Location Data

One of the unique features of mobile applications is location awareness. Mobile users bring their devices with them everywhere, and adding location awareness to your app offers users a more contextual experience.

Code samples

The ApiDemos repository on GitHub includes samples that demonstrate the use of location on a map:

Java

Kotlin

Working with location data

The location data available to an Android device includes the current location of the device — pinpointed using a combination of technologies — the direction and method of movement, and whether the device has moved across a predefined geographical boundary, or geofence. Depending upon the needs of your application, you can choose between several ways of working with location data:

  • The My Location layer provides a simple way to display a device's location on the map. It does not provide data.
  • The Google Play services Location API is recommended for all programmatic requests for location data.
  • The LocationSource interface allows you to provide a custom location provider.

Location permissions

If your app needs to access the user's location, you must request permission by adding the relevant Android location permission to your app.

Android offers two location permissions: ACCESS_COARSE_LOCATION and ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION. The permission you choose determines the accuracy of the location returned by the API. You only need to request one of the Android location permissions, depending on the level of accuracy you need:

  • android.permission.ACCESS_COARSE_LOCATION – Allows the API to use WiFi or mobile cell data (or both) to determine the device's location. The API returns the location with an accuracy approximately equivalent to a city block.
  • android.permission.ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION – Allows the API to determine as precise a location as possible from the available location providers, including the Global Positioning System (GPS) as well as WiFi and mobile cell data.

Add the permissions to the app manifest

Add one of the following permissions as a child of the <manifest> element in your Android manifest. Either the coarse location permission:

<manifest xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
    package="com.example.myapp" >
  ...
  <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.ACCESS_COARSE_LOCATION"/>
  ...
</manifest>

Or the fine location permission: 

<manifest xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
    package="com.example.myapp" >
  ...
  <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION"/>
  ...
</manifest>

Request runtime permissions

Android 6.0 (Marshmallow) introduces a new model for handling permissions, which streamlines the process for users when they install and upgrade apps. If your app targets API level 23 or later, you can use the new permissions model.

If your app supports the new permissions model and the device is running Android 6.0 (Marshmallow) or later, the user does not have to grant any permissions when they install or upgrade the app. The app must check to see if it has the necessary permission at runtime, and request the permission if it does not have it. The system displays a dialog to the user asking for the permission.

For best user experience, it's important to request the permission in context. If location is essential to the functioning of your app, then you should request the location permission at app startup. A good way to do this is with a warm welcome screen or wizard that educates users about why the permission is required.

If the app requires the permission for only part of its functionality, then you should request the location permission at the time when the app performs the action that requires the permission.

The app must gracefully handle the case where the user does not grant permission. For example, if the permission is needed for a specific feature, the app can disable that feature. If the permission is essential for the app to function, the app can disable all its functionality and inform the user that they need to grant the permission.

The following code sample checks for permission using the Support library before enabling the My Location layer. It then handles the result of the permission request by implementing the ActivityCompat.OnRequestPermissionsResultCallback from the Support library:

Java

// Copyright 2020 Google LLC
//
// Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
// you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
// You may obtain a copy of the License at
//
//      http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
//
// Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
// distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
// WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
// See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
// limitations under the License.


package com.example.mapdemo;

import com.google.android.gms.maps.GoogleMap;
import com.google.android.gms.maps.GoogleMap.OnMyLocationButtonClickListener;
import com.google.android.gms.maps.GoogleMap.OnMyLocationClickListener;
import com.google.android.gms.maps.OnMapReadyCallback;
import com.google.android.gms.maps.SupportMapFragment;

import android.Manifest;
import android.content.pm.PackageManager;
import android.location.Location;
import android.os.Bundle;

import androidx.annotation.NonNull;
import androidx.appcompat.app.AppCompatActivity;
import androidx.core.app.ActivityCompat;
import androidx.core.content.ContextCompat;
import android.widget.Toast;

/**
 * This demo shows how GMS Location can be used to check for changes to the users location.  The
 * "My Location" button uses GMS Location to set the blue dot representing the users location.
 * Permission for {@link android.Manifest.permission#ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION} is requested at run
 * time. If the permission has not been granted, the Activity is finished with an error message.
 */
public class MyLocationDemoActivity extends AppCompatActivity
        implements
        OnMyLocationButtonClickListener,
        OnMyLocationClickListener,
        OnMapReadyCallback,
        ActivityCompat.OnRequestPermissionsResultCallback {

    /**
     * Request code for location permission request.
     *
     * @see #onRequestPermissionsResult(int, String[], int[])
     */
    private static final int LOCATION_PERMISSION_REQUEST_CODE = 1;

    /**
     * Flag indicating whether a requested permission has been denied after returning in
     * {@link #onRequestPermissionsResult(int, String[], int[])}.
     */
    private boolean permissionDenied = false;

    private GoogleMap map;

    @Override
    protected void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
        super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);
        setContentView(R.layout.my_location_demo);

        SupportMapFragment mapFragment =
                (SupportMapFragment) getSupportFragmentManager().findFragmentById(R.id.map);
        mapFragment.getMapAsync(this);
    }

    @Override
    public void onMapReady(GoogleMap googleMap) {
        map = googleMap;
        map.setOnMyLocationButtonClickListener(this);
        map.setOnMyLocationClickListener(this);
        enableMyLocation();
    }

    /**
     * Enables the My Location layer if the fine location permission has been granted.
     */
    private void enableMyLocation() {
        if (ContextCompat.checkSelfPermission(this, Manifest.permission.ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION)
                == PackageManager.PERMISSION_GRANTED) {
            if (map != null) {
                map.setMyLocationEnabled(true);
            }
        } else {
            // Permission to access the location is missing. Show rationale and request permission
            PermissionUtils.requestPermission(this, LOCATION_PERMISSION_REQUEST_CODE,
                Manifest.permission.ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION, true);
        }
    }

    @Override
    public boolean onMyLocationButtonClick() {
        Toast.makeText(this, "MyLocation button clicked", Toast.LENGTH_SHORT).show();
        // Return false so that we don't consume the event and the default behavior still occurs
        // (the camera animates to the user's current position).
        return false;
    }

    @Override
    public void onMyLocationClick(@NonNull Location location) {
        Toast.makeText(this, "Current location:\n" + location, Toast.LENGTH_LONG).show();
    }

    @Override
    public void onRequestPermissionsResult(int requestCode, @NonNull String[] permissions, @NonNull int[] grantResults) {
        if (requestCode != LOCATION_PERMISSION_REQUEST_CODE) {
            return;
        }

        if (PermissionUtils.isPermissionGranted(permissions, grantResults, Manifest.permission.ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION)) {
            // Enable the my location layer if the permission has been granted.
            enableMyLocation();
        } else {
            // Permission was denied. Display an error message
            // Display the missing permission error dialog when the fragments resume.
            permissionDenied = true;
        }
    }

    @Override
    protected void onResumeFragments() {
        super.onResumeFragments();
        if (permissionDenied) {
            // Permission was not granted, display error dialog.
            showMissingPermissionError();
            permissionDenied = false;
        }
    }

    /**
     * Displays a dialog with error message explaining that the location permission is missing.
     */
    private void showMissingPermissionError() {
        PermissionUtils.PermissionDeniedDialog
                .newInstance(true).show(getSupportFragmentManager(), "dialog");
    }

}

MyLocationDemoActivity.java

Kotlin

// Copyright 2020 Google LLC
//
// Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
// you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
// You may obtain a copy of the License at
//
//      http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
//
// Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
// distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
// WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
// See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
// limitations under the License.
package com.example.kotlindemos

import android.Manifest
import android.content.pm.PackageManager
import android.location.Location
import android.os.Bundle
import android.widget.Toast
import androidx.appcompat.app.AppCompatActivity
import androidx.core.app.ActivityCompat.OnRequestPermissionsResultCallback
import androidx.core.content.ContextCompat
import com.example.kotlindemos.PermissionUtils.PermissionDeniedDialog.Companion.newInstance
import com.example.kotlindemos.PermissionUtils.isPermissionGranted
import com.example.kotlindemos.PermissionUtils.requestPermission
import com.google.android.gms.maps.GoogleMap
import com.google.android.gms.maps.GoogleMap.OnMyLocationButtonClickListener
import com.google.android.gms.maps.GoogleMap.OnMyLocationClickListener
import com.google.android.gms.maps.OnMapReadyCallback
import com.google.android.gms.maps.SupportMapFragment

/**
 * This demo shows how GMS Location can be used to check for changes to the users location.  The
 * "My Location" button uses GMS Location to set the blue dot representing the users location.
 * Permission for [Manifest.permission.ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION] is requested at run
 * time. If the permission has not been granted, the Activity is finished with an error message.
 */
class MyLocationDemoActivity : AppCompatActivity(), OnMyLocationButtonClickListener,
    OnMyLocationClickListener, OnMapReadyCallback, OnRequestPermissionsResultCallback {
    /**
     * Flag indicating whether a requested permission has been denied after returning in
     * [.onRequestPermissionsResult].
     */
    private var permissionDenied = false
    private lateinit var map: GoogleMap
    override fun onCreate(savedInstanceState: Bundle?) {
        super.onCreate(savedInstanceState)
        setContentView(R.layout.my_location_demo)
        val mapFragment = supportFragmentManager.findFragmentById(R.id.map) as SupportMapFragment?
        mapFragment?.getMapAsync(this)
    }

    override fun onMapReady(googleMap: GoogleMap?) {
        map = googleMap ?: return
        googleMap.setOnMyLocationButtonClickListener(this)
        googleMap.setOnMyLocationClickListener(this)
        enableMyLocation()
    }

    /**
     * Enables the My Location layer if the fine location permission has been granted.
     */
    private fun enableMyLocation() {
        if (!::map.isInitialized) return
        if (ContextCompat.checkSelfPermission(this, Manifest.permission.ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION)
            == PackageManager.PERMISSION_GRANTED) {
            map.isMyLocationEnabled = true
        } else {
            // Permission to access the location is missing. Show rationale and request permission
            requestPermission(this, LOCATION_PERMISSION_REQUEST_CODE,
                Manifest.permission.ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION, true
            )
        }
    }

    override fun onMyLocationButtonClick(): Boolean {
        Toast.makeText(this, "MyLocation button clicked", Toast.LENGTH_SHORT).show()
        // Return false so that we don't consume the event and the default behavior still occurs
        // (the camera animates to the user's current position).
        return false
    }

    override fun onMyLocationClick(location: Location) {
        Toast.makeText(this, "Current location:\n$location", Toast.LENGTH_LONG).show()
    }

    override fun onRequestPermissionsResult(requestCode: Int, permissions: Array<String>, grantResults: IntArray) {
        if (requestCode != LOCATION_PERMISSION_REQUEST_CODE) {
            return
        }
        if (isPermissionGranted(permissions, grantResults, Manifest.permission.ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION)) {
            // Enable the my location layer if the permission has been granted.
            enableMyLocation()
        } else {
            // Permission was denied. Display an error message
            // Display the missing permission error dialog when the fragments resume.
            permissionDenied = true
        }
    }

    override fun onResumeFragments() {
        super.onResumeFragments()
        if (permissionDenied) {
            // Permission was not granted, display error dialog.
            showMissingPermissionError()
            permissionDenied = false
        }
    }

    /**
     * Displays a dialog with error message explaining that the location permission is missing.
     */
    private fun showMissingPermissionError() {
        newInstance(true).show(supportFragmentManager, "dialog")
    }

    companion object {
        /**
         * Request code for location permission request.
         *
         * @see .onRequestPermissionsResult
         */
        private const val LOCATION_PERMISSION_REQUEST_CODE = 1
    }
}
MyLocationDemoActivity.kt

The My Location layer

You can use the My Location layer and the My Location button to show your user their current position on the map. Call mMap.setMyLocationEnabled() to enable the My Location layer on the map.

The following sample shows a simple usage of the My Location layer:

Java

// Copyright 2020 Google LLC
//
// Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
// you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
// You may obtain a copy of the License at
//
//      http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
//
// Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
// distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
// WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
// See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
// limitations under the License.

package com.google.maps.example;

import android.annotation.SuppressLint;
import android.location.Location;
import android.os.Bundle;
import android.widget.Toast;

import androidx.annotation.NonNull;
import androidx.appcompat.app.AppCompatActivity;

import com.google.android.gms.maps.GoogleMap;
import com.google.android.gms.maps.OnMapReadyCallback;
import com.google.android.gms.maps.SupportMapFragment;

class MyLocationLayerActivity extends AppCompatActivity
    implements GoogleMap.OnMyLocationButtonClickListener,
    GoogleMap.OnMyLocationClickListener,
    OnMapReadyCallback {

    @Override
    protected void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
        super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);
        setContentView(R.layout.activity_my_location);

        SupportMapFragment mapFragment =
            (SupportMapFragment) getSupportFragmentManager().findFragmentById(R.id.map);
        mapFragment.getMapAsync(this);
    }

    @SuppressLint("MissingPermission")
    @Override
    public void onMapReady(GoogleMap map) {
        // TODO: Before enabling the My Location layer, you must request
        // location permission from the user. This sample does not include
        // a request for location permission.
        map.setMyLocationEnabled(true);
        map.setOnMyLocationButtonClickListener(this);
        map.setOnMyLocationClickListener(this);
    }

    @Override
    public void onMyLocationClick(@NonNull Location location) {
        Toast.makeText(this, "Current location:\n" + location, Toast.LENGTH_LONG)
            .show();
    }

    @Override
    public boolean onMyLocationButtonClick() {
        Toast.makeText(this, "MyLocation button clicked", Toast.LENGTH_SHORT)
            .show();
        // Return false so that we don't consume the event and the default behavior still occurs
        // (the camera animates to the user's current position).
        return false;
    }
}

MyLocationLayerActivity.java

Kotlin

// Copyright 2020 Google LLC
//
// Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
// you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
// You may obtain a copy of the License at
//
//      http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
//
// Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
// distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
// WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
// See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
// limitations under the License.

package com.google.maps.example.kotlin

import android.annotation.SuppressLint
import android.location.Location
import android.os.Bundle
import android.widget.Toast
import androidx.appcompat.app.AppCompatActivity
import com.google.android.gms.maps.GoogleMap
import com.google.android.gms.maps.GoogleMap.OnMyLocationButtonClickListener
import com.google.android.gms.maps.GoogleMap.OnMyLocationClickListener
import com.google.android.gms.maps.OnMapReadyCallback
import com.google.android.gms.maps.SupportMapFragment
import com.google.maps.example.R

internal class MyLocationLayerActivity : AppCompatActivity(),
    OnMyLocationButtonClickListener,
    OnMyLocationClickListener,
    OnMapReadyCallback {

    override fun onCreate(savedInstanceState: Bundle?) {
        super.onCreate(savedInstanceState)
        setContentView(R.layout.activity_my_location)
        val mapFragment =
            supportFragmentManager.findFragmentById(R.id.map) as SupportMapFragment
        mapFragment.getMapAsync(this)
    }

    @SuppressLint("MissingPermission")
    override fun onMapReady(map: GoogleMap) {
        // TODO: Before enabling the My Location layer, you must request
        // location permission from the user. This sample does not include
        // a request for location permission.
        map.isMyLocationEnabled = true
        map.setOnMyLocationButtonClickListener(this)
        map.setOnMyLocationClickListener(this)
    }

    override fun onMyLocationClick(location: Location) {
        Toast.makeText(this, "Current location:\n$location", Toast.LENGTH_LONG)
            .show()
    }

    override fun onMyLocationButtonClick(): Boolean {
        Toast.makeText(this, "MyLocation button clicked", Toast.LENGTH_SHORT)
            .show()
        // Return false so that we don't consume the event and the default behavior still occurs
        // (the camera animates to the user's current position).
        return false
    }
}

MyLocationLayerActivity.kt

When the My Location layer is enabled, the My Location button appears in the top right corner of the map. When a user clicks the button, the camera centers the map on the current location of the device, if it is known. The location is indicated on the map by a small blue dot if the device is stationary, or as a chevron if the device is moving.

The following screenshot shows the My Location button at top right and the My Location blue dot in the center of the map:

You can prevent the My Location button from appearing by calling UiSettings.setMyLocationButtonEnabled(false).

Your app can respond to the following events:

From our Terms of Service

Protect user privacy,
keep them informed

Always inform users of how you will use their data, and don't make it possible to identify individual users. Get user consent before using their location, and let them revoke consent at any time.

Learn More

The Google Play services Location API

The Google Play services Location API is the preferred method for adding location awareness to your Android application. It includes functionality that lets you:

  • Determine the device location.
  • Listen for location changes.
  • Determine the mode of transportation, if the device is moving.
  • Create and monitor predefined geographical regions, known as geofences.

The location APIs make it easy for you to build power efficient, location-aware applications. Like the Maps SDK for Android, the Location API is distributed as part of the Google Play services SDK. For more information on the Location API, please refer to the Android training class Making Your App Location Aware or the Location API Reference. Code examples are included as part of the Google Play services SDK.