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this may impact beta testers in future - https://android-developers.googleblog.com/2025/09/lets-talk-security-answering-your-top.html - require ADB to install APKs

Clicking My Library in 4.31.3.5 works for me.

[@Andrew Heard]

@Andrew Heard
"Trojan" ... hmm, as I see, this "Trojan:Script/Wacatac.B!ml" is often false positive. Not sure what I may do with it. Our code is for sure clean. If there may be a Trojan in any 3rd party library ...  ... it may of course, but I believe we do not use any unverified libraries.

@menion, no problems, it was just an observation to share with any users downloading via Windows

I eventually downloaded direct to device. I then copied back to Windows PC. PC didn't detect any security issue. There was a virus signature update yesterday - "Security Intelligence Update for Microsoft Defender Antivirus - KB2267602 (Version 1.435.767.0)". Similarly, there was no issue with the latest download to Windows for MapGooglePlay_4.31.3 + Auto_1194_release.apk.
 

unfortunately Windows 11 is detecting MapGooglePlay_4.31.2 + Auto_1192_release.apk as severe threat: >Trojan:Script/Wacatac.B!ml This program is dangerous and executes commands from an attacker> ;-(

>Is Locus a genuine offline routing application
yes - works 100% perfectly! although I support LM development via my gold subs. I don't think you need a paid version for offline routing to work

as a starting point see https://docs.locusmap.eu/doku.php?id=manual:user_guide:tracks:planning

@menion may be interested in https://hackaday.com/2025/08/28/the-browser-wasnt-enough-google-wants-to-control-all-your-software/ - "making it so sideloaded applications need to be from a verified developer"

from 4.31 RC1 release notes:

I can't see below this working?
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I can't see below this working? I've tried with Expert settings > Enable GPS when centering on & off.
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Workaround - search for POI in Google Maps then share with Locus.

centering button badge > maybe you have disabled the "Enable GPS when centering" option?

yes, correct

welcome back; we are thinking of a 6-week cycling trip in your beautiful country next year!

I know (and really appreciate it) that when a track recording is started, there is a warning if battery saving is detected. Maybe, and to be helpful/ consistent, if Location is disabled, there is a similar warning?

we have a problem finding new users, and our big goal (already for a year or two and now even more important)

I seem to be using desktop version of Anthropic Claude (AI) more & more. I've already mentioned to @menion, but in test just now I asked "what are the best free cycling related GPS Android apps?" and main opposition/ competition OsmAnd is in list with comment "...is a powerful open-source mapping app that works great for cycling. It uses OpenStreetMap data and offers excellent offline capabilities...", sadly the premier app Locus Map is not in the list. So as more & more users get their questions answered by these AI, how does LM get into these crucial lists?

my question FYI @ https://claude.ai/share/16a4f8ec-8918-420f-aa5f-b0e94da4353f

so I then asked "what about Locus Map" and clearly the AI knows, because it gives this glowing report... "You're absolutely right to bring up Locus Map - it's actually one of the best free cycling GPS apps available and deserves to be highlighted. Locus Map is particularly excellent for cycling because:...Thanks for mentioning it - Locus Map definitely belongs in the top tier alongside Strava and Komoot, especially for cyclists who prioritize navigation and offline capability over social features."

thanks @Graf Geo - yes, we've been around this circle many times. I know all that. That's perfectly adequate for me too. I'm thinking of other, maybe less technical users. I have other friends that I've shown LM too, encourage to use - and they say far too complex for them to bother using - their own words. As I've said, sorry again, normally tapping the whole button results in action. When the red badge is visible, tapping is apparently ignored if map is already at last position. How does a user link in the mind the connection between a "red badge" and realizing the Android location is disabled? They see something is wrong, but there are no hint how to fix their situation.

My point in general is that users, like me & you, know LM inside out. I'm thinking more how new or occasional users look when evaluating GPS apps & which they chose and/ or continue to use.

By the way, I was using Anthropic "Claude AI" a few days ago. Asking for help. It recommended I check out OsmAnd. I replied like "are you aware of Locus Map". It wasn't. So then that potential new user, maybe silver or gold, is lost. I guess OpenAI/ ChatGPT will give a similar reply.

[Version 4.30.1.8]

Version 4.30.1.8
@Andrew Heard
- red badge on location button > this is more a warning that there is a problem. Tap on this button should offer a solution. It does not happen to you? Really, nothing happens?

@Menion - ahh I see - that's the issue - tapping for you "offers solution", for me is ignored, hence my suggestion it should "offer solution" - at least we agree there. So, I wonder why the difference.

for that reason investigate using /Android/media instead of /Android/data

Thanks but /Android/media/menion.android.locus.pro is empty.

empty now, and sorry I didn't provide more details, but Locus can place all its files in /media rather than /data, and as a result file manager programs are able to display/ move/ delete/ copy these files. It may be worth investigating.

for that reason investigate using /Android/media instead of /Android/data

You quickly get used to what the red badge means.

@Graf Geo - how would a new user work out what it means? Normally a tap on the centering button does *something*. When Location is turned off, it then does nothing. I just mean a toast-style orange messagebox, not a button within a button.

Experts & power users may/ probably know that the red setting badge (below) means Android Location setting is turned off, but how does the average user (me) know what Locus is indicating? There is no way to tell.

composite screen cap - locked position left side/ no location ride side
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Can this be improved? The button has a question mark (?) in the middle but any tap is ignored - unhelpful. I suggest a tap displays an informative message. Simple improvement?

Love the blog Ulrich.