Android device GPS on/off programmatically

Question

I am using following code for GPS on/off.

//Enable GPS
Intent intent = new Intent("android.location.GPS_ENABLED_CHANGE");
intent.putExtra("enabled", true);
context.sendBroadcast(intent);
//Disable GPS
Intent intent = new Intent("android.location.GPS_ENABLED_CHANGE");
intent.putExtra("enabled", false);
context.sendBroadcast(intent);

Programmatically I need to on/off GPS on android device. I am using above code for that. But It doesn't work on all the devices.

Answer 1

From my personal experience, I am answering this,

• The hack code you shown in the your question has been stopped working from Android version 4.4. Your will fire this Exception starting from Kitkat version java.lang.SecurityException: Permission Denial: not allowed to send broadcast android.location.GPS_ENABLED_CHANGE

• The First answer's code will not work any more, it only display animated GPS icon in notification bar.

• For The security purpose Google developer has block above both methods which were previously working fine.

• Hence conclusion is that You can not programmatically start GPS On or Off.

Answer 2

This code works on Rooted Phone

public class MainActivity extends AppCompatActivity {

    @Override
    protected void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
        super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);



        String[] cmds = {"cd /system/bin" ,"settings put secure location_providers_allowed +gps"};
        try {
            Process p = Runtime.getRuntime().exec("su");
            DataOutputStream os = new DataOutputStream(p.getOutputStream());
            for (String tmpCmd : cmds) {
                os.writeBytes(tmpCmd + "\n");
            }
            os.writeBytes("exit\n");
            os.flush();
        }
        catch (IOException e){
            e.printStackTrace();
        }

    }
}