Get GPS location via a service in Android

I need to monitor user's locations using a background service, and then load them and show the path to the user.

Using an activity, it was quite easy to get GPS locations, but when I got to do it via a service, I came into a problem as it seems to only work for looper threads (or something like that).

As I've searched the internet for a solution, I've found out that many people got the same problem, but I couldn't find a working solution. Some people say that you need to use prepare->loop->quit , and some say you have to use a handlerThread, but still, I can't find out how to do such things in a proper way.

I don't understand what exactly is the problem with implementing location listening functionality in the Service. It looks pretty similar to what you do in Activity. Just define a location listener and register for location updates. You can refer to the following code as example:

Manifest file:

<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION" />
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.ACCESS_COARSE_LOCATION" />
<application
    android:icon="@drawable/ic_launcher"
    android:label="@string/app_name" >
    <activity android:label="@string/app_name" android:name=".LocationCheckerActivity" >
        <intent-filter >
            <action android:name="android.intent.action.MAIN" />
            <category android:name="android.intent.category.LAUNCHER" />
        </intent-filter>
    </activity>
	<service android:name=".MyService" android:process=":my_service" />
</application>

The service file:

import android.app.Service;
import android.content.Context;
import android.content.Intent;
import android.location.Location;
import android.location.LocationManager;
import android.os.Bundle;
import android.os.IBinder;
import android.util.Log;

public class MyService extends Service {

    private static final String TAG = "BOOMBOOMTESTGPS";
    private LocationManager mLocationManager = null;
    private static final int LOCATION_INTERVAL = 1000;
    private static final float LOCATION_DISTANCE = 10f;

    private class LocationListener implements android.location.LocationListener {
        Location mLastLocation;

        public LocationListener(String provider) {
            Log.e(TAG, "LocationListener " + provider);
            mLastLocation = new Location(provider);
        }

        @Override
        public void onLocationChanged(Location location) {
            Log.e(TAG, "onLocationChanged: " + location);
            mLastLocation.set(location);
        }

        @Override
        public void onProviderDisabled(String provider) {
            Log.e(TAG, "onProviderDisabled: " + provider);
        }

        @Override
        public void onProviderEnabled(String provider) {
            Log.e(TAG, "onProviderEnabled: " + provider);
        }

        @Override
        public void onStatusChanged(String provider, int status, Bundle extras) {
            Log.e(TAG, "onStatusChanged: " + provider);
        }
    }

    LocationListener[] mLocationListeners = new LocationListener[]{
            new LocationListener(LocationManager.GPS_PROVIDER),
            new LocationListener(LocationManager.NETWORK_PROVIDER)
    };

    @Override
    public IBinder onBind(Intent arg0) {
        return null;
    }

    @Override
    public int onStartCommand(Intent intent, int flags, int startId) {
        Log.e(TAG, "onStartCommand");
        super.onStartCommand(intent, flags, startId);
        return START_STICKY;
    }

    @Override
    public void onCreate() {
        Log.e(TAG, "onCreate");
        initializeLocationManager();
        try {
            mLocationManager.requestLocationUpdates(
                    LocationManager.NETWORK_PROVIDER, LOCATION_INTERVAL, LOCATION_DISTANCE,
                    mLocationListeners[1]);
        } catch (java.lang.SecurityException ex) {
            Log.i(TAG, "fail to request location update, ignore", ex);
        } catch (IllegalArgumentException ex) {
            Log.d(TAG, "network provider does not exist, " + ex.getMessage());
        }
        try {
            mLocationManager.requestLocationUpdates(
                    LocationManager.GPS_PROVIDER, LOCATION_INTERVAL, LOCATION_DISTANCE,
                    mLocationListeners[0]);
        } catch (java.lang.SecurityException ex) {
            Log.i(TAG, "fail to request location update, ignore", ex);
        } catch (IllegalArgumentException ex) {
            Log.d(TAG, "gps provider does not exist " + ex.getMessage());
        }
    }

    @Override
    public void onDestroy() {
        Log.e(TAG, "onDestroy");
        super.onDestroy();
        if (mLocationManager != null) {
            for (int i = 0; i < mLocationListeners.length; i++) {
                try {
                    mLocationManager.removeUpdates(mLocationListeners[i]);
                } catch (Exception ex) {
                    Log.i(TAG, "fail to remove location listners, ignore", ex);
                }
            }
        }
    }

    private void initializeLocationManager() {
        Log.e(TAG, "initializeLocationManager");
        if (mLocationManager == null) {
            mLocationManager = (LocationManager) getApplicationContext().getSystemService(Context.LOCATION_SERVICE);
        }
    }
}

public class GPSService extends Service implements GoogleApiClient.ConnectionCallbacks, GoogleApiClient.OnConnectionFailedListener, com.google.android.gms.location.LocationListener {
    private LocationRequest mLocationRequest;
    private GoogleApiClient mGoogleApiClient;
    private static final String LOGSERVICE = "#######";

    @Override
    public void onCreate() {
        super.onCreate();
        buildGoogleApiClient();
        Log.i(LOGSERVICE, "onCreate");

    }

    @Override
    public int onStartCommand(Intent intent, int flags, int startId) {
        Log.i(LOGSERVICE, "onStartCommand");

        if (!mGoogleApiClient.isConnected())
            mGoogleApiClient.connect();
        return START_STICKY;
    }


    @Override
    public void onConnected(Bundle bundle) {
        Log.i(LOGSERVICE, "onConnected" + bundle);

        Location l = LocationServices.FusedLocationApi.getLastLocation(mGoogleApiClient);
        if (l != null) {
            Log.i(LOGSERVICE, "lat " + l.getLatitude());
            Log.i(LOGSERVICE, "lng " + l.getLongitude());

        }

        startLocationUpdate();
    }

    @Override
    public void onConnectionSuspended(int i) {
        Log.i(LOGSERVICE, "onConnectionSuspended " + i);

    }

    @Override
    public void onLocationChanged(Location location) {
        Log.i(LOGSERVICE, "lat " + location.getLatitude());
        Log.i(LOGSERVICE, "lng " + location.getLongitude());
        LatLng mLocation = (new LatLng(location.getLatitude(), location.getLongitude()));
        EventBus.getDefault().post(mLocation);

    }

    @Override
    public void onDestroy() {
        super.onDestroy();
        Log.i(LOGSERVICE, "onDestroy - Estou sendo destruido ");

    }

    @Nullable
    @Override
    public IBinder onBind(Intent intent) {
        return null;
    }

    @Override
    public void onConnectionFailed(ConnectionResult connectionResult) {
        Log.i(LOGSERVICE, "onConnectionFailed ");

    }

    private void initLocationRequest() {
        mLocationRequest = new LocationRequest();
        mLocationRequest.setInterval(5000);
        mLocationRequest.setFastestInterval(2000);
        mLocationRequest.setPriority(LocationRequest.PRIORITY_HIGH_ACCURACY);

    }

    private void startLocationUpdate() {
        initLocationRequest();

        if (ActivityCompat.checkSelfPermission(this, Manifest.permission.ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION) != PackageManager.PERMISSION_GRANTED && ActivityCompat.checkSelfPermission(this, Manifest.permission.ACCESS_COARSE_LOCATION) != PackageManager.PERMISSION_GRANTED) {
            // TODO: Consider calling
            //    ActivityCompat#requestPermissions
            // here to request the missing permissions, and then overriding
            //   public void onRequestPermissionsResult(int requestCode, String[] permissions,
            //                                          int[] grantResults)
            // to handle the case where the user grants the permission. See the documentation
            // for ActivityCompat#requestPermissions for more details.
            return;
        }
        LocationServices.FusedLocationApi.requestLocationUpdates(mGoogleApiClient, mLocationRequest, this);
    }

    private void stopLocationUpdate() {
        LocationServices.FusedLocationApi.removeLocationUpdates(mGoogleApiClient, this);

    }

    protected synchronized void buildGoogleApiClient() {
        mGoogleApiClient = new GoogleApiClient.Builder(this)
                .addOnConnectionFailedListener(this)
                .addConnectionCallbacks(this)
                .addApi(LocationServices.API)
                .build();
    }

}

All these answers doesn't work from M - to - Android"O" - 8, Due to Dozer mode that restrict the service - whatever service or any background operation that requires discrete things in background would be no longer able to run.

So the approach would be listening to the system FusedLocationApiClient through BroadCastReciever that always listening the location and work even in Doze mode.

Posting the link would be pointless, please search FusedLocation with Broadcast receiver.

Thanks

Just complementing, I implemented this way and usually worked in my Service class

In my Service

@Override
public void onCreate()
{
	mHandler = new Handler(Looper.getMainLooper());
	mHandler.post(this);
	super.onCreate();
}

@Override
public void onDestroy() 
{
	mHandler.removeCallbacks(this);		
	super.onDestroy();
}

@Override
public void run()
{
	InciarGPSTracker();
}

Take a look at Google Play Location Samples GitHub repository

Location Updates using a Foreground Service: Get updates about a device's location using a bound and started foreground service.

Location Updates using a PendingIntent: Get updates about a device's location using a PendingIntent. Sample shows implementation using an IntentService as well as a BroadcastReceiver.

Here is my solution:

Step1: Register Serice in manifest

<receiver
    android:name=".MySMSBroadcastReceiver"
    android:exported="true">
    <intent-filter>
        <action android:name="com.google.android.gms.auth.api.phone.SMS_RETRIEVED" />
    </intent-filter>
</receiver>

Step2: Code Of Service

public class FusedLocationService extends Service {

    private String mLastUpdateTime = null;

    // bunch of location related apis
    private FusedLocationProviderClient mFusedLocationClient;
    private SettingsClient mSettingsClient;
    private LocationRequest mLocationRequest;
    private LocationSettingsRequest mLocationSettingsRequest;
    private LocationCallback mLocationCallback;
    private Location lastLocation;

    // location updates interval - 10sec
    private static final long UPDATE_INTERVAL_IN_MILLISECONDS = 5000;

    // fastest updates interval - 5 sec
    // location updates will be received if another app is requesting the locations
    // than your app can handle
    private static final long FASTEST_UPDATE_INTERVAL_IN_MILLISECONDS = 500;
    private DatabaseReference locationRef;
    private int notificationBuilder = 0;
    private boolean isInitRef;

    @Override
    public int onStartCommand(Intent intent, int flags, int startId) {
        Log.log("LOCATION GET DURATION", "start in service");
        init();
        return START_STICKY;
    }

    /**
     * Initilize Location Apis
     * Create Builder if Share location true
     */
    private void init() {
        mFusedLocationClient = LocationServices.getFusedLocationProviderClient(this);
        mSettingsClient = LocationServices.getSettingsClient(this);
        mLocationCallback = new LocationCallback() {
            @Override
            public void onLocationResult(LocationResult locationResult) {
                super.onLocationResult(locationResult);
                receiveLocation(locationResult);
            }
        };

        mLocationRequest = new LocationRequest();
        mLocationRequest.setInterval(UPDATE_INTERVAL_IN_MILLISECONDS);
        mLocationRequest.setFastestInterval(FASTEST_UPDATE_INTERVAL_IN_MILLISECONDS);
        mLocationRequest.setPriority(LocationRequest.PRIORITY_HIGH_ACCURACY);

        LocationSettingsRequest.Builder builder = new LocationSettingsRequest.Builder();
        builder.addLocationRequest(mLocationRequest);
        mLocationSettingsRequest = builder.build();
        startLocationUpdates();
    }

    /**
     * Request Location Update
     */
    @SuppressLint("MissingPermission")
    private void startLocationUpdates() {
        mSettingsClient
                .checkLocationSettings(mLocationSettingsRequest)
                .addOnSuccessListener(locationSettingsResponse -> {
                    Log.log(TAG, "All location settings are satisfied. No MissingPermission");

                    //noinspection MissingPermission
                    mFusedLocationClient.requestLocationUpdates(mLocationRequest, mLocationCallback, Looper.myLooper());
                })
                .addOnFailureListener(e -> {
                    int statusCode = ((ApiException) e).getStatusCode();
                    switch (statusCode) {
                        case LocationSettingsStatusCodes.RESOLUTION_REQUIRED:
                            Log.loge("Location settings are not satisfied. Attempting to upgrade " + "location settings ");
                            break;
                        case LocationSettingsStatusCodes.SETTINGS_CHANGE_UNAVAILABLE:
                            Log.loge("Location settings are inadequate, and cannot be " + "fixed here. Fix in Settings.");
                    }
                });
    }

    /**
     * onLocationResult
     * on Receive Location  share to other activity and save if save true
     *
     * @param locationResult
     */
    private void receiveLocation(LocationResult locationResult) {
        lastLocation = locationResult.getLastLocation();

        LocationInstance.getInstance().changeState(lastLocation);

        saveLocation();
    }

    private void saveLocation() {
        String saveLocation = getsaveLocationStatus(this);

        if (saveLocation.equalsIgnoreCase("true") && notificationBuilder == 0) {
            notificationBuilder();
            notificationBuilder = 1;
        } else if (saveLocation.equalsIgnoreCase("false") && notificationBuilder == 1) {
            ((NotificationManager) getSystemService(Context.NOTIFICATION_SERVICE)).cancel(1);
            notificationBuilder = 0;
        }

        Log.logd("receiveLocation : Share :- " + saveLocation + ", [Lat " + lastLocation.getLatitude() + ", Lng" + lastLocation.getLongitude() + "], Time :- " + mLastUpdateTime);

        if (saveLocation.equalsIgnoreCase("true") || getPreviousMin() < getCurrentMin()) {
            setLatLng(this, lastLocation);

            mLastUpdateTime = DateFormat.getTimeInstance().format(new Date());

            if (isOnline(this) && !getUserId(this).equalsIgnoreCase("")) {
                if (!isInitRef) {
                    locationRef = getFirebaseInstance().child(getUserId(this)).child("location");
                    isInitRef = true;
                }
                if (isInitRef) {
                    locationRef.setValue(new LocationModel(lastLocation.getLatitude(), lastLocation.getLongitude(), mLastUpdateTime));
                }
            }
        }
    }

    private int getPreviousMin() {
        int previous_min = 0;
        if (mLastUpdateTime != null) {
            String[] pretime = mLastUpdateTime.split(":");
            previous_min = Integer.parseInt(pretime[1].trim()) + 1;

            if (previous_min > 59) {
                previous_min = 0;
            }
        }
        return previous_min;
    }

    @Override
    public void onDestroy() {
        super.onDestroy();
        stopLocationUpdates();
    }

    /**
     * Remove Location Update
     */
    public void stopLocationUpdates() {
        mFusedLocationClient
                .removeLocationUpdates(mLocationCallback)
                .addOnCompleteListener(task -> Log.logd("stopLocationUpdates : "));
    }

    private void notificationBuilder() {
        if (Build.VERSION.SDK_INT >= 26) {
            String CHANNEL_ID = "my_channel_01";
            NotificationChannel channel = new NotificationChannel(CHANNEL_ID, "Channel human readable title",
                    NotificationManager.IMPORTANCE_DEFAULT);

            ((NotificationManager) getSystemService(Context.NOTIFICATION_SERVICE)).createNotificationChannel(channel);

            Notification notification = new NotificationCompat.Builder(this, CHANNEL_ID)
                    .setContentTitle("")
                    .setContentText("").build();

            startForeground(1, notification);
        }
    }

    @Override
    public IBinder onBind(Intent intent) {
        return null;
    }
}

Step 3: Manifests

<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.ACCESS_COARSE_LOCATION" />
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION" />
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.FOREGROUND_SERVICE" />

Step 4: Gradle

implementation 'com.google.android.gms:play-services-location:16.0.0'

ok , i've solved it by creating a handler on the onCreate of the service , and calling the gps functions through there .

The code is as simple as this:

final handler=new Handler(Looper.getMainLooper()); 

And then to force running things on the UI, I call post on it.