Hello everyone,
I’m facing an issue with my iOS app where the GPS/location services icon appears in the status bar immediately when the app is launched, even though I’m not intentionally accessing location services at that point.
Issue Summary:
• GPS Icon Activation: When I launch my app, the GPS icon turns on. It turns off when the app is minimized or closed.
• No Intentional Location Usage at Launch: I have ensured that no instances of CLLocationManager are created when the app is launched.
What I’ve Tried So Far:
1. Checked Controllers and Related Classes:
• Reviewed all the code for the controllers that are active at launch.
• Verified that none of these controllers create instances of CLLocationManager or call location-related methods.
2. Commented Out startUpdatingLocation:
• Commented out all calls to startUpdatingLocation throughout the entire project.
3. Ensured No CLLocationManager Instances at Launch:
• Searched for any code that might instantiate CLLocationManager during app launch.
• Confirmed that no such instances are being created.
4. Commented Out Google Maps SDK Configuration:
• In AppDelegate, commented out the Google Maps SDK configuration, so it’s not initialized with the API key.
• No map views (GMSMapView, MKMapView) are initialized or used when the app is launched.
5. Tested Location Permissions:
• When I change the location permission for the app to “Never” in the Settings app, the GPS icon does not appear upon app launch.
• This suggests that the app is accessing location services when it has permission, even though I haven’t explicitly requested it at launch.
Objective:
• Control GPS Activation: I want to ensure that the GPS does not turn on when the app is launched. I intend to activate location services only when needed later in the app.
Request for Assistance:
I’m seeking guidance on the following:
1. Debugging Techniques:
• How can I trace the code that’s causing the GPS to turn on at app launch?
• Are there tools or methods to identify hidden or indirect calls to location services?
2. Forcing Location Services Off at Launch:
• Is there a way to programmatically prevent location services from activating during app launch?
• Can I defer any implicit location service initialization until I explicitly enable it?
3. Potential Hidden Triggers:
• Are there known scenarios where location services could be activated without direct use of CLLocationManager?
• Could frameworks like Google Maps SDK trigger location services even if not fully initialized?
4. Additional Suggestions:
• Any other insights or suggestions to prevent the GPS icon from appearing on app launch.
Additional Information:
• Third-Party Frameworks:
• I have not removed third-party frameworks yet, as I wanted to check other possibilities first.
• Open to the idea that a third-party framework might be causing this, but need guidance on how to confirm.
• Code Availability:
• I’m happy to provide specific code snippets if that would help diagnose the issue.
Environment:
• Xcode Version: Xcode 15.4, Xcode 16.0
• iOS Deployment Target: iOS 15.0
• Devices Tested: iPhone SE 2nd and 3rd gen, iPhone 15, iPhone 15 pro, iPhone 11
• Programming Language: Swift
What I’m Looking For:
• Assistance in tracing the cause of the GPS activation on app launch.
• Suggestions on how to prevent location services from starting until explicitly needed.
• Insights into any hidden triggers or indirect usages that might cause this behavior.
Thank you for your time and assistance. Any help to resolve this issue would be greatly appreciated.