[Android Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] drivergonerogue:
I am trying to spoof my location as a driver on an app that provides similar services like Uber. (will not mention exact app name) I am seeking information and education on the data that apps like Uber retrieves from our android devices.

My hardware and software details:

Oneplus 3T running CM 13 (6.0.1) with Magisk v20.1 and Nano GApps package + Google maps. The device's physical signal cable has also been removed and the back case replaced with aluminium foil tape.

Android security patch date: 01 April 2017

Google play services version: 19.8.31 (040408-284611645)

Installed as a system app, the paid version of FakeGPS Route (1.6.1) by incorporateapps is used with the following settings

Developer options mock location: off

Expert mode: on

Disable "fused location service": off

No root mode: off

Enable joystick: off

Start on boot: on

Auto close: off

Update interval: 25ms

Automatic altitude: on

Gps altitude: 19m

Gps accuracy: 2m

Move around fake location: off

Hold position when finished: on

Repeat route when finished: off

Route mode: driving

Gps speed: 25km/h

I only spoof my static location as the routes feature moves at a defined speed which makes things pretty fishy. There are no problems such as rubber-banding or any other issues with the above settings as I physically removed the signal cable from the phone.

The developer of the app that I was spoofing on managed to detect that I was spoofing my location. I was given a warning and was suspended for a week. There was no error message prior to logging me out.

I have been messing around with APK Editor Pro trying to figure out what I did that tipped them off but have no idea what and where to look.

"Welcome to Google Maps navigation. Don't forget to pay attention to your surroundings and always obey the law. Google may collect your location data when the App is running in order to provide and improve our services. This data may also be shared with **** to improve their operations. Google's terms and privacy policy apply." (Cancel / Yes, I am in)

I suspect that information regarding my real location was leaked from the above. It was necessary to agree to it in order for the app to run. My location history in google settings was on and I have other devices uploading my real location.

Question: Am I right to think that the app retrieved information of my real location through google?

I have turned off location history since.

Camera

- take pictures and videos

Contacts

- read your contacts

- find accounts on the device

- modify your contacts

Location

- access precise location (GPS and network-based)

- access approximate location (network-based)

Telephone

- directly call phone numbers

- read phone status and identity

Storage

- read the contents of your SD card

Other

- run at startup

- view network connections

- prevent phone from sleeping

- view Wi-Fi connections

- use fingerprint hardware

- receive data from internet

- install shortcuts

- read Google services configuration

- control vibrations

- re-order running apps

- have full network access

- retrieve running apps

- Play install Referrer API

- Pair with Bluetooth devices

Above are the permissions granted to the app. With my limited knowledge, I have highlighted those in red which I feel may be able to leak my real location. I understand that FakeGPS Route in expert mode will spoof the permissions under “Location” but what about the others?

Question: Is the app able to retrieve information about my real location with the other permissions?

Question: If the app saves information about my location, how and where do I look to access those files?

Any guidance is appreciated. Thank you so much for taking the time to read this.

TLDR;

I am seeking information and education on the data that apps like Uber retrieves from our android devices.

Q1: How do I view the data that the app has retrieved?

Q2: Am I right to think that the app retrieved information of my real location through google?

Q3: Is the app able to retrieve information about my real location with the other permissions?

Q4: If the app saves information about my location, how and where do I look to access those files?

Cheers,

Driver Gone Rogue