How to track your location using GPS and send it over sms in your Android App? – Complete Source Code

This video shows the steps to create a location tracking App and send or share the coordinates of the location (Latitude and Longitude) by sending automatic SMS messages to a predefined phone number.

This video is a combination of following two videos available on this channel:
1. Location Tracking App: https://youtu.be/rN7x3ovWepM
2. How to send SMS automatically through your phone: https://youtu.be/pajvuBZc2WA

You can also refer to below video which shows how to create the APK installer file and install the App in your phone using the below link: https://youtu.be/5c7odVDNHj0

In the code, please ensure that in the gradle.properties file the following lines are added to use androidx libraries:

android.enableJetifier = true
android.useAndroidX = true

How to send current location in the form of link?

Ans:

Convert the string in the below format:

https://maps.google.com/?q=<lat>,<lng>

Below is the example URL for - 

Latitude = 41.24
Longitude = 2.06

https://maps.google.com/?q=41.24,2.06

A bit processing may be required to get the strings in above format.

Source Code:

package com.example.myyoutubelocationapp;

import android.Manifest;
import android.content.pm.PackageManager;
import android.location.Location;
import android.location.LocationListener;
import android.location.LocationManager;
import android.os.Bundle;
import android.telephony.SmsManager;

import androidx.core.app.ActivityCompat;
import androidx.fragment.app.FragmentActivity;

import com.google.android.gms.maps.CameraUpdateFactory;
import com.google.android.gms.maps.GoogleMap;
import com.google.android.gms.maps.OnMapReadyCallback;
import com.google.android.gms.maps.SupportMapFragment;
import com.google.android.gms.maps.model.LatLng;
import com.google.android.gms.maps.model.MarkerOptions;

public class MapsActivity extends FragmentActivity implements OnMapReadyCallback {

private GoogleMap mMap;

private LocationManager locationManager;
private LocationListener locationListener;

private final long MIN_TIME = 1000;
private final long MIN_DIST = 5;

private LatLng latLng;

@Override
protected void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);
setContentView(R.layout.activity_maps);
// Obtain the SupportMapFragment and get notified when the map is ready to be used.
SupportMapFragment mapFragment = (SupportMapFragment) getSupportFragmentManager()
.findFragmentById(R.id.map);
mapFragment.getMapAsync(this);

ActivityCompat.requestPermissions(this,new String[]{Manifest.permission.SEND_SMS}, PackageManager.PERMISSION_GRANTED);
ActivityCompat.requestPermissions(this, new String[]{Manifest.permission.ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION, Manifest.permission.ACCESS_COARSE_LOCATION}, PackageManager.PERMISSION_GRANTED);
ActivityCompat.requestPermissions(this, new String[]{Manifest.permission.INTERNET}, PackageManager.PERMISSION_GRANTED);
}
/**
* Manipulates the map once available.
* This callback is triggered when the map is ready to be used.
* This is where we can add markers or lines, add listeners or move the camera. In this case,
* we just add a marker near Sydney, Australia.
* If Google Play services is not installed on the device, the user will be prompted to install
* it inside the SupportMapFragment. This method will only be triggered once the user has
* installed Google Play services and returned to the app.
*/
@Override
public void onMapReady(GoogleMap googleMap) {
mMap = googleMap;

// Add a marker in Sydney and move the camera
LatLng sydney = new LatLng(-34, 151);
mMap.addMarker(new MarkerOptions().position(sydney).title(“Marker in Sydney”));
mMap.moveCamera(CameraUpdateFactory.newLatLng(sydney));

locationListener = new LocationListener() {
@Override
public void onLocationChanged(Location location) {
try {
latLng = new LatLng(location.getLatitude(), location.getLongitude());
mMap.addMarker(new MarkerOptions().position(latLng).title(“My Position”));

mMap.moveCamera(CameraUpdateFactory.newLatLng(latLng));

String phoneNumber = “99999”;
String myLatidude = String.valueOf(location.getLatitude());
String myLongitude = String.valueOf(location.getLongitude());

String message = “Latitude = ” + myLatidude + ” Longitude = ” + myLongitude;
SmsManager smsManager = SmsManager.getDefault();
smsManager.sendTextMessage(phoneNumber,null,message,null,null);
}
catch (Exception e){
e.printStackTrace();
}
}

@Override
public void onStatusChanged(String provider, int status, Bundle extras) {

}

@Override
public void onProviderEnabled(String provider) {

}

@Override
public void onProviderDisabled(String provider) {

}
};

locationManager = (LocationManager) getSystemService(LOCATION_SERVICE);
try {
locationManager.requestLocationUpdates(LocationManager.NETWORK_PROVIDER, MIN_TIME,MIN_DIST,locationListener);
locationManager.requestLocationUpdates(LocationManager.GPS_PROVIDER,MIN_TIME,MIN_DIST,locationListener);
}
catch (SecurityException e){
e.printStackTrace();
}

}
}

<?xml version=”1.0″ encoding=”utf-8″?>
<manifest xmlns:android=”http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android&#8221;
package=”com.example.myyoutubelocationapp”>

<!–
The ACCESS_COARSE/FINE_LOCATION permissions are not required to use
Google Maps Android API v2, but you must specify either coarse or fine
location permissions for the ‘MyLocation’ functionality.
–>
<uses-permission android:name=”android.permission.ACCESS_FINE_LOCATION” />
<uses-permission android:name=”android.permission.ACCESS_COARSE_LOCATION”/>
<uses-permission android:name=”android.permission.INTERNET”/>
<uses-permission android:name=”android.permission.SEND_SMS”/>

<application
android:allowBackup=”true”
android:icon=”@mipmap/ic_launcher”
android:label=”@string/app_name”
android:roundIcon=”@mipmap/ic_launcher_round”
android:supportsRtl=”true”
android:theme=”@style/AppTheme”>

<!–
The API key for Google Maps-based APIs is defined as a string resource.
(See the file “res/values/google_maps_api.xml”).
Note that the API key is linked to the encryption key used to sign the APK.
You need a different API key for each encryption key, including the release key that is used to
sign the APK for publishing.
You can define the keys for the debug and release targets in src/debug/ and src/release/.
–>
<meta-data
android:name=”com.google.android.geo.API_KEY”
android:value=”@string/google_maps_key” />

<activity
android:name=”.MapsActivity”
android:label=”@string/title_activity_maps”>
<intent-filter>
<action android:name=”android.intent.action.MAIN” />

<category android:name=”android.intent.category.LAUNCHER” />
</intent-filter>
</activity>
</application>

</manifest>

# Project-wide Gradle settings.
# IDE (e.g. Android Studio) users:
# Gradle settings configured through the IDE *will override*
# any settings specified in this file.
# For more details on how to configure your build environment visit
# http://www.gradle.org/docs/current/userguide/build_environment.html
# Specifies the JVM arguments used for the daemon process.
# The setting is particularly useful for tweaking memory settings.
org.gradle.jvmargs=-Xmx1536m
# When configured, Gradle will run in incubating parallel mode.
# This option should only be used with decoupled projects. More details, visit
# http://www.gradle.org/docs/current/userguide/multi_project_builds.html#sec:decoupled_projects
# org.gradle.parallel=true

android.enableJetifier = true
android.useAndroidX = true

<?xml version=”1.0″ encoding=”utf-8″?>

<fragment xmlns:android=”http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android&#8221;
xmlns:map=”http://schemas.android.com/apk/res-auto&#8221;
xmlns:tools=”http://schemas.android.com/tools&#8221;
android:id=”@+id/map”
android:name=”com.google.android.gms.maps.SupportMapFragment”
android:layout_width=”match_parent”
android:layout_height=”match_parent”
tools:context=”.MapsActivity” />

Top posts/ comments from YouTube channel:

Hello, i just finished the project and its work thank you so much but why it does not show me the exact location! and can i add something else in the sms?

Programmer World

The App should show you the exact location. However, if you are running your App on emulator then it will show initial location at Sydney because that is the starting marker position we have set in the code. And later it will move the marker position to California because emulator is not able to give you the location info as it doesn’t have GPS or network data. So, it moves to some Pre-defined location in emulator.

However, if you try running it on your real phone, then it should definitely work. For the first time you may have to go in some open space to get nice view of GPS satellites.

Regarding SMS, yes of course you can send more information. While composing your SMS string “message” feel free to add your additional texts.

Read more

Okay thank you for helping but it doesn’t give me access to choose the phone. automatic execution with emulator and for the sms can i a text with the name of the location ??

Programmer World

Oh … ok. To run your application on your phone, you will have to build the APK (Android Package) file. Then install the App on your phone using this APK file. Then your App will be ready for use on your phone in standalone mode.

For steps to create a APK file please watch my below video: https://youtu.be/5c7odVDNHj0

For steps to install the App please watch my below video: https://youtu.be/StswYn4GSzk

Hope above helps. Good Luck!

Good Day sir, how to convert the longitude and altitude massage in to a City and address thank you for your videos thumbs up

Programmer World

We can use Geocorder API to translate the latitude and longitude to the address. We can get the address using the below command:

geocoder.getFromLocation(latitude, longitude, 1)

Alternately, you can also use below command to show the location on map:

mMap.moveCamera(CameraUpdateFactory.newLatLng(latLng));

I will try to create a tutorial for Geocorder command and let you know once posted.

Programmer World

You should see me next video from the below link. It shows the steps to get the location details from latitude and longitude :

https://youtu.be/Nsl99WWDFxM

We will be glad to hear from you regarding any query, suggestions or appreciations at: programmerworld1990@gmail.com

[Update:]

The next part of this video can be accessed using below link. It shows the steps to get the location details from latitude and longitude
https://youtu.be/Nsl99WWDFxM