FusedLocationApi.getLastLocation always null

Question

I'd like to simply retrieve device location in my Android project and in order to do so I use the play-services approach:

            protected synchronized void buildGoogleApiClient() {

    mGoogleApiClient = new GoogleApiClient.Builder( MainSearchActivity.this )
        .addConnectionCallbacks(new GoogleApiClient.ConnectionCallbacks() {
            @Override
            public void onConnected( Bundle bundle ){
                Location location = LocationServices.FusedLocationApi.getLastLocation(mGoogleApiClient);
                if( location == null ){
                    LocationServices.FusedLocationApi.requestLocationUpdates(mGoogleApiClient, mLocationRequest, new LocationListener() {
                        @Override
                        public void onLocationChanged(Location location) {
                            lastLocation = location;
                        }
                    });
                }
            }
            @Override
            public void onConnectionSuspended( int i ){

            }

        })
        .addOnConnectionFailedListener(new GoogleApiClient.OnConnectionFailedListener() {
            @Override
            public void onConnectionFailed( ConnectionResult connectionResult ){
                if( connectionResult.hasResolution() ){
                    try {
                        // Start an Activity that tries to resolve the error
                        connectionResult.startResolutionForResult(MainSearchActivity.this, CONNECTION_FAILURE_RESOLUTION_REQUEST);
                    }catch( IntentSender.SendIntentException e ){
                        e.printStackTrace();
                    }
                }else{
                    Utils.logger("Location services connection failed with code " + connectionResult.getErrorCode(), Utils.LOG_DEBUG );
                }
            }
        })
        .addApi(LocationServices.API)
        .build();

    mGoogleApiClient.connect();
}

public Location retrieveLastLocation(){
    Location loc = LocationServices.FusedLocationApi.getLastLocation(mGoogleApiClient);
    if( loc == null)
    {

    }
    return loc; //TODO: What if loc is null?
}

but the loc variable is ALWAYS null. It's as such on different phones, every single time. Also lastLocation, that I try to assign in the onLocationChanged, never changes. Always null.

These are the permission I set for the app

    <uses-permission android:name="android.permission.INTERNET" />
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.ACCESS_NETWORK_STATE" />
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.WRITE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE" />
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.ACCESS_COARSE_LOCATION" />
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION" />
<uses-permission android:name="com.vogella.android.locationapi.maps.permission.MAPS_RECEIVE" />
<uses-permission android:name="com.google.android.providers.gsf.permission.READ_GSERVICES" />

I just don't get it: why can't the LocationServices retrieve a position? I have all geolocation settings enabled on all three the deviced i tested upon :-/

Thank you for any help

Answer 1

First, create a LocationRequest object:

 // Create the LocationRequest object
 mLocationRequest = LocationRequest.create()
    .setPriority(LocationRequest.PRIORITY_HIGH_ACCURACY)
    .setInterval(10 * 1000)        // 10 seconds, in milliseconds
    .setFastestInterval(1 * 1000); // 1 second, in milliseconds

Then, make sure the user has granted permission to use location. If so, get the location from requestLocationUpdates as follows:

void getLocation() {
    Location location = null;
    if (ContextCompat.checkSelfPermission(activity, android.Manifest.permission.ACCESS_COARSE_LOCATION) != PackageManager.PERMISSION_GRANTED) {
        ActivityCompat.requestPermissions(activity, new String[]{Manifest.permission.ACCESS_COARSE_LOCATION}, 1);

        /*TODO!! INSERT CODE TO PROMPT USER TO GIVE PERMISSION*/

    } else {
        LocationServices.FusedLocationApi.requestLocationUpdates(mGoogleApiClient, mLocationRequest, this);
    }

    mLastLocation = location;
    LocationServices.FusedLocationApi.removeLocationUpdates(mGoogleApiClient,this);
}

Be sure to remove the updates if you only need one location without constant monitoring. This way, you will never get a null Location.

For more information, go to http://blog.teamtreehouse.com/beginners-guide-location-android.

Answer 2

I am using the below code to get location as per the latest documentation of android https://developer.android.com/training/location/retrieve-current https://developer.android.com/training/location/receive-location-updates

MainActivity.java

public class MainActivity extends AppCompatActivity {
private static final int REQUEST_CHECK_SETTINGS = 1;
private static final int REQUEST_GRANT_PERMISSION = 2;
private FusedLocationProviderClient fusedLocationClient;
LocationRequest locationRequest;
private Location currentLocation;
private LocationCallback locationCallback;
Button getUpdates,removeUpdates;

@Override
protected void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
    super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);
    setContentView(R.layout.activity_main);
    fusedLocationClient = LocationServices.getFusedLocationProviderClient(this);
    createLocationRequest();
    settingsCheck();
    getUpdates = findViewById(R.id.button);
    removeUpdates = findViewById(R.id.button2);

    getUpdates.setOnClickListener(new View.OnClickListener() {
        @Override
        public void onClick(View v) {
            if (ActivityCompat.checkSelfPermission(MainActivity.this, Manifest.permission.ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION) != PackageManager.PERMISSION_GRANTED ) {
                ActivityCompat.requestPermissions(MainActivity.this,new String[]{Manifest.permission.ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION},REQUEST_GRANT_PERMISSION);
                return;
            }
            if(locationCallback==null)
                buildLocationCallback();
            if(currentLocation==null)
                fusedLocationClient.requestLocationUpdates(locationRequest, locationCallback, Looper.myLooper());
        }
    });
    removeUpdates.setOnClickListener(new View.OnClickListener() {
        @Override
        public void onClick(View v) {
            if (ActivityCompat.checkSelfPermission(MainActivity.this, Manifest.permission.ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION) != PackageManager.PERMISSION_GRANTED ) {
                ActivityCompat.requestPermissions(MainActivity.this,new String[]{Manifest.permission.ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION},REQUEST_GRANT_PERMISSION);
                return;
            }
            if(locationCallback!=null)
                fusedLocationClient.removeLocationUpdates(locationCallback);
        }
    });
}

protected void createLocationRequest() {
    locationRequest = LocationRequest.create();
    locationRequest.setInterval(10000);
    locationRequest.setFastestInterval(5000);
    locationRequest.setPriority(LocationRequest.PRIORITY_HIGH_ACCURACY);
}

// Check for location settings
public void settingsCheck() {
    LocationSettingsRequest.Builder builder = new LocationSettingsRequest.Builder()
            .addLocationRequest(locationRequest);

    SettingsClient client = LocationServices.getSettingsClient(this);
    Task<LocationSettingsResponse> task = client.checkLocationSettings(builder.build());
    task.addOnSuccessListener(this, new OnSuccessListener<LocationSettingsResponse>() {
        @Override
        public void onSuccess(LocationSettingsResponse locationSettingsResponse) {
            // All location settings are satisfied. The client can initialize
            // location requests here.
            Log.d("TAG", "onSuccess: settingsCheck");
            getCurrentLocation();
        }
    });

    task.addOnFailureListener(this, new OnFailureListener() {
        @Override
        public void onFailure(@NonNull Exception e) {
            if (e instanceof ResolvableApiException) {
                // Location settings are not satisfied, but this can be fixed
                // by showing the user a dialog.
                Log.d("TAG", "onFailure: settingsCheck");
                try {
                    // Show the dialog by calling startResolutionForResult(),
                    // and check the result in onActivityResult().
                    ResolvableApiException resolvable = (ResolvableApiException) e;
                    resolvable.startResolutionForResult(MainActivity.this,
                            REQUEST_CHECK_SETTINGS);
                } catch (IntentSender.SendIntentException sendEx) {
                    // Ignore the error.
                }
            }
        }
    });
}

public void getCurrentLocation(){
    if (ActivityCompat.checkSelfPermission(this, Manifest.permission.ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION) != PackageManager.PERMISSION_GRANTED && ActivityCompat.checkSelfPermission(this, Manifest.permission.ACCESS_COARSE_LOCATION) != PackageManager.PERMISSION_GRANTED) {
        ActivityCompat.requestPermissions(this,new String[]{Manifest.permission.ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION},1);
        return;
    }
    fusedLocationClient.getLastLocation()
            .addOnSuccessListener(this, new OnSuccessListener<Location>() {
                @Override
                public void onSuccess(Location location) {
                    Log.d("TAG", "onSuccess: getLastLocation");
                    // Got last known location. In some rare situations this can be null.
                    if (location != null) {
                        currentLocation=location;
                        Log.d("TAG", "onSuccess:latitude "+location.getLatitude());
                        Log.d("TAG", "onSuccess:longitude "+location.getLongitude());
                    }else{
                        Log.d("TAG", "location is null");
                        buildLocationCallback();
                    }
                }
            });
}

private void buildLocationCallback() {
    locationCallback = new LocationCallback() {
        @Override
        public void onLocationResult(LocationResult locationResult) {
            if (locationResult == null) {
                return;
            }
            for (Location location : locationResult.getLocations()) {
                // Update UI with location data
                currentLocation=location;
                Log.d("TAG", "onLocationResult: "+currentLocation.getLatitude());
            }
        };
    };
}

//called after user responds to location permission popup
@Override
public void onRequestPermissionsResult(int requestCode, @NonNull String[] permissions, @NonNull int[] grantResults) {
    super.onRequestPermissionsResult(requestCode, permissions, grantResults);
    if(requestCode==REQUEST_GRANT_PERMISSION){
        getCurrentLocation();
    }
}
//called after user responds to location settings popup
@Override
protected void onActivityResult(int requestCode, int resultCode, Intent data) {
    super.onActivityResult(requestCode, resultCode, data);
    Log.d("TAG", "onActivityResult: ");
    if(requestCode==REQUEST_CHECK_SETTINGS && resultCode==RESULT_OK)
        getCurrentLocation();
    if(requestCode==REQUEST_CHECK_SETTINGS && resultCode==RESULT_CANCELED)
        Toast.makeText(this, "Please enable Location settings...!!!", Toast.LENGTH_SHORT).show();
}}

XML file

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?><android.support.constraint.ConstraintLayout xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
xmlns:app="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res-auto"
xmlns:tools="http://schemas.android.com/tools"
android:layout_width="match_parent"
android:layout_height="match_parent"
tools:context="com.example.locationexample.MainActivity">

<Button
    android:id="@+id/button"
    android:layout_width="wrap_content"
    android:layout_height="wrap_content"
    android:layout_marginEnd="8dp"
    android:layout_marginStart="8dp"
    android:layout_marginTop="88dp"
    android:text="getLocationUpdates"
    app:layout_constraintEnd_toEndOf="parent"
    app:layout_constraintHorizontal_bias="0.502"
    app:layout_constraintStart_toStartOf="parent"
    app:layout_constraintTop_toTopOf="parent" />

<Button
    android:id="@+id/button2"
    android:layout_width="wrap_content"
    android:layout_height="wrap_content"
    android:layout_marginBottom="8dp"
    android:layout_marginEnd="8dp"
    android:layout_marginStart="8dp"
    android:layout_marginTop="8dp"
    android:text="RemoveLocationUpdates"
    app:layout_constraintBottom_toBottomOf="parent"
    app:layout_constraintEnd_toEndOf="parent"
    app:layout_constraintStart_toStartOf="parent"
    app:layout_constraintTop_toBottomOf="@+id/button"
    app:layout_constraintVertical_bias="0.363" /</android.support.constraint.ConstraintLayout>

Manifest File

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?><manifest xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
package="com.example.locationexample">
<uses-permission android:name="android.permission.ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION" />
<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>

Answer 3

If getLastLocation() is always returning null, try this hack. I have used it to solve my problem. Implement LocationListener (import com.google.android.gms.location.LocationListener) in your activity.

protected void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
        super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);
        setContentView(R.layout.activity_splash);

        Context mContext = this;

        manager = (LocationManager) mContext.getSystemService(Context.LOCATION_SERVICE);

        createLocationRequest();

        mGoogleApiClient = new GoogleApiClient.Builder(mContext)
                .addConnectionCallbacks(this)
                .addOnConnectionFailedListener(this)
                .addApi(LocationServices.API)
                .build();
        mGoogleApiClient.connect();

}

private void createLocationRequest(){
    mLocationRequest = LocationRequest.create();
    mLocationRequest.setPriority(LocationRequest.PRIORITY_HIGH_ACCURACY);
    mLocationRequest.setInterval(SET_INTERVAL);
    mLocationRequest.setFastestInterval(FASTEST_INTERVAL);
}

onStart or onResume (i preferred onResume)

@Override
protected void onResume() {
    super.onResume();
    if (manager.isProviderEnabled(LocationManager.GPS_PROVIDER) ) {
        if (mGoogleApiClient != null) {
            mGoogleApiClient.connect();
        }
    }else{
        // Showyourmesg();  
    }
}

@Override
protected void onPause() {
    super.onPause();
    if (mGoogleApiClient != null) {
        mGoogleApiClient.disconnect();
    }
}

protected void startLocationUpdates(){
    LocationServices.FusedLocationApi.requestLocationUpdates(mGoogleApiClient,
            mLocationRequest,this);
}

protected void stopLocationUpdates() {
    LocationServices.FusedLocationApi.removeLocationUpdates(
            mGoogleApiClient, this);
}

Now, in your onLocationChanged method check whether the googleApiClient is connected or not. If its connected, disconnect it, and connect again.

@Override
public void onLocationChanged(Location location) {
    Log.d("SplashAct", "LocatinChngListner, loc: " + location.getLatitude() + "," + location.getLongitude());

    if (mGoogleApiClient != null)
        if (mGoogleApiClient.isConnected() || mGoogleApiClient.isConnecting()){
            mGoogleApiClient.disconnect();
            mGoogleApiClient.connect();
        } else if (!mGoogleApiClient.isConnected()){
            mGoogleApiClient.connect();
        }
}

And finally, in your onConntected() method

@Override
  public void onConnected(Bundle bundle) {

    Log.d("ACTIVITY", "ApiClient: OnConnected");

    mLastLocation = LocationServices.FusedLocationApi.getLastLocation(
            mGoogleApiClient);

    if (mLastLocation == null){
        startLocationUpdates(); // bind interface if your are not getting the lastlocation. or bind as per your requirement.
    }

    if (mLastLocation != null){
        while (latitude == 0 || longitude == 0){
            pDialog.setMessage("Getting Location");
            pDialog.show();

            latitude = mLastLocation.getLatitude();
            longitude = mLastLocation.getLongitude();

            if (latitude != 0 && longitude != 0){
                stopLocationUpdates(); // unbind the locationlistner here or wherever you want as per your requirement.
                pDialog.dismiss(); // location data received, dismiss dialog, call your method or perform your task.
            }
        }
    }
}

We are repeatedly trying to connect to googleApiClient, even if its already connected, so that we can get the lastLocation data. This will depend on the LocationRequest intervals. You can get the location data in onLocationChanged too, and perform your task from there.

Answer 4

The fused Location Provider will only maintain background location if at least one client is connected to it. Now just turning on the location service will not guarantee to store the last known location.

Once the first client connects, it will immediately try to get a location. If your activity is the first client to connect and getLastLocation() is invoked right away in onConnected(), that might not be enough time for the first location to arrive..

I suggest you to launch the Maps app first, so that there is at least some confirmed location, and then test your app.

Answer 5

If you are using Android Marshmallow (API 23) or newer version of Android, you can face same problem because permission is not granted. You should either explicitly request permission at run time for location or, if it's a test project you can grant location permission from app settings on your phone.

Answer 6

I think there is a small miss which is not visible to me in the code shown.

The mGoogleApiClient is built but seems not connected.You can verify this by calling mGoogleApiClient.isConnected().

You can just override the onStart method and call connect there. Or you can override onResume() in case you want to access the location whenever ur activity is visible.

  @Override
protected void onStart() {
    super.onStart();
    if (mGoogleApiClient != null) {
        mGoogleApiClient.connect();
    }
}