GrapheneOS Location Services (lemmy.world)

submitted 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) by happeningtofry99158@lemmy.world to c/privacy@lemmy.ml

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Should I enable WIFI scanning / Bluetooth scanning / Network Location under setting->location->location services?

Which one would help me navigate inside a building or underground using open source maps?

I haven't tested yet, does google map requires any of those location services enabled to work? Should I just use google map in vanadium?

thanks a lot

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[-] pogodem0n@lemmy.world 6 points 1 day ago

The thing that help you navigate inside buildings is called "Network Location".

Google and Apple provide this functionality by collecting Wi-Fi and Bluetooth network data from all their users and creating a massive database.

By default, "Network Location" is disabled in GrapheneOS. If you have Google Play Services installed, you can use Google's Network Location service by enabling those options.

Fortunately, GrapheneOS provides an alternative using Apple's network location services. There is an option to use GrapheneOS proxy server instead of connecting directly to Apple. Of course, whether you use this feature should entirely depend on how much you trust GrapheneOS developers. This one works using just Wi-Fi data and I use it daily.

[-] happeningtofry99158@lemmy.world 1 points 22 hours ago

thanks a lot!

though could you briefly explain the term "Network Location"? what does this "network" represents? How is it going to help with location and geopositioning? My understanding is that by enabling "Network Location" the location defined with "Network" is sent to SLP server as assisted data for geopositioning.

I would assume "Network" represents cellular data, hope someone could confirm

[-] pogodem0n@lemmy.world 1 points 19 hours ago

You need a direct line of sight with satellites for GPS to work.

Of course, this is almost impossible indoors. Here's how network location works to my understanding:

Another person outdoors uses GPS to locate themselves. This person has Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled and their device can see your home/office network. Google and Apple save this information to their databases. When you request your location indoors, your device sends Wi-Fi information of nearby access points. The servers know approximate location of this Wi-Fi network and can give you your approximate location, though with a large margin of error.

[-] happeningtofry99158@lemmy.world 1 points 9 hours ago

I see! thanks a lot

[-] Tundra@lemmy.ml 2 points 19 hours ago

if you have the option, set: https://beacondb.net/

[-] happeningtofry99158@lemmy.world 1 points 9 hours ago

could you briefly explain what this is? should I use this as a location server for GOS? thanks a lot

[-] pogodem0n@lemmy.world 1 points 18 hours ago

Wow, didn't know this existed. Thanks a lot!

[-] obsidianfoxxy7870@lemmy.blahaj.zone 3 points 1 day ago

I can't tell you if you should or not. I can tell you I DO NOT have it enabled and mapping service work just fine. Also I would recommend using something like CoMaps and not Google Maps.

[-] happeningtofry99158@lemmy.world 1 points 1 day ago

The thing is the Open Source mapping service doesn't seems to work inside buildings. Does enabling those options help with that?

also How is CoMaps compared to osmand and organic maps?

thanks a lot

[-] dracs@programming.dev 4 points 1 day ago

CoMaps is a recent fork of Organic Maps. So those two are pretty similar at the moment in terms of functionality. Osmand I would say has a lot more features and customisation options, but Organic/CoMaps is faster and more responsive.

[-] happeningtofry99158@lemmy.world 2 points 1 day ago

thanks a lot

[-] masterofn001@lemmy.ca 2 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

Remember when phones had that insane super advanced tech that could guide anyone anywhere, even offline?

Seriously, why doesn't the compass exist anymore?

I have never turned on location anything on grapheme.

On my other phone I have also uninstalled google location services/history, WiFi scanning, Bluetooth unknown tracker, etc.

If I get lost in a building... I ask someone.

[-] MalReynolds@slrpnk.net 2 points 1 day ago

Uh, most? do have a compass, mine does. Needs an app installed to use of course.

[-] happeningtofry99158@lemmy.world 1 points 23 hours ago

If I get lost in a building… I ask someone.

what about driving? most of the times the connection isn't good enough to support Navigation when driving.

[-] sunzu2@thebrainbin.org 0 points 1 day ago

Having them enabled makes you note trackable. Pretty sure all retail locations will be tracking you and trying tie it to your identity

[-] happeningtofry99158@lemmy.world 2 points 1 day ago

could you elaborate their difference? what information is send to what servers?

In my opinion WIFI scanning / Bluetooth scanning / Network Location is only used within system and shared with apps inside the profile if given permission. If I use open source maps I can't see how my personal information is going to leak

[-] sunzu2@thebrainbin.org 1 points 1 day ago

There are devices at retail locations that will try using WiFi and BT signal to ID you.

[-] happeningtofry99158@lemmy.world 3 points 1 day ago

thanks a lot

for those who have trouble understanding this

Passive Tracking (Wi-Fi & Bluetooth Beacons)

Your phone constantly searches for nearby Wi-Fi and Bluetooth signals.

Retailers place Wi-Fi routers or Bluetooth beacons in stores to detect these signals.

Each device has a unique MAC address (though modern phones often randomize this to prevent persistent tracking).

These devices log when and where a phone is detected, creating a record of customer movement.
What They Can Track:

When a customer enters or exits the store

How long they stay

Which areas of the store they visit

Repeat visits (if the MAC address isn’t randomized)

Whether they've visited other locations (if the same system is deployed across multiple stores)

this post was submitted on 29 Jun 2025

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