Hello.
First of all, thank you for creating GPS Logger. The application works very well for vehicle GPS tracking and GPX logging.
I would like to report some difficulties related to automation and integration with MacroDroid/Tasker on modern Android versions.
My use case:
- automatic trip recording in a car
- start recording when the phone connects to the car Bluetooth
- stop recording when Bluetooth disconnects
- fully automatic workflow without user interaction
Initially, I tried to automate the app using standard Android UI automation:
- wake screen
- unlock device
- press the Record button automatically
However, modern Android security restrictions create serious problems with this approach:
- Accessibility-based unlock automation triggers Android security protection
- biometric unlock methods become disabled temporarily
- Smart Lock / trusted Bluetooth devices stop working
- Android displays messages similar to:
"Device was locked by a third-party app"
- the user is forced to manually enter the PIN again
This makes UI automation unsuitable for real-world automotive usage.
I then investigated whether GPS Logger exposes any automation API.
Using ADB:
adb shell dumpsys package eu.basicairdata.graziano.gpslogger
I found:
- no exported broadcast intents
- no exported start/stop recording service
- GPSService exists but is not externally accessible
Attempting:
adb shell am startservice -n eu.basicairdata.graziano.gpslogger/.GPSService
returns:
Error: Requires permission not exported from uid
After additional testing, I discovered that recording can be toggled using:
adb shell input keyevent 46
However:
So GPS Logger currently supports keyboard shortcuts, but only through the focused Activity input pipeline.
Eventually, I managed to create a workaround using:
- rooted device
- "screen off without lock"
- MacroDroid automation
- launching GPS Logger Activity
- sending keyevent 46
This works, but it is quite complex and fragile.
I believe GPS Logger would benefit greatly from an official automation interface.
Suggested improvements:
-
documented broadcast intents:
- START_RECORDING
- STOP_RECORDING
- TOGGLE_RECORDING
-
exported foreground service commands
-
Tasker/MacroDroid integration support
-
ability to start recording from background without UI focus
-
documentation for supported hotkeys and automation behavior
This would make GPS Logger much easier to use in:
- car automation
- dashcam workflows
- cycling setups
- unattended GPS logging systems
Thank you again for the excellent application.
Hello.
First of all, thank you for creating GPS Logger. The application works very well for vehicle GPS tracking and GPX logging.
I would like to report some difficulties related to automation and integration with MacroDroid/Tasker on modern Android versions.
My use case:
Initially, I tried to automate the app using standard Android UI automation:
However, modern Android security restrictions create serious problems with this approach:
"Device was locked by a third-party app"
This makes UI automation unsuitable for real-world automotive usage.
I then investigated whether GPS Logger exposes any automation API.
Using ADB:
I found:
Attempting:
returns:
After additional testing, I discovered that recording can be toggled using:
However:
this only works when GPSActivity is currently focused
it does not work:
So GPS Logger currently supports keyboard shortcuts, but only through the focused Activity input pipeline.
Eventually, I managed to create a workaround using:
This works, but it is quite complex and fragile.
I believe GPS Logger would benefit greatly from an official automation interface.
Suggested improvements:
documented broadcast intents:
exported foreground service commands
Tasker/MacroDroid integration support
ability to start recording from background without UI focus
documentation for supported hotkeys and automation behavior
This would make GPS Logger much easier to use in:
Thank you again for the excellent application.