Top 5 ways to track a phone: location

Android operating systems

10.09.20196425

Modern phones are equipped with dozens of useful tools that make life much easier for their owners. Geolocation is one of these services. Without this technology, it is impossible to imagine the operation of many applications for smartphones and tablets. The owner of the gadget can enable or disable geolocation, as well as manage the parameters for transmitting geodata independently using the phone’s settings menu.

What is geolocation on Android

What is geolocation on Android anyway? This is a function for determining a user's location. If a person is in a particular place with a phone, then Android will quickly determine what kind of area, city, and so on it is. As a rule, exact coordinates and data about the street and much more are shown.

This is a fairly important feature especially for those users who want to protect their personal data. The function is important not only for location applications, but also simply for protecting user information.

Applications that need precise information about the user and his location may require geolocation data. You can also see requests from those programs that require logging into user data, for example, many social networks. This is done in order to further protect the data from hacking in the future.

Setting up geolocation

When you enter the location enable section, you can choose which applications will have access to the data. Some programs require information exchange to function correctly. Navigators, maps, banking clients, NFC services and others calculate the position of the device to provide recommendations on nearby places and services and build a route.

If you allow the collection of location information, your browsing history and your current position can be broadcast in your profile and instant messengers.

Based on location, advertising feeds in applications and browsers can be compiled, and enabling the service greatly facilitates searching on the map.

How does geolocation work on a phone?

GPS geolocation is an extensive set of processes that is aimed at searching for a user and determining his location. There are two ways by which you can determine the location of a person:

1. Through mobile operators;
2. Through satellites.

Note! In order to track the user's position using mobile operators, a mandatory Wi-Fi connection is required, as well as a cellular connection.

The GPS service is available to a limited number of applications; not all mobile phones can even use this function. The satellite determination method is the most accurate, since not all mobile operators can determine the exact location; as a rule, it is always approximate.

If the phone has a module for finding position, then the accuracy of the data display is high. It is worth noting that the satellite operation algorithm is simple:

1. A module is activated on the phone that helps record the location of objects with a certain time indicator;
2. Satellites direct their own beams to the receiver. The receiver is the Android device itself;
3. After this, the phone and satellite data are compared, and the approximate location of the user is calculated.

This is the most accurate system that does not even require an Internet connection. This does not work with cellular operators, because in any case you need the Internet to receive them.

What is GPS and why is it needed?

Before moving on to the guide on how to enable GPS on a mobile device, let’s understand the concept itself. GPS is a global positioning system. It works using satellites in Earth orbit. The principle of its operation is quite simple: the user connects to the satellite and exchanges certain data. Due to the fact that the sent signal has a certain speed, it is already possible to calculate the distance between them. However, to determine the exact location, you will need several more satellites, at least three. Thus, the calculation takes into account three distance values, and knowing the location of each satellite, you can calculate the point from which signals are sent.

It is noteworthy that to perform all the above actions, an Internet connection is not required; the signal is sent using a special GPS module, which is already in the smartphone. It is worth noting that almost all new devices have it, but there are exceptions.

How to enable geolocation on your phone

As mentioned earlier, geolocation is available to almost all devices on the Android system. There are several connection methods, which are worth discussing in more detail below. The methods will help you connect quickly, without additional settings, and determine the coordinates.

The user can use location to easily figure out the route, accurately describe and calculate many measurements. There are electronic bracelets that can connect to geolocation and help the user record where he is currently located.

To enable this function on your phone, you just need to do a couple of steps:

1. First you need to go to the settings of your smartphone. As a rule, it’s easy to go to settings by tapping on the gear-shaped icon;

2. After this, you need to go to the “Personal” section. It contains the necessary item called “Connection”;

3. Now you should use the slider to activate the “Geodata” function, which is located below some other functions.

On Android, the function to determine the user's location will become automatically available. Now many applications will be able to view the accuracy of coordinates and use them to protect data. In the mode line you can also determine which operators will be able to transmit and receive, with the help of which the determination will be made.

Location services operating modes

As mentioned earlier, in the settings you can adjust such a thing as choosing a service mode. This is a fairly important stage that determines the accuracy of the data, location determination and much more. For example, if a user chooses recognition using mobile operators, then he risks spending a lot of battery power, while if he chooses geolocation as the main method, then he will save charging and be confident in the accuracy of all data.

There are several operating modes for geolocation services:

• Using a mobile operator. That is, operators such as MTS, Beeline and others can provide a function to determine the user’s position. The owner of a smartphone only needs to connect to the Internet. You can also use a selection of available wireless connections. This method does not provide accurate results, but it is often used as an alternative;
• GPS satellites are the most accurate option. It works according to the method described above. Satellites are needed to determine coordinates. Using a smartphone, you can ensure the accuracy of data execution. Moreover, almost all phones are equipped with a special module for this action;
• According to all sources, this is another method that is used in the phone. This is a kind of combination of both the work of the communications service and satellites. This function is often called “High Accuracy” in the system. So named because it combines different types of data. Coordinates from one base are superimposed on the other. The result is maximum accuracy.

To choose a service mode, it is worth understanding the capabilities and goals. If the user wants maximum accuracy of determination, for example, to get directions, then he should use the third option “using all sources.” This way the data transfer will be maximum. If mode and accuracy are not so important, then you can use GPS, it saves battery.

Location history and geodata transfer

If the user exits “Location” in the settings, then when he scrolls down he will find that there are a huge number of functions that can be viewed and further configured. They also have a feature such as location history. Roughly speaking, this function tells where the user has already been, recording absolutely all coordinates. Also, such a story can be viewed at any time, and it can also be easily turned off if necessary.

The history is saved on Google servers. To disable it, simply move the slider to the inactive state. After this, the data will not be saved.

The location history can be accessed at any point in time as it is recorded in history. To go to it, you need to open Google maps and the “Chronicle” section. All actions will be shown there.

Another function is “geodata transfer”. It is necessary so that the user can send his geolocation to another user at any time. There are many situations, which is why this function is so important. If, for example, the user does not know where he is, then another person will help him with this. Or if your smartphone was lost.

Additionally: Configuring application access to geodata

Having turned on and generally configured geolocation in the Android OS does not mean that any software installed on the device will be able to use location data. Applications that require this information must be granted permission to function. This is done solely at your request, at any time the permission can be revoked and issued again, and the practical implementation of the operation has two options.

Option 1: “Location” section in OS “Settings”

1. Go to the “Location” section of the device’s “Settings”, call the “Application access to geodata” function (possibly “Application permissions”).

2. Find in the list on the screen that opens and tap the name of the program whose access to location information you want to adjust.

3. Select the level of access to the information in question that is set for the specific software and move the radio button to the appropriate position. There are four possible options here, but keep in mind that not all of them are always available (this depends on the software being configured):
   • “Allow in any mode” – the application always (including periods of work in the background) has access to the device’s location.

   • “Allow only during use” (recommended in most cases) – the software receives permission to use geolocation data only for the duration of its operation, that is, during periods when you directly use its functions.

   • Always Ask—The configurable tool will prompt you for access to your location information every time you decide to use it. The permission granted will remain in effect until you close the application.

   • “Deny” – the software will not be able to access geolocation information.

4. Having determined the value of the parameter, go back and perform the manipulations suggested above regarding all programs that are important in the aspect under consideration. After completing the issuance/revocation of permissions, exit the “Settings” of the operating system - now all tools will work with the device’s location data in accordance with the rules you set.

Option 2: About Page

1. Go to the page with information about the software for which you plan to change the access level to geolocation data:
   • Follow the path: “Settings” OS – “Applications and notifications”, click “Show all applications”.

     Scrolling through the displayed list or using the “Search” option, find the target software tool and tap on its name.

   • A faster method of opening the “About application” snap-in: move to the icon of the customized software on one of the device’s desktops or in the Android application menu, and long press on it. In the context menu that opens, tap on the “i” icon or the item marked with it.

2. Next, go to the “Permissions” section of the program’s operating parameters, and on the next screen, tap “Location.”

3. Follow step No. 3 of the previous instructions from this article, then exit the “Settings” of the Android OS.

How to set up geolocation on your phone

The user cannot fully configure the location and function by its definition. It can do this in part because on Android there aren't many options for using menu navigation settings and so on.

What the user can do is:

• Set up a reflection of history;
• Set mode;
• Activate charging saving;
• Show the program, configure it.

Setting up history reflection means that the user can completely disable it or activate it. You can also configure where it will be stored.

When setting up the mode, the user can choose the option that is convenient for him. This has already been discussed earlier. If you activate energy saving, the user can save battery capacity. This is especially true for those who use the services of mobile operators. To do this, go to the “location” item and select the battery saving icon.

If we talk about displaying and transmitting data, then at this point the user can configure the circle of people to whom the information will be provided. The user can either not allow the display or grant access to one person.

Spying on a person via phone

There are different options for who can “spy” on a person. Since scammers often do this, caution is a good idea.

Intelligence services

In all countries, secret services work with cellular operators and can “watch” a person. Companies are required to provide information about any of the subscribers if the authorities have a corresponding court decision.

Scammers

The main goal of scammers is not curiosity or obtaining information about the location of an object of interest. Everything is much simpler - they need money. They achieve their goal by stealing data from a mobile phone. As a rule, scammers hack devices running on Android.

How to send geolocation from Android

It doesn’t take much time or effort to send your own geolocation and location data to another person. To do this, you should adhere to a certain algorithm:

1. We activate geodata on the phone;

2. Open Google maps;
3. After that, select the service from the window;
4. We select those friends to whom we need to send the location. It's worth noting that this can be done by number;

5. We send the data in messages and click on send.

As you can see, there is nothing complicated about this, and the other user’s notification shade will display messages about sending data.

GSM codes for checking a device for surveillance

If you have a question about how to find out if my location is being monitored, you can use GSM codes. They allow you to activate and deactivate special functions to protect your device. The most important thing that can be found out through such combinations is whether the connection was made to the specified number through forwarding.

For cases where there is “no answer”, you can use the codes presented in the table.

Below are the codes that can be used if the subscriber is “not available”

Forwarding when busy

The codes listed above work on different phones, including iPhone. They are suitable for any mobile operators: Megafon, Beeline and others. When determining whether call forwarding has been established on a number, you can determine where incoming calls and SMS messages are sent. After this, you must immediately disable the function.

In addition to redirection, it is possible to establish surveillance through special services from the operator. Finding out if a cell phone is connected to location is one thing. It is also important to understand how to protect yourself from such an “invasion.”

Mobile operators offer programs that help determine location by phone number. To do this, you need to register in your personal account.

How to disable geolocation on Android

The deactivation process is exactly the same as the activation process. It is enough to follow this algorithm:

1. Go to the settings, which are located on the main screen;
2. After that, go to the location section;
3. Go to the data transfer point and set the slider to inactive;
4. Exit the settings.

You can also disable geolocation on Android using the notification shade. To do this, you need to swipe it away, then tap on the desired icon. You can also adjust the brightness, flight mode and much more in the curtain.

Battery status and charge level when actively using GPS navigation

The Internet contains a lot of information that constant use of a GPS connection directly affects the charge level of a smartphone. According to this information, applications consume more traffic and work more actively, which means they significantly speed up the process of consuming battery power.

Alas, this is true, but the battery does not drain as quickly as it is presented in various articles. Moreover, connected GPS navigation services provide much more benefits and help the smartphone work properly without causing any harm to the battery.

Also, mobile software developers are constantly working to improve applications and reduce energy consumption.

Note: constantly alternating navigation service modes (on/off) can have a negative impact on the battery, but always-on options consume much less battery power.