{{  :manual:user_guide:ic_settings_gps_alt.png?nolink&}}

====== GPS & sensors ======
----
<WRAP center round important>
System settings of GPS in your device are superior to all Locus GPS settings - the system GPS being turned off or if Locus does not have permission for accessing GPS (e.g. for battery-saving reasons) especially in stand-by mode may result in incorrect GPS positioning that influences many Locus features. **Check your system settings first!** 
</WRAP>

===== Global =====

==== Run at app start ====

Sets the way GPS turns on at Locus Map startup:

  * **Always**  - GPS turns on always when Locus Map is started
  * **Previous state**  - GPS turns on or stays off according to last Locus Map session
  * **Never**  - GPS never turns on at Locus Map start
==== Altitude manager ====

Sets **[[:manual:user_guide:tools:altitude|options to improve altitude measurement >>]]**
===== Orientation =====
==== Compass ====
Allows to choose either built-in hardware compass or GPS-calculated azimuth for orientation that is essential for map rotation and the compass screen.
  * **Hardware compass** - more suitable for slower speeds, e.g. walking, as it does not require movement to detect direction unlike GPS.\\ <WRAP round important> Mobile hardware compass is very sensitive on nearby magnetic metals and may display malformed values in their close presence, e.g. magnetic flip-cases or steel steering bars. </WRAP>
  * **Orientation via GPS** - more suitable for car navigation due to magnetic components in the car that can affect performance of the hardware compass.
  * **Auto-change** - shifts bearing automatically between hardware compass and GPS according to pre-defined critical speed. 

==== Use true bearing ====

Sets navigation by true bearing instead of magnetic bearing. 
==== Compatibility mode ====
Orientation is computed by an alternative method. Suitable for some devices.
===== Notification settings =====

==== Position acquired ====

Notifies when your device acquires GPS location. Opens notification settings screen with several options to define the sound and vibration alert (beep, any sound from your phone library…).

==== Position lost ====

Notifies when your device loses GPS location. Opens notification settings screen with several options to define the sound and vibration alert (beep, any sound from your phone library…). 

===== Disable location =====

==== Disable when app is hidden ====

Disables GPS when the screen is turned off or the app is minimized and GPS location is not required by any other function

==== GPS ON for track recording ====

Keeps GPS on during the track recording even if the recording is paused.

==== GPS ON for guidance ====

Keeps GPS on during guidance even if the app is minimized and screen is off.

===== Bluetooth GPS =====

Launches the [[:manual:user_guide:tools:bluetooth|Bluetooth manager]] to enable GPS from a bluetooth device instead of the internal GPS. The advantage is better GPS accuracy and lower phone battery consumption.

===== Advanced settings =====

==== GPS auto-off ====

Allows automatic turning on/off of your device GPS unit in order to save the battery life. Pre-defined conditions:

  * **GPS update interval**  - sets time interval of GPS switching on and locating the device. Values of more than 60 seconds save battery life.
  * **Min accuracy**  - sets minimum GPS locating accuracy to keep GPS on. When the accuracy is lower due to few detectable satellites, the GPS turns off.
  * **Max search time**  - sets maximum time of GPS signal searching. If the GPS fix is not secured within this period, GPS turns off.
  * **Keep auto-off enabled** - keeps GPS auto-off enabled even if Locus Map is active and screen is on.
<WRAP center round alert>
This option is **not available on devices running OS Android 12+** due to its newest restrictions of certain automatic actions running in the background.
</WRAP>
==== 3D skyplot mode ====

Switches between 2D and 3D display of the skyplot that is available under the [[:manual:user_guide:maps_mainscr_ctrl#gps_compass_icon_button|GPS/compass button]] on the main screen:\\ {{ :manual:user_guide:settings:settings_51.gif?nolink |}}
==== Google Services assisted location ====
More stable and battery efficient location method on some devices. Using [[https://developers.google.com/location-context/fused-location-provider/|Fused Location Provider]] for getting location of the device. Fully functional provided Google Services have GET_LOCATION permission.
==== NMEA recording ====

Enables recording GPS NMEA to data/nmea directory when GPS is on or in time of active track recording. [[http://www.gpsinformation.org/dale/nmea.htm|More about NMEA >>]]

==== Reset A-GPS data ====

Forces GPS to reload online Assistant GPS data to improve its startup performance. [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assisted_GPS|More about A-GPS >>]]
==== GPS accuracy circle ====
Displays a circle around your actual position describing accuracy of received GPS data:\\ {{ :manual:user_guide:settings:settings_52.png?nolink |}}