Hi,
I have a HTC One running JB 4.1.2. I am confused by the location settings available in various places in jelly bean. In my previous phone running gingerbread, all the location related settings were under 1 tab. In JB, its under various tabs and apps. I am wondering what purpose some of these settings cater to. I am listing all the location related settings available in JB 4.1 below:
1. settings > Accounts & Sync > Google > Location settings > Let Google apps access your location
I believe this setting has to be enabled for google services such as maps, google now, google+, etc. to function.
2. settings > Location > Google's location service
the description is given as 'allows anonymous location data to be sent to google. Also allows permitted apps to use data from sources such as wifi and mobile networks to determine your approximate location.'
settings > Location >Location & Google search
Description: 'Location used to improve google search results and other google services'
3. Google maps > settings > location settings > Under background location reporting > Location reporting (has 3 options: automatically detect my location, update location manually, do not update location)
Google maps > settings > location settings > Under background location reporting > Report from this device
If you use the above location reporting option and use same username for multiple devices, on whichever device you select this option will only report location.
There are also other options under this setting like enable location sharing, enable location history, etc.
From my research, i found out if you wish to use maps and like google search results tailored to your location, then 'Let Google apps access your location' and 'Location & Google search' setting need to be enabled. Also for information, i have disabled 'Location reporting' setting listed in No .3 by selecting 'do not update location' and also disabled all other location settings listed in No. 3. But it has not affected google maps, google search, weather, google news. Kindly educate me on the other two settings i mentioned above.
I wish to know what exactly 'Google's location service' setting listed in 2 and 'Location reporting' setting in 3 does. Which apps do they exist for? I am asking this because some of these location settings i have listed above appear to have similar functionality going by their description (though that would not be the case) and i wish to know the difference. I also wish to safely disable some of these settings to conserve battery but without affecting functionality of apps like maps, search, news, weather.
Thanks,
Vikram
Hi, does somebody have an answer?
Vikram
vikram112 said:
Hi, does somebody have an answer?
Vikram
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Google collects those information.
Related
System settings -> Location services -> Disable google's location service & Location&Google search
Are there any downsides to disabling those? I mean for other apps than googles? Because "Also allow permitted apps to use data from sources such as Wi-Fi andmobile networks to determine your approximate location" doesn't sound all that great to disable. It sounds like this would disable all the apps that want to access those services, not only the google ones, but that wouldn't be true would it?
Basically speaking, I just want to disable all of googles crap (Maps has the most horrible wakelocks ever and from what I can tell none of the other google services I use need my location) without limiting any other apps I might have installed. I'd be happy for an explanation.
It is a service to approximate your location based on wireless networks scanned by Google. If you turn it off (I have) apps cannot get this information from Google. The only downside with that is, that it may take a bit longer to get your position via GPS. If you turned off GPS, you cannot get located by your phone at all.
So if you just wanted to get information from an app, which POI's are next to you, you would not need to turn on GPS.
hi guys,
I just noticed that Google play services updated to 8.3.01 (2385995-238) as it's saying that calendar won't run otherwise bla bla bla on my S5 and the location prompt is somewhat different, with the old version, 6.7.77 (1747363-438) i would get (see first attachment) with the little box "dont ask again"..
now basically you have a new prompt and if you clicked on AGREE once , it will not ask again that consent because the "do not show again" (other image) is gone. "anonymous data will be sent when your device is ON" does that mean my phone or when you enable LOCATION? i dont want to report location to Google!
does it mean that it will tracking you regardless?
also, in Google Settings with the old Play Services you had
Location Reporting
Location History
On the new one you have:
Location Services and in there Google Location History which i have set to OFF and Deleted all Location History. is this sufficient not to be tracked in the background?
if you uninstall play services and roll back to previous release, this works again. so are they tracking more stuff now??????? if i keep my "location" toggle off is it OFF for good or not???
dont like them keep messing with things and removing options, etc
thanks,
Gab
One of the biggest disappointment in Galaxy Star is lack of GPS. Techno geeks (apparently google also) claims that apps like Google Maps can find your location by what is known as 'Cell Tower Triangulation'. But it doesn't seem to be the case.
So here is how the trick works. It tracks your location co-ordinates from your IP Address.
1. Download any app that can tell your location co-ordinates. The two apps I was able to find out are Location Tracker(Needs google play settings enabled) and IP Tools. [only one is required at a time]
2.Location Tracker- select Current Location and then Share my location. It shares a link. Save it somewhere like Colornote and paste in search bar of Google Maps, Maps.me app. (These two accept the links. You may try others.)
IP Tools- As you open the app(net required, off course) it will show your location co-ordinates. Tap there to copy them. Now edit them to get in the desired format (Ex:- 30.77777777,70.88888888) and paste it the search bar of your maps app (works with Google Maps and Maps.me).
Here you go. GPS in galaxy star.
Observations
Location Tracker
-"Turn on services on home page" error in Location Tracker even though it is on.
-Press back to eliminate ads.
-If you have location history on in Google Play Settings, it may show the last saved location of your device.
-Break functioning. Re-install from play store.
IP Tools
-Sends you far from where you are. Disconnect and reconnect the internet for better location.
Hi,
This thread is being moved to your own dedicated forum.
Its been a while since I use android... bot now that i have switched things changed a lot. Im still at the edge if im going to return my note or not because of some annoyances im getting that i cant figure out how to fix it. Hopefully an android guru can help.
FIrst... i need some help why does all my online account signs out. If i didnt get to open them in a significant amout of time. the moment i launch the app it gonna be asking me to log in again. kinda frustrating sometimes esp when im in a hurry that i really want to check something.
Firstly: This is something that happens to all mobile devices. Almost every iOS (iPhone and iPad) users complains about this. Android is a little less aggressive in logging users out of services from apps than Apple does. But, yes, Android does time out after inactivity some login sessions, like banking, for security reasons. Some apps have a "stay logged in" option in its settings or on the login page that you can enable. While other apps choose to allow login sessions to time out. Few these apps will give you a warning about the timeout so you can delay the logout. And few apps may have a time delay without human interaction setting before logging you out (Android has this time delay without human interaction (inactivity) setting before logging you out to the Lock screen). Also some areas in an app, like Account Settings, you may need to log into separately from the main app for (again) security reasons.
What I do about this: I use LastPass (a password manager) auto-fill feature so that I don't need to type in the user name and password all the time. The auto-fill will allow you to choose the user name and password set to use for the app or site, then it auto fills the user name and password. Some apps also may allow you to use your fingerprint to auto login to an app, like a bank app.
Most Android apps should somewhere in the app have the "hamburger" menu (three lines or three dots). Settings/Options for most apps would be found in the Hamburger menu. Once you tapped onto the Hamburger menu look for and tap the Setting or Option name/icon to go to the settings for that app. There you can navigate the settings to see if there is something like "stay logged in" setting to enable. You can logout then go to the login page to see if there is something like "stay logged in" that you can check before you log back in.
Android has a time delay without human interaction (inactivity) setting before logging you out to the Lock screen. To set this go to Settings > Display > scroll down to and click on "Screen timeout". There you can choose from 15 seconds to 10 minutes without human interaction (inactivity) before Android logs you out to the Lock screen.
JaguarXT said:
Firstly: This is something that happens to all mobile devices. Almost every iOS (iPhone and iPad) users complains about this. Android is a little less aggressive in logging users out of services from apps than Apple does. But, yes, Android does time out some login sessions, like banking, for security reasons. Some apps have a "stay logged in" option in its settings or on the login page that you can enable. While other apps choose to allow login sessions to time out. Few these apps will give you a warning about the timeout so you can delay the logout. And few apps may have a time delay without human interaction setting before logging you out (Android has this time delay without human interaction setting before logging you out to the Lock screen). Also some areas in an app, like Account Settings, you may need to log into separately from the main app for (again) security reasons.
What I do about this: I use LastPass (a password manager) auto-fill feature so that I don't need to type in the user name and password all the time. The auto-fill will allow you to choose the user name and password set to use for the app or site, then it auto fills the user name and password. Some apps also may allow you to use your fingerprint to auto login to an app, like a bank app.
Most Android apps should somewhere in the app have the "hamburger" menu (three lines or three dots). Settings/Options for most apps would be found in the Hamburger menu. Once you tapped onto the Hamburger menu look for and tap the Setting or Option name/icon to go to the settings for that app. There you can navigate the settings to see if there is something like "stay logged in" setting to enable. You can logout then go to the login page to see if there is something like "stay logged in" that you can check before you log back in.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well thats the problem... im using LastPass and LastPass itself is logging me out once in a while.
Okay. Let us try to fix this.
Go to LastPass app.
Go to the Hamburger menu (three lines on left top of app)
at the bottom of the Hamburger menu click on Settings click on "Security"
uncheck " Lock LastPass automatically"
There are more login settings to go for LastPass. In the same Security settings:
uncheck "Check session when app is activate"
select "Skip reprompt after login" > choose "Disabled"
select "log out when app in idle" > choose "Never"
check "Allow offline access.
Here you can setup fingerprint to unlock LastPass.
In the Security settings check "Use fingerprint to unlock".
Then follow instructions.
If you never set fingerprint reading for your Note 8, then you will need to go through that setup first.
Now restart LastPass.
The" Allow offline access" helps you prevent logging out when your device loses 4G/LTE connection. This stores your LastPass stuff in your device.
Make sure you setup App Fill in the Settings.
Hope that helps.
Thank you... Good karma to you for giving a little bit of your time to help. I hope this fixes my logging out problems.
:fingers-crossed:
Cool
Anyone know how to clear Google Map Search results in the Android Firebase?
And why does Firebase capture such searches even if you have it turned off?
a. Android 11:Settings > Google > Developer > Firebase App Indexing
[ (You may need to turn on "Developer Options") ]b. Select "Maps <com.google.android.apps.maps>"
c. Select "Place"
What pops up on my Android 11 phone (which doesn't have a Google Account registered to it) are the "Latest updated indexables", which, at least in my tests, include the last few dozen locations you've searched in the Google Maps app.
How do you clear all Firebase indexables, en masse, on Android 11?
And why does Firebase capture ALL your Google Map destination searches even if you don't even have a Google Account?
I hear you... excellent observation
The data is likely stored in Gmaps... it's a pig.
Go through it's settings and use the factory load version. Playstore updates always make it worse.
It's doing the same thing to me... Temporarily disabling Google play Services seems to kill that interaction. I normally keep Google play Services disabled unless I need to use Gmail; apparently it was enabled when I used Gmaps on 11.10.2021.
I've used Gmaps multiple times since. Clearing Google play Services doesn't clear the Firebase data. I didn't try clearing Gmaps data as it's a pain to set up.
Firebase is another Gookill data hog.
Thank you for your observations so that I know it's not just me who has this huge privacy hole that I didn't even know existed!
I love that you volunteered additional useful details that will help me debug (and which should help everyone - which is always the point of posting) where your setup is different from mine (for example, you have the phone registered to a Google Account, I don't - and yet you saw the same Firebase App Indexing that I did).
Keep in mind that I go out of my way to NOT set a Google Account on the phone (so that Google can't save anything to that non-existing account), and therefore I NEVER sign into any Google app which "asks for" a signin (e.g., Google Maps, the GMail App, Google Voice, YouTube, Google Play, etc.).
The instant you sign in to some of those (GMail & Google Voice for example), the mere act of signing into a Google account will automatically CREATE a Google Account on the phone. So my rule is never sign into anything on the phone (hence I have no accounts set up on the phone - and it works just fine without them).
However, I do use the Google Maps app (without signing into it), where you can see in my tests listed in the OP, I searched for "100 Main Street" which was captured in the Firebase App Indexing in gory detail.
Luckily nothing was "transmitted" but every destination I ever entered into the Google Maps app was stored on the phone, where the question now is how to wipe out all that stored Firebase app indexing data, en masse?
From the standpoint of privacy, it's terrible these Android Firebase App Indexes exist, and worse, it's horrid that we don't know (yet) how to easily clear them (as they contain ALL your Google Map searches, even if you've never once ever logged into any Google Account!).
I don't have a Google Account (for privacy) but I can't root my phone yet (as T-Mobile owns it for another year and a half) so I'm stuck with just disabling what seem to be non essential Google packages.
What surprised me is that I don't have an account when I use Google Maps so I was surprised that the phone saved the search locations in the Firebase.
Looking for how that could be possible, I noticed this isn't disabled.
Google Location History (com.google.android.gms.location.history)
Looking in my free ad free App Manager, I see that Google Location History hasn't transmitted any data but it did store 32.77kB of data.
Maybe that's how Google Map searches end up in the Firebase?
To test, I just did the following (wish me luck) hoping it might clear those Google Map destination searches from the Android Firebase privacy hole.
Android 11: Settings
Apps
Your apps
(with "Show system apps === on")
Google Location History
App info
Google Location History
(with "Permissions === No permissions allowed")
[access location in the background]
[access precise location only in the foreground]
[access approximate location only in the foreground]
(with "Location === Denied")
(with "Set as default === Not set as default")
Usage > Mobile data > Total = 0 B
(Allow background data usage === I turned this off)
(Allow data usage while Data saver is on === off)
Usage > Storage > Total = 32.77 KB
(App === 32.77 KB
(Data === 0 B)
(Cache === 0 B)
Unfortunately the "Clear cache" & "Clear data" buttons on the bottom were both grayed out
So how are you supposed to clear that app data?
After doing that, I then purposefully borked Google Location History as best I could as shown below (some of the steps are similar).
Android 11: Settings
Apps
Your apps
(with "Show system apps === on")
Google Location History
App info
Google Location History
(with "Permissions === No permissions allowed")
(with "Location === Denied")
(with "Set as default === Not set as default")
Force stop
You can't "Uninstall" because it's a protected system app)
You can't "Disable" either for the same reason.
(Disable is grayed out)
Be careful when you force stop a protected system app because the force-stopped app (in this case, Google Location History) will suddenly completely disappear from your phone (AFAICT) such that it won't appear in a search inside most app drawer apps, and it won't show up in most app managers.
From experience, I know that my FOSS App Manager shows stopped/disabled systems apps but others might not be aware of this caveat. In that App Manager, when you tap on "Google Location History", you can hit the threedots at the top right and then click "View in Settings" which will bring you to the Android settings for that app, even as after you force stop the system app, you can no longer get to those Android settings for that app through the normal Android methods anymore.
Notice what I just said, which is once a system app like Google Location History is disabled/stopped, you can no longer FIND it in the Android Settings to turn it on, and even if you did find it (like I show above using my FOSS App Manager, you still can't re-enable it until you know how to do that - which I describe below for clarity).
Start the FOSS App Manager
Run a search for "google" to find "Google Location History"
Long press on the result to select "Google Location History"
Press the threedots (at the bottom right) of the selected set
Your choices for "Google Location History" will be
Uninstall
Enable
Disable
Force-stop
Clear Data
Save APK
Backup/Restore
Prevent background operation
Block/unblock trackers
Export Blocking Rules
Add to profile
You should be able to select the "Enable" option.
I figured out (I think) how to clear the Firebase search data for the Google Maps app destination searches (to protect your privacy).
I started with this existing shortcut (which was already in my homescreen shortcut folder) to the following Android Activity:
ShortcutName === Search Data
ShortcutValue === com.google.android.gms.icing.ui.IcingManageSpaceActivity
My specific "Search Data" Android Activity in the Android 11 Settings, has four entries (yours will likely have more or less depending on what apps you use).
Google Play services (2.51 MB)
T-Mobile (371 kB)
Maps (22.42 kB)
GasBuddy (1.28 kB)
To get to that "Search Data" Android Activity the slow way (instead of using that quick shortcut) you do the following on Android 11.
Android 11:Settings
Apps
Your apps
Google Play services
Storage
At the bottom, press "Manage storage"
This brings you to "Google Play services storage"
Press the gray "[MANAGE SEARCH DATA]" button box.
This brings you to the "Search Data" Android Activity
In that "Search Data" Android Activity, you select "Maps" and then "Storage" and then individually select "Clear cache" & "Clear data".
Search Data > Maps > Storage > {Clear data, Clear cache}
If you already know ahead of time that it's only the "Maps" app that you want to clear the cache & data for, you can also get there more directly using the Android 11 Settings of
Android11: Settings
Apps
Your apps
Maps
Storage
{Clear data, Clear cache}
Only after doing that procedure of clearing the "Maps" storage, do I finally clear out the Android Firebase storage of all the places I've ever searched for as the destination in a Google Maps app routing.
In my homescreen shortcut folder is already a shortcut to the Google menu in Android which brings me to the following Android Activity:
ShortcutName === Google
ShortcutValue === com.google.android.gms.app.settings.GoogleSettingsIALink
Once there, when I look at the Firebase App Indexing for "Maps", there is no longer anything stored which confirms this privacy hole has been cleared (for now).
Android 11:Settings
Google
Developer
[ (You may need to turn on "Developer Options") ]
Firebase App Indexing
Maps <com.google.android.apps.maps>
You should no longer see a selection for "Place"
Instead you should see "No indexibles found"
This is an indication that this privacy hole has been cleared.
The key unresolved question, of course, is how to prevent it from ever coming back?
Try disabling Google play Services when using Gmaps...