I'm looking for a way to completely disable GPS on my Android device, similar to the "Sensors off" option in developer settings that turns off all sensors at a system level. However, I only want to block GPS signals specifically, without affecting other functionalities. I can't use hardware methods since most modern smartphones are tough to open up, nor do I want to root my device. I have a Google Pixel 7 with the latest Android version. Can anyone suggest effective methods to achieve this?
3 Answers
It’s tough to completely block GPS and any possible signals via software alone. The Android system generally doesn’t allow deep interference with the GPS chip because it's tightly controlled for safety reasons. You might be able to toggle location access off in settings, but the hardware will still be present and accessible by certain apps.
You could try creating a makeshift Faraday cage for your phone. If you stay in an area with metal mesh, it could block GPS signals without needing to open the phone. You can still have Wi-Fi if you set up an access point in that area, though moving around would be a bit tricky with that setup.
That sounds interesting but complicated! I don’t want to stay in one place all the time.
I don’t think there's a software-only solution. The GPS chip still exists and can be activated by core system apps. You could either remove the battery (if that's even possible for your phone) or consider getting a phone that doesn’t have a built-in GPS receiver at all.
That's a bummer. I thought there might be a secret way to shut it down completely.