Do we need a v2 of this app?

[mcastillof]

Hello all,

So, I have been thinking about coding a v2 if there is no other similar free/open source project, working but I will need the help of you guys.

Do you know other free/open source apps that allow you to fake locations? does those app work fine for you?

I see a project called PrivateLocations (https://github.com/wesaphzt/privatelocation), which seems to have a similar fake location functionality plus other features and it is also in F-Droid, but I haven't tested it yet. Its issues page shows that the project have been halted since 2020, just like FakeTraveler, and has some minor and bigger features. Maybe is a better idea to try to fix them, since the GUI is prettier and it seems to have some features that have been requested for FakeTraveler.

Please, let's talk if there is interest in coding a v2 or helping to fix another app.

[JonnyTech]

As well as Fake Traveler, I use https://github.com/warren-bank/Android-Mock-Location - also on F-Droid. Their page does a comparison with your app.

As you are thinking about making FT better, I would like the ability to share a location from another map app.

[mcastillof]

@JonnyTech:

As you are thinking about making FT better, I would like the ability to share a location from another map app.

You are using both apps because of this, right?

[JonnyTech]

No, I have different use cases for both when testing things. The request is for something that neither app seem to support; saving my location to a GPX then sharing that for later use is a nice addition, and does not require internet access to function.

[Flexmaen]

Hi! I was looking for open source projects, but non of them (including this one) worked on my devices with Android 8.1 and Android 10. This one did not work at all on Android 10.

Some say "don't wurn Wifi on", but on a tablet, you won't have internet then...

I had better results with commercial software, Fake GPS Location did work fine with Android 8 but jumps to your real address regularly in Android 10, GPS Emulator works fine in Android 10, but having an open source option would be better, of course.

[warren-bank]

@JonnyTech

• Regarding your use case to store geo locations in a GPX.. and have an app that allows you to open the GPX file (offline), choose a location stored in the file, and begin mocking its location..
  
  I actually already have a companion app called MyPlaces that does pretty much exactly that. Since Mock my GPS supports geo Intent filters.. when you click on a location in a GPX in MyPlaces, Mock my GPS is listed in the Activity chooser to select an app to use to open the geo Intent. When you choose it, Mock my GPS receives the geo location from the Intent and shows a dialog giving you (the user) a list of options for things you can do with it.. which includes mocking a fixed position.

• Regarding your desire for "the ability to share a location from another map app".. well.. that's precisely what I mean when I discuss the benefits of including a comprehensive set of geo Intent filters. Mock my GPS uses the same set as (cough.. cough.. borrowed from) OsmAnd.

  • the README says: "OsmAnd can broadcast geo Intents"
  • as an fyi.. if you don't want to install OsmAnd for this purpose (as it's a pretty hefty APK + the size of offline maps), I also really like this offline mapping program.. it comes in 3 variations with different features and different methods for monetization.. but they all do the basics very well.. including the ability to broadcast geo Intents:
    • APK size is very small (~ 5MB)
    • offline maps are downloaded on-demand (from a variety of sources).. which is an interesting way to do it
      • what this means is that you need to view a map while online.. and only the layers that are downloaded are cached for offline use later
      • this is very different from the approach used by OsmAnd (or Google Maps for that matter).. whereby you select a region and download all maps for that region as one complete unit
      • the upside is that you only download the minimal amount of data for your particular needs
      • the downside is that if you're not careful.. you may find yourself without necessary data when you're offline and need it
    • for the use case of using this light-weight mapping software as a way to browse a map.. visually select a geo location by dragging and zooming the map under a cross-hair (at a fixed position in the center of the screen).. and then share its geo Intent to Mock my GPS.. it works great

[JonnyTech]

Thanks @warren-bank, much appreciate the feedback, I shall give it a test when I get some time.