Automatic reporting turns off automatically

[rajeevn1]

I am using v1.2.7 on Nexus 5x running Android-8 (upcoming). I am running a private mqtt server used by a few people. Everything works great except on my phone automatic location reporting automatically turns off.

Another person has the exact same setup and is not facing the issue.

What can I try to narrow the root cause. This happens even when Remote commands is disabled.

[rajeevn1]

I found the issue. The app was missing the storage permission.

I think it is a bug. It should request the permission.

[binarybucks]

The storage permission has nothing to do with it. It isn't requested because it is just needed as a workaround for configuration imports with file management apps that don't implement a content provider.

Can you please verify if setting the permission really fixes it?

[rajeevn1]

you are right. It does not fix it. I was running the app without notification, but with battery optimization off.

As a workaround I am running the app with notification, till I can learn more.

[rajeevn1]

what i learned is that it happens less often with notification on. Also the auto notification seems to turn off when the app is swapped out (heavy load).

Are there any conditions, that are coded, when the auto reporting is turned off by the program.

[rajeevn1]

i see the following often in the log:

08-17 15:02:08.259 766 2093 W ActivityManager: Scheduling restart of crashed service org.owntracks.android/.services.ServiceProxy in 1000ms

[rajeevn1]

Is there a reason why "pub" auto reporting key is not listed on configuration management json screen. The system does not allow adding it either.

[CiquattroFPV]

I have a similar problem.. I'm using a private mqtt.. when I'm pushing the report button in owntracks app (android) the app seems don't send the data of my gps locantion and I cant see my updated location in the mqtt server.. but I modify something in the connection settings and save the app send the correct data to the mqtt server.

[LINKIWI]

Was there ever a user-facing resolution to this problem? This still happens very frequently on my device.

Symptom: turn on automatic reporting, close app, wait a few hours, open app again, notice that automatic reporting has turned itself off.

[rajeevn1]

i switched to https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mendhak.gpslogger&hl=en which has support for http logging. I invoke mosquitto_pub from cgi.

[triplepoint]

I'm not sure if it helps anyone, but my wife and I just tracked down one cause of this behavior.

Android N and later has a Data Saver feature that will restrict background network activity. If this feature is on and restricts OwnTracks from reporting, OwnTracks will apparently turn off further reporting (showing the "Reporting" switch in preferences as disabled).

You can either disable Data Saver on the affected phone, or there's a app whitelisting feature where you can allow OwnTracks to be excepted.

[binarybucks]

While the data saver can certainly cause a lack of reporting, it will not turn of the reporting switch in the app.
Whitelisting the app certainly is a good idea however.