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[Resolved] Maps killing battery!?

Ok so I know this has been discussed on many different forums many different times. But does anyone know what the deal is with maps. I have been off the charger for about 5.5 hrs and about to run out of battery. The phones settings show it has used 83% of the battery drained and spare parts shows maps almost completely full on sensor usage. Anyone have any info for me
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App

Take it you have latest gapps package.
Have you tried turning off the location services, allow apps to use my location ? and do you have latitude / location history turned on ? They keep maps running all the time

Where can i change those settings. I' ve gusta feeling that mapa mis eating muy battery away.
Thanks in advance.

Err location services is in the main android menu, im on ICS, and err its just called location services and untick allow apps/services to use data from wifi or mobile networks, and GPS if you want.
And latitude can be found in the Google Maps App, and you can either switch it off, and or go into the main google dashboard , find latitude, and switch off store location history.

Battery problem fixed in one click!

Just for anyone else suffering a horrific battery issue....
I would take a few photos a day. My battery would die in a few hours, with the culprit being "Google Play Services", which when drilled down showed the camera as the high battery user.
Furthermore, I was getting poor GSM data rates, with the phone seemingly unable to find the nearest transmitter (it would jump to full bars for a few seconds, then lock on to a 1 bar cell and constantly change between H and 3G). While all this was happening, the Nexus 5 got hot.
Now do this:
Settings>Location>Mode>Device Only
Make sure it's in "Device Only" mode. Logic says that this is the wrong setting, but now I can go a couple of days no problem, I lose 3% overnight, the camera uses next to no juice and "Google Play Services" doesn't even make it onto the list. :laugh:

If you're in an area with good signal I would say you have an issue with the data/gsm module and your solution is not proper. Try launching maps - it will suggest enabling mobile/wifi location for better location service.
Mine is set to high accuracy and my battery life is pretty good.
Verify if you're having this issue on multiple locations or only on certain places?
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

Pottsy said:
Just for anyone else suffering a horrific battery issue....
I would take a few photos a day. My battery would die in a few hours, with the culprit being "Google Play Services", which when drilled down showed the camera as the high battery user.
Furthermore, I was getting poor GSM data rates, with the phone seemingly unable to find the nearest transmitter (it would jump to full bars for a few seconds, then lock on to a 1 bar cell and constantly change between H and 3G). While all this was happening, the Nexus 5 got hot.
Now do this:
Settings>Location>Mode>Device Only
Make sure it's in "Device Only" mode. Logic says that this is the wrong setting, but now I can go a couple of days no problem, I lose 3% overnight, the camera uses next to no juice and "Google Play Services" doesn't even make it onto the list. :laugh:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, logic says it is the wrong setting because it is. "Device Only" will only use GPS. "Low Accuracy" will only use googles location approximation via cell towers and wifi signals. "High Accuracy" will use both.
Once you set it to "Device Only" you robbed your phone from being able to track your location (for instance for google now). So naturally you don't have that much battery drain any more when taking pictures. I'm 100% sure that you are tagging your photos with your geo location, so every time you take a picture, the google play service determins your position.
To clarify: GPS isn't on all the time and is only activated when an app requests the phones position. The google location stuff is on all the time and will be active even when the phone is idling.

Dlog said:
Yes, logic says it is the wrong setting because it is.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I appreciate that.
I have tried with the correct settings, and it seems to leave "Google Play Services" using between 30% and 60% of my battery. Things get really bad when I am in a weak GSM signal location - with the phone getting really quite hot. Chrome triggers this, but then just having the phone awake seems to get it going.
Watching Google Maps in a position where I get no GPS signal (so monitoring the position calculated from the GSM network) I can see my location jumping from mast to mast every 10 seconds or so.
I realise that turning it off is "wrong", but it is not as wrong as my battery dying at 4pm, and until it is fixed it will have to remain off. Google Now is useless since I am not in the US, and Geo Location on the camera is switched off.

I 2nd that pottsy i disabled my yesterday and got my 1st good day with battery
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

Pottsy said:
I appreciate that.
I have tried with the correct settings, and it seems to leave "Google Play Services" using between 30% and 60% of my battery. Things get really bad when I am in a weak GSM signal location - with the phone getting really quite hot. Chrome triggers this, but then just having the phone awake seems to get it going.
Watching Google Maps in a position where I get no GPS signal (so monitoring the position calculated from the GSM network) I can see my location jumping from mast to mast every 10 seconds or so.
I realise that turning it off is "wrong", but it is not as wrong as my battery dying at 4pm, and until it is fixed it will have to remain off. Google Now is useless since I am not in the US, and Geo Location on the camera is switched off.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not saying that you're giving a bad tip. It's just not the fix for all battery problems with the n5, but only for the specific case that an app is "location hungry".

Now I did this yesterday and it has worked for Google Services but now I am checking my battery stats and "Google Search" is next most draining app behind the Screen... Why would google search be using that kind of battery?? I am not searching anything lol

Dlog said:
Not saying that you're giving a bad tip. It's just not the fix for all battery problems with the n5, but only for the specific case that an app is "location hungry".
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
He says it fixes the problem everyone is having with Google Play Services draining ~50% of their battery. It's a documented problem that isn't just all over the forums and G+, but Android Police even put out a story about it. Maybe the title to the thread is misleading, but the OP's initial post clearly states his problem and the solution he found for his problem.

jm6001 said:
Now I did this yesterday and it has worked for Google Services but now I am checking my battery stats and "Google Search" is next most draining app behind the Screen... Why would google search be using that kind of battery?? I am not searching anything lol
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Google search is the launcher app used for the stock rom on the nexus 5. Maybe you are using your home button a bit too often?

Paddington said:
He says it fixes the problem everyone is having with Google Play Services draining ~50% of their battery. It's a documented problem that isn't just all over the forums and G+, but Android Police even put out a story about it. Maybe the title to the thread is misleading, but the OP's initial post clearly states his problem and the solution he found for his problem.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What others are saying, though, is that this fix only fixes the symptom...not the actual issue. If you get battery drain because of location services, turn off location services in the apps that are draining it heavily.
Example: He takes pictures during the day and notices battery drain. Disable Geo-Tagging on pictures, and see what effect it has. If you turn the location services to "Device Only" you're going to have issues actually making use of location services (think Maps, Navigation, Google Now, Facebook, etc...that use location). Anytime you use these services it'll have to activate the GPS module to get a location...which can take 10-20 seconds, if you have clear access to the sky. For reference: the GPS module uses a lot more battery than the triangulation done by the cell towers...so actively using any app that uses location services will actually use more battery.
The other thing to try and disabling background processes. Close applications you're not using, and in the developer menu limit how many applications can be running in the background at a time. It could be that your sync services or other applications are constantly checking for location. Many of those applications will refuse to use the hardware GPS and instead rely on the triangulation services, which is why you might be seeing this battery longevity increase.
Synopsis: Setting it to Device-Only is a bad idea; instead, try to find the root of the problem.

I have found the problem.
It's not the apps making the calls, it's the location service itself. And I will specifically disagree on one point: using GPS only uses a lot less battery than cell location via a broken OS.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

Another solution ...
Pottsy said:
I appreciate that.
I have tried with the correct settings, and it seems to leave "Google Play Services" using between 30% and 60% of my battery. Things get really bad when I am in a weak GSM signal location - with the phone getting really quite hot. Chrome triggers this, but then just having the phone awake seems to get it going.
Watching Google Maps in a position where I get no GPS signal (so monitoring the position calculated from the GSM network) I can see my location jumping from mast to mast every 10 seconds or so.
I realise that turning it off is "wrong", but it is not as wrong as my battery dying at 4pm, and until it is fixed it will have to remain off. Google Now is useless since I am not in the US, and Geo Location on the camera is switched off.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think there's a better solution ... Go to settings>apps, and for every app that uses Google Play Services (google search, google now, maps, etc), clear the their data. Google Play Services went from 2nd biggest hog (after the display) to way down on the list. Maybe there's only one app that needs to have its data cleared to fix it, dunno I just cleared them all.

[Q] Can I get my location using Cell towers only

Can I get my location with Wifi OFF 3g/LTE off and GPS off using only cell towers or does it need internet to get the info, my father says his Iphone 5 with apple maps doesn't need internet to get his location but what does my father know is this even possible and if so how do I do it on my nexus 5.

fleen said:
Can I get my location with Wifi OFF 3g/LTE off and GPS off using only cell towers or does it need internet to get the info, my father says his Iphone 5 with apple maps doesn't need internet to get his location but what does my father know is this even possible and if so how do I do it on my nexus 5.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Settings > Location
Click Mode
Select Battery Saving Mode
Disable Wifi and Mobile Data if you haven't already
Your approximate location will now be determined using cell tower triangulation. However, if you are trying to use Google Maps for example, you need to have previously made the area in which you are currently located available offline, or have it in your Google Maps cache. Otherwise it won't display anything of value to you without some sort of internet connection to download the map data.
You can also use Device mode which will use GPS to pinpoint your location. Same maps caveat applies as above, and obviously you need to be able to get GPS satellite locks (ie. outside or next to a window).

fleen said:
Can I get my location with Wifi OFF 3g/LTE off and GPS off using only cell towers or does it need internet to get the info, my father says his Iphone 5 with apple maps doesn't need internet to get his location but what does my father know is this even possible and if so how do I do it on my nexus 5.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You don't need internet to locate yourself only GPS.
Apps like Tasker and Llama can use cell tower location without draining your battery and requires a network connection but not data.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

xda_fanboy said:
Settings > Location
Click Mode
Select Battery Saving Mode
Disable Wifi and Mobile Data if you haven't already
Your approximate location will now be determined using cell tower triangulation. However, if you are trying to use Google Maps for example, you need to have previously made the area in which you are currently located available offline, or have it in your Google Maps cache. Otherwise it won't display anything of value to you without some sort of internet connection to download the map data.
You can also use Device mode which will use GPS to pinpoint your location. Same maps caveat applies as above, and obviously you need to be able to get GPS satellite locks (ie. outside or next to a window).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can't seem to get it to work I have downloaded google maps to view offline and it just stays there saying "waiting for location..."
And did the part "Settings > Location
Click Mode
Select Battery Saving Mode
Disable Wifi and Mobile Data if you haven't already"

Pretty sure the only way for that to work is if you have "WiFi always scanning" turned on.
You can set your locations to Device Only and it will just use the GPS and nothing else.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

fleen said:
I can't seem to get it to work I have downloaded google maps to view offline and it just stays there saying "waiting for location..."
And did the part "Settings > Location
Click Mode
Select Battery Saving Mode
Disable Wifi and Mobile Data if you haven't already"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You need GPS on at least. Thats what gives you your location. You can get a location based off of three things: Your mobile data, WiFi networks or GPS itself. You said you turned it all off so yeah, you arent going to get a location that way.

jsgraphicart said:
You need GPS on at least. Thats what gives you your location. You can get a location based off of three things: Your mobile data, WiFi networks or GPS itself. You said you turned it all off so yeah, you arent going to get a location that way.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can get my location with wifi and cell towers together. No GPS so I think its possible with Cell Tower Triangulation only in theory.

fleen said:
I can get my location with wifi and cell towers together. No GPS so I think its possible with Cell Tower Triangulation only in theory.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well just from looking at the settings, you can either use GPS, WiFi and mobile networks....WiFi and mobile networks....or GPS only. So I guess, take your pick.
What are you trying to get out of this anyway? Just use your phone for calls and maps and thats it?

jsgraphicart said:
Well just from looking at the settings, you can either use GPS, WiFi and mobile networks....WiFi and mobile networks....or GPS only. So I guess, take your pick.
What are you trying to get out of this anyway? Just use your phone for calls and maps and thats it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You know those fitness apps that track where you have been and stuff, well I want to use one but outdoors theres no wifi and GPS uses too much battery

fleen said:
You know those fitness apps that track where you have been and stuff, well I want to use one but outdoors theres no wifi and GPS uses too much battery
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you want to save some battery on the GPS side put your phone in airplane mode. That will shut down all but GPS. I use mine all the time with an app called Backcountry Navigation Pro. They have a free version so you can check out most of the features that way. You can set it to record a track from every 5 seconds to 30 minutes. I set it to 5 minutes and have pretty good accuracy as far as where I've been and the GPS use is only on for that time. You should be able to do that with any good mapping app.

theesotericone said:
If you want to save some battery on the GPS side put your phone in airplane mode. That will shut down all but GPS. I use mine all the time with an app called Backcountry Navigation Pro. They have a free version so you can check out most of the features that way. You can set it to record a track from every 5 seconds to 30 minutes. I set it to 5 minutes and have pretty good accuracy as far as where I've been and the GPS use is only on for that time. You should be able to do that with any good mapping app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is an option but if I can get the cell tower location working I would prefer it.

fleen said:
This is an option but if I can get the cell tower location working I would prefer it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cell tower triangulation is not precise at all. It's only used to help your device catch GPS fix faster. If one would only use cell towers the accuracy would in most cases not got below 300-500m...

One cell tower can provide signal for a very large area. It can not be used for precise tracking as you need.
When I drive away from my house it can take over 5 minutes to leave the area of my 3 "home" cell towers.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

So its not what I want ok guys thanks how can I close this thread now?

improve location accuracy popup dialog

There are 3 location settings,
1. GPS, Wi-Fi and mobile networks – this lets Google use any of these to find your location even if Wi-Fi or location is turned off. When this is switched on, you’ll often find Google Play Services is one of the biggest issues.
2. Wi-Fi and mobile networks – this disables the GPS chip inside your Galaxy S6 Edge and is probably the least useful of the three options. Relying on just mobile networks and Wi-Fi will allow you to find your location quickly but will then use a lot of data and battery as it relies on your Wi-Fi and mobile networks to keep track of your location.
3. GPS only – this is actually the mode I use as it prevents Google scanning in the background (more on that below). It has its pitfalls in that it can take a while to find your location but the battery savings from not having Google scanning are plentiful.
We know that option 1 and 2 could lead to extreme battery drain because Google uses the location manager and wake up the device. When you attempt to turn on either the first or the second option, you’re greeted with a prompt from Google to “Improve location accuracy”. The option means that anonymous location data can sporadically be sent to Google even when no apps are running, and as a result, this can have a large impact on your battery life, especially when using Google Now or widgets that depend on location. If I choose one of these options I do not see the dialog anymore. Maybe I accidentally clicked "don' t show again".
How can I get the dialog back???
When I enable the locations, it is always set to option 1, even if I had 3 the last time. Anybody else have this problem??

Go to the settings in Google +

wolfloestoffel said:
Go to the settings in Google +
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't have google+ installed on my phone. What would I find there?

You can choose and set one of the 3 options to find the locations.

wolfloestoffel said:
You can choose and set one of the 3 options to find the locations.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes thank you, I know that. But every time when I set option 3 and switch location on/off it is always set to option 1 again. Did you even read my post?

Go to apps, google framework services, clear data and cache. I has the same problem, not because of battery drain but because I don't want to do the dirt job of mapping wifi networks for google. I'll like to do it, but just if google ASKS for it

azerk said:
Go to apps, google framework services, clear data and cache. I has the same problem, not because of battery drain but because I don't want to do the dirt job of mapping wifi networks for google. I'll like to do it, but just if google ASKS for it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you! works like a charm

Location services defaulting to my house unless I toggle location services on and off

Hello All,
On both my wife's and my Tmobile S7s running 6.01 on the November security patch, the location services are terrible. The phone keeps thinking I am at my house when I am 20 miles away at work. My wife has the same problem. If I toggle location services off then on, it instantly updates to the correct location. Eventually if defaults back to my house. This wouldn't be such a huge deal if I didn't have a SmartThings home automation system. SmartThings keeps unlocking my front door, turning on lights, and putting the heat back on because according to the phone I am at my house and the automation kicks in. Here is what I have done to try to fix the location issue:
- Location on with method = GPS, Wi-Fi, and mobile networks.
- Improved accuracy on with Wi-Fi scanning and Bluetooth Scanning enabled.
- Under Optimize Battery usage, I have unoptimized Location Services (meaning it should always be running).
Does anyone else have this problem with their S7s? If it were jsut mine, I would chalk it up to a faulty device, but it is happening to my wifes as well. Any other tricks to make this stop happening?

It's just you.
Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

takerhbk said:
It's just you.
Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well thanks for being super helpful. But its not just me, it is also my wife's S7 so maybe other people are experiencing the same issue and have work around. But I appreciate you adding so much value to the thread.

shaxs said:
Well thanks for being super helpful. But its not just me, it is also my wife's S7 so maybe other people are experiencing the same issue and have work around. But I appreciate you adding so much value to the thread.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is itonly your home automation app maybe and other apps like maps show location correctly?
Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

takerhbk said:
Is itonly your home automation app maybe and other apps like maps show location correctly?
Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you open up Google Maps, it shows us at our house on the map. If we cycle the location toggle on the quick link bar while on the map, it then updates to where we actually are. The home automation application is just effected by the location services being inaccurate.

shaxs said:
If you open up Google Maps, it shows us at our house on the map. If we cycle the location toggle on the quick link bar while on the map, it then updates to where we actually are. The home automation application is just effected by the location services being inaccurate.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you have developer settings enabled? If yes, check that mock location setting is disabled.
Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

You are not alone. I have a same problem as well. Mock location is disabled and thus also happens right after factory reset as well. I'm starting to think this may be a hardware issue.