GPS Status on Android 2.3+

[Pent]

GPS no longer works on a normal Gingerbread ROM due to changes made by
Google in Android. There's nothing I can do about that.

If you have a modified ROM where GPS worked in prior Tasker versions,
then you should
be able to get it working with Tasker version 1.0.20b4 (or a higher
version if b4 turns out to need some tweaking).

Pent

[UncleMike]

This works well for me using Ultimate Droid 3.1.1 (Android 2.3.3), with no tweaking of my build.prop file.  Thanks.

[Pent]

> This works well for me using Ultimate Droid 3.1.1 (Android 2.3.3), with no
> tweaking of my build.prop file.  Thanks.

My thanks to you :-)

Pent

[D13-R37]

Any update on anytime Gingerbread will be compatible with GPS again? =(

[Daniel Piotrowski]

My GPS is working with Tasker on AOSP Rom (2.3.3) for Hero (CDMA/
Sprint)

Are you talking about making tasks location-aware? Is that not
working?

[dberthia]

I'm not able to create GPS on/off tasks in CyanogenMod 7.02 on my
original Droid.

Here's the ro.modversion from my build.prop:
CyanogenMod-7.0.2-Droid

Should this be working? I'm using the latest version of Tasker.

[jeff giesbrecht]

There was a bug in the CM 7.0.2 regarding GPS, I know this affected many EVO users, I'd check and see if there is a new release for your phone, as I believe a fix came through for the GPS problem, which means the problem is with CM NOT Tasker. :)

[dberthia]

Well, my GPS itself is working fine. It's only in Tasker that it tells
me it can't create the GPS task because of the Android 2.3
limitations.

On Apr 26, 10:06 am, jeff giesbrecht <jeff.giesbre...@gmail.com>
wrote:

[Pent]

> Well, my GPS itself is working fine. It's only in Tasker that it tells
> me it can't create the GPS task because of the Android 2.3
> limitations.

Tasker attempt to toggle GPS and waits a short while. If the attempt
fails, GPS is marked as unavailable.

It's been possible in previous versions of Cyanogen, it's possible
something changed, perhaps other users of that version can chime in.

Pent

[burnmatoaka]

I don't seem to be having any problems using my existing GPS toggle
profiles. I don't actually use the "toggle" setting, rather I use GPS
ON/OFF and a %GPSISON variable so that GPS isn't turned off by Tasker
if it was already on before the trigger event (usually an app
launching). I'm on CM7.0.2.1 on Droid Incredible, Tasker Version
1.0.2.1u2.

[b]

[UncleMike]

It is working for me using CM 7.0.2 on my OG Droid.  However, Tasker was installed when I was using a different ROM, and then backed up and restored using Titanium Backup.  This may have something to do with it, since I'm not sure when or how often Tasker checks to see if it can control GPS.

[Pent]

The default assumption after a new install/reinstall/crash/any reset
of data, is that it can do GPS. If you try to create a new action with
GPS it will perform the check (which may result in existing GPS
actions not running anymore).

Pent

[dberthia]

Well, if anyone has any suggestions, I'm all ears. When running
CM7.0.2 on my original Droid, I see this every time I try to add a GPS
task in Tasker:

"For Android 2.3+, Google have made changes such that it is no longer
possible for an app to change GPS without user-interaction. If you
wish to continue using Tasker's GPS action you may wish to consider
installing a modified ROM such as Cyanogen which does not have
Google's restriction."

Frustrating!

[dberthia]

In case anyone's interested, moving Tasker to system/app solved my
problem.

[Pent]

> In case anyone's interested, moving Tasker to system/app solved my
> problem.

Be warned that as a system app Tasker can do virtually anything with
no permissions needed, so from a security point of view it's not
great.

Pent

[Apostol Apostolov]

How can I move Tasker as a system app? And won't that render updates being installed as data apps and taking extra space?

[Pent]

> How can I move Tasker as a system app?

You need to remount the file system read-write then copy the apk to /
system/app, as I understand it.

> And won't that render updates being
> installed as data apps and taking extra space?

No idea.

Pent

[UncleMike]

I did this with a different app.  In addition to moving the APK to the /system/app folder, I needed to clear the dalvik cache.  After that, everything worked fine, with the exception of a Launcher Pro dock shortcut.  Since recreating the shortcut, all has worked well.

Titanium Backup has a feature to merge updates with system apps, thereby regaining the space used by having files in both /data/app and /system/app.  I've used it once so far, and it worked well (with USB debugging enabled).

[Sanjay Suckoo]

I was having the same issue on the newest version of aospcmmod.

[L]

On May 4, 11:21 pm, dberthia <dave.berthia...@gmail.com> wrote:
> In case anyone's interested, moving Tasker to system/app solved my
> problem.

I tried moving Tasker to /system/app but it still was unable to toggle
GPS. This is on 2.3.3 (Galaxy S).
I emptied dalvik cache and both Taskers /data/ and /dbdata/ folders.
It did check the availability of GPS toggle but failed. Other system
apps can toggle GPS though.
Does this still work for anyone in Tasker 1.0.20?

[Krassimir VB]

I've moved the Tasker to system/app and cleared the dalvik-cache.
But it still doesn't work.
Then I've test the task and GPS goes on.
Then exit task and GPS goes off.
But when I execute an app GPS doesn't go on.
I can't explain to myself why's working like that.

[Pent]

> I've moved the Tasker to system/app and cleared the dalvik-cache.
> But it still doesn't work.
> Then I've test the task and GPS goes on.
> Then exit task and GPS  goes off.
> But when I execute an app GPS doesn't go on.

Does the profile show as active in the notification pulldown ?

Pent

[L]

On Jun 4, 3:27 pm, Krassimir VB <kras...@gmail.com> wrote:
> I've moved the Tasker to system/app and cleared the dalvik-cache.
> But it still doesn't work.
> Then I've test the task and GPS goes on.

Even in test mode it doesn't work for me.
Is there any app out there that just toggles GPS and then exits? Then
I could make Tasker start that app instead of using the built-in GPS
switch.

[John]

Hey all, hope this helps...
I was having same problem. Sgs running darkys rom 10.1
Just found my custom power control app "widgetsoid" imbedded in tasker
as a plug in.
All power control options therein.
Gps problem solved!
Happy tasking
Jb

[baudi]

That works for Android 2.3?

[baudi]

I'll answer my own question: No.

[Orphee]

Hi,

I have Oxygen 2.1.4 rom on my Desire, it is "hack free" so I guess
AdamG did not enable the function to enable GPS...
Is there a way to enable/disable the GPS with a SU command (as root) ?
Locale plugin could launch the SU command for this...

Thank you

[Pent]

For people with a custom ROM that GPS isn't working with, another
possibility that I received via email:

>I've reverted a change I made in Autostarts, to disable triggering events to >the Power Widget (the default one). After enabling it back, tasker can toggle >GPS again.

Pent

[KouiK]

Hi,

Thanks for the tip, it could helps me. I got the same problems with
the Gps ( Galaxy S CM7 Nightly )
But, can you explain a bit more on how to do that ?
How to "disable triggering events" ?

Thanks.

[Corey Z]

Hi Pent,

I'm developing a Tasker plugin that has a "helper" application that can be installed by rooted users. The helper sits in the /system/app folder and can modify secured settings. I just implemented the ability to toggle the GPS and it seems to work pretty well so far.

For those interested, there is a beta version available in this thread.

Please note: The current version doesn't have the GPS functionality but I plan on releasing a new version soon!

[Fernando Valle]

I have tried putting the tasker program in the /system/app folder but
can't get it to toggle GPS... is there something that needs to be done
for something like this to work? I am on a Samsung Galaxy S2, and used
the terminal command 'mv' to move the tasker program on Cognition S2
v1.30.

On Jul 25, 9:45 am, Corey Z <czua...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Hi Pent,
>
> I'm developing a Tasker plugin that has a "helper" application that can be
> installed by rooted users. The helper sits in the /system/app folder and can
> modify secured settings. I just implemented the ability to toggle the GPS
> and it seems to work pretty well so far.
>

> For those interested, there is a beta version available in this thread<https://groups.google.com/forum/?pli=1#!topic/tasker/7gl_KKprjKs>
> .
> *Please note:* The current version doesn't have the GPS functionality but I

[M. Douglas-Llyr]

Do you have "use wireless networks" or something equivalent checked? Mine wouldn't work until I did so. I was told, so don't take this as gospel, that if your phone uses assisted gps it needs that setting.

[Fernando Valle]

I tried setting "Use Wireless Networks" under "Location and security"
to off, then reset the phone and toggled to on. But unfortunately,
that still does not work. Is there something else that needs to change
at the OS level? This is a rooted phone, so maybe I can somehow use
that in this situation? I really liked the idea of being able to
toggle the gps on, for example, if my phone gets stolen and received a
txt message telling it to locate itself.

On Jul 25, 6:04 pm, "M. Douglas-Llyr" <dougl...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Do you have "use wireless networks" or something equivalent checked? Mine
> wouldn't work until I did so. I was told, so don't take this as gospel, that
> if your phone uses assisted gps it needs that setting.
>

[Fernando Valle]

Kouik, I believe that change only applies to people that are using
AutoStarts

[Fernando Valle]

Would implementing 'super-user' work to rectify this issue? Or would,
even with a super-user enabled mode, it still be locked out?

[Corey Z]

For those interested, I just released a new beta version of my plugin which includes GPS toggle functionality for root users. 

Please check out the thread or download HERE

Any and all feedback is welcome!

[johan.s...@gmail.com]

I've the same problem. Cant turn GPS ON with tasker

[KouiK]

Hey guys,

I found a trick that allow me to use GPS on gingerbread 2.3.4 ( Cyanogen mod 7 Nightly #71 )

1 - If you can't use the GPS "on" feature because it is marked by a star, download Corey's plugin : https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/tasker/7gl_KKprjKs ( if you have access to GPS "on" in tasker, but the gps never activate itself, just skip this step )

2 - Then, go to the market, and download Gps fix : https://market.android.com/details?id=com.androidlab.gpsfix

3 - Create a testing task :
- GPS "on" ( if you have access to this feature )
- Secure testing Gps "enabled" ( if you don't have access to tasker gps feature )
- wait 5 seconds
- launch app Gps fix
- return home
- wait 20 seconds
- popup : Your location: %LOC, Accuracy: %LOCACC

4 - assign this task to a widget, go outside of your home ( i mean, not under a roof ! ), and test it.

It's working for me, and it allows me to use "Stolen phone" features i created before on tasker :)

Bye ;)

[KouiK]

and set the timeout in in gps fix to maximum. And just turn off GPS in your exiting task.
If you need GPS more than one hour, i think you will need to launch the task again ( didn't try yet, just found the trick few minutes ago )

[KouiK]

And in me test task, i personally added an intent action on com.androidlab.gpsfix, but i think it's useless.
But if the trick doesn't work, try to add it, as an activity intent action.

[baudi]

I had moved Tasker to system/app to take advantage of root permissions. After today's update, I went to Titanium Backup and tried the Batch "Integrate System apps into ROM" option. Sure enough Tasker was shown in the list of eligible programs, so I told it to do it.

That didn't work. I lost the ability to use Tasker completely, and I had to restore the previous version from Titanium Backup. I'll try moving the new version to ROM manually and report back. So I tried it again.

1. Restored previous version using TB.

2. Updated to Tasker 1.1 from the Market.

3. Went back to TB and did the "Integrate System Apps in ROM" again.

4. My Tasker widgets disappeared from my home screen.

5. I started tasker from the tray, and it seems to run fine now.

6. I checked data/app where apps are normally installed, and Tasker's not there. 

7. I checked system/app where it should have been moved by TB, and the new version is there.

8. I tried to put my Tasker widgets back on the home screen, but the widget list didn't offer a Task widget.

9. I rebooted and tried again. This time the Tasker widget was an option in the widget list and I was able to add widgets back to the home screen.

So I'm not sure what happened the first time I went through this sequence, but it seems to be working now, and Tasker is able to start GPS because it's a system app.

[KouiK]

Oh my god !!! ( or maybe you prefer that i call you baudi ^^ )

I tried your tip with Titanium Backup, and this is perfectly working.
As you said, i've just converted Tasker into a system app using TB,
and then reboot my phone. ( Tasker crashed many time during the
process, and i had to reboot before the end of the process. I don't
know why, but the TB screen "please wait" was not disappearing. After
25mins, i decided to reboot. NB : I think i had to desactivate Tasker
before running TB, thing that i recommend to do. )
Then i created a test task, activating on a trigger SMS, which send me
back by SMS the phone Gps position.

Thanks, thanks, thanks, and thanks again !! Really helpfull !

[baudi]

At first I didn't understand your message (flattering though it was!).

I actually didn't realize you could convert an app to a system app using TB, but, sure enough, there under the Batch command is "Move user apps to internal memory". I had converted Tasker to a system app by moving it manually with Root Explorer. Now I realize I probably could have done it with TB. 

Anyway, after today's update, I used TB to "Integrate updates of system apps into ROM" and it finally worked.

Glad it's working for you too.

David

[KouiK]

Lol, yeah, i know, my english is crazy bad, and i really apologize for this... I'm working on it, but it's a bit hard sometimes ^^

Here is what i did exactly ( really simple in fact !! ) :
- Open TB
- Click on Save/restore tab
- Scroll down to Tasker
- Long click on Tasker
- A popup opened named "special functionnalities" ( or something like that. My TB is in french sorry )
- Select "convert into a system app"

It's great fun to know that I tought i understood the manipulations you've said, I applied, it worked, but in fact, you explained something else ^ ^ ahah

Hoping that my post is more understandable this time :p
Thanks anyway ^^

[Krassimir VB]

On Jun 4, 4:27 pm, Krassimir VB wrote:
> I've moved the Tasker to system/app and cleared the dalvik-cache.
> But it still doesn't work.
> Then I've test the task and GPS goes on.

> Then exit task and GPS goes off.
> But when I execute an app GPS doesn't go on.

> I can't explain to myself why's working like that.

Got it. It is Rom related. Insert Coin rom problem. My problem is that
I like both IC and Tasker.

Pent are there another method to get Tasker notified when app was
started?

[Pent]

> Pent are there another method to get Tasker notified when app was
> started?

Try:

event: Variable Set, %WIN

You need to turn on Tasker's accessabilty server in Android settings
for that.

Pent

[Krassimir VB]

Yes, working this way, Thanks Pent,
But this method is only suitable for a single app or two.