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--- using_location_services [2026/02/17 13:11] – phobos
+++ using_location_services [2026/03/18 01:55] (current) – ↷ Links adapted because of a move operation phobos
@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-The [[kyocera_digno_keitai_3|Kyocera Digno Keitai 3]] and [[kyocera_digno_keitai_4|Kyocera Digno Keitai 4]] both have GPS built in, however it seems that location is unstable and sometimes nonfunctional on the device regardless.
+====== Using location services ======
-Android devices can usually take advantage of [[https://developers.google.com/location-context/fused-location-provider|FLP (Fused Location Provider)]], which can can provide location based on GPS, cellular network, WiFi and Bluetooth. However, these phones do not have this feature due to not having [[wp>Google_Play_Services|Google play services]]. Additionally, typical android apps expect to get location data from Google play services, which can potentially lead to the phone having a GPS signal, but with the application not receiving it.
+The [[phones:kyocera_digno_keitai_3:start|Kyocera Digno Keitai 3]] and [[phones:kyocera_digno_keitai_4:start|Kyocera DIGNO Keitai 4]] both have GPS built in, however due to the lack of Google Play Services most typical apps will either not provide a location or will not function. There also seems to be issues with the GPS working altogether, although the cause of this has yet to be determined.
-Some apps do support a raw GPS signal however, and can be used as an alternative.
+===== Usage =====
-It is also possible to expose location to typical apps expecting Google play services through microG, although this process may require rooting the phone.
+==== GPS (Unrooted) ====
-It may be the case that these phones can take advantage of Japanese specific location providers while in Japan through built in software, but this has not been confirmed. If that is the case then it would explain why some users have had seeming success with microG providing location data on non rooted phones. It would mean that the phone supports non Google service providers, however this has not been confirmed.
+Modern Android apps usually rely on [[https://developers.google.com/location-context/fused-location-provider|FLP (Fused Location Provider)]], which provides location based on GPS, cellular network, WiFi and Bluetooth. However, this feature is part of [[wp>Google_Play_Services|Google play services]] and as a consequence these apps cannot access your location.
-===== GPS =====
+However, FOSS map apps such as [[https://f-droid.org/en/packages/net.osmand.plus/|OSMand~]] and [[https://f-droid.org/en/packages/app.comaps.fdroid/|CoMaps]] do not rely on FLP and can use the GPS for location.
+Additionally, FOSS browsers such as [[https://f-droid.org/en/packages/org.mozilla.fennec_fdroid/|Fennec]] can be used to access Google maps or Uber. Browsers that take advantage of the GPS can pass it through to the website and give you a location.
+==== microG (Rooted) ====
+On a rooted device, microG has the capability to fully replace FLP and to introduce location providers to supplement GPS. This can heavily improve location services in some circumstances.
+It is also possible to get certain apps such as [[wp>Transit_(app)|Transit]] to work to an extent.
+===== GPS setup =====
 Within the settings app navigate to Location settings.
@@ Line 21: / Line 33: @@
 ===== microG =====
-==== Rooted ====
+This section will help with setting up [[wp>BeaconDB]] as a back end location provider for the phone. BeaconDB is a public domain wireless geolocation database, which can take advantage of cell tower locations, WiFi networks, and Bluetooth beacons to provide a location for your phone.
+Using BeaconDB you can get incredibly accurate location data if it has data on wireless sources near you. However due to BeaconDB being a smaller database compared to Google, it may not have much location data for your area. In order to check if it will provide good coverage you can check your area on their website https://beacondb.net/.
+If your local area does not have much coverage you can also contribute to it easily and privately. Using [[https://f-droid.org/packages/xyz.malkki.neostumbler.fdroid/|NeoStumbler]] on your phone you can contribute from your phone and map signals in your area that will then be permanently accessible and useful to you and anyone else using the database. The database updates every 5 minutes so the uploaded data can also be used on the go if you have cellular data.
+==== Setup ====
+<note>
+Requirements:
+  - The device must be rooted (For rooting the DIGNO 4 please see [[phones:kyocera_digno_keitai_4:rooting_the_kyocera_digno_keitai_4|Rooting the Kyocera DIGNO Keitai 4]]). \\ \\
+  - [[wp>microG]] must be installed with signature spoofing enabled (see the [[using_microg#signature_spoofing|signature spoofing]] section of the [[using_microg|using microG]] page).
+</note>
+  - In microG enable all available options in "Self-Check". In "Location" enable all available option, additionally tap the top right menu icon change the Online location service from Position to BeaconDB. In the default "Large" display mode the drop down may be cut off, you can use the D-pad to navigate to the option below "Position" and press the Center D-pad button to select it (make sure to select "OK" to confirm). \\ \\
+  - In the phone settings navigate to ''More Settings>Location''. Make sure that "Location" is enabled, set  "Mode" to "High Accuracy", and in "Scanning" enable "WiFi Scanning" and "Bluetooth Scanning".
-//For rooting the Digno 4 please see [[rooting_the_kyocera_digno_keitai_4|Rooting_the_Kyocera_Digno_Keitai_4]]//
+Consider downloading [[https://f-droid.org/packages/xyz.malkki.neostumbler.fdroid/|NeoStumbler]] and submitting local wireless sources to BeaconDB through it to to improve the accuracy of your location data.
-For this section you will require [[wp>MicroG]] to be installed. See the [[Using_MicroG|Using MicroG]] page for installation options.
-==== Unrooted ====
+===== Notes =====
+It may be the case that these phones can take advantage of Japanese specific location providers while in Japan through built in software, but this has not been confirmed.