Timeline location problem since Android update

PHK

J_B wrote: »

Does that mean that Google know about it and are working on a fix??

Yes and no. Android 9 doesn't let apps running in the background access sensors . This shouldn't include location, but some implementations include the GPS system because the guidelines are confusingly written.

Add to this is that in Android 9 the location setting is now a binary switch (OEM implementations vary) rather than selecting accuracy levels.

So OEMs need to allow background apps access to location, make sure that background apps "refresh" often enough, allow better control of accuracy and apps aren't shut down by battery saving. Google needs to make the spec and guidelines clearer. This was first reported last Autumn and fixes already seem to have gone out to some devices.

[Deleted User]

PHK wrote: »

Yes and no. Android 9 doesn't let apps running in the background access sensors . This shouldn't include location, but some implementations include the GPS system because the guidelines are confusingly written.

Add to this is that in Android 9 the location setting is now a binary switch (OEM implementations vary) rather than selecting accuracy levels.

So OEMs need to allow background apps access to location, make sure that background apps "refresh" often enough, allow better control of accuracy and apps aren't shut down by battery saving. Google needs to make the spec and guidelines clearer. This was first reported last Autumn and fixes already seem to have gone out to some devices.

There won't be a 'fix' in this case I think because there isn't a problem. They've disabled something that the apps require and have been advised how to solve it but instead of trying that they just keep coming back waffling. You just can't help some people.

I have the exact same phone with the same software I might add.

J_B

Colin_Maybe wrote: »

There won't be a 'fix' in this case I think because there isn't a problem. They've disabled something that the apps require and have been advised how to solve it but instead of trying that they just keep coming back waffling. You just can't help some people.

Thanks for your comments


Once I "waffled" this

J_B wrote: »

... but I *didn't* have an issue before the latest Android update

you didn't comment.


I have 95 apps on my phone - are you seriously suggesting that, for example, that I allow notifications on BBC News, then my Google Maps Timeline will work more accurately?????

J_B

PHK wrote: »

So OEMs need to allow background apps access to location, make sure that background apps "refresh" often enough

So are you suggesting that it's a Xaomi problem rather than a Google one?


As said before, it worked fine till the update.
I've been watching my football team this afternoon - in the same place for over 2 hours and it hasn't logged that I was there.


I just looked back at the location history on my PC and there are no details whatsoever from 29/12-2/1 ... but when I look on my phone, all the history is there.

PHK

J_B wrote: »

So are you suggesting that it's a Xaomi problem rather than a Google one?


As said before, it worked fine till the update.
I've been watching my football team this afternoon - in the same place for over 2 hours and it hasn't logged that I was there.


I just looked back at the location history on my PC and there are no details whatsoever from 29/12-2/1 ... but when I look on my phone, all the history is there.

It's more a case of Google, other developers and OEMs working together so that devices behave in the way the app expects. In the grand scheme of things , timelines sometimes being out by a short distance on some devices is probably not a high priority. I would still expect the problem to be solved eventually.

PHK

Colin_Maybe wrote: »

There won't be a 'fix' in this case I think because there isn't a problem. They've disabled something that the apps require and have been advised how to solve it but instead of trying that they just keep coming back waffling. You just can't help some people.

I have the exact same phone with the same software I might add.

In your opinion based on a sample size of one. Whereas the OP and I are a sample of two. Also, I've backed my view up with a (simplified) technical explanation which explains why it doesn't affect everyone all the time.
Here's a general article about how it should work (first subheading) :
https://www.computerworld.com/article/3261464/android/android-p-security.html

Unfortunately, the actual Google guidelines can be read as implying that in sometimes the location isn't immune to this rule. Add in battery saving killing the process (bug in the OEM's interpretation of Adaptive Battery) and your position will sometimes be out. eg Maps thinks I spent the night at the chip shop 100 metres away!

[Deleted User]

PHK wrote: »

In your opinion based on a sample size of one. Whereas the OP and I are a sample of two. Also, I've backed my view up with a (simplified) technical explanation which explains why it doesn't affect everyone all the time.
Here's a general article about how it should work (first subheading) :
https://www.computerworld.com/article/3261464/android/android-p-security.html

Unfortunately, the actual Google guidelines can be read as implying that in sometimes the location isn't immune to this rule. Add in battery saving killing the process (bug in the OEM's interpretation of Adaptive Battery) and your position will sometimes be out. eg Maps thinks I spent the night at the chip shop 100 metres away!

So now you've got the exact same problem on the same exact phone? Strange you've never mentioned this, unless of course you don't in which case your sample size is now back to one. The fact that they've admitted turning all notifications off in 8.1 which would have migrated to 9.0 seems to have escaped your notice. The fact that it escaped the notice of the OP shouldn't be a surprise, regardless I'll leave him in your capable hands waiting for a 'fix' rather than just trying what I suggested.

J_B

Colin_Maybe wrote: »

So now you've got the exact same problem on the same exact phone? Strange you've never mentioned this, unless of course you don't in which case your sample size is now back to one. The fact that they've admitted turning all notifications off in 8.1 which would have migrated to 9.0 seems to have escaped your notice. The fact that it escaped the notice of the OP shouldn't be a surprise, regardless I'll leave him in your capable hands waiting for a 'fix' rather than just trying what I suggested.

C_M
I guess that by 'they', you mean me (?)
I certainly haven't turned off "all notifications" at any time.
During the football yesterday, with each goal that my team sadly conceded, I got a notification from my Sky Sports app
I just fail to understand why enabling suddenly notifications on apps should help with Google Maps location history!
I just checked and I have 98 apps - notifications are off for 67 of them it tells me.


You still haven't commented on why it all worked fine on this phone until it updated itself a while back ... and I don't think I've altered anything else since. Any thoughts??

PHK

Colin_Maybe wrote: »

So now you've got the exact same problem on the same exact phone? Strange you've never mentioned this, unless of course you don't in which case your sample size is now back to one. The fact that they've admitted turning all notifications off in 8.1 which would have migrated to 9.0 seems to have escaped your notice. The fact that it escaped the notice of the OP shouldn't be a surprise, regardless I'll leave him in your capable hands waiting for a 'fix' rather than just trying what I suggested.

My first post in this thread stated I had experienced the issue and on two handsets. As for the notification issue, I think you've misunderstood.

J_B

PHK wrote: »

Add in battery saving killing the process (bug in the OEM's interpretation of Adaptive Battery) and your position will sometimes be out. eg Maps thinks I spent the night at the chip shop 100 metres away!

I had a bit of a dig round today and found that 'Battery Optimisation' was switched on for Google Maps.


I've turned it off, but haven't been anywhere to test it.


Will see what tomorrow brings.