Get precise Android GPS-Location in Python

Question

I try to obtain the GPS-Location of my Android Phone in Python (using QPython3 app). This kind of works, but it seems there are several LocationProviders in Android:

• gps: pure gps location, slow, energy consuming, but very accurate, and exactly what I need.
• network: mix of gps and wifi/cell locating, faster, but less accurate
• passive: like above but completely without using gps

Problem: When I run my script (below) I only get my location provided by "network" wich is not accurate enough.

But I can't find a way to force a specific LocationProvider.

Code:

# import needed modules
import android
import time
import sys, select, os #for loop exit

#Initiate android-module
droid = android.Android()

#notify me
droid.makeToast("fetching GPS data")

print("start gps-sensor...")
droid.startLocating()

while True:
    #exit loop hook
    if sys.stdin in select.select([sys.stdin], [], [], 0)[0]:
        line = input()
        print("exit endless loop...")
        break

    #wait for location-event
    event = droid.eventWaitFor('location',10000).result
    if event['name'] == "location":
        try:
            #try to get gps location data
            timestamp = repr(event['data']['gps']['time'])
            longitude = repr(event['data']['gps']['longitude'])
            latitude = repr(event['data']['gps']['latitude'])
            altitude = repr(event['data']['gps']['altitude'])
            speed = repr(event['data']['gps']['speed'])
            accuracy = repr(event['data']['gps']['accuracy'])
            loctype = "gps"
        except KeyError:
            #if no gps data, get the network location instead (inaccurate)
            timestamp = repr(event['data']['network']['time'])
            longitude = repr(event['data']['network']['longitude'])
            latitude = repr(event['data']['network']['latitude'])
            altitude = repr(event['data']['network']['altitude'])
            speed = repr(event['data']['network']['speed'])
            accuracy = repr(event['data']['network']['accuracy'])
            loctype = "net"

        data = loctype + ";" + timestamp + ";" + longitude + ";" + latitude + ";" + altitude + ";" + speed + ";" + accuracy

    print(data) #logging
    time.sleep(5) #wait for 5 seconds

print("stop gps-sensor...")
droid.stopLocating()

Sample Output (fake coordinates):

net;1429704519675;37.235065;-115.811117;0;0;23
net;1429704519675;37.235065;-115.811117;0;0;23
net;1429704519675;37.235065;-115.811117;0;0;23

Summarization: How do I get a precise GPS location in Android using Python?

Thanks in advance everyone!

EDIT: already tested:

• inside / outside
• enabled / disabled
• WiFi GPS enabled (before running script)

Answer 1

I had the same problem. You Can do something Like this if you want to enforce GPS as LocationProvider

import android, time
droid = android.Android()
droid.startLocating()
print('reading GPS ...')
event=droid.eventWaitFor('location', 10000)
while 1:
    try :
        provider = event.result['data']['gps']['provider']
        if provider == 'gps':
            lat = str(event['data']['gps']['latitude'])
            lng = str(event['data']['gps']['longitude'])
            latlng = 'lat: ' + lat + ' lng: ' + lng
            print(latlng)
            break
       else: continue
   except KeyError:
       continue