Guides
Android location, explained
Clear, brand-by-brand answers about Developer options, mock location, GPX routes, battery settings and location privacy. Each guide starts with a short answer you can use right away.
Setup: Developer options & mock location
How to enable Developer options on Android (every brand)
To enable Developer options on Android, open Settings › About phone and tap Build number seven times, entering your PIN if asked…
Select mock location app on Android (and what to do if it's not showing)
"Select mock location app" is a Developer options setting that chooses which installed app may provide test locations. Install the app first…
How to turn off mock location on Android
To turn off mock location, first stop the simulation in the app that's running it. Then open Settings › Developer options ›…
How Android location works
What is mock location on Android, and how does it work?
Mock location is an Android developer feature that lets one selected app supply test locations instead of the real GPS fix. Apps…
Approximate vs precise location on Android: what apps see
Since Android 12, when an app asks for location you can grant precise location, which can pinpoint you within meters, or approximate…
Routes & GPX
How to create a GPX file and play it back on Android
To create a GPX file, draw your route in a free web planner such as gpx.studio and export it as GPX, or…
Plan and preview a running route before you go
To preview a running route, plan it on a map with road-snapping, check the distance and turns, then play it back at…
Testing & troubleshooting
How to test geofences and location features on Android
To test location features, use the Android Studio emulator's Location panel (a single point, or a GPX/KML route) for fast checks, then…
Simulated location stops when the screen is off: battery fix by brand
If a simulated location stops when the screen turns off, the phone's battery manager is pausing the app. Set the app's battery…