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Get the unlocked version of the app for free!
To further aid your app testing, we have provided an unlocked version for experimentation and academic purposes for free! No need to pay for the same features available elsewhere!
Privacy Mode - allows you to generate a complete clone of the app with a randomized name!System Mode - uses system privileges to mock location.Suspended Mocking - broadcasts a mock location for a short period of time and then suspends broadcasting so that your test app can pick up the last known location.Indirect Mocking - prevents your test app from detecing mock location being enabled in developer settings on older versions of Android.A-GPS Reset - prevents your test app from jumping to the real location.Fix Options - up to 4 options that can be mixed and matched to prevent your test app from jumping to the real location.
Download Unlocked Version
Select the best version dependent on your device.
You're detected device:Legacy Unlocked Version (v4.3.5)
Select the best version dependent on your device.
You're detected device:Less common:
gpsjoystick-unlocked-armeabi.apk
gpsjoystick-unlocked-mips.apk
gpsjoystick-unlocked-x86_64.apk
gpsjoystick-unlocked-x86.apk
Setup
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Prerequisites
By default this app will allow you test and mock location on most generic apps.
However there are some apps that detect mock location. To successfully mock location and test those apps, there is additional setup required which can be get tricky and your results can vary.
Steps
1. First download and install the unlocked version for your device.2. Choose an option you are most comfortable with and then continue with the appropriate steps for it. -
Options
Over the years it has become tougher and tougher to test apps that detect mock location and thus the steps required to properly set up this app have become more difficult and/or limited by your Android version.
Depending on your technical level and risk tolerance, you have 3 main options:Smali Method - Use a smali patch to hide mock locations from all apps on your device.Root Method - Root your device and make GPS JoyStick a system level app so that it can have access to the gps directly.No Root Method - Attempt to bypass mock locations by downgrading your Google Play Services or the Android Security Patch (this option heavily depends on some factors of your Android version). -
Smali Method
Some users may find this approach as being the most reliable and least prone to rubberbanding/random jumping. Use this method at your own risk, we are not responsible for any issues you may encounter.
Here are some links if you want to learn more:
Magisk
Reddit - Video Smali Tutorial
Reddit - Root Smali Tutorial
Russian - Smali Tutorial -
Root Method
Do not root your phone unless you are aware and understand that some apps will not let you use them until you un-root your phone (or do a system-less root). Root at your own risk!
Here are some links if you want to learn more:
Android Rooting
Make GPS JoyStick A System App
Magisk
Reddit - Android 8.1 - Magisk joystick guide (without paid apps)
Reddit - Systemizing GPS Joystick by App Ninjas using TWRP
Rooted Users
The following steps are for devices that have already been rooted (either by one of the guides above or another method)
1. If your device has already been rooted then use an app like Link2SD, Lucky Patcher or Magisk to move GPS JoyStick to "/system/app" or if that location doesn't work then: "/system/priv-app".2. Once GPS JoyStick has been moved to "/system/app" or "/system/priv-app" unroot your phone (so that the app you are trying to test on doesn't detect root)3. Enable System Mode in GPS JoyStick Settings screen.
Additional Steps for Android Oreo (8.0) Users And Above
Try these steps if it is still not working after following one of the guides above:
1. Put GPS Joystick in "root/system_root/system/priv-app" and make sure file permissions are set to 06442. Create a text file called "privapp-permissions-com.theappninjas.fakegpsjoystick.xml" and paste this into it:3. Place the file at "root/system_root/system/etc/permissions/" and make sure permissions are set to 06444. Edit the file "root/system_root/system/etc/permissions/privapp-permissions-xxx.xml" (where xxx represents your device name)5. Add the same XML from Step 2 between the <permissions></permissions> tags and make sure permissions are set to 0646. Restart the device and confirm that the Enable System Mode is enabled in GPS JoyStick Settings -
No Root Method
It is unlikely you will be able to use this method unless you have an older Android device which has not been updated. However if you do have an older Android device, then these steps may work for you and will not require root.
Depending on your security patch date you will have to follow different steps. Here’s how you can find out your phone’s security patch: https://www.guidingtech.com/65197/check-android-security-patch/
Android 6.0 And Above + Security Patch AFTER March 5, 2017
1. You need to check your Google Play Services app version and ensure that it is 12.6.85 or lower. If it is then skip to step 6, otherwise continue with the next step.2. First we need to Disable Play Store auto-updates, to do this, open the Google Play Store app. Touch the hamburger icon in the top-left, swipe up and choose Settings. Then under General, tap Auto-update apps and choose the first option: Do not auto-update apps.3. Now you need to download the older version of Google Play Services that is the closest match for your phone from here: https://www.apkmirror.com/apk/google-inc/google-play-services/google-play-services-12-6-85-release/4. Now we need to disable Find My Device under Settings — Security & Location. Also disable Google Play Services in the same way. Next remove updates to the application by going to Settings — Applications — All — Google Play Services — Uninstall updates. You may need to go to Settings — Device Administrators — and disable Android Device Manager first.5. Install the downloaded version of Google Play Services from step 3 and restart the phone.6. Now you can go to Developer Options and set GPS JoyStick as the Mock Locations app.7. Enable Suspended Mocking option in the GPS JoyStick Settings screen.
Android 6.0 And Above + Security Patch BEFORE March 5, 2017
1. Go to Developer Options and set GPS JoyStick as the Mock Locations app.2. Enable Indirect Mocking option in the GPS JoyStick Settings screen.
Automation
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Tasker
We now have Tasker support with teleporting to a location, starting a route, or stopping the joystick!
Teleport1. Create a new task and add an Action - Misc - Send Intent2. Set Action to theappninjas.gpsjoystick.TELEPORT3. Enter Extra: lat: {your-latitude-value} ex. lat: 37.80954. Enter Extra: lng: {your-longitude-value} ex. lng: -122.41015. (Optional) Enter Extra: alt: {your-altitude-value} ex. alt: 10.46. Set Target to Service
Route1. Create a new task and add an Action - Misc - Send Intent2. Set Action to theappninjas.gpsjoystick.ROUTE3. Enter Extra: name: {your-route-name}4. Set Target to Service
Stop1. Create a new task and add an Action - Misc - Send Intent2. Set Action to theappninjas.gpsjoystick.STOP3. Set Target to Service -
ADB Shell
We now have ADB Shell support with teleporting to a location, starting a route, or stopping the joystick!
TeleportAndroid Oreo & above (altitude is optional):
adb shell am start-foreground-service -a theappninjas.gpsjoystick.TELEPORT --ef lat {your-latitude-value} --ef lng {your-longitude-value} --ef alt {your-altitude-value}Older Android versions (altitude is optional):
adb shell am startservice -a theappninjas.gpsjoystick.TELEPORT --ef lat {your-latitude-value} --ef lng {your-longitude-value} --ef alt {your-altitude-value}
RouteAndroid Oreo & above:
adb shell am start-foreground-service -a theappninjas.gpsjoystick.ROUTE --es name \"{your-route-name}\"Older Android versions:
adb shell am startservice -a theappninjas.gpsjoystick.ROUTE --es name \"{your-route-name}\"
StopAndroid Oreo & above:
adb shell am start-foreground-service -a theappninjas.gpsjoystick.STOPOlder Android versions:
adb shell am startservice -a theappninjas.gpsjoystick.STOP
Examplesadb shell am start-foreground-service -a theappninjas.gpsjoystick.TELEPORT --ef lat 37.8095 --ef lng -122.4101adb shell am startservice -a theappninjas.gpsjoystick.TELEPORT --ef lat 37.8095 --ef lng -122.4101 --ef alt 10.2adb shell am start-foreground-service -a theappninjas.gpsjoystick.ROUTE --es name \"My Awesome Route\"adb shell am startservice -a theappninjas.gpsjoystick.STOP
Troubleshooting
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How to enable Developer Options/Mock Locations?
First you must enable Developer Options. To do this you must find the Build number for your specific device (if your device is not listed here you may have to search on Google to find the specific steps).
Google Pixel: Settings > System > About phone > Build numberSamsung Galaxy S8 and later: Settings > About phone > Software information > Build numberLG G6 and later: Settings > About phone > Software info > Build numberHTC U11 and later: Settings > About > Software information > More > Build numberOnePlus 5T and later: Settings > About phone > Build number
Once you’ve found Build number, you'll need to tap on it seven times. After a few taps, you'll see a small pop-up alert telling you that "You are now X steps away from being a developer" with a number that counts down with every additional tap. After the seventh tap, a message will appear telling you that "You are now a developer!" and the Developer options will be unlocked as an option in Settings or Settings > System.
Finally navigate to Developer options and find the Mock Locations setting. If you are on Android version 4.4, simply enable the Mock Locations setting. If you are on Android version 5.0 and above, tap on Mock Locations / Set mock location app and select the GPS JoyStick app.
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Why does "Failed to detect location. (12)" or "GPS signal not found." error occur?
For the test app you see this error, it occurs when that app is able to detect that you are mocking your location. The only way to prevent this is to Setup this app properly (as mentioned above) so it won't be detected.
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Why doesn't anything on the map appear?
Some apps will determine if you teleported from your last logged location to a new one too quickly. When this happens you get soft banned and have to wait up to 2 hours (or you can teleport back to the last location the app thought you were at).
For example, if you live in New York and log into your test app and then 5 minutes later you use GPS JoyStick to teleport yourself to California, it is obvious that you would not be able to move that far in such a short amount of time. To avoid this, wait at least 2 hours before opening the app.
Here is a link that shows the distance and associated timings: Cooldown Chart. -
Why does "Disconnected From GPS" error occur and/or the map is not visible?
For the test app you see this error, you can ignore it as long as you can interact and use the app. To fix the blank map problem try these steps:
1. Open your collection.2. Tap and open any creature.3. Tap and open the Map. At this point the map should be visible. You may still see the "Disconnected From GPS" error but if you see things on the map and can interact with them you should be ok. -
How do I stop the current location from rubberbanding/teleporting back and forth to my original location?
On some devices/Android versions this more prominent. To help reduce this you can try some or all of the below:
- As of February 2018, Google Play Services has a new update which causes random jumping. One thing you can try is to clear the Google Play Services cache and uninstall any updates. Also try clearing the app cache of the app you are trying to test. You can also try denying location permissions (or all permissions if that works for you) to the Google Play Services app.- Try one of the GPS Jump fix options that are visible on the Home screen.- Try and tweak the Process Interval in Settings. (This is advanced so be avoid if you do not know what you are doing).- Alternatively, use the app indoors where you have a low gps signal.- Some things other users have tried is placing a tin foil on the back — in between the case and the phone to block the gps signal.
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How to prevent JoyStick from disappearring when I start another app? / How do I stop the JoyStick from disappearing and reappearing constantly?
On some devices/Android versions this more prominent. To help reduce this you can try some or all of the below:
- Unfortunately this can be phone/Android version specific. Make sure your phone is not too aggressive in force closing apps/services to preserve memory or battery. You will have to check your phone settings for this and may need to search online to find a solution that works for your phone.- Another possible culprit can be "Memory" cleaner apps (such as Clean Master) which will automatically force kill services such as this one. You will have to find a setting to make GPS JoyStick an exception or disable the app when using GPS JoyStick.- You can also try using an app called "Memory Locker" to reduce the amount of memory used by the GPS JoyStick app and the test app. You can try the following tutorial to reduce memory consumption for the test app (try at your own risk): https://forum.xda-developers.com/general/general/how-to-rum-pokemon-low-spec-devices-1gb-t3425263- Also on some Android devices you can have a maximum of 3 foreground type services at any given time. Make sure you do not have other services running that would cause GPS JoyStick service to force close.- To help prevent the location to reset back to the start location when the joystick disappears and reappears: Enable the Save Last Location option in Settings to auto save the last location as you walk. This is not recommended if your joystick is operating normally as it may degrade performance.