Related
Google Now is keeping our devices awake far more than it should. Worse, it disguises itself as "maps" in battery usage. There are a few methods you can use to curb this til it's officially fixed. Like with all things, YMMV.
Method 1: Downgrade to an older version of Google Now
It seems that in the 10/29 update of Google Now (Google Search), Google found it necessary to remove an essential option to fix the GNow wakelock. This option is called "Location & Google search" and used to be located in Accounts, Google, Search. Interestingly, if you use MIUI 4 you can find this option in Location Settings regardless of which Google Now version you have installed. Anyway, you can get this option BACK if you install the google search I have attached to this thread. You'll lose some of Google Now's newer functions using this method.
- First make sure you clear Google Search's data in Settings, Apps. This prevents force closes.
- Using a root enabled file explorer (such as root explorer) I first copy the downgrade Google Search (It's actually labelled QuickSearchBox.apk)
- Then navigate to system/apps and mount the system partition as Re-Writable
- Paste the copied Google Search, overwriting when prompted
- Long-press the newly pasted Google Search and fix the permissions as such:
Read - Owner, Group, Others
Write - Owner
(The rest is unchecked)
- Reboot the device then do the following:
1. Go into settings
2. Under Accounts, select Google
3. Select Search
4. Uncheck "Location & Google search"
It's fixed! But you lost some GNow functionality. Let's try something else maybe?
Method 2: Disabling location reporting
This is a method that works for me, but others have told me it doesn't work for them. It will disable Latitude related functions as well so that's something to consider if you use those.
- Launch Maps
- Go into settings
- Uncheck "Report from this device"
- Change location reporting to "Do not update location"
Try it out!
Method 3: Turn off google location services
This one should be obvious. You'll lose all location functionality. Not ideal, but it's a workaround.
- Go into location settings and turn off Location and google apps.
Hopefully one day google fixes this thing! Til then, this is what I have found to work for me.
Edit #1: Updated the guide with new findings, organized a bit better.
Edit #2: Attached the correct quicksearchbox apk!
Edit #3: Fixed this post like whoa
So the solution to reducing Maps usage is to disable Location related settings? You don't say...
Sycobob said:
So the solution to reducing Maps usage is to disable Location related settings? You don't say...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow really? Was that really needed?
Sycobob said:
So the solution to reducing Maps usage is to disable Location related settings? You don't say...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think your comment was necessary either.
With jellybean, maps usage is quite a bit higher than it used to be because of Google Now. I think a lot of people would like to know ways to curb its resource usage.
This is helpful, OP. Thanks
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app
Meh, wasn't explicitly trying to be an ass, just seems like a pointless thread to me. "If you don't want your location app to spend resources checking your location, then turn off location settings" is right there with "pressing the menu button brings up the menu" or "turning the volume down makes your phone quieter".
If being reminded of these things is important information though, by all means carry on.
Sycobob said:
Meh, wasn't explicitly trying to be an ass, just seems like a pointless thread to me. "If you don't want your location app to spend resources checking your location, then turn off location settings" is right there with "pressing the menu button brings up the menu" or "turning the volume down makes your phone quieter".
If being reminded of these things is important information though, by all means carry on.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I get where you are coming from so no harm no foul. I went from completely stock to the stock jellybean leak. I used all the same settings as before but I did notice unusually high maps usage. I didn't know why but figured that Google Now is the culprit.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app
Sure, it may seem obvious, but actually disabling most other location related settings won't fix the maps lock in my experience. This one did, and it's tucked away where you wouldn't normally look for such settings. On top of that it seems to have little effect on how your phone operates with locations, so you can have your cake and eat it too.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2
Div033 said:
Sure, it may seem obvious, but actually disabling most other location related settings won't fix the maps lock in my experience. This one did, and it's tucked away where you wouldn't normally look for such settings. On top of that it seems to have little effect on how your phone operates with locations, so you can have your cake and eat it too.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree it might seems obvious but it's not... I wouldn't have disabled it cause I thought that it'd affect Google Now functionality... The OP confirmed that it doesn't so... green light.
Thanks OP btw.
Thanks op, needed this
Yo Div033! Long time no see bud! Loved your work on the DInc! Ur ICS blue Rom was tits! You working on anything for the SGS3 vzw?
TokedUp said:
Yo Div033! Long time no see bud! Loved your work on the DInc! Ur ICS blue Rom was tits! You working on anything for the SGS3 vzw?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey man! Thanks, I appreciate the comments but I'd hardly call it "my work" lol. I'm interested in doing some custom touchwiz themes but I'm knee deep in real life atm. Maybe once official TW JB drops I'll have more free time. I seem to have a nasty audio routing bug with the current leaks when using Google Music (will randomly switch audio output from headset to speaker when changing tracks) so I haven't been super inspired to do any work with them.
To all others: I have some additional information on how to curb the maps wakelock. If you've installed the Google Search 10/29 update then the setting I'm telling you to uncheck is no longer available. As of right now you can uninstall the update from app settings and then uncheck the setting in question. I'm going to now re-update now with it unchecked and see if the wakelock remains gone. If so, I'll update the OP with the required Google Search apk and additional instructions.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2
How does this affect reporting of location with Latitude? I think that is where some of my drain is coming from, I'd like to keep Latitude on but find a way to either lessen the number of reports or find a lower power set of location services settings.
coreywilner said:
How does this affect reporting of location with Latitude? I think that is where some of my drain is coming from, I'd like to keep Latitude on but find a way to either lessen the number of reports or find a lower power set of location services settings.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As far as I know, latitude is a whole different beast. The settings for latitude are within the Maps application itself. I can't say for sure if doing this method will alleviate your latitude reports but I'd think not. This seems to keep Google Now in check with its constant reporting.
But worth a shot maybe? It could be GNow that's affecting your wake time, unless you don't have it installed.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2
None of these suggestions work. After turning "Let Google apps access your location" option back on wakelocks come back. There is one interesting thread that could help and I'm just gonna try it because all other things that I found didn't help.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=31031142
SotYPL said:
None of these suggestions work. After turning "Let Google apps access your location" option back on wakelocks come back. There is one interesting thread that could help and I'm just gonna try it because all other things that I found didn't help.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=31031142
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yup, I'm still doing some tests (been busy as hell) but the suggestions I originally supplied don't work. Except for the one where you use an older Google Now version, but I'd hardly call that a solution.
By the way, the option your looking for is "Location & Google search". The one you mentioned has a far broader effect. This option will only be present with the older version of Google now installed.
For now I've found that turning off Location reporting in maps fixes the lock. I believe this affects latitude and similar functions though, so if you use those it may not be a good solution.
What's really interesting is in the newer versions of MIUI the "Location and Google search" option is retained upon updating Google Now. I'm unsure why this is the only ROM to behave this way.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2
I'm running cm10 and I just turn the location access to off and it blocks all except the emergency location off...when I do this better battery stats shows no wake locks for location...I can't remember if stock has the same option.
jamesd1085 said:
I'm running cm10 and I just turn the location access to off and it blocks all except the emergency location off...when I do this better battery stats shows no wake locks for location...I can't remember if stock has the same option.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I noticed this before as well. I left "Google location services" on overnight as I slept and Google Maps wakelocks (for Google Now no doubt) destroyed my fully charged my battery. Better battery stats helped pinpoint that in my case.
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda app-developers app
Div033 said:
By the way, the option your looking for is "Location & Google search". The one you mentioned has a far broader effect. This option will only be present with the older version of Google now installed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you turn off "Location & Google search" in older version of Google Search and then update app you will have this new "Let Google apps access your location" option off also after that and none of google apps will be able to get your location including Maps so this is not a solution. If you turn "Let Google apps access your location" back on wakelocks come back.
Div033 said:
For now I've found that turning off Location reporting in maps fixes the lock. I believe this affects latitude and similar functions though, so if you use those it may not be a good solution.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It does nothing for me. I don't use any location reporting or google now and still have wakelocks. The only way to completely get rid of maps wakelocks is to turn off all location options or put the phone into airplane mode. And if I stay in one place I get very low amount of wakelocks but as soon I get moving wakelocks start to show in huge amount and they don't stop after I get to my destination. Right now I'm testing this script that I pointed before but I'm still at work so will see if it helps when I got home.
SotYPL said:
If you turn off "Location & Google search" in older version of Google Search and then update app you will have this new "Let Google apps access your location" option off also after that and none of google apps will be able to get your location including Maps so this is not a solution. If you turn "Let Google apps access your location" back on wakelocks come back.
It does nothing for me. I don't use any location reporting or google now and still have wakelocks. The only way to completely get rid of maps wakelocks is to turn off all location options or put the phone into airplane mode. And if I stay in one place I get very low amount of wakelocks but as soon I get moving wakelocks start to show in huge amount and they don't stop after I get to my destination. Right now I'm testing this script that I pointed before but I'm still at work so will see if it helps when I got home.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah originally I had the idea that disabling that Location & Google search option would keep it disabled after updating even with the option missing. This turned out to not be the case as you discovered. I need to update the OP!
Its unfortunate to hear turning off location reporting didn't fix it for you. I would like to know if the method you linked works, so feel free to let us know
Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2
anyone aware of a Tasker or Llama profile to disable Location when I'm at a "fixed location" (i.e., at home or work), but enables Location once I'm on the road or in an unknown location?
Is there anyway to revoke GPS permissions for certain apps like Facebook for example but keep them on for Google Maps? Having an issue where I wake up my phone to check the time, answer a text, or whatever, and notice my GPS icon at the top blinking and will not stop till I close everything in my recent apps. Want to try and revoke GPS permissions for apps that do not need it and see if that would fix my problem.
Thanks.
I know there are many xposed modules which allow you to restrict individual permissions for specific apps. From there you could restrict an app's access to your fine (GPS) location. I think that would keep it from triggering your GPS upon opening. I don't know what to tell you if you're not rooted out have a reason not till install xposed. Hope that helps.
The Stig 04 said:
Is there anyway to revoke GPS permissions for certain apps like Facebook for example but keep them on for Google Maps? Having an issue where I wake up my phone to check the time, answer a text, or whatever, and notice my GPS icon at the top blinking and will not stop till I close everything in my recent apps. Want to try and revoke GPS permissions for apps that do not need it and see if that would fix my problem.
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
app ops can do it. you can also use tasker so that location only turns on for certain apps.
cntryby429 said:
I know there are many xposed modules which allow you to restrict individual permissions for specific apps. From there you could restrict an app's access to your fine (GPS) location. I think that would keep it from triggering your GPS upon opening. I don't know what to tell you if you're not rooted out have a reason not till install xposed. Hope that helps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
madsquabbles said:
app ops can do it. you can also use tasker so that location only turns on for certain apps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cool thanks guys. Wasn't sure how to word this when trying to Google it but searching for App Ops I found an XDA Article that had some other solutions as well. I appreciate the help! :good:
Here is the link for the article in case anyone else wants to read it.
http://www.xda-developers.com/protecting-your-privacy-app-ops-privacy-guard-and-xprivacy/
At some point the location icon that is sometimes displayed in right side of the status bar came on, on my device, and never goes away.
I'm used to this coming on when an app is using location services and then turning off when I'm done with it. Rebooting my device makes no difference, it's still there. When I look under location in my settings, they only app that it says has recently made a location request is Google Play Services. But this should not be causing the icon to always display.
Any thoughts about what's going on or how else to troubleshoot this?
Thanks.
Same. Can't figure it out at all. Hopefully someone will shed some light on this.
Is your location set to device only?
Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk
richyb86 said:
Is your location set to device only?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes.
Yeah, changing the settings from device only to high accuracy makes the icon go away. But why should the location icon always be on when the phone is set it device only mode?
It is related to Google, the cards. I had the same thing on my XL 1. You do need fine enabled as you found out, or turn off the cards.
TonikJDK said:
It is related to Google, the cards. I had the same thing on my XL 1. You do need fine enabled as you found out, or turn off the cards.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
By cards do you mean the recently used apps list? When I clear that list the icon still remains.
And how do you turn off the cards?
cb474 said:
By cards do you mean the recently used apps list? When I clear that list the icon still remains.
And how do you turn off the cards?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, I mean the Google App.
TonikJDK said:
No, I mean the Google App.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh, I got it.
Turns out disabling permissions for location for the Google App solves the problem.
Well, strangely the problem has come back. Disabling location permission for the Google app clearly solved the problem (because I turned it on and off several times to verify this). But now today the icon won't go away again, even with location disabled for the Google app. More weirdly, turning location off altogether on the phone does not make the icon go away. Also disabling the Google app does not help.
But just setting location to high accuracy (plus restarting) does still make it go away.
@cb474
Heh same problem here. But I'm on a Sony... Disabling location entirely does nothing. Not sure if it's a play services bug or Android. Battery drain is nominal, went through all the apps with location history. Anyone any clue?
Bump?
Sebi673 said:
Heh same problem here. But I'm on a Sony... Disabling location entirely does nothing. Not sure if it's a play services bug or Android. Battery drain is nominal, went through all the apps with location history. Anyone any clue?
Bump?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is your location set to high accuracy?
TonikJDK said:
Is your location set to high accuracy?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yup. But even if I turn the location off, the icon remains I'm starting to think its a bug, the security update happened recently.
On Nexus / Pixel devices this icon should only appear when an application is requesting location information from your device.
With other brands of Android phones the location icon sometimes has a slightly different meaning in the sense that it might indicate that location services are simply on.
I would revisit your installed apps and look to see what you have running that might be requesting your location. You can start revoking the location access permission from the app(s) you suspect might be causing this to help you narrow down and find the culprit.
Yup,, I noticed just yesterday the last beta for Tapatalk requested for location to be turned on. Notification was always showing in status bar. Turned that setting off in Settings>Apps & Notifications>Tapatalk app and turned that permission off.
Fixed
Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk
When this happens to mine, I toggle location off and reboot the phone. It's always Google Play Services misbehaving, I think it's a third party app (Instagram) polling continuously.
fishlifters said:
When this happens to mine, I toggle location off and reboot the phone. It's always Google Play Services misbehaving, I think it's a third party app (Instagram) polling continuously.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I do something similar. I don't have the problem if my phone is set to high accuracy, but if it's set to device only and I restart the phone then the location icon shows up right away and won't go away. I then have to set the phone to high accuracy, restart the phone, the location is not there are restart, and then I set it back to device only.
The problem is not a third party app requesting location. I'm very careful about what permissions I give to apps. And I had the problem before I really installed any apps. I don't know what it is and never really resolved this, but I am also suspicious of Google Play Services or some other low level Google process.
I suspect not a lot of people run into this issue, because they either just disable location services or set it to high accuracy, but not to device only.
cb474 said:
Yeah, I do something similar. I don't have the problem if my phone is set to high accuracy, but if it's set to device only and I restart the phone then the location icon shows up right away and won't go away. I then have to set the phone to high accuracy, restart the phone, the location is not there are restart, and then I set it back to device only.
The problem is not a third party app requesting location. I'm very careful about what permissions I give to apps. And I had the problem before I really installed any apps. I don't know what it is and never really resolved this, but I am also suspicious of Google Play Services or some other low level Google process.
I suspect not a lot of people run into this issue, because they either just disable location services or set it to high accuracy, but not to device only.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In your case it is the Google Now cards...that you swipe right to get too. It's the location service to set the weather. I am certain of it.
TonikJDK said:
In your case it is the Google Now cards...that you swipe right to get too. It's the location service to set the weather. I am certain of it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Xperias are usually running very close to vanilla hence why I'm saying 'me too' to this bug. (also the xda thread on my XZp is a ghost town - on this reasoning the next phone will deffo be a pixel or a 1+).
Anyway, i suspect the issue has something to do with GnssLocationProvider returning an error on a wakelock by com.android.server.location.gnsslocationprovider - gpsrequest. But that's speculation.
Another thing I tried with limited success was to clear data for Google play services, services framework, google and play store. After reinit the location only appeared as designed - when in use. Phone reboot only gives about half an hour before something triggers location and the annoying icon stays on.
However, 12 hours later, on BT connect, location updated and the icon persisted. From what I can tell there is no additional battery drain - i'm using the third party GPS Status app which sends a notification whenever the GPS is engaged and it only comes up on regular play services update and of course maps and other location enabled apps.
Also tried force stopping all of the user apps, then main system apps (google and oem services) and then backend services till at some point it halted and rebooted. Icon was still there.
For now I disabled the location icon and only left the Gps status app to notify whenever gps is actually running. Right now my guess is play services acting up although this behavior started after Jan security update. What's worth mentioning is that i'm using the bets of google apps including play services. My dad has the same phone with the same config but no betas or anything and he does not have this issue. So i'm less inclined to think it's a device specific but rather a google play services bug.
TonikJDK said:
In your case it is the Google Now cards...that you swipe right to get too. It's the location service to set the weather. I am certain of it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't use Google Now or Google Assistant. I have no Google based weather update running. I have that stuff totally disabled.
Sebi673 said:
For now I disabled the location icon and only left the Gps status app to notify whenever gps is actually running. Right now my guess is play services acting up although this behavior started after Jan security update. What's worth mentioning is that i'm using the bets of google apps including play services. My dad has the same phone with the same config but no betas or anything and he does not have this issue. So i'm less inclined to think it's a device specific but rather a google play services bug.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For me this issue has been there from day one, when I got the phone in October (I ordered the day the phoen launched). So it does not have to do with the January update for me.
That aside, how do you disable the location icon?
Hi. I've recently just got the Flip3 a few days ago and have noticed that Smartthings has been permanently running in the background since setting the phone up. The confusing thing is that according to the Galaxy Store and Play Store the app isn't installed. I can't even see it in the apps list. Any ideas on where it may be hiding and how to kill it? Thanks
@The-Observer77
Go to Settings > Apps. When you see "My Apps", tap on the three bar icon just to the right.
Once the drop down appears, toggle to where "System" apps are included.
Then, either scroll down to see the Smart Things app (or use the search bar). It's a system app that's not going to appear in your app drawer.
However, there is a user-interface app that can be installed from the Galaxy App Store or the Google Play Store.
@KOLIOSIS
Hi. I've looked where you said and the only options I see when I tap the 3 dots are the following:
Permission manager, Special access and Reset app preferences.
The-Observer77 said:
@KOLIOSIS
Hi. I've looked where you said and the only options I see when I tap the 3 dots are the following:
Permission manager, Special access and Reset app preferences.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Look down just a bit further, where you see your listed apps....... It will literally say "Your Apps"....... Tap to the right of that & you'll see the toggle I'm talking about..
@KOLIOSIS
Call it a momentary lapse in concentration. Found it right where you mention. Hopefully clearing the cache and data will stop it using so much battery. Thanks.
The-Observer77 said:
@KOLIOSIS
Call it a momentary lapse in concentration. Found it right where you mention. Hopefully clearing the cache and data will stop it using so much battery. Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No problem, it's definitely in a weird place......
IIRC, this placement of the toggle for system apps was originally right where you were looking until Samsung's flavor of Android 11 rolled out.
Seems illogical to me as well, as if Samsung doesn't want anyone to have easy access to system app info.
I'm guessing the only way you're going to be able to stop the app from using battery is to use a package disabler app, or, disable it w/an ADB command.
@KOLIOSIS
Clearing the cache and data on SmartThings seems to have worked. Battery life has vastly improved now.
Hello,
I'm writing about a problem with accessibility settings.
For example, I use applications such as Button Mapper and App volume control, which require accessibility ON.
In the application, I have set no restriction on the battery, and also autostart and in recent apps I have these apps locked. But if I kill all applications from recent - then the mentioned apps also stop working. I have to turn them on again and also enable accessibility again. I have been using these applications for a long time on different phones and there is no problem like this.
(I don't want to see these applications running in recent apps)
I use the latest xiaomi.eu ROM, but I had the same problem with the Global version.
Thanks for any help.
You can "lock" an app to prevent it from being killed.
Launch the app with the accessibility settings you want, display the apps currently running but instead of killing all apps click and hold on the one you want to keep. You should see a "lock" option here.
Hope that helps
Magichp said:
You can "lock" an app to prevent it from being killed.
Launch the app with the accessibility settings you want, display the apps currently running but instead of killing all apps click and hold on the one you want to keep. You should see a "lock" option here.
Hope that helps
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your reply, but I already have this apps locked in recent apps but not working.
Hmmm, that's weird, I have the same kind of issue using Macrodroid to automate some tasks, and they even advise in-app to follow that method to keep the required accessibility settings (method that isn't required on non-Xiaomi devices) and it does work.
What exactly is the issue, the apps still get killed even locked or do they just lose their settings?
Someone with better knowledge of MIUI might give a better answer ^^
I had the same problems and fixed them by disabling energy saving management and activated autostart.