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get current latitude and longitude

How to get current latitude and longitude in android example

This Android tutorial is to help learn How to get the current latitude and longitude in the Android platform. Knowing the current location of an android mobile will pave the way for developing many innovative Android apps to solve people’s daily problems. Developing the location-aware application in android needs location providers.

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Types of location providers:

GPS Location Provider

Network Location Provider

Any one of the above providers is enough to get the user’s current location or device. But, it is recommended to use both providers as they both have different advantages. Because the GPS provider will take the time to get the location to the indoor area. And, the Network Location Provider will not get the location when the network connectivity is poor.

Network Location Provider vs GPS Location Provider

  • The network Location provider is comparatively faster than the GPS provider in providing the location coordinates.
  • GPS providers may be very very slow in indoor locations and will drain the mobile battery.
  • The network location provider depends on the cell tower and returns to our nearest tower location.
  • GPS location provider will give our location accurately.

Steps to get current latitude and longitude in Android

  • Location permissions for the manifest file for receiving the location update.
  • Create a LocationManager instance as a reference to the location service.
  • Request location from LocationManager.
  • Receive location update from LocationListener on change of location.

Location Permissions

To access current location information through location providers, we need to set permissions with the android manifest file.

<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION" />
    <uses-permission android:name="android.permission. ACCESS_COARSE_LOCATION" />
    <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.INTERNET"/>Code language: HTML, XML (xml)

As higher versions of Android need in-app permission so we will request app permission this way,

try {
    if (ContextCompat.checkSelfPermission(getApplicationContext(), android.Manifest.permission.ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION) != PackageManager.PERMISSION_GRANTED ) {
        ActivityCompat.requestPermissions(this, new String[]{android.Manifest.permission.ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION}, 101);
    }
} catch (Exception e){
    e.printStackTrace();
}Code language: JavaScript (javascript)

ACCESS_COARSE_LOCATION is used when we use the network location providers for our Android app.

But, ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION is providing permission for both providers. INTERNET permission is a must for the use of a network provider.

Create LocationManager Instance

For any background Android Service, we need to get a reference for using it. Similarly, location service references will be created using the getSystemService() method. This reference will be added to the newly created LocationManager instance as follows.

locationManager = (LocationManager)getSystemService(Context.LOCATION_SERVICE);

Request Current Location From LocationManager

After creating the location service reference, location updates are requested using the requestLocationUpdates() method of LocationManager. For this function, we need to send the type of location provider, number of seconds, distance, and the LocationListener object over which the location is to be updated.

locationManager.requestLocationUpdates(LocationManager.GPS_PROVIDER, 0, 0, this);Code language: CSS (css)

Receive Location Update From LocationListener

Receive location update from LocationListener on change of location LocationListener will be notified based on the distance interval specified or the number of seconds.

Also, LocationListener has its own callbacks to provide locations based on location/provider changes.

public interface LocationListener {
    void onLocationChanged(Location var1);

    void onStatusChanged(String var1, int var2, Bundle var3);

    void onProviderEnabled(String var1);

    void onProviderDisabled(String var1);
}Code language: JavaScript (javascript)

onLocationChanged(Location location) — Called when the location has changed.

onProviderDisabled(String provider) — Called when the user disables the provider.

onProviderEnabled(String provider) — Called when the user enables the provider.

onStatusChanged(String provider, int status, Bundle extras) — This callback will never be invoked on Android Q and above, and providers can be considered as always in the LocationProvider#AVAILABLE state.

Let’s see the example for getting the current location in android.

Get the current location in the android example

Using Location Listener

I have created a service that extends locationListener. By extending Location Listener you can receive location updates.

class GpsTracker extends Service implements LocationListener {

@Override
    public void onLocationChanged(Location location) {
    }

    @Override
    public void onProviderDisabled(String provider) {
    }

    @Override
    public void onProviderEnabled(String provider) {
    }

    @Override
    public void onStatusChanged(String provider, int status, Bundle extras) {
    }
}Code language: JavaScript (javascript)

Requesting Location Permission

To get the current latitude and longitude you need location permission.

if (ActivityCompat.checkSelfPermission(mContext, Manifest.permission.ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION) != PackageManager.PERMISSION_GRANTED && ActivityCompat.checkSelfPermission(mContext, Manifest.permission.ACCESS_COARSE_LOCATION) != PackageManager.PERMISSION_GRANTED) {
                        ActivityCompat.requestPermissions((Activity) mContext, new String[]{android.Manifest.permission.ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION, Manifest.permission.ACCESS_COARSE_LOCATION}, 101);
                    }Code language: JavaScript (javascript)

Getting NetworkingProvider / GpsProvider

To get the networking / Gps providers, first, we need to get a location manager.

locationManager = (LocationManager) mContext.getSystemService(LOCATION_SERVICE);

Once, we get the location manager then we can get the location providers.

// getting GPS status
            isGPSEnabled = locationManager.isProviderEnabled(LocationManager.GPS_PROVIDER);

            // getting network status
            isNetworkEnabled = locationManager
                    .isProviderEnabled(LocationManager.NETWORK_PROVIDER);Code language: JavaScript (javascript)

check any one of the location providers available to get the location.

if (isGPSEnabled && isNetworkEnabled) {
                //network provider is enabled
            }Code language: JavaScript (javascript)

Using Network Provider to get location

Once we know that the network provider is enabled, Then, you can request the location update from locationLintener using LocationManager.NETWORK_PROVIDER.

if (isNetworkEnabled) {
                    //check the network permission
                    if (ActivityCompat.checkSelfPermission(mContext, Manifest.permission.ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION) != PackageManager.PERMISSION_GRANTED && ActivityCompat.checkSelfPermission(mContext, Manifest.permission.ACCESS_COARSE_LOCATION) != PackageManager.PERMISSION_GRANTED) {
                        ActivityCompat.requestPermissions((Activity) mContext, new String[]{android.Manifest.permission.ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION, Manifest.permission.ACCESS_COARSE_LOCATION}, 101);
                    }
                    locationManager.requestLocationUpdates(
                            LocationManager.NETWORK_PROVIDER,
                            MIN_TIME_BW_UPDATES,
                            MIN_DISTANCE_CHANGE_FOR_UPDATES, this);

                    Log.d("Network", "Network");
                    if (locationManager != null) {
                        location = locationManager
                                .getLastKnownLocation(LocationManager.NETWORK_PROVIDER);

                        if (location != null) {
                            latitude = location.getLatitude();
                            longitude = location.getLongitude();
                        }
                    }
                }Code language: JavaScript (javascript)

In the above you can see that, we can also get the last known location from the location manager using NETWORK_PROVIDER.

Using a GPS provider to get the location

Same as the Network provider, we can request the location update using LocationManager.GPS_PROVIDER.

if (isGPSEnabled) {
                    if (location == null) {
                        //check the network permission
                        if (ActivityCompat.checkSelfPermission(mContext, Manifest.permission.ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION) != PackageManager.PERMISSION_GRANTED && ActivityCompat.checkSelfPermission(mContext, Manifest.permission.ACCESS_COARSE_LOCATION) != PackageManager.PERMISSION_GRANTED) {
                            ActivityCompat.requestPermissions((Activity) mContext, new String[]{android.Manifest.permission.ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION, Manifest.permission.ACCESS_COARSE_LOCATION}, 101);
                        }
                        locationManager.requestLocationUpdates(
                                LocationManager.GPS_PROVIDER,
                                MIN_TIME_BW_UPDATES,
                                MIN_DISTANCE_CHANGE_FOR_UPDATES, this);

                        Log.d("GPS Enabled", "GPS Enabled");
                        if (locationManager != null) {
                            location = locationManager
                                    .getLastKnownLocation(LocationManager.GPS_PROVIDER);

                            if (location != null) {
                                latitude = location.getLatitude();
                                longitude = location.getLongitude();
                            }
                        }
                    }
                }Code language: JavaScript (javascript)

Also, we can also get the last known location from the location manager using GPS_PROVIDER.

All your location updates are received in LocationListener callbacks.

Stop receiving location

To stop receiving location updates in the location manager by using removeUpdates.

if(locationManager != null){
            locationManager.removeUpdates(GpsTracker.this);
        }Code language: JavaScript (javascript)

The entire Android app code is as follows,

GpsTracker.java

class GpsTracker extends Service implements LocationListener {
    private final Context mContext;

    // flag for GPS status
    boolean isGPSEnabled = false;

    // flag for network status
    boolean isNetworkEnabled = false;

    // flag for GPS status
    boolean canGetLocation = false;

    Location location; // location
    double latitude; // latitude
    double longitude; // longitude

    // The minimum distance to change Updates in meters
    private static final long MIN_DISTANCE_CHANGE_FOR_UPDATES = 10; // 10 meters

    // The minimum time between updates in milliseconds
    private static final long MIN_TIME_BW_UPDATES = 1000 * 60 * 1; // 1 minute

    // Declaring a Location Manager
    protected LocationManager locationManager;

    public GpsTracker(Context context) {
        this.mContext = context;
        getLocation();
    }

    public Location getLocation() {
        try {
            locationManager = (LocationManager) mContext.getSystemService(LOCATION_SERVICE);

            // getting GPS status
            isGPSEnabled = locationManager.isProviderEnabled(LocationManager.GPS_PROVIDER);

            // getting network status
            isNetworkEnabled = locationManager
                    .isProviderEnabled(LocationManager.NETWORK_PROVIDER);

            if (!isGPSEnabled && !isNetworkEnabled) {
                // no network provider is enabled
            } else {
                this.canGetLocation = true;
                // First get location from Network Provider
                if (isNetworkEnabled) {
                    //check the network permission
                    if (ActivityCompat.checkSelfPermission(mContext, Manifest.permission.ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION) != PackageManager.PERMISSION_GRANTED && ActivityCompat.checkSelfPermission(mContext, Manifest.permission.ACCESS_COARSE_LOCATION) != PackageManager.PERMISSION_GRANTED) {
                        ActivityCompat.requestPermissions((Activity) mContext, new String[]{android.Manifest.permission.ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION, Manifest.permission.ACCESS_COARSE_LOCATION}, 101);
                    }
                    locationManager.requestLocationUpdates(
                            LocationManager.NETWORK_PROVIDER,
                            MIN_TIME_BW_UPDATES,
                            MIN_DISTANCE_CHANGE_FOR_UPDATES, this);

                    Log.d("Network", "Network");
                    if (locationManager != null) {
                        location = locationManager
                                .getLastKnownLocation(LocationManager.NETWORK_PROVIDER);

                        if (location != null) {
                            latitude = location.getLatitude();
                            longitude = location.getLongitude();
                        }
                    }
                }

                // if GPS Enabled get lat/long using GPS Services
                if (isGPSEnabled) {
                    if (location == null) {
                        //check the network permission
                        if (ActivityCompat.checkSelfPermission(mContext, Manifest.permission.ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION) != PackageManager.PERMISSION_GRANTED && ActivityCompat.checkSelfPermission(mContext, Manifest.permission.ACCESS_COARSE_LOCATION) != PackageManager.PERMISSION_GRANTED) {
                            ActivityCompat.requestPermissions((Activity) mContext, new String[]{android.Manifest.permission.ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION, Manifest.permission.ACCESS_COARSE_LOCATION}, 101);
                        }
                        locationManager.requestLocationUpdates(
                                LocationManager.GPS_PROVIDER,
                                MIN_TIME_BW_UPDATES,
                                MIN_DISTANCE_CHANGE_FOR_UPDATES, this);

                        Log.d("GPS Enabled", "GPS Enabled");
                        if (locationManager != null) {
                            location = locationManager
                                    .getLastKnownLocation(LocationManager.GPS_PROVIDER);

                            if (location != null) {
                                latitude = location.getLatitude();
                                longitude = location.getLongitude();
                            }
                        }
                    }
                }
            }

        } catch (Exception e) {
            e.printStackTrace();
        }

        return location;
    }

    /**
     * Stop using GPS listener
     * Calling this function will stop using GPS in your app
     * */

    public void stopUsingGPS(){
        if(locationManager != null){
            locationManager.removeUpdates(GpsTracker.this);
        }
    }

    /**
     * Function to get latitude
     * */

    public double getLatitude(){
        if(location != null){
            latitude = location.getLatitude();
        }

        // return latitude
        return latitude;
    }

    /**
     * Function to get longitude
     * */

    public double getLongitude(){
        if(location != null){
            longitude = location.getLongitude();
        }

        // return longitude
        return longitude;
    }

    /**
     * Function to check GPS/wifi enabled
     * @return boolean
     * */

    public boolean canGetLocation() {
        return this.canGetLocation;
    }

    /**
     * Function to show settings alert dialog
     * On pressing Settings button will lauch Settings Options
     * */

    public void showSettingsAlert(){
        AlertDialog.Builder alertDialog = new AlertDialog.Builder(mContext);

        // Setting Dialog Title
        alertDialog.setTitle("GPS is settings");

        // Setting Dialog Message
        alertDialog.setMessage("GPS is not enabled. Do you want to go to settings menu?");

        // On pressing Settings button
        alertDialog.setPositiveButton("Settings", new DialogInterface.OnClickListener() {
            public void onClick(DialogInterface dialog,int which) {
                Intent intent = new Intent(Settings.ACTION_LOCATION_SOURCE_SETTINGS);
                mContext.startActivity(intent);
            }
        });

        // on pressing cancel button
        alertDialog.setNegativeButton("Cancel", new DialogInterface.OnClickListener() {
            public void onClick(DialogInterface dialog, int which) {
                dialog.cancel();
            }
        });
        alertDialog.show();
    }

    @Override
    public void onLocationChanged(Location location) {
    }

    @Override
    public void onProviderDisabled(String provider) {
    }

    @Override
    public void onProviderEnabled(String provider) {
    }

    @Override
    public void onStatusChanged(String provider, int status, Bundle extras) {
    }

    @Override
    public IBinder onBind(Intent arg0) {
        return null;
    }
}Code language: PHP (php)

MainActivity.java

public class MainActivity extends AppCompatActivity {

    private GpsTracker gpsTracker;
    private TextView tvLatitude,tvLongitude;
    @Override
    protected void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
        super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);
        setContentView(R.layout.activity_main);

        tvLatitude = (TextView)findViewById(R.id.latitude);
        tvLongitude = (TextView)findViewById(R.id.longitude);

        try {
            if (ContextCompat.checkSelfPermission(getApplicationContext(), android.Manifest.permission.ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION) != PackageManager.PERMISSION_GRANTED ) {
                ActivityCompat.requestPermissions(this, new String[]{android.Manifest.permission.ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION}, 101);
            }
        } catch (Exception e){
            e.printStackTrace();
        }
    }

    public void getLocation(View view){
        gpsTracker = new GpsTracker(MainActivity.this);
        if(gpsTracker.canGetLocation()){
            double latitude = gpsTracker.getLatitude();
            double longitude = gpsTracker.getLongitude();
            tvLatitude.setText(String.valueOf(latitude));
            tvLongitude.setText(String.valueOf(longitude));
        }else{
            gpsTracker.showSettingsAlert();
        }
    }
}Code language: JavaScript (javascript)

AndroidManifest.xml

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<manifest xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
    package="com.example.velmurugan.getcurrentlatitudeandlongitudeandroid">

    <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION" />
    <uses-permission android:name="android.permission. ACCESS_COARSE_LOCATION" />
    <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.INTERNET"/>

    <application
        android:allowBackup="true"
        android:icon="@mipmap/ic_launcher"
        android:label="@string/app_name"
        android:roundIcon="@mipmap/ic_launcher_round"
        android:supportsRtl="true"
        android:theme="@style/AppTheme">
        <activity android:name=".MainActivity">
            <intent-filter>
                <action android:name="android.intent.action.MAIN" />

                <category android:name="android.intent.category.LAUNCHER" />
            </intent-filter>
        </activity>
    </application>

</manifest>Code language: HTML, XML (xml)

Android Output

display location on emulator

Note: If you are running this Android app on the emulator, you need to send the latitude and longitude explicitly for the emulator.

To send the latitude and longitude from your emulator,

  1. Click More Button from your emulator’s layout.
More option button on emulator

2. Select Location > Then set the Latitude and Longitude values. Then press Send to set the Latitude and Longitude values to the emulator device.

Set location on emulator

You can download this example in GITHUB.

Conclusion

Thank you for the reading.

I hope, Now you can able to get the current latitude and longitude on your android device. If you have any issues please put them in the comments section.

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Velmurugan

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Comments

2 responses to “How to get current latitude and longitude in android example”

  1. William Salvaterra

    Great script, thank you very much

    Reply
  2. Jainmiah

    I’m not aware of the code but it’s a detailed article on how to get coordinates in android app. My question is if I want to get co-ordinates without external API (google or any other) is it possible with a GPS location provider?

    Reply

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