[closed] Requirement to activate Android location services

[Guest]

I used to be able to use my tablet's onboard GPS alone. Now Alpinequest requires location services (i.e. Google location tracking) to be enabled or the GPS position and tracking will not work. Why was this change made? I don't want Google or any other operations to monitor my location. It's supposed to be an offline tablet with a GPS when I am in navigation mode. That's it. No cellular network, no data network, no sending out, only receiving.
I had an issue with this where I was in an area with clear view of the sky and my GPS would not work. It's as if location services were working hard to try to find me and wouldn't allow the GPS to do the work.
Thank you.

[Psyberia-Support]

Hi,
I don't know what device you're using but nothing changed in AlpineQuest.
There is absolutely no need for those services for AlpineQuest to run and use the GPS offline. If so, this is a requirement of your device/android version but not the app for sure.
If you have Android 6 or more, you need to grant AlpineQuest the right to use your GPS in the Android settings, that's all (a message from AQ should ask you to do so if it's not already done). Then you'll be able to choose the location source "Outdoor GPS" in the AQ location settings.
Let me know if you can give more details on your problem.

[Guest]

Wow, very interesting. Thank you for the reply. I am using AQ 2.0.3 on a Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 (model SM-T230NU) with Android 4.4.2. I used to be able to simply slide the toggle to turn on the gps location in AQ positioning menu, and the gps would activate. Now, when I slide the toggle it opens the Android screen for connection controls and highlights the location toggle. If I don't turn location services on, it won't let me use the position function of AQ.
I checked the permissions for the app and it has permission for both approximate location (network based ) and precise location (gps based).
Any ideas? Thanks again for your help.

[Psyberia-Support]

Hi again,
I don't have much more information on this but on the Internet I found in this discussion that by not using the Google location service you can still use your GPS location in a normal way. The only "problem" is that you cannot use your "last known location" (when the GPS is not active or fixed)... At least this is what I understand. There are also some alternative methods you maybe interested in...
Let me know

[Guest]

OK, you set me on the path to figuring it out and we have it solved. Here is what i did to fix it:
1. Go to device settings.
2. Under "connections" select "location".
3. You have to have location turned on to make changes. With location enabled, select "Locating Method". Then select "GPS only".

My device was set to "High Accuracy" which forced location services to activate any time I enabled GPS position in AlpineQuest.

Now I feel like an idiot. LOL. Thanks again for your help!

[Psyberia-Support]

I am glad it's all sorted out