Please forgive me if there is a topic on this matter, but I didn't find it.
In order to save baterry juice, I'm looking for an app which switch on automatically the GPS (and all its options) when I open Googlemaps (or another map/GPS app) and then switch off the GPS when Google maps goes off (for me Google maps shut down automatically with TaskPanel killer list when my mobile go sleep).
Do you know such an app?
Thanks in advance.
oavon said:
Please forgive me if there is a topic on this matter, but I didn't find it.
In order to save baterry juice, I'm looking for an app which switch on automatically the GPS (and all its options) when I open Googlemaps (or another map/GPS app) and then switch off the GPS when Google maps goes off (for me Google maps shut down automatically with TaskPanel killer list when my mobile go sleep).
Do you know such an app?
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Such app is named: Android OS.
I don't understand, why do you want to do everything on your own, if Android already does these things for you and does them much, much better, than you could? Why do you people install all these task killers and other apps, which will probably degrade your battery life and cause some issues?
oavon said:
Please forgive me if there is a topic on this matter, but I didn't find it.
In order to save baterry juice, I'm looking for an app which switch on automatically the GPS (and all its options) when I open Googlemaps (or another map/GPS app) and then switch off the GPS when Google maps goes off (for me Google maps shut down automatically with TaskPanel killer list when my mobile go sleep).
Do you know such an app?
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For switch on/off gps on enter googlemaps, and others you can use Locale and one or two plug-ins for do that.
The GPS only takes power when it is in use. What you are asking for isn't needed. Turning off the GPS will just stop programs from being able to use it.
So leave GPS turned on, and it will only use power when a program asks for it. It will only ACTUALLY be on when you load google maps.
I believe there's a power widget that can help you. It comes with the Nexus, at least, but can probably be found here or on the market.
Clarkster said:
So leave GPS turned on, and it will only use power when a program asks for it. It will only ACTUALLY be on when you load google maps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's true only if Google Maps is your only program interested in your current location.
In all other cases it perfectly makes sense to disable GPS as long as you don't want it to be used.
Tasker (http://tasker.dinglisch.net/) is another program that's perfect for this kind of task. IMHO far better than Locale.
Thanks a lot for all your answers, I understand better know how android works.
So I will let the GPS option ON, with no worry for the battery.
I will set taskpanel to Kill maps (and my citybike app) when the mobile goes sleep.
And will try tasker, sounds nice.
oavon said:
Thanks a lot for all your answers, I understand better know how android works.
So I will let the GPS option ON, with no worry for the battery.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same for task killing. As I said before, Android does these things for you, you don't have to worry about them. You could have some game running in a background and this will have no impact on your battery or UI smoothness. But killing all tasks will probably cut down your battery life.
One exception is when some app is bugged and it eats CPU power without any reason. But I don't think it is common.
Sorry to bring up an old thread, but some of the information here is not very accurate. At least not for everyone.
It appears to be true that there is not much battery disadvantage when you leave the GPS on (I'm currently working up a big semi-scientific review of this). I also use Latitude, though. Latitude itself also will not use too much battery power. When the two are combined, however, they can kill your battery. I'm talking 50% power drain over 2 hours as opposed to 4% over 2 hours.
I would like to leave Latitude on and have GPS when I need it. Therefore I am going to use tasker to shut off the GPS except for the apps that need it. The network location that Android provides in the meantime is good enough for Latitude.
Until Latitude does a better job of managing the GPS connection I don't see another alternative.
gthing said:
It appears to be true that there is not much battery disadvantage when you leave the GPS on
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is *no* such disadvantage, cause GPS is turned off anyway.
gthing said:
Latitude itself also will not use too much battery power. When the two are combined, however, they can kill your battery.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm.. Latitude doesn't use GPS for me :-/
EDIT:
And you don't have to do tests: if there is GPS icon in notification bar, then your battery is drained for sure. If there isn't, then everything is ok. It's very simple.
oavon said:
Please forgive me if there is a topic on this matter, but I didn't find it.
In order to save baterry juice, I'm looking for an app which switch on automatically the GPS (and all its options) when I open Googlemaps (or another map/GPS app) and then switch off the GPS when Google maps goes off (for me Google maps shut down automatically with TaskPanel killer list when my mobile go sleep).
Do you know such an app?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can use the "Auto-Enable GPS for Maps" application, which switches both WiFi and GPS on when you launch Maps, Navigation, Local or Latitude, and restores them to their old state (e.g. switched off) when you quit these apps.
Google Play Store link: play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.duniti.mapsgps
I would like to disable the ability to disable the GPS in the phones for use with an "invisible fence" app.
I don't care if the toggle in the notification area goes off or on, but I would like the phone to enable GPS on bootup, and just keep it on regardless.
Any ideas?
Why would you want it to stay on? It is a huge battery hog.
voldomart13 said:
Why would you want it to stay on? It is a huge battery hog.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
mrcpu said:
I would like to disable the ability to disable the GPS in the phones for use with an "invisible fence" app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think I was pretty clear in the original post.
WTF is an invisible fence app??
and any app that requires GPS, will use GPS as needed. OLD Facebook app version for example, as long as it was on your screen, GPS was constantly locking. But it would kill the battery in less than 2 hours from full charge. so the facebook app changed the gps to lock once every so often, while the app is open on screen.
Other apps run a background service to access GPS at a set or random interval. Google Latitude for example. Not on screen, but will check-in or update location when-ever.
As you see the APP needs to have the set permissions, and options selected.
and in the end. your battery is dead in 2 hours with what you *think* you want
TRusselo said:
WTF is an invisible fence app??
and any app that requires GPS, will use GPS as needed. OLD Facebook app version for example, as long as it was on your screen, GPS was constantly locking. But it would kill the battery in less than 2 hours from full charge. so the facebook app changed the gps to lock once every so often, while the app is open on screen.
Other apps run a background service to access GPS at a set or random interval. Google Latitude for example. Not on screen, but will check-in or update location when-ever.
As you see the APP needs to have the set permissions, and options selected.
and in the end. your battery is dead in 2 hours with what you *think* you want
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is not correct. (at least on the apex rom I'm running).
If you turn off the GPS in settings (not using the toggle on the notification bar), then fire up google maps, the first thing it does is tell you that not all the options for locating the user are turned on, and to go to settings and turn on GPS.
I recall reading somewhere that Google disabled the ability for apps to turn the GPS on and off. They could query it if it was enabled, but couldn't turn it on if it was off.
If the user can turn it off in settings, then that defeats the purpose. I want the GPS on all the time, regardless of settings.
I don't care about battery life, I have 4 captivates in this house, I am well aware of their capabilities and limitations. And I don't really care if you think it's a good idea or not, all I'm asking is if anybody knows of a way.
there is a difference between switching GPS "on" and having GPS activated or locking signal.
in the android settings or with any toogle app, you can turn GPS on or off.
I have it ON 24/7, I bet you do too.
you turn GPS "on", so apps CAN use/activate it if they try to.
you turn GPS "off" to prevent apps from using it, thus reducing battery drain and increasing security.
having GPS on 24/7 doesn't do crap to battery, it depends on the apps, and how they are programmed to use GPS, and if they were programmed to work like you want, they would work like I SAID.
there have been apps that used GPS like you suggested. THEY GOT FIXED. you really dont understand how fast it drains the battery.
and i dont mean to offend, but you also dont understand how the apps interact with the GPS.
Originally Posted by mrcpu
I would like to disable the ability to disable the GPS in the phones for use with an "invisible fence" app.
I think I was pretty clear in the original post.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No. You weren't, WHAT THE FRICK an invisible fence app? and how does using the LARGE font help?
house full of captivates? did your dad get a family plan?
I have been using llama (Llama on Google Play) since my early days on the OG Atrix and now on the Atrix 2. Moving to the ICS leak, I've noticed that GPS control has been disabled, and after searching I see that Google removed the ability for user programs to enable/disable the GPS.
However, the llama website says this about it:
Android fixed the hack that applications used to turn GPS on and off in Gingerbread (Android 2.3). Bear in mind that Android manages GPS power usage by itself: if no applications are using GPS, then the GPS hardware isn't turned on and using power. The tickbox in the settings is simply permission to use GPS.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
One of the few places I've found that corroborates that statement is this post from a Droid Razr forum (forgive the cross-post): Post on another forum, which eventually says
GPS is turned on by default after updating to ICS. That said, turning it off really won't save battery. It's a myth that just having GPS switched on will drain your battery. GPS will only use battery when it's active, and it's only active when the crosshairs are flashing in the notification bar. That will only happen when you have an app running that uses GPS. So, as long as you're not running something that's using GPS, leaving GPS switched on will not drain any more battery than leaving it switched off.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Now, obviously there are many programs that might be running in the background that like to use the GPS, and it still seems like there are times I wouldn't want to let anything use the GPS which means the GPS chip should never power on.
Here's the question finally: given the plethora of advice that says to turn off the GPS when not in use, what are you doing with the GPS in ICS?
In my case, Llama can't turn off the GPS for me anymore, so unless I couple Llama with something like Smart Actions (which apparently can turn off the GPS), the GPS is staying on most of the time. I'm going to try leaving the GPS on all the time to see how much it affects my battery.
close tiantam
hi,
i had same problem that profile scheduler did not switch on/off the gps once i upgreded to ICS.
there is a work around for your apk (to turn on/off gps), pls search for "secure settings" at play store which will serve as plug-in for your apk.
unfortunately, it did not compitable with profile scheduler.
i had tried to put profile scheduler as system apk, did not work.
only motorola default profile manager will toggle the gps.
hope this helps.
Hey everyone, first I'm not really sure if this belongs in a Tasker forums. Seeing as I use a N5, I figured it could also go here. Anyway, I've been having some problems with Npl wakelocks. I downloaded wakelock terminator with xposed and it seemed to have helped, however something didn't seem right as my battery was draining the same amount as when the wakelocks were happening. The only time I wasn't having the drain was when location was set to device only, which makes sense.
I'm completely new to tasker. I've watched a few tutorials and I've messed around with it a bit but with not much luck. I wanted to do one of two things. Either have location set to battery saver/high accuracy when the screen is on, and have it set to device only when the screen is off. Another option is to have it set to battery saver/high accuracy when google now/maps is open and device only the rest of the time. I feel like this shouldn't be that hard but I messed around with it and got no where. Anyway, what are your guys' opinion about this strategy and would anyone be able to help me with implementing these tasks. Thanks!
I wouldn't go the route of using tasker for your problem. And I would ditch that xposed module for wakelocks too. I run rooted with xposed on high accuracy at all times. My battery life is great. You need to find the source of your battery drain and eliminate it. Don't look for a bandaid fix using tasker. My guess is you have some rogue app killing your battery. Give us a list of all your apps, or delete them all, and install them one by one to track down the culprit. Also, are you running stock Rom and kernel? What other mods do you have?
Lokke9191 said:
I wouldn't go the route of using tasker for your problem. And I would ditch that xposed module for wakelocks too. I run rooted with xposed on high accuracy at all times. My battery life is great. You need to find the source of your battery drain and eliminate it. Don't look for a bandaid fix using tasker. My guess is you have some rogue app killing your battery. Give us a list of all your apps, or delete them all, and install them one by one to track down the culprit. Also, are you running stock Rom and kernel? What other mods do you have?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can run the phone as normal today with location and everything on and post my BBS log after. Basically, when I'm at home the battery is great. However, ever since updating to the new google search app I've been having extreme wakelocks from the Npl whenever I would leave my house. Which is why I found a thread on xda that was talking about that exact wakelock. You're right though. I'm going to get rid of the app because it seemed weird. The wakelocks weren't showing up on BBS but I feel like it didn't get rid of them. Who knows though, maybe you're right and it is something else that's draining the battery which is why the wakelock app didn't help.
Anyway, I'm running stock ROM/kernel with xposed. I use greenify module, appOpsX, snapshare, gravity box, and gesture navigation module. With gravity box I just use custom quick settings, smaller nav bars, some status bar mods like the day and double tap to sleep. However, again I have had the same GB mods since before the drain. I use a pebble however I've never had a drain from that and I've been using it since Dec. Most of my apps are greenified including facebook, instagram, as well as all my music streaming apps. A lot of the google services I don't use are disabled like books/magazines/movies. I have snapchat, but I don't use it too much, and facebook messenger that I don't greenify. When I check GSam stats though, android system and kernel take the most battery, followed by music players if I was streaming music that day. The rest of the apps are way down the list.
I posted in the battery thread asking if anyone had the same problem with the wakelocks after having the latest google play services. I noticed mine is still 4.3 for some reason so I might just update manually from androidpolice and see if theres a difference. But yeah, I will keep this updated with todays logs.
Try this. Use titanium backup to uninstall Google play services and Google search. Then launch maps, and reinstall both from the play store.
PsychDrummer said:
Another option is to have it set to battery saver/high accuracy when google now/maps is open and device only the rest of the time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is what I ended up doing. You will need the secure settings plugin for tasker.
Set up a new profile for application "Maps".
When on, launch task GPS On (Secure settings, configuration GPS enabled)
Exit task, launch task GPS On (Secure settings, configuration GPS disabled)
I used the app factory to create an app for this, and use that on my N5 and my second phone too. Works great. Enables GPS when I launch Maps for navigation, and switches to battery saving when I exit Maps
PsychDrummer said:
I can run the phone as normal today with location and everything on and post my BBS log after. Basically, when I'm at home the battery is great. However, ever since updating to the new google search app I've been having extreme wakelocks from the Npl whenever I would leave my house. Which is why I found a thread on xda that was talking about that exact wakelock. You're right though. I'm going to get rid of the app because it seemed weird. The wakelocks weren't showing up on BBS but I feel like it didn't get rid of them. Who knows though, maybe you're right and it is something else that's draining the battery which is why the wakelock app didn't help.
Anyway, I'm running stock ROM/kernel with xposed. I use greenify module, appOpsX, snapshare, gravity box, and gesture navigation module. With gravity box I just use custom quick settings, smaller nav bars, some status bar mods like the day and double tap to sleep. However, again I have had the same GB mods since before the drain. I use a pebble however I've never had a drain from that and I've been using it since Dec. Most of my apps are greenified including facebook, instagram, as well as all my music streaming apps. A lot of the google services I don't use are disabled like books/magazines/movies. I have snapchat, but I don't use it too much, and facebook messenger that I don't greenify. When I check GSam stats though, android system and kernel take the most battery, followed by music players if I was streaming music that day. The rest of the apps are way down the list.
I posted in the battery thread asking if anyone had the same problem with the wakelocks after having the latest google play services. I noticed mine is still 4.3 for some reason so I might just update manually from androidpolice and see if theres a difference. But yeah, I will keep this updated with todays logs.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just run device only all the time, like everyone else does. It's a problem with Google's code, and the same bad coding is clearly seen throughout their entire app lineup.
Lokke9191 said:
Try this. Use titanium backup to uninstall Google play services and Google search. Then launch maps, and reinstall both from the play store.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What would that do though?
jj14 said:
This is what I ended up doing. You will need the secure settings plugin for tasker.
Set up a new profile for application "Maps".
When on, launch task GPS On (Secure settings, configuration GPS enabled)
Exit task, launch task GPS On (Secure settings, configuration GPS disabled)
I used the app factory to create an app for this, and use that on my N5 and my second phone too. Works great. Enables GPS when I launch Maps for navigation, and switches to battery saving when I exit Maps
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks! So, how would I set this up using device only/high accuracy? I'm also super new to tasker so if you don't mind I might PM you asking for help.
Aerowinder said:
Just run device only all the time, like everyone else does. It's a problem with Google's code, and the same bad coding is clearly seen throughout their entire app lineup.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, I actually like to use maps and google now. However, I don't actually need the location on when I'm not using either of the two services which is why I wanted to setup tasker.
It'll change them from being system apps to user apps. This has solved nlp wakelocks for many others experiencing the same problems.
PsychDrummer said:
Thanks! So, how would I set this up using device only/high accuracy? I'm also super new to tasker so if you don't mind I might PM you asking for help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sure.
It isn't that hard - install the secure settings plug in first, and when prompted, give it Superuser access. Then, create a new profile in tasker - call it whatever you want. Set up the profile for the application "Maps"
When Maps is launched, set it up to fire a new task (I called it GPS On) - this task just enables the GPS setting in the secure settings (under third party plugins)
GPS on -> high accuracy
GPS off -> battery saving mode
Set up an exit task (I called it GPS Off) - this turns the GPS settings in the secure settings off.
I can send you the apk if you want (but you don't really know me, so you probably shouldn't use an apk from a stranger! lol!), or you can try to import this attached xml into tasker (rename the file to remove the .txt extension - filename will be AutoGPS.prj.xml) - the xml option should be safe.
I haven't tried importing an xml, but it should be fairly straightforward (Save profiles in /sdcard/tasker/profiles and then, in tasker, long press the profiles "tab" and "import"). Before doing this, backup your existing profiles in tasker, just in case. Also, make sure you have secure settings set up before you import this.
jj14 said:
Sure.
It isn't that hard - install the secure settings plug in first, and when prompted, give it Superuser access. Then, create a new profile in tasker - call it whatever you want. Set up the profile for the application "Maps"
When Maps is launched, set it up to fire a new task (I called it GPS On) - this task just enables the GPS setting in the secure settings (under third party plugins)
GPS on -> high accuracy
GPS off -> battery saving mode
Set up an exit task (I called it GPS Off) - this turns the GPS settings in the secure settings off.
I can send you the apk if you want (but you don't really know me, so you probably shouldn't use an apk from a stranger! lol!), or you can try to import this attached xml into tasker (rename the file to remove the .txt extension - filename will be AutoGPS.prj.xml) - the xml option should be safe.
I haven't tried importing an xml, but it should be fairly straightforward (Save profiles in /sdcard/tasker/profiles and then, in tasker, long press the profiles "tab" and "import"). Before doing this, backup your existing profiles in tasker, just in case. Also, make sure you have secure settings set up before you import this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cool, thanks I will give it a try. And it would be the same if I want to have location on when using google search/now?
PsychDrummer said:
Cool, thanks I will give it a try. And it would be the same if I want to have location on when using google search/now?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, it should be. But in my experience, I haven't found Google Search/Now really requiring high accuracy GPS level location for any of the features yet. It gets by fine with just battery saving mode. So, I only enabled this for the Maps application.
Actually, now that I think about it, I don't know how you'd enable it for Google Now - since it runs in the background to notify you about upcoming events. Since you aren't launching Google Now most of the times, I don't know how you'd set up Tasker to enable the high accuracy GPS for that (and it is possible that Google now using active GPS may be part of the battery drain issue - I don't know for sure)
jj14 said:
Yes, it should be. But in my experience, I haven't found Google Search/Now really requiring high accuracy GPS level location for any of the features yet. It gets by fine with just battery saving mode. So, I only enabled this for the Maps application.
Actually, now that I think about it, I don't know how you'd enable it for Google Now - since it runs in the background to notify you about upcoming events. Since you aren't launching Google Now most of the times, I don't know how you'd set up Tasker to enable the high accuracy GPS for that (and it is possible that Google now using active GPS may be part of the battery drain issue - I don't know for sure)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I actually wanted to keep the device on "device only" location instead of battery saving. For Google now I wanted the traffic card, but I would only need it if I physically open google now. I don't really need the notification.
PsychDrummer said:
I actually wanted to keep the device on "device only" location instead of battery saving. For Google now I wanted the traffic card, but I would only need it if I physically open google now. I don't really need the notification.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To keep device only, you should use Location mode (in secure settings) and set it to Device only or whatever you need, instead of GPS.
Note that "Device only" still uses active GPS and "This mode may use more battery power and take longer to determine your location" (Ref: https://support.google.com/nexus/answer/3467281?hl=en)
The traffic card still works on "battery saving" because it uses cellphone triangulation, and shows you the traffic in your vicinity, and based on your destination.
jj14 said:
To keep device only, you should use Location mode (in secure settings) and set it to Device only or whatever you need, instead of GPS.
Note that "Device only" still uses active GPS and "This mode may use more battery power and take longer to determine your location" (Ref: https://support.google.com/nexus/answer/3467281?hl=en)
The traffic card still works on "battery saving" because it uses cellphone triangulation, and shows you the traffic in your vicinity, and based on your destination.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know, I have always used battery saving. The problem is that with battery saving, I'm having these extreme wakelocks and Google is constantly searching for my location which is what I think is the cause of the drain I'm having. I'm going to use my phone today by just using device-only location and see how the battery lasts. It should be much better since I'm hoping the phone will be deep sleeping longer. Basically, when I take my phone off the charger in the morning and I'm still at home for the first 2 hours of the day the standby time is great. It usually goes down 1-2% in those 2 hours even if I use the phone a little. However, once I leave the house is when I get constant wakelocks from location services and the battery stats to deplete a lot faster. I mean, I can still get through a day just because I don't use the screen a lot. I tend to only use about 1 hr 30 min on a regular day but I just want to play around with settings to see what works.If I can get the same standby time throughout the day that I get within the first two hours when im at home that would be great.
PsychDrummer said:
I know, I have always used battery saving. The problem is that with battery saving, I'm having these extreme wakelocks and Google is constantly searching for my location which is what I think is the cause of the drain I'm having. I'm going to use my phone today by just using device-only location and see how the battery lasts. It should be much better since I'm hoping the phone will be deep sleeping longer. Basically, when I take my phone off the charger in the morning and I'm still at home for the first 2 hours of the day the standby time is great. It usually goes down 1-2% in those 2 hours even if I use the phone a little. However, once I leave the house is when I get constant wakelocks from location services and the battery stats to deplete a lot faster. I mean, I can still get through a day just because I don't use the screen a lot. I tend to only use about 1 hr 30 min on a regular day but I just want to play around with settings to see what works.If I can get the same standby time throughout the day that I get within the first two hours when im at home that would be great.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's strange. With battery saving mode, I get no wakelocks, which with device only or high accuracy, I used to get a lot of wakelocks by the location services.
But yes, no harm in trying out the options. Tasker+secure settings should be able to set up the battery saving or device only (as described above)
jj14 said:
That's strange. With battery saving mode, I get no wakelocks, which with device only or high accuracy, I used to get a lot of wakelocks by the location services.
But yes, no harm in trying out the options. Tasker+secure settings should be able to set up the battery saving or device only (as described above)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You get Npl wakelocks? So far I haven't gotten it and that's the wakelock that usually keeps my phone awake for 2 hours or so. basically, I think the way it works is that the device only setting uses more battery when using apps that use location such as maps but when the apps are not in use it uses no battery on location.
PsychDrummer said:
You get Npl wakelocks? So far I haven't gotten it and that's the wakelock that usually keeps my phone awake for 2 hours or so. basically, I think the way it works is that the device only setting uses more battery when using apps that use location such as maps but when the apps are not in use it uses no battery on location.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No. Ever since I switched to battery saving (and tasker toggling to high accuracy when I use maps), I have no location based wakelocks (no NPL wakelocks)
jj14 said:
No. Ever since I switched to battery saving (and tasker toggling to high accuracy when I use maps), I have no location based wakelocks (no NPL wakelocks)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Interesting, I've been having the opposite. I even took a screen shot of the wakelocks on the stock battery app where when the screen is off there's a huge amount of individual lines for awake (of course this is backed up by BBS). However when using device only the awake and screen on match almost perfectly.
PsychDrummer said:
Interesting, I've been having the opposite. I even took a screen shot of the wakelocks on the stock battery app where when the screen is off there's a huge amount of individual lines for awake (of course this is backed up by BBS). However when using device only the awake and screen on match almost perfectly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not sure why the difference, but regardless, as long as the individual 'fix' works, that's all that matters