Position tracking in a video game

[Nilsson]

Hello all,

I’ve been using /e/OS on my Fairphone Gen. 6 for a week now. I’m absolutely delighted with this operating system and the phone’s design.

I’ve configured and migrated all my apps so I can access the same features and information as on my old iPhone. I also found some pleasant alternatives.

There’s just one small thing left, a minor detail really… I’ve only played one video game for years : Pokémon GO. It’s my guilty pleasure. But without location tracking, progressing in the game is very difficult, because the app counts steps even in the background.

Is there a way to enable it for this app ? If it’s completely impossible, I’ll do without it, but I’d still like to

Thank you and have a nice day,

Nilsson

Regain your privacy! Adopt /e/OS the unGoogled mobile OS and online services

[Jets]

Be sure you have location services turned on. Also in advanced privacy make sure Fake geolocation is off.

[aibd]

In Developer options, there is also a background process limit, idk but an app like this might need higher than standard limit ??

I read that The Fairphone 6 does not explicitly mention a built-in pedometer feature. Such devices calculate steps with other sensors. This app Pedometer (PFA) | F-Droid - Free and Open Source Android App Repository would check availability.

[theTux]

Yes. You need to allow the app to fetch the location in the app settings. And if you are using fake location you most probably need to set this app to get the real location via the Advanced Privacy settings.

[Nilsson]

Hello,

Thank you for your help !

I’ve enabled “Always allow access to device location” for Pokémon GO. I’ve also allowed access to my physical activity data for this app.

“Use location services” is enabled. When I open Maps, I’m immediately located and accurately.

I’ve installed the SECUSO Pedometer app and granted it access to my physical activity data. I’ll check if the step counter works in the background and if that affects Pokémon GO’s behavior. Pokémon GO also needs to count steps in the background ; when the app is closed, that’s where most of the step counting needs to happen.

Thank you for your advice. I’ll let you know how it goes

[Nilsson]

Hi,

So, the pedometer is working fine : yesterday it counted 6,000 steps. However, still nothing for Pokémon GO.

I think it should appear in the background apps screen, like the pedometer does :

Do you think that’s possible ?

Thanks again

[aibd]

@Nilsson

it should appear in the background apps screen,

This would be a fairly reliable way to test that it is successfully running in the background.

Having read this https://apps.uk/how-to-keep-pokemon-go-running-in-the-background/ you might try Quick settings pull down > Caffeine tile > set at ∞.

There may however be other privacy blockers within /e/OS.

[Nilsson]

I can indeed activate exploration tracking from the Pokémon GO settings :

However, it requires me to sign in with a Google account. It seems that the “Anonymous” mode in the App Lougne isn’t available ? Also, does this sign-in only apply to this app or to the entire /e/OS system ?

I’m wondering if I need to stay signed in once tracking is enabled.

[aibd]

My guess is that the app wants to install Google Fit and / or other apps in order to better network the app with Google. Own view this will enable the “sharing” of an uncomfortable amount of data. Perhaps the app would be more suitable for a burner phone.

Use of a “dummy” Google account is mentioned in the App Lounge FAQ. Never used it.

@Nilsson

if I need to stay signed in once tracking is enabled.

I guess the hazard would mostly be the permissions granted and assumed given by any Google app like Google Fit subsequently installed

[Nilsson]

Since I adhere to the values ​​of /e/OS, I’m going to forgo connecting a Google account or adding components to my system.

Never mind Pokémon GO, it’s optional

Thanks for your research, have a good day !