Enable GPS within the app

Question

Currently to check if the GPS is enabled use the following code:

public boolean checkSetting(){
    LocationManager manager = (LocationManager) getSystemService(Context.LOCATION_SERVICE);
    return manager.isProviderEnabled(LocationManager.GPS_PROVIDER);
}

Returning false is launched a dialog in which a Intent to direct the user to the GPS settings screen. See intent:

startActivity(new Intent(Settings.ACTION_LOCATION_SOURCE_SETTINGS));

I realized that in the Google Maps app does not need to leave the screen for GPS to be enabled. In the same way a dialogue is launched but, in this same dialog, when clicking on enable, soon the GPS is enabled. I thought maybe it would be a privilege of Google Maps to be Google’s own, but maybe not.

How to enable GPS within the application, without entering the settings screen?

Answer 1

That I know the only possibility is to use the Settingsclient from Google, which I believe is what the Google Maps app uses.

The API allows an application to easily ensure/verify that device settings are configured for its needs.

Start by getting a Settingsclient

SettingsClient client = LocationServices.getSettingsClient(this);

Then create a Locationsettingsrequest.Builder and add all the Locationrequests the application needs:

LocationSettingsRequest.Builder builder = new LocationSettingsRequest.Builder()
     .addLocationRequest(mLocationRequestHighAccuracy)
     .addLocationRequest(mLocationRequestBalancedPowerAccuracy);

Check that your device settings are configured to satisfy those required by Locationsettingsrequest:

Task<LocationSettingsResponse> task = client.checkLocationSettings(builder.build());

The result of the verification can be obtained from Listener assigned to the Task Force:

task.addOnSuccessListener(this, new OnSuccessListener<LocationSettingsResponse>() {
    @Override
    public void onSuccess(LocationSettingsResponse locationSettingsResponse) {
        // Todas as definições do dispositivo estão configuradas para satisfazer as requeridas. 
        // Pode iniciar os pedidos de localização aqui.
        // ...
    }
});

task.addOnFailureListener(this, new OnFailureListener() {
    @Override
    public void onFailure(@NonNull Exception e) {
        int statusCode = ((ApiException) e).getStatusCode();
        switch (statusCode) {
            case LocationSettingsStatusCodes.RESOLUTION_REQUIRED:
                // As definições do dispositivo não satisfazem as requeridas.
                //Mas podem ser alteradas pelo utilizador.
                try {
                    // Mostra um dialog chamando startResolutionForResult(),
                    // o resultado deverá ser verificado em onActivityResult().
                    ResolvableApiException resolvable = (ResolvableApiException) e;
                    resolvable.startResolutionForResult(MainActivity.this,
                            REQUEST_CHECK_SETTINGS);
                } catch (IntentSender.SendIntentException sendEx) {
                    // Ignore o erro.
                }
                break;
            case LocationSettingsStatusCodes.SETTINGS_CHANGE_UNAVAILABLE:
                // As definições do dispositivo não satisfazem as requeridas, não havendo forma de as resolver.
                // Nenhum dialog será mostrado.
                break;
        }
    }
});

If the settings of the device do not satisfy the required ones and these can be changed by the user (Locationsettingsstatuscodes.RESOLUTION_REQUIRED), a dialog is shown. The result is received in the method onActivityResult()

@Override
 protected void onActivityResult(int requestCode, int resultCode, Intent data) {
     final LocationSettingsStates states = LocationSettingsStates.fromIntent(intent);
     switch (requestCode) {
         case REQUEST_CHECK_SETTINGS:
             switch (resultCode) {
                 case Activity.RESULT_OK:
                     // Todas as alterações necessárias foram feitas
                     ...
                     break;
                 case Activity.RESULT_CANCELED:
                     // O usuário cancelou o dialog, não fazendo as alterações requeridas
                     ...
                     break;
                 default:
                     break;
             }
             break;
     }
 }

Note:

This approach does not guarantee that the GPS is switched on.
The source or sources to use (GPS, WI-FI or mobile network) for obtaining the location are chosen according to the Locationsettingsrequest set.
A Locationrequest with a priority of PRIORITY_LOW_POWER may not turn on the GPS if another source is available that guarantees the required accuracy - about 10 km.

References:

• Changing Location Settings.
• Settingsclient.