_Support

I appreciate you taking the time to reach out, Jvest3401. I understand that these are especially important concerns for you and your experience with the device. Are you able to close out these notifications from the notification bar? You may slide down from the top of the screen to open the notification bar.

YosefT_VZW

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jvest3401

When the roaming, SMS, or audio level notifications appear, all I can do is press the button on the notification since it takes over the screen. Depending on the notification, it would be "OK", "Deny" or "Allow". The SMS notification often has to be dismissed repeatedly before it will go away, and will pop back up within 30 seconds as long as I'm in that location.

The slow charging notification shows up in the notification bar and in the list, but cannot be dismissed with the clear button.

Verizon_Support

jvest3401,

Does this happen when you are charging your device or anytime anything pops up? Does the notification banner allow you to pull it down and clear any of the application alerts that are currently in the list? Keep us posted.

RobinD_VZW

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jvest3401

The image below shows one of the notifications I am receiving. It is also the most annoying one, as it will pop up repeatedly if I am in certain locations where the phone may jump over to a non-Verizon provider. The "Media Volume Too High" and "Global Roaming" notifications appear in the same way, but not nearly as often.

The slow charging notification is the only one that shows up in the notification bar. In the photo above, the notification bar is showing the icon with an exclamation mark in a triangle, which is how the slow charging notification shows up initially. It cannot be cleared by using the "Clear All" button or by selecting the notification in the pull-down screen. The slow charging notification only appears when the phone is charging, but the other notifications occur whether charging or not.

m1ckDELTA

The nag screens are a way to discourage using more expensive Verizon Wireless infrastructure by making it difficult and time consuming to do so.

deforest

I have the same issue with the location agent screens. I can't even answer my phone without clearing out sometimes a dozen nag screens. This happens even with location setting is off. Quite unsatisfactory.

Verizon_Support

deforest,

We want you to be happy with your device and I can see why this bothers you. This is functioning as designed, part of Jelly Bean operating system. If you send more than 100 text messages in a 30 minute time period, it will promot you to allow or deny any other messages. I apologize for the inconvenience.

AdaS_VZW

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deforest

So we're clear, I am not sending any sms messages, some app on the phone

must be. Even when I hit "Deny" to clear a dozen warning screens, it still

continues to do it. Should I factory reset and see if it continues?

On Fri, May 2, 2014 at 11:22 AM, Verizon Wireless Customer Support <

Djazang

All of these nag screens have been happening to me as well. The Location agent is truly the worst. I have missed many calls because I have to clear the notification up to 30 times before it will let me even answer. I am considering returning this phone on the basis that it does not work to receive calls. Getting really really annoyed

jesslink35

I have just bought 2 of these phones for my kids and they are having the same issues. I don't care about the charging slowly thing because they leave them charging over night anyways but the SMS message thing is making me think I need to return these phones now before the 14 day return policy is over. We live in the country literally on the water so we are often roaming at home where they are always on wifi so there should be no need to send these location agent messages constantly. I've been holding this phone in my hand and hitting deny repeatedly for 30 mins. I've now taken the battery out to see if that will help but I'm doubtful. You need to give us a fix to this issue or I'm taking it back today.

Verizon_Support

jesslink35, we want to thank you for the feedback regarding the messages. We do hope you changed your mind about returning the LG L2's, but if this feature doesn't work for you, we do understand. The phones are working as designed. We regret any inconvenience this may have caused.

TamaraH_VZW

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OritronDS

I just got this phone a few days ago as a promotion upgrade. First I have had the SMS nag screens...ironically I did a google search for the "verizon location agent is sending a large number of sms messages" and it came up to ONLY THIS PHONE.

The battery life on it SUCKS! I have to charge it several times a day. I upgraded from my iPhone 4 and well...this phone started out pretty good. I loved the fact that it was water resistant. I wanted to move out of apple to android and seemed like a good choice. the fact that I got a tablet with it made it that much better. The camera doesn't like to take any good low light pictures at all. it only has android version 4.2.1 on it where as most new phones have 4.4.2 on them...I never had this issue for the sms nag screen with my iphone and it is only in 1 or 2 locations. I tried to follow the directions on turning off location services; but to be honest I like those features...I like using my gps...that's another reason to have the phone...I like to use my google info and have it integrated with what i'm doing...again one of the reasons i moved out of apple to android....i am beginning to think I may have made a bad choice with this phone....

kburto

Good to know I'm not the only one with the nags. I have had this phone since September 2013 and can say I'm not too impressed. I have had all of the nags mentioned and then a few other ones. Has anyone found a way to treat the nags that have been talked about? In addition, I have a messaging one that says messages could not be sent so when I click on it, it takes me to my text messages but does not indicate what ones have not been sent. However, it seems that all of my messages go through and my recipients seem to receive them fine. I can dismiss the nag, but only to have it reappear as soon as I go back into my text messages. I have had this nag for several weeks now, and while it doesn't seem to be affecting sending messages, it is still annoying, but not as frustrating as the "Verizon Location Agent is sending a large number of SMS messages. Do you want to allow this app to continue sending messages?" which does not dismiss until you repeatedly allow or deny. Doesn't seem to matter as no phone settings seem to change.

Displaying Screenshot_2014-06-02-12-06-09.png

OritronDS

.kburto,

Ok, so I went into my local Verizon store. Here is what was done for me. Not sure if it fixed the problem or not; but I will keep you all updated. She did the following:

Go to Settings --> Apps --> Slide screen to the right to "All" --> Scroll down to bottom to "Verizon Location Agent"

Click "Force Stop" and uncheck "Show Notifications".

Verizon_Support

Let's explore options to resolve your phone's concerns OritronDS! What SMS application are you using? You mentioned that issues only occur in 1 or 2 locations, please share those locations ZIP codes, and we'll check further.

ER630

We got the Kyocera Hydro Elite for our son last year. He had the same Verizon Location Agent issue. He hated the phone and finally I allowed him to switch out phones and now I am using the Kyocera that he had and I am getting the same Nag Screen about the location agent sending too many SMS messages. As mentioned before this happens randomly and repetitiously. For me it has happened at various locations, including in our house, where we have the Verizon signal booster. When it comes up, I am not sending any SMS messages. I rarely send more than a few SMS messages a day, so there would never be a limit factor for my own messages, it seems to only be with the Location Agent. I don't understand why it would need to randomly send 100's of location SMS messages!

This is a flaw in the phone as it takes multiple times to clear the message as others have noted. And I too have missed calls because of it. I am taking the above advice to Force Stop the Verizon Location Agent and hope that it will work for me. If anyone else has tried this and found reasons that it caused other problems, I would love a response!

I do use my google maps often, so I do not want to disable my location settings as was suggested by the Verizon agent since I need it to use the maps. Hoping this will work for me!

Verizon_Support

ER630,

I can understand how that can become very frustrating after awhile. Are you using the normal text message app that came with the device or are you using a 3rd party application from the Google Play Store? Please keep us posted on the outcome of force stopping the Verizon Location Agent. I would also suggest on doing the force stop, clear data, and clear cache on the text message application as well. I hope to hear from you soon.

KevinR_VZW

Please follow us on Twitter @VZWSupport

ER630

I am using the normal text message app that came on the device. I have hardly any downloaded apps. Before I began service with the phone, my son had done a reset, so it was back to factory specs when I got it. I tried the force stop of the Verizon Location Agent, I continued to get the text warning. I will try your suggestions and clear the data and cache and see if that helps.

drawdog55

Thank you, Oritron, for posting that fix! I just got the Hydro yesterday and was getting increasingly irritated with the SMS nag screen. I suspected it had something to do with the phone searching for a signal. The signal is weak at our house. The fix seems to have worked. I hope it will stick after I shut the phone off. Otherwise, I'm satisfied with the phone so far, but then it's an upgrade from a "dumb" phone since all I really needed was something that would provide a hotspot for a tablet.

drawdog55

BTW, I'm also getting the charger error message. It's irritating, since I'm using the charger that came with the phone, but not a deal breaker.

Verizon_Support

While I'm glad the trouble with text messages was taken care of, drawdog55, we want your phone charging smoothly too. Which charging error are you referring to? Have you tried other chargers.

JenniferH_VZW

Follow us on Twitter www.twitter.com/vzwsupport

klangarang

>> Post removed; discussion of rooting/hacking devices is prohibited on this forum. Please review the Verizon Wireless Terms of Service <<

Edited by: Verizon Moderator

brokenglass

I am having the same issue with charging. Even though I am using the charger that came with the phone, I am getting the notification that the phone will charge slowly because I am not using the factory charger (or something to that effect). It could take over 15 hours to charge my phone, even in airport mode, to completion, and it only takes about 4 hours to drain it again. What is going on with this phone and it's poor battery life?

Can anyone figure out what the issue really is?

whalers11

Same two issues here: Need to clear multiple nag messages even though I almost never text. Slow charger message with original charger. Also, I notice that the phone will also get very warm in my pocket unless in airplane mode. This is with GPS / wireless / Bluetooth all off. Perhaps this is when it is searching for service? It seems to correlate with rapid battery drain.

Verizon_Support

I'm sorry to learn of the device issues you are experiencing whalers11! Let's get your phone back to the same settings it had when it was new and working as intended. Do a factory reset http://vz.to/1vvawze and test. Make sure to uncheck at step number 3 **very important**.

AntonioC_VZW Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/VZWSupport

kldupree

Setting phone back to factory settings doesn't get rid of this problem. This has already been done with my phone. I even had a replacement phone sent to me. See my above comments. Very detailed. Phone keeps getting worse and worse. Now I receive a "message not sent" notification after opening a text, replying to a text or answering a phone call and I also get a "slow charging" notification while using the charger provided with the phone. As far as the Verizon Location Agent message coming up only during roaming.....not true. I get it all of the time, doesn't matter where I am. This phone is crap!

Verizon_Support

kldupree,

I understand where your coming from and I truly apologize. This is the way the phone is desgined and the prompt will display after a certain amount of text messages are sent within 30 minutes. A Factory Reset will not have an effect on the phone, but should definitely help with the charging and messaging issues. Please remember to disable 'Automatic Restore'.

AdaS_VZW

Follow us on Twitter at @VZWSupport

FarmerPhipps

I am also having trouble with the high volume nag screen; but instead of turning my volume down, it's turns it pretty much off. The volume is so low it is inaudible and is crackly and sounds underwater. I cannot hear anything even with volume turned way up. Originally it popped up after a few hours of listening; then I would reboot the phone and it would work. Now it comes on every time I start a program with sound and I have headphones on. Any help is highly appreciated. I can no longer listen to anything on my headphones with this devise. :smileysad:

DangGina

Same three problems here. I pulled my phone out of the washing machine yesterday and it still works ok except for those same 3 notifications. I did just remember hearing about #228 though. Perhaps that will resolve the location agent message. I just tried it so I'll see if it helps. Here is some info...

Why do I need to perform this update on my wireless phone?

By performing this update your phone will stay on the Verizon Wireless network and/or digital service whenever possible. Also, for most price plans after 2/1/2002 the phone roam indicator will turn off/on in accordance to the price plan you have chosen.

What are the steps I need to take to complete this update?

The following are the steps you need to take to complete the update:

1. Power on your Verizon Wireless phone

2. Dial *228 from your home digital coverage area, followed by the SEND key

3. When prompted, press option #2, to update your phones roaming capabilities (This process may take up to 2 minutes)

4. Once completed, a confirmation message will be played, and a message will display on the phone screen.

What if the update fails to complete successfully?

If for some reason the update does not complete successfully, please try again at a later time. If the problem persists, your phone may not be capable of this update process.

What benefits will this update provide?

Benefits of this update may include:

Longer battery life

Fewer dropped or blocked calls

Clear, crisp connections in even more areas across the United States

Roaming indicator will reflect the price plan you have chosen (available on most price plans after 2/1/2002).

How often do I need to perform this update?

This update should be performed every three months, and/or after changing price plans.

How much will this *228 call cost me?

This call is offered FREE of airtime charges from Verizon Wireless.

When can I perform this update?

You may perform this update at your convenience. This FREE software update is available to you 24 hours a day, seven days a week!

Verizon_Support

I'm sorry to learn of this audio issue FarmerPhipps! Let's get some clues to resolve! When did this issue start? Do you recall if it started after installing a particular application? Is there any physical/liquid damage to the phone?

AntonioC_VZW Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/VZWSupport

Jules760

This is the exact same issues I am having when I originally saw the phone the water resistant feature sold me I had dropped 2 of my phones in water and went to waste and I thought wow my problem is solved, little did i know this phone is a mess I encountered those nag screens "Verizon Locator Service is sending a large number of SMS messages. Do you want this app to continue sending messages?" like every hour and it gets worse while I'm using the gps or playing games on my phone. I get it, its advising me but its so annoying because wether i accept the notice it'll pop up 30 times after the same notice and the volume notice is dumb too its so low as it the charger notice is irrelevant because I use the charger i was issued with the phone my main concern is the verizon locator service screen that keeps poping up like I said I use the gps and it always interrupts and its dangerous trying to bypass just to be able to use the gps while I'm driving I really wish this phone is recalled soon or were able to trade in this phone for credit toward another phone at this point I'm so fed up with this phone I don't even enjoy using it. I hope verizon resolves this issue soon and gives us a solution or a good deal to trade off VERIZON PLEASE FIND A SOLUTION AND CONTACT CONSUMERS ASAP WITH THIS PROBLEM, THANK YOU.

Verizon_Support

Jules760,

I want to make sure that you love everything about your phone. Let's make sure that we are able to get the phone back on track. How long have you been having these issues with the Hydro? I would like to test the device out in Safe Mode for a few hours to see if the device is still acting up. While the phone is in safe mode you would be able to us the features like calling, texting and internet. But, any 3rd party application will be block for the time it is in safe mode: http://vz.to/1zb8kOD Please keep us posted.

KevinR_VZW

Follow us on Twitter @VZWSupport

wlkmn4

This app is trying to send these messages not us . I dont have to send 1 message and it pops up saying its trying to send a large amount of sms messages . You can turn it off but like all the other garbage on the phone it turns itself back on every time lol .

wlkmn4

Reset wont help its a defect with the app that Verizon has installed .