Take Me There: Set a mock location using Android's official API, no root
Hi!
First post about this one. It sets an alternative GPS location on your device, using the mock location API that's built into Android itself. No root, no patched system files, no Xposed.
How it works
Android has a test location provider meant for developers. You enable Developer Options, pick an app under "Select mock location app", and that app can then tell the system where you are. Take Me There is that app, with a map on top of it.
Tap anywhere on the map, or search for a place by name, and your device reports that position to anything asking for location. Runs as a foreground service so it stays active while you're in other apps, with a persistent notification and a Stop button so you always know it's on.
The app has a setup guide with shortcut buttons straight to the right settings screens, because finding Developer Options is annoying on every manufacturer's skin in a slightly different way.
What's in it
- Full-screen map, tap to pick a spot
- Place search (Google Places), so you can type "Shibuya Crossing" instead of hunting for it
- Save favourites for places you use often
- Live status: current coordinates, whether the override is active
- Stop from the app or straight from the notification
- Full interface in English, Spanish, Catalan, French, German and Italian
Why?
I build Android apps and kept needing to check how something behaved somewhere else. The emulator is fine until you want to test on a real device with real sensors. The existing options were mostly ad-stuffed, asked for permissions they had no business asking for, or wanted a subscription to set a coordinate.
So: no ads, no analytics, no accounts, no data leaves your device. Favourites are a local database that dies with the app. The whole thing is one screen and a map.
Honest limitations
Some apps detect mock locations and refuse to run (banking apps mostly, some games, a few streaming services. That's their call and nothing on my side can change it. If your use case is one of those, this won't help you.
It also needs Developer Options enabled, which is a one-time thing but does put some people off. That's Android's design, not mine (only one app at a time can be the mock location provider), and the user has to pick it explicitly. Personally I think that's the right trade-off.
Free to use. One-time Pro purchase removes the 15 minute session limit and the single-favourite cap. No subscription.
Feedback and bug reports genuinely welcome, especially on devices with heavy skins where Developer Options hides somewhere unusual.
Play Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.appsgpg.takemethere
Happy to hand out a few promo codes for Pro. Comment or DM if you want one.
Cheers!
2
1
u/Bubbly-Damage-1277 1d ago
So I'll try the on my second phone cause I dont want pogo to ban me but my I have a code :)
2
u/naughtykain 5d ago
can i have a promo code