MacroDroid uses GPS 24/7 without GPS related macros

[GiladB]

I have a few macros that involve Wi-Fi networks, which MacroDroid uses the location permission to access, but I noticed that it is using it all the time.
Nothing special/location related happens in the logs.
The location icon also constantly appears at the status bar.

Android 14, One UI 6, Galaxy S22 Ultra.
Any ideas? Thank you.

 

[johnskydraw]

I'm facing the same problem, my device is a Galaxy S22 Ultra, Android 13, One UI 5.1, I believe this is probably draining the battery too much

I have a few macros that involve Wi-Fi networks, which MacroDroid uses the location permission to access, but I noticed that it is using it all the time.
Nothing special/location related happens in the logs.
The location icon also constantly appears at the status bar.

Android 14, One UI 6, Galaxy S22 Ultra.
Any ideas? Thank you.

 

[GiladB]

I'm facing the same problem, my device is a Galaxy S22 Ultra, Android 13, One UI 5.1, I believe this is probably draining the battery too much

I had it on Android 13 too, but the location icon wasn't constantly staying on the status bar. I hope this can be resolved.

 

[Endercraft]

It depends on the wifi trigger refresh rate. Unfortunately Google made it so that location was required to get nearby wifi networks info for no practical reason but to "increase security".

Apparently in Android 14 a special Wi-Fi permission will be added to remove the need for location.

 

[GiladB]

It depends on the wifi trigger refresh rate. Unfortunately Google made it so that location was required to get nearby wifi networks info for no practical reason but to "increase security".

Apparently in Android 14 a special Wi-Fi permission will be added to remove the need for location.

How do I see what refresh rate it is on? I wouldn't need it to be 2 minutes. I thought the trigger triggers immediately anyway.
I mostly use if statements and constraints to check for WiFi connections.

I'm using Android 14, is it supposed to be added to MacroDroid?

 

[Endercraft]

Trigger Options --> Wifi SSID Trigger --> Wifi Background Scan Rate

 

[GiladB]

Trigger Options --> Wifi SSID Trigger --> Wifi Background Scan Rate

If I only use it for if statements and constraints it shouldn't be scanning in the background unless needed by the macro, right?

 

[Endercraft]

They still will because constraints are instantaneous and checking when reaching them wouldn't work.

 

[GiladB]

Apparently in Android 14 a special Wi-Fi permission will be added to remove the need for location.

Considering Android 14 is out, does it mean MacroDroid will soon support this without the location permission?

 

[GiladB]

They still will because constraints are instantaneous and checking when reaching them wouldn't work.

Could be a switch, because for some macros there is nothing to rush for.

 

[GiladB]

Trigger Options --> Wifi SSID Trigger --> Wifi Background Scan Rate

Seems like it's still doing something in the background even if I set it to Never.

 

[Endercraft]

At this point only @MacroDroidDev knows how the app works so he is the one who would have an answer (if he has one).

 

[GiladB]

Still relevant

 

[GiladB]

.

 

[dhj49er]

.

Are you using geofence in any macro?

I have location enabled all the time during the day and geofence macros disabled. MD accessing location is occasional, often tens of minutes apart.

However, if I enable Geofence macros, the OS reports MD accessing location all the time ie the interval is 0 minutes.

 

[Endercraft]

Well I'm pretty sure MacroDroid asks Play Services to update at a certain rate but Play Services might also not care and update like it wants (but it says MacroDroid uses the location).
If you have GPS apps in foreground it is also possible that the OS tells you MacroDroid is using it.

 

[GiladB]

Are you using geofence in any macro?

I have location enabled all the time during the day and geofence macros disabled. MD accessing location is occasional, often tens of minutes apart.

However, if I enable Geofence macros, the OS reports MD accessing location all the time ie the interval is 0 minutes.

No, and I recently changed the location update rate in MacroDroid but it still doesn't help.

 

[GiladB]

Well I'm pretty sure MacroDroid asks Play Services to update at a certain rate but Play Services might also not care and update like it wants (but it says MacroDroid uses the location).
If you have GPS apps in foreground it is also possible that the OS tells you MacroDroid is using it.

GPS apps in the foreground all day long?

 

[dhj49er]

No, and I recently changed the location update rate in MacroDroid but it still doesn't help.

Disable MD - does the location icon stay on or go off?
Enable MD - does the location icon come on and stay on?

When I turn on Geofence macros and the system reports MD making continuous access, the location icon is off.

I have location enabled all day and the location icon only comes on when I run a GPS app like GPS Test, otherwise no location icon with just MD enabled.

You have probably already checked but make sure no other app is accessing location and keeping the location icon on.

 

[GiladB]

Disable MD - does the location icon stay on or go off?
Enable MD - does the location icon come on and stay on?

When I turn on Geofence macros and the system reports MD making continuous access, the location icon is off.

I have location enabled all day and the location icon only comes on when I run a GPS app like GPS Test, otherwise no location icon with just MD enabled.

You have probably already checked but make sure no other app is accessing location and keeping the location icon on.

The status bar icons isn't there anymore... But MacroDroid still uses location almost every minute for no reason at all.