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What is GPS compatibility mode?
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What is GPS compatibility mode? Why is it necessary?
Reason for question.
Locus Maps used to work perfectly for me until about Dec 2017. From then on I could not get a GPS fix. But I could still get GPS fixes when using Endomondo, Sportractive and GPS Status & Tools. Therefore I concluded my hardware was OK. I am using a Meizu M5 Note.
Eventually I discovered the setting GPS Compatibiliy Mode and turned it on. This solved the problem and it is working perfectly. I am once more a happy chappy.
But what does this mean? And why is it necessary?
Perhaps this setting was on by default and I turned it off by mistake while playing around with the settings. Who knows?
The same question
Hello,
ah that explain it, thanks.
Yes new system use Fused Location provider system, so it is necessary to have correctly working Google Play services. Accuracy in this case should be a little better, but I see main advantage confirmed by few users, that app is now able to stay in memory even if running on background. Which is biggest advantage, because previously on some devices, this was a serious problem.
If without "Compatibility mode", GPS in Locus Map does not work, then it is probably same problem as reported by two users for now. Unfortunately it will be some issue with Google Play Services and I'm for now unable to simulate it on any of device.
Hello,
ah that explain it, thanks.
Yes new system use Fused Location provider system, so it is necessary to have correctly working Google Play services. Accuracy in this case should be a little better, but I see main advantage confirmed by few users, that app is now able to stay in memory even if running on background. Which is biggest advantage, because previously on some devices, this was a serious problem.
If without "Compatibility mode", GPS in Locus Map does not work, then it is probably same problem as reported by two users for now. Unfortunately it will be some issue with Google Play Services and I'm for now unable to simulate it on any of device.
Good day Peter,
what you wrote is really interesting. Compatibility mode in GPS settings was added in latest version of Locus Map app 3.30.2, it was not there before.
Since version 3.30, we introduced improved system how Locus Map deal with GPS, read more about it here: http://www.locusmap.eu/news-version-3-30-0/
Anyway because some users reported an issues with it, we added in 3.30.2 this "Compatibility mode" that for now, switch to old previous system. System that probably caused some troubles to you.
So, if you had any problems in Dec 2017, then same problems should be there when compatibility mode is enabled!! What you wrote is a surprise and to be true, I have no idea why you had problems before and all works with enabled compat. mode now.
Good day Peter,
what you wrote is really interesting. Compatibility mode in GPS settings was added in latest version of Locus Map app 3.30.2, it was not there before.
Since version 3.30, we introduced improved system how Locus Map deal with GPS, read more about it here: http://www.locusmap.eu/news-version-3-30-0/
Anyway because some users reported an issues with it, we added in 3.30.2 this "Compatibility mode" that for now, switch to old previous system. System that probably caused some troubles to you.
So, if you had any problems in Dec 2017, then same problems should be there when compatibility mode is enabled!! What you wrote is a surprise and to be true, I have no idea why you had problems before and all works with enabled compat. mode now.
Hi Menion,
I expressed myself badly. Locus Maps worked perfectly until December, when I last used it. I did not use it since then until about one week ago, when I discovered that I was no longer getting a GPS fix. Despairing about not being able to use my favourite mapping program :) I searched the settings and today found compatibility mode, turned it on, and voila, everything once more worked perfectly.
I would love to get the improved location accuracy. Is this to do with the Fused Location Provider API?
Hi Menion,
I expressed myself badly. Locus Maps worked perfectly until December, when I last used it. I did not use it since then until about one week ago, when I discovered that I was no longer getting a GPS fix. Despairing about not being able to use my favourite mapping program :) I searched the settings and today found compatibility mode, turned it on, and voila, everything once more worked perfectly.
I would love to get the improved location accuracy. Is this to do with the Fused Location Provider API?
Hello,
ah that explain it, thanks.
Yes new system use Fused Location provider system, so it is necessary to have correctly working Google Play services. Accuracy in this case should be a little better, but I see main advantage confirmed by few users, that app is now able to stay in memory even if running on background. Which is biggest advantage, because previously on some devices, this was a serious problem.
If without "Compatibility mode", GPS in Locus Map does not work, then it is probably same problem as reported by two users for now. Unfortunately it will be some issue with Google Play Services and I'm for now unable to simulate it on any of device.
Hello,
ah that explain it, thanks.
Yes new system use Fused Location provider system, so it is necessary to have correctly working Google Play services. Accuracy in this case should be a little better, but I see main advantage confirmed by few users, that app is now able to stay in memory even if running on background. Which is biggest advantage, because previously on some devices, this was a serious problem.
If without "Compatibility mode", GPS in Locus Map does not work, then it is probably same problem as reported by two users for now. Unfortunately it will be some issue with Google Play Services and I'm for now unable to simulate it on any of device.
"Unfortunately it will be some issue with Google Play Services"
Yes, that was it! I had location access turned off for Google Play Services and Google Services Framework.
I did the following
1) Turned on location access for Google Play Services and Google Services Framework
2) Allowed Google Play Services and Google Services Framework to run in the background
3) Cleared all data and cache for Google Play Services
4) Restarted the phone.
After that Locus Maps was able to get a GPS fix without using compatibility mode.
"Unfortunately it will be some issue with Google Play Services"
Yes, that was it! I had location access turned off for Google Play Services and Google Services Framework.
I did the following
1) Turned on location access for Google Play Services and Google Services Framework
2) Allowed Google Play Services and Google Services Framework to run in the background
3) Cleared all data and cache for Google Play Services
4) Restarted the phone.
After that Locus Maps was able to get a GPS fix without using compatibility mode.
Interesting. I'm trying it on two devices, and when in settings of Google Play Services, I want to disable location permission, I only get information that it is not possible and screen forwards me to global location settings of the system.
I'm glad it works correctly for you, I just hoped to simulate same problem on own device.
Will keep trying. Thanks for now!
Interesting. I'm trying it on two devices, and when in settings of Google Play Services, I want to disable location permission, I only get information that it is not possible and screen forwards me to global location settings of the system.
I'm glad it works correctly for you, I just hoped to simulate same problem on own device.
Will keep trying. Thanks for now!
I had been troubled by high power consumption. I found that completely turning of the GPS solved that problem. I then started barring individual services from using the GPS, leaving only those where it was obvious the GPS was needed. This solved my power consumption problem. At that time I also turned off location access for Google Play Services and Google Services Framework. My version of Android allows this and indeed gives very fine grained control. I ran my phone like this for several months, without any adverse consequences, until you made the changes to Locus Maps. Since yesterday I turned on location access for both Google Play Services and Google Services Framework, which allowed Locus Maps to work again. The good news is that my power consumption did not increase. What is interesting is that it was necessary to turn on location access for both Google Play Services and Google Services Framework.
Thanks for your help with the suggestion about Google Play Services. That was the breakthrough.
I had been troubled by high power consumption. I found that completely turning of the GPS solved that problem. I then started barring individual services from using the GPS, leaving only those where it was obvious the GPS was needed. This solved my power consumption problem. At that time I also turned off location access for Google Play Services and Google Services Framework. My version of Android allows this and indeed gives very fine grained control. I ran my phone like this for several months, without any adverse consequences, until you made the changes to Locus Maps. Since yesterday I turned on location access for both Google Play Services and Google Services Framework, which allowed Locus Maps to work again. The good news is that my power consumption did not increase. What is interesting is that it was necessary to turn on location access for both Google Play Services and Google Services Framework.
Thanks for your help with the suggestion about Google Play Services. That was the breakthrough.
Hi Menion,
Some further developments.
1) In normal mode
I now find that Locus Maps frequently loses contact with the GPS satellites and then re-establishes contact with the satellites. These dropouts create gaps in the recorded tracks.
2) In compatibility mode
I find that there are no dropouts in the GPS signal. Everything works properly, as it should.
Consequently I have returned to using compatibility mode.
Hi Menion,
Some further developments.
1) In normal mode
I now find that Locus Maps frequently loses contact with the GPS satellites and then re-establishes contact with the satellites. These dropouts create gaps in the recorded tracks.
2) In compatibility mode
I find that there are no dropouts in the GPS signal. Everything works properly, as it should.
Consequently I have returned to using compatibility mode.
Hi guys,
I also use a Meizu phone for Locus. And the thing is that it happens to be not a certified Android device. So all the google services have to be side loaded and are not guaranteed to work properly. I did update the Meizu firmware from scratch with factory reset, then loaded the Gapps on a fresh system and this solved a lot of problems, including accuracy in Locus. The only thing that left is Locus sometimes working in background while minimized.
So, Peter, keep in mind that Flyme OS does not always grant full permissions even for Gapps, you have to check them manally. İncluding running in background and location.
@Menion, I suppose that Locus will not work on a custom ROM without Gapps, right? I am asking, because I was thinking about building a navigation specific phone with custom ROM and without Google services.
Hi guys,
I also use a Meizu phone for Locus. And the thing is that it happens to be not a certified Android device. So all the google services have to be side loaded and are not guaranteed to work properly. I did update the Meizu firmware from scratch with factory reset, then loaded the Gapps on a fresh system and this solved a lot of problems, including accuracy in Locus. The only thing that left is Locus sometimes working in background while minimized.
So, Peter, keep in mind that Flyme OS does not always grant full permissions even for Gapps, you have to check them manally. İncluding running in background and location.
@Menion, I suppose that Locus will not work on a custom ROM without Gapps, right? I am asking, because I was thinking about building a navigation specific phone with custom ROM and without Google services.
Hi Lux,
"So all the google services have to be side loaded and are not guaranteed to work properly"
Yes. So I downloaded the Google Services GMS Installer. This downloaded and installed all Google mobile services. After that I had full access to Google Play and all other Google apps. In practice I have found this works flawlessly and I have had no problems with apps.
"you have to check them manally. İncluding running in background and location."
Indeed, though it does choose sensible defaults. And I love the full control it gives me over which apps can run in background and which apps can use location services.
"The only thing that left is Locus sometimes working in background while minimized."
Yes. I have found that if I exit Locus Maps it sometimes remains running in the background. I then use the notification bar to kill it. This is a minor issue for me.
"I was thinking about building a navigation specific phone with custom ROM and without Google services"
That is an attractive idea for runners like myself. I need a small, light phone which is used only to track and record my runs.
Hi Lux,
"So all the google services have to be side loaded and are not guaranteed to work properly"
Yes. So I downloaded the Google Services GMS Installer. This downloaded and installed all Google mobile services. After that I had full access to Google Play and all other Google apps. In practice I have found this works flawlessly and I have had no problems with apps.
"you have to check them manally. İncluding running in background and location."
Indeed, though it does choose sensible defaults. And I love the full control it gives me over which apps can run in background and which apps can use location services.
"The only thing that left is Locus sometimes working in background while minimized."
Yes. I have found that if I exit Locus Maps it sometimes remains running in the background. I then use the notification bar to kill it. This is a minor issue for me.
"I was thinking about building a navigation specific phone with custom ROM and without Google services"
That is an attractive idea for runners like myself. I need a small, light phone which is used only to track and record my runs.
I said
"That is an attractive idea for runners like myself. I need a small, light phone which is used only to track and record my runs."
and record my mountain hikes. What I really need is a small, light phone with long battery life that does just one thing and does it well.
I said
"That is an attractive idea for runners like myself. I need a small, light phone which is used only to track and record my runs."
and record my mountain hikes. What I really need is a small, light phone with long battery life that does just one thing and does it well.
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