[Q] Any way to determine what app is synching? - AT&T HTC One (M8)

I work in the country. We have VERY poor data out here. I have decent speed at home (15MBPS) but very poor data out here. With my step-son on the plan with us, the data is an issue most months anyway.
Anyhow, back to the problem. I had the round sync symbol on my phone all day yesterday. Went away at home on wi-fi. Well, it's back on there today. It seems to be really sucking the battery down.
Is there anywhere that I can go (//settings/apps or something?) that will show me what is synching?
Also, the satellite symbol is there as well, when this is going on.

Go to Settings>Accounts & sync, and you can see what app is synching.
And when you are saying "satellite symbol", do you mean the notification icon that looks like a radar dish? If so, that is the GPS icon. If its popping up when synching, it might be Maps or Location that is the culprit, or other app that uses GPS location. If GPS is on, that icon will usually pop up whenever an app that uses GPS is started up.

Related

[Q] How much battery does idle gps drain?

stock rom
If i leave gps on.... and all the apps i have that may use gps (travel, voucher etc) do not run in the back ground,
except google maps.... will this really drain random battery throughout the day.
The reason I ask this is when using google maps...i see the gps symbol on the top of my phone, but once i back out of it...the symbol disappears, and when i go back into it to resume what i was doing the symbol turns back on and the gps has to find my location all over again.
Hence I come to the conclusion that the gps is not 'always on' when you don't need or (given you don't have any dodgy apps)
Then I could turn off googles location sharing thing, because if I am correct you need that on if you want to use location services without gps?
SGS2 uses sirfstar IV
http://www.sys-con.com/node/1822443
http://www.csr.com/products/25/sirfstariv-gsd4t
This is a modern GPS chip, it don't think it uses much battery. I've always GPS on and I've no battery issues. And I agree that it seems that the chip is set to some kind of standby when not in use so turning off the GPS in the settings (or notfication pull down) seems more like a privacy thing than power related.
Thanks for confirming. Will now try leaving gps on and location services off and see what happens. sometimes gps on its own takes a few extra seconds to locate you...might be annoying with certain apps
If you refuse location sharing you will not be able to use WIFI positioning service, but can still use cell tower positioning if your GPS is off. Personally I never use WPS since WIFI use a whole lot of power so I always keep it off. There are situations where it's useful (i.e. inside downtown can't get a GPS signal), so you can decide if you want it or not.
I usually keep my GPS off too, since when I open maps I just want to look at map, I don't need to know my exact location (and use the extra power).
My Galaxy S2 GPS sucks the battery life when I keep it on. My partner keeps his Galaxy S2 GPS on and the icon only comes on when something like Maps loads but immediatly goes away when you you exit Maps. Mine seems to stay on all the time and I can't see any obvious process running all of the time (except Maps). I monitor the battery usage with a tool and GPS is certainly running my battery down far quicker than if I turn it off.
Anyone else experiencing the same?
marklyn said:
My partner keeps his Galaxy S2 GPS on and the icon only comes on when something like Maps loads but immediatly goes away when you you exit Maps. Mine seems to stay on all the time and I can't see any obvious process running all of the time
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the GPS setting turned on all the time, but my GPS only really turns on when I open an app that uses GPS, like Maps or Facebook. Just like your partner.
I actually want to keep it on all the time... like yours
Can you send me your /etc/gps.conf and /etc/sirfgps.conf ?
I'm not sure if that's what control this behaviour.
Noed said:
I have the GPS setting turned on all the time, but my GPS only really turns on when I open an app that uses GPS, like Maps or Facebook. Just like your partner.
I actually want to keep it on all the time... like yours
Can you send me your /etc/gps.conf and /etc/sirfgps.conf ?
I'm not sure if that's what control this behaviour.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I only had the gps.conf, not the sirfgps.conf file. Attached here.
I have to turn on GPS only when I need it for something and turn it off, otherwise it clearly drains my battery, in pretty quick fashion.
I had to rename it gps.txt to upload it.
Keeping GPS on is not draining your battery, because its realy turning on, only on application requests. Battery drain may come from some buggy app, which not close it GPS connection. You can easily see this by your GPS indicator. No indicator - no app using GPS atm - no battery drain, flashing indicator - GPS trying to lock ur position, indicator on - GPS is used and got lock on sattelites.
incident404 said:
its realy turning on, only on application requests
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is there a way to keep GPS always on, independent of an application request?
I want to control it on/off manually
I leave GPS on all the time. Only works when apps request / need it. No battery life issues for me.
Sent from my GT-I9100

[Q] GPS Icon in the Notification Area even when it is off

Hey guys, I don;t really use GPS on my Galaxy Player 4'', but I have notices that it will all the sudden display the GPS icon in the notification area even when it is off. I have disabled GPS and the "Use wireless networks" option, but the icon will appear at least once a day and won't disappear until I reboot the device. It just keeps blinking over and over until I reboot the device.
I have noticed it drains my battery way to quick when that icon appears (uses about 10% when the deviced is locked), which is crazy because it uses about (2%) battery power when it is locked during the night and the player does not shows that GPS icon in the notification area. I have killed pretty much every single application I have been able to kill to find out what app is trying to use GPS, but the icon won't go away no matter what process I kill. I use juicedefender and it has really improve my battery life, but when that icon appears, my device still will waste about 10% battery power even when it is locked with no apps running. Cannot explained why this is happening.
Has any of you had this problem?
Thank you
Try reseting to factory default, my batttery life on galaxy 4.0 is incredible.
I've had the same problem on my 5.0. I figured out it was an app that was constantly trying to get a gps signal. Simply going into the app and the exiting out seems to solve it however. It still happens but going into the app and exiting out helps. I would try to figure out which app is constantly trying to connect and if you don't use it very frequently uninstall it.
Dampfire said:
I've had the same problem on my 5.0. I figured out it was an app that was constantly trying to get a gps signal. Simply going into the app and the exiting out seems to solve it however. It still happens but going into the app and exiting out helps. I would try to figure out which app is constantly trying to connect and if you don't use it very frequently uninstall it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Difficult to pinpoint this app.
Do anybody know any way to log what app is using (or trying to use) GPS?
I noticed this happening today. I have my notification bar hidden, so not sure how often this happens. I could make it go away by turning on GPS and GPS Test, then back off. I checked for apps that might be trying to find a location in running services, killed a couple "maybes", but the icon kept blinking. Only app I installed today was Simple Calendar Widget, but didn't see anything in it's options that would be pinging location...
I have Power Tudor that shows how much juice apps are using while you monitor them, the only app there that looked like it could be was something like "system_1025" or something like that.... nothing I could find to stop it.
Dampfire said:
I've had the same problem on my 5.0. I figured out it was an app that was constantly trying to get a gps signal. Simply going into the app and the exiting out seems to solve it however. It still happens but going into the app and exiting out helps. I would try to figure out which app is constantly trying to connect and if you don't use it very frequently uninstall it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
tcat007 said:
I noticed this happening today. I have my notification bar hidden, so not sure how often this happens. I could make it go away by turning on GPS and GPS Test, then back off. I checked for apps that might be trying to find a location in running services, killed a couple "maybes", but the icon kept blinking. Only app I installed today was Simple Calendar Widget, but didn't see anything in it's options that would be pinging location...
I have Power Tudor that shows how much juice apps are using while you monitor them, the only app there that looked like it could be was something like "system_1025" or something like that.... nothing I could find to stop it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Also use Simple Calendar Widget, but I don't think it's the reason.
Did you use Samsung Dive recently? I did, in order to test the ring, lock and location service provided from within Dive. The service running on device tries to establish a GPS connection even if GPS is disabled. I didn't make a location trace, only a simple location test.
After reboot GPS icon do not show up any more ...
Looks like Google Latitude might be the culprit. Try opening it and signing out of that service. Also go into "Settings" --> "Location and security" and uncheck "Use Sensor Aiding". Once I turned those off the GPS Notification went away.
What does sensor aiding do anyway? Sure doesn't help the Compass!
I had the same issue with my HTC ONE M8 I did the same process as you. Went into my settings found my battery usage and saw what was draining my battery. It was groupon. So I force stopped the app and the GPS notification went away.

Location trying to acquire a lock, but not succeeding

I've had this issue for a while now, but I'm wondering if it's just me or if this is something common.
Every once in a while, my Player (5.0 US) will show the GPS trying to acquire a signal icon, but it won't go to lock. I've been in places where I have good GPS signal normally, and it will stay that way for hours.
To add at my confusion, it sometimes comes up even if the GPS is turned off. In these cases, I've turned on a GPS reporting tool, and it can see that I've got a good connection with several satellites. I turn the GPS officially on, and it gets the lock (thanks to the program). Close the program and the GPS goes dormant again.
The only thing I can remotely think of is Google location services trying to pin point where my wifi is, but that doesn't explain why it can't get a lock.
Anyone else seen this or know what it is?
Hi there,
I have exactly the same problem as you. GPS is turned off but its symbol is flashing in the notification bar. I noticed this problem tomorrow morning wondering why my battery is low although I charged it yesterday afternoon.
Are you using gingerbread?
Sorry for the late reply. Yes, stock setup right now

GPS Issues

I've noticed using Waze I'll see GPS go in and out, and occasionally I try to post pictures to Instagram and find out there's no GPS tagging in them. Anyone else seen this?
scottricketts said:
I've noticed using Waze I'll see GPS go in and out, and occasionally I try to post pictures to Instagram and find out there's no GPS tagging in them. Anyone else seen this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
YES! Install a GPS Test and you can actually see the amount of Satellites seen go to zero. I can sit in the same place for 5 minutes and it will go from 21 to 0 every 10 - 60 seconds with a clear sky. I am wondering if this is a software or hardware issue. It is noticeable when using Gmaps to navigate, you will see your arrow simply stop when driving down the highway for 5 seconds at a time.
btothec said:
YES! Install a GPS Test and you can actually see the amount of Satellites seen go to zero. I can sit in the same place for 5 minutes and it will go from 21 to 0 every 10 - 60 seconds with a clear sky. I am wondering if this is a software or hardware issue. It is noticeable when using Gmaps to navigate, you will see your arrow simply stop when driving down the highway for 5 seconds at a time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Im sitting at my desk and watching it not get a fix. The location icon in the status bar never goes white, and the GPSTest just sits there not getting a fix. I've tried disabling the low power GPS option in settings with no luck.
btothec said:
YES! Install a GPS Test and you can actually see the amount of Satellites seen go to zero. I can sit in the same place for 5 minutes and it will go from 21 to 0 every 10 - 60 seconds with a clear sky. I am wondering if this is a software or hardware issue. It is noticeable when using Gmaps to navigate, you will see your arrow simply stop when driving down the highway for 5 seconds at a time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same here I've noticed on my t-mobile version.... Hmm...
---------- Post added at 09:10 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:09 PM ----------
scottricketts said:
Im sitting at my desk and watching it not get a fix. The location icon in the status bar never goes white, and the GPSTest just sits there not getting a fix. I've tried disabling the low power GPS option in settings with no luck.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sometimes indoors GPS has more difficulty. Has it worked there before with other phones?
EDIT:
Worked with my GPS navigation a bit more... definitely see the GPS lose tracking every few minutes. Turned off the iZat, didn't make a difference. Plugged in a power source, thought it might help a little, but nope, GPS lost every once in a while. Bah, just when I thought I had received a problem-free unit
Any more information on this? As of April 1st, my LG G5 seems to be way off on GPS. I noticed it using Runkeeper. I thought maybe it was a Runkeeper issue, but then used MapMyRun and got the same I looked in history and saw that since getting this phone (traded in my G4 for the G5) I had one successfully tracked run, then it all went haywire. Never had a problem with the G4 - so it can't be signal issues (IMO). And since this phone got it right once... that is strange to me.
To give an idea... I ran about 10 miles and it told me 18. When I looked at the runkeeper map it looked like I was running down side streets, into fields, crazy stuff. Like it never got a real lock on my location.
I'm wondering if I need to return this phone??
bdogi said:
Any more information on this? As of April 1st, my LG G5 seems to be way off on GPS. I noticed it using Runkeeper. I thought maybe it was a Runkeeper issue, but then used MapMyRun and got the same I looked in history and saw that since getting this phone (traded in my G4 for the G5) I had one successfully tracked run, then it all went haywire. Never had a problem with the G4 - so it can't be signal issues (IMO). And since this phone got it right once... that is strange to me.
To give an idea... I ran about 10 miles and it told me 18. When I looked at the runkeeper map it looked like I was running down side streets, into fields, crazy stuff. Like it never got a real lock on my location.
I'm wondering if I need to return this phone??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have only used the G5 in the car a few times and it seems to work fine - using google maps, not waze.
I use a couple apps to track biking and they work fine. However, when I use them I use an app called GPS keeper pro to keep the GPS running all the time. It seems to help with apps for fitness. I started using it with the G3 and just kept right on with the G5. You might want to try GPS Keeper for your running apps.
I use GPS only in the location settings. That may help. At least my apps that rely on GPS open much faster with that setting.
Sent from my LGLS992 using XDA Free mobile app
My specific GPS issue was that it would lose lock a minute or so into a perfectly normal navigation lock while using Gmaps. It would relock after several seconds, only to lose lock again. This repeated over and over.
I was using the app GPS Status to monitor this. However, it hasn't surfaced in a few days, so I don't know if there was some rogue app or former setting that was interfering with GPS holding lock. I've hypothesized maybe it was GPS Status itself which was interfering. I uninstalled and reinstalled it, and so far *knock on wood* it hasn't popped up again.
This sounds a bit different from some of the problems listed here. The run tracker not getting a good track might be related to this, if it is never able to consistently keep GPS lock. Try monitoring the GPS satellite lock icon when the app is running. Does it go from lock (white) to not lock (grey)?
Mine is actually grey most of the time but when I'm connected to wifi calling it's constantly white. Weird. This thing needs an update for a few different reasons. Coming from the note 4 I notice differences in the software obviously but somethings seem like they don't quite work right. Example being when I used wifi calling on the note 4 it would grey out the regular signal but on this it's still active with the bars going up and down. I'm pretty sure it should cancel the network out all together but maybe this is just different. I don't know.
Sent from my LGLS992 using XDA Free mobile app
Maybe it's using the wifi connection hotspot to determine your location? So does your GPS really work at all then?
waylo said:
Maybe it's using the wifi connection hotspot to determine your location? So does your GPS really work at all then?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well I do have it set to GPS only in location settings but until I get out and try to use maps I guess I really won't know. It does find me in maps or other weather apps though.
Sent from my LGLS992 using XDA Free mobile app
Well - I got my second LG G5 hoping that would solve the problem. Doesn't seem to be any different
I've tried this so far:
High Accuracy - Was Already Set
Turn off WiFi location
Tried GPS Keeper to keep signal alive
Tried GPS Status Utility - NOTED: Takes a long time to lock and still will start 'searching' for long periods of time.
Tried with no cover on
New phone seems the same I love the LG phone itself, but I can't handle this. I should have returned it for a Samsung. Are there any other tricks I am missing?
bdogi said:
Well - I got my second LG G5 hoping that would solve the problem. Doesn't seem to be any different
I've tried this so far:
High Accuracy - Was Already Set
Turn off WiFi location
Tried GPS Keeper to keep signal alive
Tried GPS Status Utility - NOTED: Takes a long time to lock and still will start 'searching' for long periods of time.
Tried with no cover on
New phone seems the same I love the LG phone itself, but I can't handle this. I should have returned it for a Samsung. Are there any other tricks I am missing?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you perhaps have greenify on? I have a theory that the aggressive doze may be affecting GPS lock duration.
waylo said:
Do you perhaps have greenify on? I have a theory that the aggressive doze may be affecting GPS lock duration.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think I have greenify loaded? I searched in Google Play and it only says 'install', so can't be on my phone.
bdogi said:
I don't think I have greenify loaded? I searched in Google Play and it only says 'install', so can't be on my phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Correct, you don't have it installed then. Have you tried disabling iZat? It's the low power GPS addition, at the bottom of the GPS settings page.
Also, just to cover all the bases, you are outdoors when you're searching for GPS, right?
I have a stock T-Mobile G5, I've also noticed inconsistent GPS. Acts as if it's stuck. I'll open Google Maps and it'll show my location from 90 minutes ago. Won't update until I turn on airplane and then off again. Once the radios come back up GPS updates. Hoping for an update to fix this ASAP.
waylo said:
Correct, you don't have it installed then. Have you tried disabling iZat? It's the low power GPS addition, at the bottom of the GPS settings page.
Also, just to cover all the bases, you are outdoors when you're searching for GPS, right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The low power GPS is turned off, yes. When I run the test I am running it right next to my window indoors. I run it on my HTC One (not activated) and my LG G5 (activated - new phone). HTC locks immediately (2-5 seconds) with 14/20 satellites, G5 does not lock for at least 3 minutse with anywhere between 18-26 satellites (I gave up after 3 minutes). I tried turning off/on airplane mode like the previous post - didn't change anything for me.
Even though the GPS doesn't show lock on the LG G5, I can get google maps working. It isn't very accurate, though. It sometimes shows me stuck in a location for about 1-2 miles. It also shows me off the roads, typically.
I found a way to replicate the GPS issue! I was having it behaving really intermittently on my car mount (vertically), and then I decided to tilt it horizontal and suddenly it got a lock! I've verified it by GPS test apps and it's super obvious that in a vertical orientation, the GPS doesn't get a proper lock.
Any of you guys wanna validate this?
I'm having this issue as well, sometimes takes a couple minutes or more to obtain initial lock when I get in my car every morning and start Waze (although it guesstimates my location based on last lock / WiFi), plus then it drops out 2-3 times per drive, which is incredibly frustrating and has caused me to miss turns. I lose lock with WiFi both enabled and disabled during my drive
As a couple people already said, I use the T-Mobile G5. I'm curious if all of us experiencing the problem use the T-Mobile version and it might be a carrier ROM issue. My network and GPS settings are how they were out of the box, although now that I know it exists, I'll try disabling IZat low-power location just to see if there's any improvement.
hot_wired13 said:
I found a way to replicate the GPS issue! I was having it behaving really intermittently on my car mount (vertically), and then I decided to tilt it horizontal and suddenly it got a lock! I've verified it by GPS test apps and it's super obvious that in a vertical orientation, the GPS doesn't get a proper lock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My phone is always horizontal in my car dock, with the top of the phone facing left, but I'm still losing GPS lock. Do you use yours horizontally the other way?
I can tilt mine any way I want and it won't lock I ran a test this morning while taking my kids to school. I took out my old HTC One and turned on Runkeeper (running app). Turned Runkeeper on LG G5 (separate Runkeeper account to be sure nothing got screwy). G5 couldn't lock enough to map anything, HTC mapped perfectly to the roads. I then used VZ Navigator (Verizons map system - this was done at Verizon's request). The maps trailed me by about 1/2 to 1/4 mile and showed me about 200 yards off the road. Then - GPS lost. All the while - HTC mapped me out with Runkeeper perfectly mapped to the roads.
Since this is my second LG G5 with GPS issues... I think there is a problem with the phone or maybe the Verizon version of the phone. Sounds like T-Mobile also, though, so could just be some LG software screwing things up.
Either way - I'm probably getting the S7 now. I really like the G5 with the rear fingerprint scanner... but I need a GPS that works out of the box.

GPS Accuracy

Does anyone else have issues with their unit (I have the T-Mobile version) mistakenly showing their location as someplace they were HOURS earlier? My maps shows the location where I currently am, but then will occasionally report my location incorrectly as where I was earlier that day, which affects my weather and traffic reporting. Any thoughts?
Do you have high accuracy enabled?
I do have high accuracy enabled. Which the phone doesn't seem to understand the definition of.
If it is showing properly when you open maps but not in other apps, then it isn't the GPS that's the issue. Those apps aren't updating properly.
Mine is off by about 20 ft or so ... no biggie.
One thought though ... do you have background data blocked for the map app?
Background data enabled. I'll use the phone to navigate from work to school. The map shows me at school. Weather and traffic based around campus. Then, maybe an hour later, I look at my phone and it gives me the weather for my office, not school. I open google maps, it looks like I'm back at work, but I'm not.
I have had this happen several times. I open a gps Waze and Google maps, for a little while at work then minmize. A few hours later I will use the gps again at a different location and the gps will flip back an forth from the previous location, this will occur 30 min away or in another state.
I have tried to just shutdown the app and restart but still occurs. My only way to clear this has been to reboot the phone. This happen on both Waze and Google maps.
I found turning location off and back on works for me, but this shouldn't happen
Joe Smithereens said:
Does anyone else have issues with their unit (I have the T-Mobile version) mistakenly showing their location as someplace they were HOURS earlier? My maps shows the location where I currently am, but then will occasionally report my location incorrectly as where I was earlier that day, which affects my weather and traffic reporting. Any thoughts?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've had this issue several times. With my G6 and V30. It happens when I'm using a GPS heavy app and then go inside where a good GPS signal cannot be found or where I'm on WiFi. Oddly. I feel like it happens more if that iZat crap is active. Happens a lot with PoGo.
Also get heavy GPS drifting when in High Accuracy Mode. GPS on LG devices seems to work best in Device Only Mode.
Sent from my LG-H872 using XDA Labs
This is driving me mad. I had to switch phone due to this issue on Galaxy S7 and now it happens on V30.
Took a factory reset for mine to work again. Was fine for the entire time I've had the phone, then out of the blue, just stopped working.
Sent from my LG-H932 using Tapatalk
zsunsun said:
This is driving me mad. I had to switch phone due to this issue on Galaxy S7 and now it happens on V30.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Chiming in with "other phones have wonky GPS too": My Moto X Pure has had a couple instances where position appeared to be randomly jumping around, up to several hundred feet away with varying azimuth. Made for " fun" navigation in heavy traffic in unfamiliar cities.
But don't worry, autonomous vehicles will work without a problem. (Yeahhhhh....right....)
...
Autonomous vehicles are using a wide array of sensors to work, combine with deep learning, big data, etc. The GPS used in phones is not the same chip as the one used in a dedicated GPS device, even something as a sports watch as a much more precise GPS, optimised antenna, dedicated processor and optimised OS. I’ve been trying to use phones to track my runs for years and it always jumped around a bit. In a car, depending on the placement (direct view of the sky, for instance vs. blocked by the ceiling), on the weather, on the insulation of the car even, you can have issue with jumping signal. You can try to place the phone in a spot where the antenna has a view of the sky and it might be less of a problem.
I have noticed that the issue is with both Pokemon Go and Google maps. It is really frustrating, and sometimes nothing seems to help. On another site, they recommended installing GPs Status and Toolbox from Google play store. I will try that. If that does not help, the site said that the issue is with the GPS antenna.

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