Database Info

GPS Fix - new possible settings

This might be my first post ever, however, long time lurker on the boards.
I think I have a potential fix for the GPS issue with the Captivate. I don’t think this is the same as the “quick fix” found elsewhere on these and other the boards. I am not sure what (if any) 'side effects' there are to this.
My phone previously had the AT&T/Samsung fix from late September applied, although it didn’t seem to help.
Get to the Lbs test menu; previous available through *#*#1472365#*#*. However, if you previously installed the recent AT&T/Samsung (supposed fix) for the Captivate, you can’t get to the menu through the dialer. Use Anycut from market to get to the Lbs test screen.
My GPS now gets a great lock about 30 seconds.
BTW, I am not root….
YMMV. You should record your original settings prior to making these changes, just in case you need to revert.
Standard Disclaimer; I am not at fault for any issues this causes your device…..
Now, down to the settings that I use:
In Lbs test menu:
I “deleted GPS data”
Application Settings
– Session Type: Tracking
– Test Mode : S/W Test
– Operation Mode: MS Based
– Start Mode: Cold Start
– GPS Plus: Off
– Dynamic Accuracy: On
– Accuracy: 50
– Use Skyhook: Off
– Use PC Tool: Off
SUPL/CP Settings
- Server FQDN Type: Auto Config
- Server [leave what is autopulated]
- Server Port [leave was is autopopulated]
- Supl Secure Socket: On
- AGPS Mode: SUPL
Reboot.
Use GPS Test from Market, or the The “Get Position Test” menu from Lbs screen to validate.
WIFI Problem:
One thing I have noticed is that depending on the settings above, wifi (if on) sometimes inhibits the ability to see more than 1 satellite. I think the problems with GPS are overall related to Wifi in some way.
If you do not have luck with above settings, turn wifi off and see what happens.

I only had to change a couple of the settings but this is working nicely so far...Ill try again over the next day or so in various situations and report back.
Changed:
Op Mode to MS Based
Start Mode to Cold
Turned off GPS Plus
Secure Socket to off
Thanks!

I'll admit some of this seems counter-intuitive, but at this point anything is worth a shot.I'll let you know how it goes!
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App

You don't need to download anything to access the Lbs test. Just type *#*#3214789650#*#* in the dialer and you will get access. Works with JH7 and Froyo.

Before anyone else reads this and declares their GPS fixed, they should read at least the first post of this thread completely. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=789383 If you understand what is being said by that post, then you can offer GPS solutions. The only thing you have changed is AGPS settings. While those settings will get you a lock, they don't help out with accuracy. If you really want to test your GPS, you have to turn off the use wireless networks feature, take it outside and see how well it works then.
Everything that has been said in this thread has been said elsewhere and is not a solution.

Nope, it's definitely not fixed...but it did give me a better lock than before. Same old...
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App

Well if its not a fix then it is most definitely better...I can get a lock in ~20 seconds where as before it might not even come close.

l7777 said:
Before anyone else reads this and declares their GPS fixed, they should read at least the first post of this thread completely. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=789383 If you understand what is being said by that post, then you can offer GPS solutions. The only thing you have changed is AGPS settings. While those settings will get you a lock, they don't help out with accuracy. If you really want to test your GPS, you have to turn off the use wireless networks feature, take it outside and see how well it works then.
Everything that has been said in this thread has been said elsewhere and is not a solution.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Additionally, a lock is not enough to say it works. Take it for a drive along with another GPS device - use Google my tracks or some other tool to record your path. Even use GPS test and watch your MPH, direction and location.
You will find that it is not fixed. It works OK sometimes, but many times it is behind or inaccurate.

msinkovich said:
Well if its not a fix then it is most definitely better...I can get a lock in ~20 seconds where as before it might not even come close.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You will have to do that every week as your cached GPS data expires. And you can literally use any settings as long as you can use the lbstestmode to accquire a lock. That's all you need to do (accquire your first lock and it will cache the data for 5 to 7 days).

Any "fix" that involves "settings" isn't a "fix" at all since it demonstrates an utter lack of what the real problem is and how GPS fundamentally works.
The real "fix" won't come in the form of settings. Any purported settings "fix" is snake oil.

I've given up on GPS a while ago.
It's a fringe feature anyway.

I never have "use wireless networks on" and gps works good enough. It may not be perfect but everytime ive used it it has got me where i need to go no problems. It may jump off track or be slow to turn for a second but it still gets me to wherever just fine.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App

If I read this correctly your turning off skyhook ? I read this http://www.skyhookwireless.com/howitworks/, and to me you need it turned on for urban areas and in the city need wi-fi turned on because of the occlusions caused by buildings and such...?
Mac

roadrash7 said:
I never have "use wireless networks on" and gps works good enough.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That option has nothing to do with GPS. 'Use Wireless Networks' is actually quite useful for location aware apps like Google Maps, Places, Speed Test etc. where an accurate but slow GPS lock may not be needed (or even possible if you're underground or inside a concrete building). This option enables those apps to use cell tower or wi-fi signal trianglation to get a quick estimation of your current location so that apps can give you relavent information, i.e. nearby gas stations or resaurants. It has nothing to do with aGPS either.

MikeyMike01 said:
I've given up on GPS a while ago.
It's a fringe feature anyway.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You have to be kidding saying its a feature right? I can't believe how many say that its a feature and that it is ok that Samsung is screwing them ( along with placebo updates) . I myself love and would like a Galaxy S phone or even the new Focus 7, but its looking like it too has GPS issues from early reports with the Omnia 7.
I know most of you guys are already locked in with your carrier and don't have much choice with the GPS issue but its not a feature, its a valuable function just like placing calls, sending emails, texting, etc.. If you don't care about this, then you should of bought a Razor flip phone.
I have been keeping up with this because I really want to see Samsung resolve this and make right.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App

So the only reason you need a phone is for the GPS? Otherwise just stay with my 1996 model flip phone? Just...wow!
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App

I think their point is that it is an advertised function of the phone and we would like to work properly.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using Tapatalk

GimpyLeg said:
So the only reason you need a phone is for the GPS? Otherwise just stay with my 1996 model flip phone? Just...wow!
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My reasons for a working GPS are as follows:
Pinpoint your location, get turn-by-turn directions to restaurants, businesses and other destinations, location-based mobile games, social networking sites, real-time position tracking, lost or stolen phone tracking, etc., etc., etc..
What I am saying is just quit making excuses for Samsung and demand what you paid for! There are people on here who would really like for their GPS to be working and rightfully so.

Oh, I agree that it should work as advertised. Can't say Samsung is ' screwing' me because they can't get it right. Would have bought the phone if I knew about it beforehand anyway. There are many other features that led me to the Cappy. Samsung does need to fix the problem and I hope they do so soon. Buy I won't try discourage anyone from Samsung products in the meanwhile.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App

wsantiagow said:
My reasons for a working GPS are as follows:
Pinpoint your location, get turn-by-turn directions to restaurants, businesses and other destinations, location-based mobile games, social networking sites, real-time position tracking, lost or stolen phone tracking, etc., etc., etc..
What I am saying is just quit making excuses for Samsung and demand what you paid for! There are people on here who would really like for their GPS to be working and rightfully so.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The solution to the GPS problem is quite simple, but most people still don't see it.
If 100% accuracy and < 10 second fixes are more important to you than the rest of the Galaxy S features, then you do not want a Galaxy S phone. Either return the one you have or don't buy it. For most people, that good of a GPS is a bonus and not a requirement.
The GPS problems are not undocumented, anyone reading any reviews for the phone will realize that the GPS is not as good as other devices. Even if they don't realize it before they buy it, they have 30 days to return it. Samsung may or may not ever get the problem worked out since phones have such a short life cycle. *****ing about it in thread after thread, online petitions, and idle threats of legal action will have absolutely no impact on Samsung.

I want to create an unstealable phone.

I want to create an "un-steal-able" phone.
Of course this is impossible, but I want to make it as difficult as possible for thieves to get away with it, and as easy as possible for me to find it.
Assumptions:
Phone has available call and text messaging service.
Phone has internet capabilities and "permanent" Internet access. (We will consider 2G, 3G, or 4G cellular access with a data plan to be permanent. Depending on an open WiFi network to be available at all times is unreliable).
Phone is on and has some charge in its battery. (If the phone is off, we can't do anything).
Phone has an accurate GPS receiver.
Requirements:
Software that relays GPS coordinates via an Internet connection. As a backup for when there is no cellular data signal, software that relay GPS coordinates via SMS
Software cannot be disabled or removed without authentication.
GPS on phone cannot be turned off without authentication (alternative: remote activation of GPS receiver via Internet or SMS)
Cellular data and/or WiFi cannot be turned off without authentication (alternative: remote activation of cellular data via SMS)
Where GPS signal can be used for macro location (within 10 to 30 meters), there must be some method of micro location (within a few feet).
Phone cannot be powered off via any button press, on-screen menu, or removal of battery
Phone cannot be wiped by on-screen menu or by computer cable connection
Now I have approached this solution from two starting points: the iPhone running iOS, or an Android-based smartphone. Both have different advantages and technical details. Let's look at how we can meet each of these requirements one by one.
iOS solution:
Unfortunately, if your iPhone is not jailbroken, your choices are not so great. But FindMyiPhone does do the basic job of relaying GPS coordinates. For a jailbroken iPhone, iCaughtu seems to be the best of the bunch from the research I have done and gives you a bunch of cool anti-theft features.
and
Using the options under Settings -> General -> Restrictions, you can disallow users from deleting apps AND from turning off location services. Of course, you can accomplish something similar by simple setting a password to access your phone. Unfortunately I haven't yet seen any program that allows you to remotely activate the GPS receiver on an iPhone.
Unfortunately I don't think there is anyway to prevent a thief from disabling your cellular connection other than setting a password on the whole phone. This has its advantages and disadvantages.* Similarly, I don't see any way to remotely activate the Cellular Data on an iPhone via SMS.
This is where things start to get more complex and we need to start thinking of actually modding the phone. So far the best RF tracking solution I have found (in terms of size, cost, and effectiveness) is a cheap chinese-made product that I picked up in Asia and cannot find a link to. This one is very similar http://www.amazon.com/Loc8tor-LTD-Loc8torLite-LOC8TOR-Lite/dp/B0012GMDC4/ but the reviews are meh. It is RF-based but does not really give any directional information. Once you are close to the RF transmitter (using the GPS coordinates), you can use the RF receiver to basically play a little game of hot and cold and walk in different directions all while watching if the signal gets stronger or weaker. I've done two real world field test with the similar device and was able to successfully find a purposely concealed bag in a slum twice.
But how do we get this into the phone? If you disassemble the transmitter, it is a very small circuit board, but most phones these days are already packed to the brim. Additionally, these units need power, so you would need to solder it into the phone's power system.
For the iPhone, concerns about a battery-based shutdown are reduced by its "sealed" battery compartment. Of course, with the right tools, someone can get to the battery. But this is not likely to happen quickly and will likely occur in a specific home or shop, from which we can get coordinate data. We only need to delay the thieves long enough to track them. The bad news is that preventing an iPhone from being shutdown via button press is much more difficult. Even with a lockscreen password, anyone can turn off an iPhone with a long power/sleep button press. I found a mod on Cydia that required a password before any shutdown, but it seemed it was only compatible with iOS 5 and I am running iOS 6.
This is the most challenging problem, as the most common method for any experienced phone thief to avoid detection is simply to power off the phone (or disable internet/3G) and as quickly as possible get to a computer and perform a complete wipe using any number of computer programs. A password on the phone can prevent access to the menu options for resetting factory default, but very little can prevent a thief from physically connecting the phone to a computer and wiping it.
Again I turn to physical modding. Would it be possible to modify the iPhone connector in such a way that the pins for power and charging would still work, but the pins for a data connection would require a specially modified cable to conect to the computer? Once my phone is through its initial setup and/or, most anything I need to do as far as data can be accomplished via WiFi. If needed, I would keep my special data cable at my home only and never take it out. But losing the ability to charge from any iPhone cable would be too debilitating to daily usage.
So I ask the experts: how can I improve on or solve these ideas? Is there software out there that I don't know about, either on the App Store or the Cydia Store? Are there ways to remotely control the iPhone's wireless and GPS functions via text? There should be. Any ideas on incorporating a tiny RF transmitter into the iPhone? Is there any way to prevent an iPhone from being shut down via the sleep button? Is there anyway to sabotage the lightning connector in an intelligent way to prevent a computer-based wipe?
*Advantages and Disadvantage of a phone-wide password. Honestly, I would rather not have a lockscreen password on my phone. I'm not a privacy freak and I don't care if a thief sees my pictures of e-mails or Facebook. If my phone is stolen, I'm hoping it is stolen by an idiot and that they WON'T try to wipe the phone. None of my solutions are foolproof. Everything in here is about delaying the thief long enough to track them. If an idiot steals a phone without a password, he MIGHT just use it as is. But if an idiot steals a phone and can't doing ANYTHING with it, he is going to take it to someone who will be smart enough to wipe it MUCH SOONER. Of course, the disadvantage is a loss of privacy, but iCaughtu has a cool solution for that too.
Android solution:
Android phones are much easier to root, and software solutions exist that will work reasonably well even for nonrooted phones. The best software I have seen is Avast! Anti-theft (part of Mobile Security), AndroidLost, and Cerebrus. All of these can report GPS coordinates, and with Avast! at least, you can also see coordinate history online and actually follow the path of your phone through the minutes, hours, and/or days. AndroidLost can report GPS coordinates online OR via SMS!
,
and
Avast! cannot be removed without a pin code. It can also prevent the user from during off Cellular Data and GPS. AndroidLost can be used to activate WiFi, Cellular Data and/or GPS via internet command OR via SMS. There are a ton of other internet-based and SMS commands in AndroidLost as well. Even without an active lockscreen password, a thief would be powerless to disable communication between the tracking software and you. In this department, Android truly outshines the iOS solution.
Getting an RF tracker into an Android-based phone has the same challenges as an iPhone.
I haven't found ANY glimmer of hope for a mode to disable shutdown via a long-button-press on Android. At least I found one mod for iPhone, even if it was the wrong iOS version. This is a huge gap in the goal of building an "unstealable" phone for both operating systems. As for the battery: Android phones come in many flavors. Many have removable batteries, so if you want to make life more difficult for thieves you'll have to limit yourself to a phone with a "sealed" battery compartment such as the HTC One.
A computer-based wipe via USB cable presents the same challenges as an iPhone EXCEPT that we're dealing with a more standard interface so that MIGHT make modding an easier task. Is there any way to make the microUSB jack more "proprietary" so that any normal USB cable can charge it but only a specially one can transmit data?
There is one other detailed I am interested in, but which is, I believe, currently impossible since it would require modifications to the lowest level of the phone's software, and that would be an auto-on feature. If the phone's battery dies for any reason (or any other shutdown that is not user-initiated), I would love for the phone to automatically power back on whenever it receives a new power source (either being plugged into the wall or getting a fresh battery).
Why am I so interested in doing this? I live in a third-world country and I travel to many other third-world countries. For 3 years, I guess I had good luck, but in the past year I have had three phones and a laptop stolen from me on the street and I have been punched in the face. Several of my friends have also had phones stolen during that time, and one friend was even kidnapped and robbed. Maybe crime is getting worse or maybe it is just coincidence. I have tried to be more careful each time, but one should not live life in fear or blame ones carelessness alone. It is time to fight back. Money, time, memories, self-respect, and peace of mind have been taken away from me and from people I care about. These thieves bear the real responsibility for these crimes. And the police and government here is largely unwilling, incapable, uncaring, and/or corrupt. Maybe I can help others as well.
Thanks for your suggestions and input.

Your thoughts are well expressed.
Hopefully something is coming fast to consumers.:good:

[Q] Locate My Phone, with no gps

Hello guys, I saw some apps for android like, comodo anti theft, avast anti theft, eset anti theft, and so on, for locating the phone.
Which one do you recommend or think that is the best?
I have gived a try to avast and comodo, but I saw that if the phone is in the house I can not locate it from the laptop browser / avast web-interface,
as it needs to enable the GPS reciver and gps can not be started automatically or even if it is started it will not "see" the gps sattelites because of the roof. And with comodo I saw no web-interface, only sms texting, and I have only one phone, no secondary phone handy for finding it easy.
I wish to be able do do two simple things by controlling it over internet using a laptop (wify or carrier data 3G/EDGE/GPRS)
1) If I forgot where is my phone in house and I have no other phone, to be able to make the phone to sound an alarm for finding it more easy, it happens often to forget where my phone is in the house
2) Locate the approximate location of the phone by using GSM towers, and NOT the GPS (in case that will be stolen, or I forget where I left the phone, in car / at work / at house etc.)

Hello, well to help you out I use Kaspersky Mobile Security, it has alot of features, you can lock the phone via sms messages, take mug shots, wipe the phone and locate it too, you can look for it in the play store, its a paid app but I think its worth it, I would look into it if I were you and consider it as a viable option. Hope this helps.

You can locate your Android Device with Googles Device Manager and has a features to lock the phone and ring.. Also I believe there is APPs to track your device with GSM towers.
https://www.google.com/android/devicemanager
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

Thx!
I have enabled in settings > Location services > Access my location and google location service, now I can find my location without using gps, avast anti theft works pretty well, I also found an interesting app on google play named Secret Control but it has some ads.
isabellamiller477 said:
Hello guys, I saw some apps for android like, comodo anti theft, avast anti theft, eset anti theft, and so on, for locating the phone.
Which one do you recommend or think that is the best?
I have gived a try to avast and comodo, but I saw that if the phone is in the house I can not locate it from the laptop browser / avast web-interface,
as it needs to enable the GPS reciver and gps can not be started automatically or even if it is started it will not "see" the gps sattelites because of the roof. And with comodo I saw no web-interface, only sms texting, and I have only one phone, no secondary phone handy for finding it easy.
I wish to be able do do two simple things by controlling it over internet using a laptop (wify or carrier data 3G/EDGE/GPRS)
1) If I forgot where is my phone in house and I have no other phone, to be able to make the phone to sound an alarm for finding it more easy, it happens often to forget where my phone is in the house
2) Locate the approximate location of the phone by using GSM towers, and NOT the GPS (in case that will be stolen, or I forget where I left the phone, in car / at work / at house etc.)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
kidkree1 said:
Hello, well to help you out I use Kaspersky Mobile Security, it has alot of features, you can lock the phone via sms messages, take mug shots, wipe the phone and locate it too, you can look for it in the play store, its a paid app but I think its worth it, I would look into it if I were you and consider it as a viable option. Hope this helps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Allen` said:
You can locate your Android Device with Googles Device Manager and has a features to lock the phone and ring.. Also I believe there is APPs to track your device with GSM towers.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N900A using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Wow! I thought we need gps in order to locate our location. This is great

[Q] Optimal settings battery vs Lost Phone functionality

I try to tweak the phone to save as much battery as it can, but I still want to be able to use the Lost Phone functionality. What settings do you suggest?
For now I'm using these settings:
- Allow WIFI to sleep when in sleepmode
- Allow WIFI to scan even if WIFI is turned off
- No GPS
- Location is on battery save mode
- Don't allow mobile data connection when screen is of (using Llama)
Now im using the default Google find my phone website. For the theftie I installed Lockwatch (it will take a pic after a few tries of entering the wrong code). But you need a data connection / wifi for the app to sent the mail? So how to circumvent this if wifi and data is off after the phone goes to sleep??

I don't have Lockwatch. But it looks like a really nice simple app. From what I can read in the product description it implies that Lockwatch turns on the required features by itself GPS, WiFi, etc. Have you tried "stealing" your own phone with your power saving settings activated? The other thing not mentioned in the product description is does the app continue to send periodic emails to update the phones location after it has been stolen and is moving? Maybe you know? I am using Lookout which can be interrogated at any time to located the phone. But it is not a lightweight app, which makes Lockwatch all the more interesting. Thanks for bringing it to my attention. I can't answer your question, but maybe someone else can, plus my question!

I monitored the battery life of my Moto G LTE for a while and I can say that in standby doesn't drain battery, even if gps and mobile networks are active (I tried using Runtastic while riding racing bike for about 15km: 1h of gps and mobile network consumed about 10-15%).
Remember that, even if you turn on location, doesn't mean that phone searches costantly gps signal, it searches for it only when apps request for it.

grahamgo said:
I don't have Lockwatch. But it looks like a really nice simple app. From what I can read in the product description it implies that Lockwatch turns on the required features by itself GPS, WiFi, etc. Have you tried "stealing" your own phone with your power saving settings activated? The other thing not mentioned in the product description is does the app continue to send periodic emails to update the phones location after it has been stolen and is moving? Maybe you know? I am using Lookout which can be interrogated at any time to located the phone. But it is not a lightweight app, which makes Lockwatch all the more interesting. Thanks for bringing it to my attention. I can't answer your question, but maybe someone else can, plus my question!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're welcome. I try to test it a few times. I'm still not sure when the mailing and gps kicks in. I do receive a mail when fake stealing my phone So it works good from time to time.
There is an premium feature that will try to sent again when there is data connection again.
If you want even more lightweight, im now using Avira with Lockwatch. If you like your phone to take pics for app locking, you can try Smart App Lock. And if you dislike Chrome, use CM Browser

justanicename said:
You're welcome. I try to test it a few times. I'm still not sure when the mailing and gps kicks in. I do receive a mail when fake stealing my phone So it works good from time to time.
There is an premium feature that will try to sent again when there is data connection again.
If you want even more lightweight, im now using Avira with Lockwatch. If you like your phone to take pics for app locking, you can try Smart App Lock. And if you dislike Chrome, use CM Browser
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The "time to time" bit sounds worrisome! I'm on this group because I gave my wife a Moto G. She just wants a working phone, so now that it's pretty much setup right and she can "drive" it proficiently I tend not to mess with it (read - I am not allowed!) . We live in Peru 6 months a year and we both like the fact that I can ping her phone using Lookout if necessary to see that's she's safe. However, they removed the photo taking feature from the free version, and the paid version is now about $30 p/a. Quite reasonable, but this has prompted me to see what else is out there before giving them my money. I have read good things about Avira ($10 for Pro version), so your recommendation might be perfect. I have also just looked at avast! Anti-Theft (pro version $15 p/a), this also seems very comprehensive, I am not too worried about antivirus protection as she only uses the basic's. Anyway I'm still looking around to look at all possible options. Thanks!
Oh, and sorry I don't mean to pull your thread off track. But you do want a location app that overrides your battery saving setup when needed. So the more possible options open to you the better right? On our Moto G, the WiFi/3g data is always on. We get a 2 to 3 day typical battery life.

grahamgo said:
The "time to time" bit sounds worrisome! I'm on this group because I gave my wife a Moto G. She just wants a working phone, so now that it's pretty much setup right and she can "drive" it proficiently I tend not to mess with it (read - I am not allowed!) . We live in Peru 6 months a year and we both like the fact that I can ping her phone using Lookout if necessary to see that's she's safe. However, they removed the photo taking feature from the free version, and the paid version is now about $30 p/a. Quite reasonable, but this has prompted me to see what else is out there before giving them my money. I have read good things about Avira ($10 for Pro version), so your recommendation might be perfect. I have also just looked at avast! Anti-Theft (pro version $15 p/a), this also seems very comprehensive, I am not too worried about antivirus protection as she only uses the basic's. Anyway I'm still looking around to look at all possible options. Thanks!
Oh, and sorry I don't mean to pull your thread off track. But you do want a location app that overrides your battery saving setup when needed. So the more possible options open to you the better right? On our Moto G, the WiFi/3g data is always on. We get a 2 to 3 day typical battery life.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's ok, maybe some good anti-theft app can do this overriding the battery saving setup thingy. Im now trying "Android Lost", "AntiTheft & Find My Phone" and "Theftie" (all free of course) . Since we are just both users, maybe we can help each other here on XDA.

Sure, I for one would like to know which app you consider to be the best. Also the reasoning behind the decision.
I hope that you you find one that can override your power saving settings. I would hope that they all can...

grahamgo said:
Sure, I for one would like to know which app you consider to be the best. Also the reasoning behind the decision.
I hope that you you find one that can override your power saving settings. I would hope that they all can...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
After a few tests, i think Theftie and Lockwatch are the best. But I still need wifi or a data connection. And as a backup i keep Android Lost. So in the end i cannot save battery if i want to use the anti-theft functionalities.
Let me know if you what you decided.

justanicename said:
After a few tests, i think Theftie and Lockwatch are the best. But I still need wifi or a data connection. And as a backup i keep Android Lost. So in the end i cannot save battery if i want to use the anti-theft functionalities.
Let me know if you what you decided.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you tried cerberus? It's one of the most complete out there at a reasonable price

I have to say Cerberus is very complete, I think this is the first app I have seen that specifies in its description that GPS is turned on even if its turned off. Edit:- not quite, only on systems earlier than 2.3.3 on later version you have to jump through hoops and convert Cerebus to a system app. Then In the case @justanicename the phone still needs to get access to a WiFi of GSM internet connection. I presume the only chance is that if the phone is stolen the thief will try to use the phone and the GSM data connection will become active when the screen comes on?

I did some further research on the battery saving settings and found a discussion sayin that actually turning on/of the wifi/dataconnection/gps is draining the battery more. So I will try this for a while. Cerberus looks really nice, it seems that Theftie does a lot of what cerberus does too.

Hi, I tried Cerberus yesterday. It does everything as advertised. The memory footprint is 4.4mb, compared with Lookout's 19mb, though Lookout does provide antivirus protection. I started to try Theftie today, but was putoff by the requirement to sign in using Google+ a service that I don't like and don't use. So I removed Theftie. I will go with Cerberus costing the one time 3 Euro. Thanks @agusaon for the pointer.

grahamgo said:
Hi, I tried Cerberus yesterday. It does everything as advertised. The memory footprint is 4.4mb, compared with Lookout's 19mb, though Lookout does provide antivirus protection. I started to try Theftie today, but was putoff by the requirement to sign in using Google+ a service that I don't like and don't use. So I removed Theftie. I will go with Cerberus costing the one time 3 Euro. Thanks @agusaon for the pointer.
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Great app! I hope you enjoy it and never have to use it

Force Location

My wife and I use Life360 to keep track of each other and our kids. Unfortunately my son likes to turn off location on his phone. Is there a way to keep him from doing this?

I think no, tell him dont turn off the gps.
Anyway wait for more reply..
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For security reasons, Android doesn't natively support device policies like the one you want, so you'll need a Mobile Device Manager service. I think this company offers it for free if you don't have a lot of devices https://www.manageengine.com/mobile/mobile-device-management/
Full disclosure - using an MDM would be overkill, but I'm pretty sure there's no other way to force it to remain on.
Anti-theft apps could be used to turn it on when you notice it's off. There was one such app where you could send SMS to the phone to make the phone do various commands, such as turn on location, but I don't remember its name.