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?
hi so I have a lot of issues with my phone waking up for no apparent reason at all, turning off data and Wi-Fi didn't change anything either, the amount of wakes are ridiculous
NuckFuggets said:
hi so I have a lot of issues with my phone waking up for no apparent reason at all, turning off data and Wi-Fi didn't change anything either, the amount of wakes are ridiculous
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You need to gsam or bbs to tell you what's waking your phone. From the info you provided no one can tell you what's going on.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app
jd1639 said:
You need to gsam or bbs to tell you what's waking your phone. From the info you provided no one can tell you what's going on.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
what's gsam and bbs?
NuckFuggets said:
what's gsam and bbs?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Go to play store and look for gsam and betterybatterystats
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app
jd1639 said:
Go to play store and look for gsam and betterybatterystats
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ok I got gsam, what do I do with it? just use my phone normally for a while then check to see what's waking the phone up?
NuckFuggets said:
ok I got gsam, what do I do with it? just use my phone normally for a while then check to see what's waking the phone up?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, give it a day and then look at held awake and app usage. That should tell you what's causing the problem. You can post screen shots here of those and we should be able to give you an idea of what's going on
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app
jd1639 said:
Yes, give it a day and then look at held awake and app usage. That should tell you what's causing the problem. You can post screen shots here of those and we should be able to give you an idea of what's going on
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ok sweet thanks a lot!
its google play services.. its at the top of the list, but shouldn't be there at all. its been an issue with many other nexus 5 users this past month or so. i even had it. people are finding several ways to fix it. i fixed it by installing the disable service app, and removing all the location oriented stuff from google play services.
simms22 said:
its google play services.. its at the top of the list, but shouldn't be there at all. its been an issue with many other nexus 5 users this past month or so. i even had it. people are finding several ways to fix it. i fixed it by installing the disable service app, and removing all the location oriented stuff from google play services.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
maybe, but it's only at the top cuz I had 5 minute screen on time, normally it's at 5% for normal usage
NuckFuggets said:
maybe, but it's only at the top cuz I had 5 minute screen on time, normally it's at 5% for normal usage
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it should be even lower. mine was at 5% when causing trouble.
As said, use gsam.... Let it go from 100 to about 10 percent and sift through it. Post screens that look odd.
Don't reboot, Gsam will reset if you do.
Your screens are for an hour....can't tell much from that. Need a long timeframe.
Good luck!
Oh, and you need gsam root companion as well, to see held awake times and wakelocks. Get it from play store, run it after you download it.
simms22 said:
it should be even lower. mine was at 5% when causing trouble.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
true, this stuff happened after I factory reset it, I'm probably going to do a clean install of 4.4.3
did a factory reset, clean install of 4.4.3.... and it didn't work. well it was fine for day one, but crap again today.
wtf is the problem with Google play services?? it's really pissing me off
p.s. screenshots are for only one hour, but I used my phone for like 5 hours from before with the same amount of wakes between screen ons..
I'm willing to bet its related to what seems to be horrible signal strength.... Combined with location services. (High accuracy I'm betting? Or possibly on battery saver?)
So an app, or apps are trying to get location and having trouble cause your signal is so weak. (Trying to reach radio towers)
Or, its just apps trying to access data...social apps in particular, or anything that automatically receives info/data.
Anyway....to see if I'm on the right track.....first step is to turn location services off completely and see how it is.
If its no different....scenario 2.
For a few hours to test....keep location off and disable data. You'll still get texts and phone calls ...but that's it. See how that is for a few hours.
Good luck! ?
KJ said:
I'm willing to bet its related to what seems to be horrible signal strength.... Combined with location services. (High accuracy I'm betting? Or possibly on battery saver?)
So an app, or apps are trying to get location and having trouble cause your signal is so weak. (Trying to reach radio towers)
Or, its just apps trying to access data...social apps in particular, or anything that automatically receives info/data.
Anyway....to see if I'm on the right track.....first step is to turn location services off completely and see how it is.
If its no different....scenario 2.
For a few hours to test....keep location off and disable data. You'll still get texts and phone calls ...but that's it. See how that is for a few hours.
Good luck! ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think it's signal strength, becsuse both of these days I was at school, in the same spot. but yeah I'll try turning off location (it's on battery saver btw) and report back on how things go. thanks!
KJ said:
I'm willing to bet its related to what seems to be horrible signal strength.... Combined with location services. (High accuracy I'm betting? Or possibly on battery saver?)
So an app, or apps are trying to get location and having trouble cause your signal is so weak. (Trying to reach radio towers)
Or, its just apps trying to access data...social apps in particular, or anything that automatically receives info/data.
Anyway....to see if I'm on the right track.....first step is to turn location services off completely and see how it is.
If its no different....scenario 2.
For a few hours to test....keep location off and disable data. You'll still get texts and phone calls ...but that's it. See how that is for a few hours.
Good luck! ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I actually think it's location, I did a short test turning it off then back on to battery saving, and you can see that it made a difference. the big gap where there is no awake is when I turned off location, and then right till the end you can see the phone keeps waking up after I enabled location again. I don't understand how it can go from no wakes between screen on to like 1000 wakes between screen on in just a day.. like wtf
I also have location off for facebook and messenger, and basically everything else except camera and Google, but I've always had location on for them including yesterday, so I don't think they're the problem
NuckFuggets said:
I actually think it's location, I did a short test turning it off then back on to battery saving, and you can see that it made a difference. the big gap where there is no awake is when I turned off location, and then right till the end you can see the phone keeps waking up after I enabled location again. I don't understand how it can go from no wakes between screen on to like 1000 wakes between screen on in just a day.. like wtf
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i used an app called disable service to disable google play services location ability about a month ago, it hasnt bothered me since. i tried telling you yesterday..
simms22 said:
i used an app called disable service to disable google play services location ability about a month ago, it hasnt bothered me since. i tried telling you yesterday..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no I saw that, but everything was perfectly fine yesterday, I want to try to fix the problem first. if nothing works then I'll get the app, but I don't get why I would have to use an app to disable my location cuz of a troublesome app, like what the hell is needing my location so much???
NuckFuggets said:
no I saw that, but everything was perfectly fine yesterday, I want to try to fix the problem. if nothing works then I'll get the app, but I don't get why I would have to use an app to disable my location cuz of a troublesome app, like what the hell is needing my location so much???
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it still happens when location is disabled. i dont know whats up with google play services this past month, but it has bothered many. it started when they were updating the play services and added many more abilities and permissions to it. and its not just a normal app btw, it controls much of what goes on now with the os, even updating many things in the background.
simms22 said:
it still happens when location is disabled. i dont know whats up with google play services this past month, but it has bothered many. it started when they were updating the play services and added many more abilities and permissions to it. and its not just a normal app btw, it controls much of what goes on now with the os, even updating many things in the background.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
oh. well damn. I'll just disable location for a while cuz everything was perfect yesterday :/
Google is pretty persistent in wanting to improve on my Location accuracy when I turn on the GPS, and doesn't take "never" for an answer to the question to record "anonymous" location data. Annoying, very annoying, NO WANT ?
Is there a way of shutting Google up forever?
+1 also wanna know how this notification can be disabled. is there a service that can be blocked or something?
this is so stupidly, angreringly, frustratingly upsetting. there should be a box that says "disagree forever". they obviously have their own interests in mind because this isn't an oversight. sounds like a conspiracy? then do what I did:
1. agree to high accuracy mode
2. go into setting and change it to "gps" only
3. disable location
4. enable location
5. watch as you're forced back into "high accuracy" mode even though you've taken the steps to manually change to "gps only"
this is fucking stupid and it shows that it's for google's benefit, not mine.
Wifi auto connecting even when on mobile data
sorry for posting here but i have recently had problem with my OPO. I have my home wifi as a network as my remebered network but the problem is that the phone auto on wifi even when i have mobile data turned on. it tries to connect to a open wifi network even when i dont want tp
easily solved by turning wifi off
as an update, i realize now why every time you turn on GPS, this message appears. the reason is that when you first turn on GPS, IT IMMEDIATELY TURNS ITSELF TO "high accuracy" mode! and every time you turn to this mode, it prompts you to agree.
IF THEY JUST MADE IT FUCKING STAY AT THE SETTING YOU SELECT, THIS WOUDLN'T BE A PROBLEM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! BUT OBVIOUSLY, THEY'RE DOING THIS ON PURPOSE FOR THEIR PURPOSES! IT DOESN'T NEED TO BE FIXED, IT NEEDS TO NOT BE INTENTIONALLY SET THIS WAY!
edit--
there's an xposed module that automatically disables the dialog and changes your setting back to GPS only:
http://repo.xposed.info/module/org.brainkiller.xposed.denylocationconsent
I was seeking and suggesting Mohammad to choose both options - yes or no.
Finally found this module but it doesn't work on my phone.
Seems like giving folk choice to choose permanently this option is not desired by someone up there ...
just in case someone will looking for option how to disagree again after you click once on agree
on my Lollipop (HTC one M7) with google play service 9.6.83
to disable improve location accuracy:
Settings > Apps > Google Play services
click on [Manage space]
and then click on [Clear all data]
be aware that it will clear your google play services settings of course...
also it will start to ask you again if you want to help google to collect anonymous data, but it will turn on location in Device Only mode and then you can just ignore that question about disagree / agree and go back to your application / home screen without answering. Or you can use that Xposed module Deny Location Consent to disagree always
+1
I wanna know, how this notification can be disabled?
boldonc said:
+1
I wanna know, how this notification can be disabled?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That necro....
After a quick read of the topic and assuming you have android N you can't use xposed because it's not supported on N
On my OnePlus X running OxygenOS 3.1.4 the above mentioned x-posed module works like a charm! Thanx!
seanwlk said:
After a quick read of the topic and assuming you have android N you can't use xposed because it's not supported on N
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Was there a solution to this infuriating "Improve location accuracy?" popup that doesn't require Xposed?
I'm using a custom Oreo ROM on my Moto G4 Plus and started using e-Robot to switch on/off my GPS with screen on/off, but everytime I switch the screen on, I get this annoying popup. I do NOT want WiFi used to "improve location accuracy"! it's GPS or nothing!
I used Magisk on Oreo but can't use Xposed as it causes issues with the custom ROM.
smithbill said:
Was there a solution to this infuriating "Improve location accuracy?" popup that doesn't require Xposed?
I'm using a custom Oreo ROM on my Moto G4 Plus and started using e-Robot to switch on/off my GPS with screen on/off, but everytime I switch the screen on, I get this annoying popup. I do NOT want WiFi used to "improve location accuracy"! it's GPS or nothing!
I used Magisk on Oreo but can't use Xposed as it causes issues with the custom ROM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That popup has been added since nougat iirc, it's annoying af but never liked for a way to remove it since I don't use GPS that often.
But anyways now I have xposed on my OnePlus 5t running Android 8.1 so if you had a working module that you know you can try.
xposed for N is official since october....
potionz said:
just in case someone will looking for option how to disagree again after you click once on agree
on my Lollipop (HTC one M7) with google play service 9.6.83
to disable improve location accuracy:
Settings > Apps > Google Play services
click on [Manage space]
and then click on [Clear all data]
be aware that it will clear your google play services settings of course...
also it will start to ask you again if you want to help google to collect anonymous data, but it will turn on location in Device Only mode and then you can just ignore that question about disagree / agree and go back to your application / home screen without answering. Or you can use that Xposed module Deny Location Consent to disagree always
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
this solved it! thanks!
Pls update
Angry Black Man said:
as an update, i realize now why every time you turn on GPS, this message appears. the reason is that when you first turn on GPS, IT IMMEDIATELY TURNS ITSELF TO "high accuracy" mode! and every time you turn to this mode, it prompts you to agree.
IF THEY JUST MADE IT FUCKING STAY AT THE SETTING YOU SELECT, THIS WOUDLN'T BE A PROBLEM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! BUT OBVIOUSLY, THEY'RE DOING THIS ON PURPOSE FOR THEIR PURPOSES! IT DOESN'T NEED TO BE FIXED, IT NEEDS TO NOT BE INTENTIONALLY SET THIS WAY!
edit--
there's an xposed module that automatically disables the dialog and changes your setting back to GPS only:
http://repo.xposed.info/module/org.brainkiller.xposed.denylocationconsent
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My Google Services version is 13.2.80 and above fix does not work - after installation nothing changes and annoying pop-up keeps on showing forever.
drreaman said:
My Google Services version is 13.2.80 and above fix does not work - after installation nothing changes and annoying pop-up keeps on showing forever.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've had this problem on my LG v20 driving me nuts for the last month or so ever since it updated to Oreo it is a stock h910 unlocked.
But here's what I just did that appears to be working I went into settings applications and disabled Google Play Store and the services application. I then find Gmail doesn't work Hangouts doesn't work so I reabled the service but I have yet to enable the Play Store and I have yet to have gotten the pop up.
I realized that every time I turn on my phone WiFi - GPS turns on itself too.
Could never avoid it whatever I tried, pls advise?
Whenever I manually turn it off - it turns on again by itself.
drreaman said:
I realized that every time I turn on my phone WiFi - GPS turns on itself too.
Could never avoid it whatever I tried, pls advise?
Whenever I manually turn it off - it turns on again by itself.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In a samsung forum it has been the wifi setting.
Maybe it could be the same here: setting/network&internet/wi-fi/wi-fi preference/turn on wifi automatically (switch it off).
So you could have a look in your wifi settings- should be similar - more or less.
Sent from my [device_name] using XDA-Developers Legacy app
I got probably misunderstood - it is not the WiFi that turns on itself, but it is phone's GPS that does automatically ON when I activate my WiFi.
And there is no such setting for GPS (auto on) in my settings.
So my problem is still pending solution.
It could be an app or a system proccess that relates my GPS with my WiFi, just no idea how to pinpoint the bastardo.
Is it normal for the GPS status icon to always be present in the right side of the status bar on Lollipop (V5.02)?
Location is enabled and is set to high accuracy. No apps are running (or present in the recent apps list) that make constant use of the GPS (IE: Maps).
I'm curious if this is normal behavior on this device. I have 3 other devices to compare to that have the same apps and location settings :
- Galaxy S3 -- Icon is always present when location is enabled (Android 4.4)
- Nexus 5 -- Icon only appears when an app requests use of the GPS (Android 5.1.1)
- Nexus 9 -- Icon only appears when an app requests use of the GPS (Android 5.1.1)
the.teejster said:
Is it normal for the GPS status icon to always be present in the right side of the status bar ?
Location is enabled and is set to high accuracy. No apps are running (or present in the recent apps list) that make constant use of the GPS (IE: Maps).
I'm curious if this is normal behavior on this device. I have 3 other devices to compare to that have the same apps and location settings :
- Galaxy S3 -- Icon is always present when location is enabled (Android 4.4)
- Nexus 5 -- Icon only appears when an app requests use of the GPS (Android 5.1.1)
- Nexus 9 -- Icon only appears when an app requests use of the GPS (Android 5.1.1)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It does not turn off automatically unless you are running an app to do so. My battery saver app lets you specify a list of apps that need gps...when I run the app it turns on gps...when the app exits it turns gps off. There is also a free version of it..search for "Greeenpower"...it does require root for an app to toggle gps under lollipop.
Thanks for the reply but I didn't think that applied to Android V4.x and UP.
You are supposed to be able to keep your location toggle set on ON all the time and Android is supposed to only enable it when an app requests it.. I can clearly see this behaviour on both my Nexus devices running lollipop.
Since this phone is as close to stock android as I've ever seen I'm wondering if anyone else is observing the same behaviour I am or if else might be keeping it forced on unknowingly.
famewolf said:
It does not turn off automatically unless you are running an app to do so. My battery saver app lets you specify a list of apps that need gps...when I run the app it turns on gps...when the app exits it turns gps off. There is also a free version of it..search for "Greeenpower"...it does require root for an app to toggle gps under lollipop.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the.teejster said:
Thanks for the reply but I didn't think that applied to Android V4.x and UP.
You are supposed to be able to keep your location toggle set on ON all the time and Android is supposed to only enable it when an app requests it.. I can clearly see this behaviour on both my Nexus devices running lollipop.
Since this phone is as close to stock android as I've ever seen I'm wondering if anyone else is observing the same behaviour I am or if else might be keeping it forced on unknowingly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mine is also constantly on.
Macklessdaddy said:
Mine is also constantly on.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mine is constantly on, like now.
the.teejster said:
Thanks for the reply but I didn't think that applied to Android V4.x and UP.
You are supposed to be able to keep your location toggle set on ON all the time and Android is supposed to only enable it when an app requests it.. I can clearly see this behaviour on both my Nexus devices running lollipop.
Since this phone is as close to stock android as I've ever seen I'm wondering if anyone else is observing the same behaviour I am or if else might be keeping it forced on unknowingly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well no offense but yours must be magic then cause I own both a nexus 4 and 5 and the gps doesn't turn off unless you or an app turns it off...same with bluetooth and wifi for that matter.
famewolf said:
Well no offense but yours must be magic then cause I own both a nexus 4 and 5 and the gps doesn't turn off unless you or an app turns it off...same with bluetooth and wifi for that matter.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think he means it turns off in the settings. But the location active icon in the status bar only comes on when an app is actively using it. My nexus 4 does this. The idol the icon is always there.
IMO, its probably just a software GUI change that Alcatel did. Unless it is draining the battery more than usual.
Non taken .. LOL..
Bluetooth and Wifi, when on do constantly show up on my nexus devices..
Location icon however, on stock lollipop will only appear when the GPS actually is in use. IE: It will appear when I load up google maps and disappear when I turn it off (on stock 5.1.1 on nexus 5 and 9).
I thought this was a feature baked into lollipop which is why I was asking. But from I'm hearing it's not.
Thanks everyone for taking the time to reply.. much appreciated.
BTW:
Looks like it's default behavior on at least one other device:
http://talk.sonymobile.com/t5/Xperi...t-appear-in-statusbar-on-lollipop/td-p/975946
Location
famewolf said:
Well no offense but yours must be magic then cause I own both a nexus 4 and 5 and the gps doesn't turn off unless you or an app turns it off...same with bluetooth and wifi for that matter.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe there is a secret Chinese system app that is continually tracking you with location? Haha
I was concerned about this too, and looked into it, I can 100% confirm that it's a software change. On the stock Idol 3 ROM, the location icon in the task bar merely shows that location is on, NOT THAT GPS is active.
If you're skeptical, download a GPS monitor app (some available without root, better ones available with root). You can confirm for yourself that the GPS monitor pings each and every time you use a location-based app (map, weather, etc), but not otherwise, even though the location icon is on.
It's constantly on for my Idol 3, but not my Moto X with CM 12.1.
A fix for this problem, if you have Xposed installed:
http://repo.xposed.info/module/com.xinlu.location_icon_fix
polygonal said:
A fix for this problem, if you have Xposed installed:
http://repo.xposed.info/module/com.xinlu.location_icon_fix
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Very nice! Thanks for creating the module! Out of curiosity do you get the popup every time you install an app or module to select whether to install to internal, external or let the system decide?
famewolf said:
Very nice! Thanks for creating the module! Out of curiosity do you get the popup every time you install an app or module to select whether to install to internal, external or let the system decide?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, I do. If I remember correctly, this started to happen around the time of the last update from Alcatel?
polygonal said:
Yes, I do. If I remember correctly, this started to happen around the time of the last update from Alcatel?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the reply. Nice to know it's not just MY phone. On my 6045i it's been happening quite a while if not from the beginning but it's very annoying as I have not yet found a way to disable it. Even running "pm set-install-location" from a shell doesn't stop the popup. Normally the setting would be under settings, apps or settings, storage but doesn't appear to be.
I'd compare this to some manufacturers adding an NFC icon. They think the user wants to know (all the time) if a setting is on or off.
the icon appears for me always; even after I turn location OFF in the settings...
so is it a bug or is it on purpose?
i've noticed if you turn off the location and then back on, the icon doesn't show up until something does request location, but then after that the icon stays there forever
ps. i'm glad i found this thread i thought i was going crazy
Thanks for the module.
**TheDuke** said:
I was concerned about this too, and looked into it, I can 100% confirm that it's a software change. On the stock Idol 3 ROM, the location icon in the task bar merely shows that location is on, NOT THAT GPS is active.
If you're skeptical, download a GPS monitor app (some available without root, better ones available with root). You can confirm for yourself that the GPS monitor pings each and every time you use a location-based app (map, weather, etc), but not otherwise, even though the location icon is on.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Please, could you suggest an app for GPS monitoring? I'm on a Xperia M4 Aqua Android 5.0.2 and facing the same problem. It's driving me crazy...
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?