Force Location - Galaxy S6 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

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

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

Related

Mobile Defense

Has anyone heard of this - https://www.mobiledefense.com/ ? It's so if your phone is lost/stolen you can get on the computer and see where it is. You can also do other things like lock it remotely. However it doesn't seem like you can activate the GPS remotely, so it's not that useful because you'd have to keep GPS turned on all the time, which drains the battery too much. Has anyone used this, is there a way to activate GPS remotely that I'm missing? Or is there another app that can activate it remotely?
I've been using this app for over a year. It works great and you can activate the GPS remotely. It does this by sending a txt message to the phone that allows you to control the program on the phone via the web interface.
Correction, GPS is not always active, it only becomes active once the application is activated, meaning you are not emitting a GPS signal at all times, only when you start to track it does it do that so it does not take up battery.
So far, you can make Mobile Defense a system application by moving it into the system memory as a system application. This will prevent uninstall and, if not already the feature to remotely activate the GPS after its been disabled.
SolemnWishing said:
So far, you can make Mobile Defense a system application by moving it into the system memory as a system application.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How do you do that?
And you're right about the GPS not constantly being activated, I tried it out, it's pretty nice.
I had Mobile Defense, then i switched to Wave Secure. MUCH better. Its still there even tho you wipe the phone, and backs up your contacts, messages, and pictures, all ONLINE for free. Can't beat that!
mautai916 said:
I had Mobile Defense, then i switched to Wave Secure. MUCH better. Its still there even tho you wipe the phone, and backs up your contacts, messages, and pictures, all ONLINE for free. Can't beat that!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll look into this. I'm die hard mobile defense, but i wipe so damn much i don't have it half the time.
Mobile Defense vs Wave Secure
I can't seem to find a way to get WaveSecure to kick on my GPS. Device tracking is pretty much useless and hasn't been able to lock onto my location all day.
Although it is super sweet for backing up almost everything on your Android phone. Which is something I don't believe MobileDefense does.
I still like MobileDefense for tracking my phone because it has the ability to turn on GPS remotely via a SMS. Don't forget you can active a car alarm sound remotely as well.
I can't wait to get a Dell Mini 5 and hope one of these companies add anti-theft device lock with auto snap shots with E-Mail back up!

Stolen phone and no data, how to track it?

Hey there! There are so many apps that promise to track your android phone (like lookout) but it looks like they all demand an internet connection to track the phone. What if the robber turns off the data or like me being abroad most of the time I don't have a data plan and connect only with wifi? Is there an app for that? Working at least with sms? Or better( like the "spot" device for outdoor activities with which you pay an annual fee to track the device with gps and can send a rescue alert in case? Is there an app for that? Thanks
There are programs which send a sms to a specific number, when the simcard changes and battery level goes under <10% with gps location.
I can't remember it anymore, but i've used it a while back and it works
Hope someone knows which tool i mean ;-)
Good luck
Even if you know where the robber is, there is nothing you can do. He can simply say that he doesn't have it and refuse to be searched. The only use for tracking is that you lost it and not stolen.
If it is stolen, these so called protection apps can help you remotely erase your personal data.
I hope you get your phone back.
Sent from my SCH-I500 using Tapatalk
WatchDroid PRO
http://www.androlib.com/android.application.com-androgone-simwatchdog-qpxB.aspx
Code:
Find your lost or stolen phone!
All in one protection.
Command your phone by SMS:
* get position
* SIM substitute protection
* Make it ringing even if the ringer is off
* Wipe data
* Lock (currently beta)
*...
(There are no monthly fees)
Please contact us by email for any issue
Recent changes:
- Added uninstallation protection
- Added FAQ link
- Improve get history command
- Improve reliability
deaffob said:
Even if you know where the robber is, there is nothing you can do. He can simply say that he doesn't have it and refuse to be searched. The only use for tracking is that you lost it and not stolen.
If it is stolen, these so called protection apps can help you remotely erase your personal data.
I hope you get your phone back.
Sent from my SCH-I500 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Refuse it or not, i'll search him if he has my phone

[Q] Locate My Phone, with no gps

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

[Q] Optimal settings battery vs Lost Phone functionality

I try to tweak the phone to save as much battery as it can, but I still want to be able to use the Lost Phone functionality. What settings do you suggest?
For now I'm using these settings:
- Allow WIFI to sleep when in sleepmode
- Allow WIFI to scan even if WIFI is turned off
- No GPS
- Location is on battery save mode
- Don't allow mobile data connection when screen is of (using Llama)
Now im using the default Google find my phone website. For the theftie I installed Lockwatch (it will take a pic after a few tries of entering the wrong code). But you need a data connection / wifi for the app to sent the mail? So how to circumvent this if wifi and data is off after the phone goes to sleep??
I don't have Lockwatch. But it looks like a really nice simple app. From what I can read in the product description it implies that Lockwatch turns on the required features by itself GPS, WiFi, etc. Have you tried "stealing" your own phone with your power saving settings activated? The other thing not mentioned in the product description is does the app continue to send periodic emails to update the phones location after it has been stolen and is moving? Maybe you know? I am using Lookout which can be interrogated at any time to located the phone. But it is not a lightweight app, which makes Lockwatch all the more interesting. Thanks for bringing it to my attention. I can't answer your question, but maybe someone else can, plus my question!
I monitored the battery life of my Moto G LTE for a while and I can say that in standby doesn't drain battery, even if gps and mobile networks are active (I tried using Runtastic while riding racing bike for about 15km: 1h of gps and mobile network consumed about 10-15%).
Remember that, even if you turn on location, doesn't mean that phone searches costantly gps signal, it searches for it only when apps request for it.
grahamgo said:
I don't have Lockwatch. But it looks like a really nice simple app. From what I can read in the product description it implies that Lockwatch turns on the required features by itself GPS, WiFi, etc. Have you tried "stealing" your own phone with your power saving settings activated? The other thing not mentioned in the product description is does the app continue to send periodic emails to update the phones location after it has been stolen and is moving? Maybe you know? I am using Lookout which can be interrogated at any time to located the phone. But it is not a lightweight app, which makes Lockwatch all the more interesting. Thanks for bringing it to my attention. I can't answer your question, but maybe someone else can, plus my question!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're welcome. I try to test it a few times. I'm still not sure when the mailing and gps kicks in. I do receive a mail when fake stealing my phone So it works good from time to time.
There is an premium feature that will try to sent again when there is data connection again.
If you want even more lightweight, im now using Avira with Lockwatch. If you like your phone to take pics for app locking, you can try Smart App Lock. And if you dislike Chrome, use CM Browser
justanicename said:
You're welcome. I try to test it a few times. I'm still not sure when the mailing and gps kicks in. I do receive a mail when fake stealing my phone So it works good from time to time.
There is an premium feature that will try to sent again when there is data connection again.
If you want even more lightweight, im now using Avira with Lockwatch. If you like your phone to take pics for app locking, you can try Smart App Lock. And if you dislike Chrome, use CM Browser
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The "time to time" bit sounds worrisome! I'm on this group because I gave my wife a Moto G. She just wants a working phone, so now that it's pretty much setup right and she can "drive" it proficiently I tend not to mess with it (read - I am not allowed!) . We live in Peru 6 months a year and we both like the fact that I can ping her phone using Lookout if necessary to see that's she's safe. However, they removed the photo taking feature from the free version, and the paid version is now about $30 p/a. Quite reasonable, but this has prompted me to see what else is out there before giving them my money. I have read good things about Avira ($10 for Pro version), so your recommendation might be perfect. I have also just looked at avast! Anti-Theft (pro version $15 p/a), this also seems very comprehensive, I am not too worried about antivirus protection as she only uses the basic's. Anyway I'm still looking around to look at all possible options. Thanks!
Oh, and sorry I don't mean to pull your thread off track. But you do want a location app that overrides your battery saving setup when needed. So the more possible options open to you the better right? On our Moto G, the WiFi/3g data is always on. We get a 2 to 3 day typical battery life.
grahamgo said:
The "time to time" bit sounds worrisome! I'm on this group because I gave my wife a Moto G. She just wants a working phone, so now that it's pretty much setup right and she can "drive" it proficiently I tend not to mess with it (read - I am not allowed!) . We live in Peru 6 months a year and we both like the fact that I can ping her phone using Lookout if necessary to see that's she's safe. However, they removed the photo taking feature from the free version, and the paid version is now about $30 p/a. Quite reasonable, but this has prompted me to see what else is out there before giving them my money. I have read good things about Avira ($10 for Pro version), so your recommendation might be perfect. I have also just looked at avast! Anti-Theft (pro version $15 p/a), this also seems very comprehensive, I am not too worried about antivirus protection as she only uses the basic's. Anyway I'm still looking around to look at all possible options. Thanks!
Oh, and sorry I don't mean to pull your thread off track. But you do want a location app that overrides your battery saving setup when needed. So the more possible options open to you the better right? On our Moto G, the WiFi/3g data is always on. We get a 2 to 3 day typical battery life.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's ok, maybe some good anti-theft app can do this overriding the battery saving setup thingy. Im now trying "Android Lost", "AntiTheft & Find My Phone" and "Theftie" (all free of course) . Since we are just both users, maybe we can help each other here on XDA.
Sure, I for one would like to know which app you consider to be the best. Also the reasoning behind the decision.
I hope that you you find one that can override your power saving settings. I would hope that they all can...
grahamgo said:
Sure, I for one would like to know which app you consider to be the best. Also the reasoning behind the decision.
I hope that you you find one that can override your power saving settings. I would hope that they all can...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
After a few tests, i think Theftie and Lockwatch are the best. But I still need wifi or a data connection. And as a backup i keep Android Lost. So in the end i cannot save battery if i want to use the anti-theft functionalities.
Let me know if you what you decided.
justanicename said:
After a few tests, i think Theftie and Lockwatch are the best. But I still need wifi or a data connection. And as a backup i keep Android Lost. So in the end i cannot save battery if i want to use the anti-theft functionalities.
Let me know if you what you decided.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you tried cerberus? It's one of the most complete out there at a reasonable price
I have to say Cerberus is very complete, I think this is the first app I have seen that specifies in its description that GPS is turned on even if its turned off. Edit:- not quite, only on systems earlier than 2.3.3 on later version you have to jump through hoops and convert Cerebus to a system app. Then In the case @justanicename the phone still needs to get access to a WiFi of GSM internet connection. I presume the only chance is that if the phone is stolen the thief will try to use the phone and the GSM data connection will become active when the screen comes on?
I did some further research on the battery saving settings and found a discussion sayin that actually turning on/of the wifi/dataconnection/gps is draining the battery more. So I will try this for a while. Cerberus looks really nice, it seems that Theftie does a lot of what cerberus does too.
Hi, I tried Cerberus yesterday. It does everything as advertised. The memory footprint is 4.4mb, compared with Lookout's 19mb, though Lookout does provide antivirus protection. I started to try Theftie today, but was putoff by the requirement to sign in using Google+ a service that I don't like and don't use. So I removed Theftie. I will go with Cerberus costing the one time 3 Euro. Thanks @agusaon for the pointer.
grahamgo said:
Hi, I tried Cerberus yesterday. It does everything as advertised. The memory footprint is 4.4mb, compared with Lookout's 19mb, though Lookout does provide antivirus protection. I started to try Theftie today, but was putoff by the requirement to sign in using Google+ a service that I don't like and don't use. So I removed Theftie. I will go with Cerberus costing the one time 3 Euro. Thanks @agusaon for the pointer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Great app! I hope you enjoy it and never have to use it

Is there a way I can disable and LOCK wi-fi and data settings?

Basically I want to turn my son's smart phone into a "dumb" phone. I still want him to be able to make/receive calls and txt msgs are ok, I just don't want him to be able to surf the web and play games all day. (It's a school grades issue, if he bring's em up we'll gladly restore his privileges!)
The phone in question is a Samsung Galaxy S5. I know I can turn off Data and Wi-Fi, I just don't want him to be able to go in and turn it back on without a password. Is that an administrator'ish thing that's built in or I can activate in Android? Are there any Play Store apps for that? I'm not terribly savvy but I'm not afraid to root if necessary...
Of course, substituting his Galaxy with a flip phone is always an option, too...
DBizzle1 said:
Basically I want to turn my son's smart phone into a "dumb" phone. I still want him to be able to make/receive calls and txt msgs are ok, I just don't want him to be able to surf the web and play games all day. (It's a school grades issue, if he bring's em up we'll gladly restore his privileges!)
The phone in question is a Samsung Galaxy S5. I know I can turn off Data and Wi-Fi, I just don't want him to be able to go in and turn it back on without a password. Is that an administrator'ish thing that's built in or I can activate in Android? Are there any Play Store apps for that? I'm not terribly savvy but I'm not afraid to root if necessary...
Of course, substituting his Galaxy with a flip phone is always an option, too...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know what you can do with mobile data. But you can restrict wifi to a device. Log in to your router and enable internet access priority setting under qos. Set priority to devices. Set medium or low priority to restrict device.
If you manage to root your device then you can use wifikill, network spoofer and netcut apps to disconnect other users from wifi.
I hope it help you.
DBizzle1 said:
Basically I want to turn my son's smart phone into a "dumb" phone. I still want him to be able to make/receive calls and txt msgs are ok, I just don't want him to be able to surf the web and play games all day. (It's a school grades issue, if he bring's em up we'll gladly restore his privileges!)
The phone in question is a Samsung Galaxy S5. I know I can turn off Data and Wi-Fi, I just don't want him to be able to go in and turn it back on without a password. Is that an administrator'ish thing that's built in or I can activate in Android? Are there any Play Store apps for that? I'm not terribly savvy but I'm not afraid to root if necessary...
Of course, substituting his Galaxy with a flip phone is always an option, too...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can password lock his system settings so he can't turn WiFi on and if you turn off mobile data he can't turn that back on either.
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This app is perfect for what you want to do. I'm not a fan of third party apps. Especially ones that deal with security. But I used this for years.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.sp.protector.free

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