Location Services
Location Provider
2023-05-22
On devices with Google apps installed, there are some „Location Providers“ already available – but not everybody likes to share his location with Google. Luckily, there are alternatives – GApps installed or not. These are usually working with UnifiedNlp, a component of microG. If you want to contribute to coverage and quality, please see below, WLAN WarDriving and Monitoring & Mapping.
- XposedGmsCoreUnifiedNlp (0@0) LastUpdate: 2016-01-28 Github; like XposedUnifiedNlp, but for the newer GmsCore with UnifiedNlp integrated
- AMap UnifiedNlp Backend (0@0) 11
LastUpdate: 2019-11-24 GitLab
- Baidu UnifiedNlp Backend (0@0) 8
1 LastUpdate: 2019-11-24 GitLab
- XposedUnifiedNlp (0@0) LastUpdate: 2016-05-26 Github; Better integration for UnifiedNLP on devices with GApps installed (e.g. disable Google location)
- Trains Locations (0@0) 5
GitLab
- Local NLP Backend (0@0) 6
Github; improved fork of Déjà Vu
- MergedWiFiNLP (0@0) 7
GitLab; Back-end for UnifiedNLP
- Déjà Vu - A local RF based back end for the µg Pro (0@0) 4
LastUpdate: 2019-08-22 Github; uses locally acquired WLAN/Wi-Fi AP and mobile/cellular tower data to resolve user location
- LocalGsmNlpBackend (0@0) 6
LastUpdate: 2021-11-05 GitLab; Back-end for UnifiedNLP (local database); works with OpenCellID and Mozilla
- LocalWifiNlpBackend (0@0) 5
LastUpdate: 2018-06-20 Github; Back-end for UnifiedNLP (local WiFi database)
- UnifiedNlp (GAPPS) (0@0) 3
LastUpdate: 2017-02-03 / UnifiedNlp (no GAPPS) (legacy) (0@0) 3
LastUpdate: 2017-01-17 Github; the front-end; the non-legacy app for Gfree devices shares its package name with GServices and hence is skipped here
- Apple UnifiedNlp Backend (0@0) 8
LastUpdate: 2018-07-02 Github; Back-end for UnifiedNLP (Apple WiFi); this one tracks you as well
- MozillaNlpBackend (0@0) 8
Github; Back-end for UnifiedNLP (Mozilla)
- NominatimNlpBackend (0@0) 1
LastUpdate: 2017-05-28 Github; Back-end for UnifiedNLP (geocoding provider (MapQuest Nominatim)); used e.g. for gallery (show name of the location)
- Radiocells.org UnifiedNlp Backend (0@0) 8
LastUpdate: 2018-07-02 Github; https://www.radiocells.org/downloads; Back-end for UnifiedNLP using RadioCells.org (formerly OpenBmap)
Data Gathering for above Location Providers
2023-05-16
Some of above listed Location Providers are based on communities gathering WiFi and cell locations to improve coverage and quality, making it a „give and take“. If you want to participate, you can do so e.g. with the following apps.
- Tower Collector (4.5@357) Ǥ 15
1
Github; contributes to OpenCellID and Mozilla; IzzyOnDroid recommendation (F-Droid version)
- Aus Phone Towers (3G,4G,5G) (4.3@410) Ǥ 8
4
OpenCellId and Mozilla
- Network Cell Info Lite & Wifi (4@78,212) Ǥ 18
6
/ Network Cell Info & Wifi (3.8@11,135; ~EUR 2.25) Ǥ 13
4
Video Intro 6/2018; can export collected cells to MLS, OpenCellId – but also to KML
- Mozilla Stumbler (3.8@1,527) 10
LastUpdate: 2019-04-06 Github; Intro 8/2016; Data gathering for Mozilla Location Service
- inViu OpenCellID (3.6@363) 8
LastUpdate: 2016-11-06 records cell towers incl. coordinates for open-source database, see OpenCellID (map) and in the Wiki
- RadioBeacon (0@0) 11
LastUpdate: 2016-09-15 Github; Wiki; Map wireless networks and cell towers for the radiocells.org database (formerly OpenBmap)
Test location providers
2023-05-25
These apps can be used to find out whether your location backends work and how accurate they are.
- Location Provider Debugger (4.4@47) 2
LastUpdate: 2017-04-23 Github; To check if yours work
- Location Test (3.7@60) 4
LastUpdate: 2017-08-02
- My Location (0@0) 5
LastUpdate: 2021-09-17 Github
- SatStat (0@0) 10
Github; GPS, sensor and network status; shows position from all location providers on map
Further Readings:
- microG Wiki/FAQ
- Standort richtig verbergen – so gehen Geheimdienste vor (3/2023)
- microG: Android (almost) without Google – an interview with the developer (1/2020)
- a short introduction to microG (12/2019)
- Android without Google: microG (here at IzzyOnDroid; 10/2015)
- UnifiedNLP ReadMe
- IMSI-Leaking bei GPS-Positionsbestimmung (AGPS; 10/2018)
2023-06-01