this post was submitted on 29 Jun 2025
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GrapheneOS Location Services (lemmy.world)
submitted 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago) by happeningtofry99158@lemmy.world to c/privacy@lemmy.ml
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Should I enable WIFI scanning / Bluetooth scanning / Network Location under setting->location->location services?

Which one would help me navigate inside a building or underground using open source maps?

I haven't tested yet, does google map requires any of those location services enabled to work? Should I just use google map in vanadium?

thanks a lot

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[–] pogodem0n@lemmy.world 6 points 4 months ago (1 children)

The thing that help you navigate inside buildings is called "Network Location".

Google and Apple provide this functionality by collecting Wi-Fi and Bluetooth network data from all their users and creating a massive database.

By default, "Network Location" is disabled in GrapheneOS. If you have Google Play Services installed, you can use Google's Network Location service by enabling those options.

Fortunately, GrapheneOS provides an alternative using Apple's network location services. There is an option to use GrapheneOS proxy server instead of connecting directly to Apple. Of course, whether you use this feature should entirely depend on how much you trust GrapheneOS developers. This one works using just Wi-Fi data and I use it daily.

[–] happeningtofry99158@lemmy.world 1 points 4 months ago (1 children)

thanks a lot!

though could you briefly explain the term "Network Location"? what does this "network" represents? How is it going to help with location and geopositioning? My understanding is that by enabling "Network Location" the location defined with "Network" is sent to SLP server as assisted data for geopositioning.

I would assume "Network" represents cellular data, hope someone could confirm

[–] pogodem0n@lemmy.world 1 points 4 months ago (2 children)

You need a direct line of sight with satellites for GPS to work.

Of course, this is almost impossible indoors. Here's how network location works to my understanding:

Another person outdoors uses GPS to locate themselves. This person has Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled and their device can see your home/office network. Google and Apple save this information to their databases. When you request your location indoors, your device sends Wi-Fi information of nearby access points. The servers know approximate location of this Wi-Fi network and can give you your approximate location, though with a large margin of error.

[–] Tundra@lemmy.ml 2 points 4 months ago (2 children)

if you have the option, set: https://beacondb.net/

[–] pogodem0n@lemmy.world 1 points 4 months ago

Wow, didn't know this existed. Thanks a lot!

[–] happeningtofry99158@lemmy.world 1 points 4 months ago

could you briefly explain what this is? should I use this as a location server for GOS? thanks a lot

[–] happeningtofry99158@lemmy.world 1 points 4 months ago

I see! thanks a lot

[–] obsidianfoxxy7870@lemmy.blahaj.zone 3 points 4 months ago (1 children)

I can't tell you if you should or not. I can tell you I DO NOT have it enabled and mapping service work just fine. Also I would recommend using something like CoMaps and not Google Maps.

[–] happeningtofry99158@lemmy.world 1 points 4 months ago (1 children)

The thing is the Open Source mapping service doesn't seems to work inside buildings. Does enabling those options help with that?

also How is CoMaps compared to osmand and organic maps?

thanks a lot

[–] dracs@programming.dev 4 points 4 months ago (1 children)

CoMaps is a recent fork of Organic Maps. So those two are pretty similar at the moment in terms of functionality. Osmand I would say has a lot more features and customisation options, but Organic/CoMaps is faster and more responsive.

[–] happeningtofry99158@lemmy.world 2 points 4 months ago

thanks a lot

[–] masterofn001@lemmy.ca 2 points 4 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago) (2 children)

Remember when phones had that insane super advanced tech that could guide anyone anywhere, even offline?

Seriously, why doesn't the compass exist anymore?

I have never turned on location anything on grapheme.

On my other phone I have also uninstalled google location services/history, WiFi scanning, Bluetooth unknown tracker, etc.

If I get lost in a building... I ask someone.

[–] MalReynolds@slrpnk.net 2 points 4 months ago

Uh, most? do have a compass, mine does. Needs an app installed to use of course.

[–] happeningtofry99158@lemmy.world 1 points 4 months ago

If I get lost in a building… I ask someone.

what about driving? most of the times the connection isn't good enough to support Navigation when driving.