How to Turn on Location on Android from Computer

Android / By / June 30, 2023

Android is a widely used operating system on smartphones and tablets all around the world. Location services is an important feature enabled on Android devices which is helpful in many ways like finding your lost phone, navigating routes, and tracking location-based information. Sometimes, we may not be able to turn on location due to some errors or we may want to control the location settings from our computer. In this blog, I will explain various methods to turn on location on Android from your computer.

Video Tutorial:

Why You Need to Turn on Location on Android from Computer

There are several reasons why one needs to turn on location on Android from a computer. Here are a few of them:

  • Direct access: If you want to control your Android device from your desktop computer or laptop, enabling location service from your computer could be useful.
  • Device management: Suppose if you have lost your Android phone, you can get access to its location by remotely enabling the location from a desktop that is already authorized to access the device.
  • Convenience: Some users may find it easier to access the Android phone’s location service from their desktop computer or laptop rather than by navigating through the Android phone’s settings.

Method 1: Via “Find My Device” App

This method can be used in case you lose control of your Android device and want to enable location service from a remote computer. This method can be used only if you have already authorized access to the device on your Google account.

  1. Visit the website of "Find My Device" and log in using your Google account credentials.
  2. Select your Android phone if you have more than one device registered with that Google account.
  3. The location of the device will be displayed on Google Maps.
  4. Click on the "Enable Location" button to switch on the device’s location service.

Pros:

  • Easy to use.
  • Works even if you lose your device.
  • Can be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection.

Cons:

  • Requires you to have authorized access to the device on your Google account.
  • Cannot be used if the device’s battery is dead or has no internet connection.

Method 2: Via “Android Debug Bridge (ADB)” Command Line

To use this method, you need to enable USB debugging on your Android device. You also need access to a command-line interface on your computer.

  1. Install ADB drivers on your computer.
  2. Connect your device to your computer with a USB cable
  3. Open the command-line interface and enter the following command: "adb shell settings put secure location_mode 3"
  4. The device’s location service will be switched on by executing the above command.

Pros:

  • Easy to use and can be done with simple commands.
  • Doesn’t require the device to have an internet connection.

Cons:

  • Requires you to enable USB debugging on your device which can be complicated for some users.
  • Not accessible for users without a command-line interface on their computer.

Method 3: Via Google Maps on Web Browser

This method requires a stable internet connection on both your Android device and desktop computer or laptop.

  1. Log in to your Google account on your web browser.
  2. Open Google Maps on your device and navigate to the location settings.
  3. Switch on the device’s location service from the settings where you find the option "Automatically retrieve your device’s location."
  4. Now access Google Maps on your desktop browser and check if the location service is enabled.

Pros:

  • Works with any web browser.
  • Easy to navigate and turn on location service.

Cons:

  • Requires a stable internet connection on both the device and desktop computer.
  • May not work if the location settings on the device are not set to "Automatically retrieve your device’s location."

Method 4: Via “AirDroid” App

To use this method, you need to download and install the AirDroid app on both your Android device and desktop computer or laptop.

  1. Paired your device with AirDroid to your desktop by following the instructions to set it up.
  2. Select the device and click "Remote Control" from AirDroid’s control panel.
  3. Find the device’s location settings and toggle the "enable location" option.

Pros:

  • Easily accessible from the AirDroid on the desktop.
  • Easy to use and understand.

Cons:

  • Requires you to download and install AirDroid app on both the device and your desktop computer.
  • May have some compatibility issues with some devices and operating systems.

What to Do If You Can’t Turn On Your Location on Android from Computer?

If you face difficulty in turning on your Android device’s location service, try these fixes:

  • Turn off and on location-mode: Restart your Android device and try turning on the location again from the settings menu.
  • Check permissions: Make sure that the app requiring location access has the required permissions to use location services.
  • Update the operating system: Make sure that your Android device is running on the latest version of the operating system.

Bonus Tips

  1. Always keep your Android device operating system and drivers updated.
  2. Do not download or install apps from untrusted sources.
  3. Make a practice of turning off your location service when you don’t need it.

5 FAQs

Q1: Can someone turn on the location service on my Android device remotely?

A: It is not possible for anyone to turn on the location service of your Android device remotely without your authorization.

Q2: Will turning on the location service on my Android device drain the battery?

A: Yes, turning on the device’s location service can drain the battery faster than usual.

Q3: Can I turn off location access for specific apps on my Android device?

A: Yes, you can disable location access for individual apps on your Android device.

Q4: How accurate is the location service on Android devices?

A: The accuracy of location services on Android devices varies depending on factors like network connectivity, GPS signal, and other factors.

Q5: What is the best method to turn on location on Android from a computer?

A: The best method to turn on location on Android from your computer depends on your preferences and circumstances, but the easiest method is via the "Find My Device" app.

Final Thoughts

The location service is an important feature on Android devices that can be enabled or disabled based on user preferences. By following the above methods explained in detail, you can easily turn on the location on your Android device from your desktop or laptop computer. It is important to note that enabling location access may decrease the battery life of your device more quickly than usual. To avoid your device being tracked, make sure you turn off the location service when you don’t need it.

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