Single tap enable GPS using Tasker (Without Root)

I like use the Waze navigation app when I drive. Not only for navigation but also for its speed camera detection, speed limits and of course as any Waze user will know, the points. For this to work well it needs GPS enabled.

In the past I have tried to automate GPS using Tasker profiles like “When I connect to a certain Bluetooth device” or “When a Bluetooth device has connected and the device has been unlocked” but I found they were unreliable. I also tried out automating GPS when Waze launched, but with this profile I also found the exit task to be unreliable and with Waze having to be on the home screen (to avoid multiple taps) I thought it was messy – terrible I know!

So, in this post I’ll show you how I have automated GPS with minimal taps and keeping everything tidy by using a Tasker shortcut.

You will need the Autoinput plugin. You will not need to create any profiles for this, only 3 tasks.

First task:

1. Open Tasker > Tap “Tasks”
2. Tap + and name your task “Enable GPS”
3. Tap + > Settings > Location Settings
4. While in  Location Settings Tap + to the right of where it says If, then type “AON” after the percentage sign > Tap the button to the right of that > select “Doesn’t Equal” > then type “1” in the field to the right of that button.
5. Go back to the task
6. Tap + > Plugin > Autoinput > Action > Pen Symbol > Easy Setup > Close. You will now be returned to your home screen. Navigate to settings > Location > Pull down notification shade > tap “Add” > tap on the mode field in Location Settings > Your Notification Shade will automatically drop, tap Accept > Choose Tasker from recent apps> choose “element text: Mode” > choose “Click” > tap the tick mark in the top right > Scroll to the bottom to IF > like before type AON next to % > select Doesn’t Equal > type 1 in the field next to it.
7. Go back to the task
8. Tap + > Task > Wait > 5 milliseconds > find If > type AON next to % > select Doesn’t Equal > type 1 in the field next to it.
9. Go back to the task
10. Tap + > Plugin > Autoinput > Action > Pen Symbol > Easy Setup > Close. You will now be returned to your home screen. Navigate to settings > Location > tap mode > Pull down notification shade > tap “Add” > tap on High Accuracy > Your Notification Shade will automatically drop, tap Accept > Choose Tasker from recent apps> choose “element text: High Accuracy” > choose “Click” > tap the tick mark in the top right > Scroll to the bottom to IF > type AON next to % > select Doesn’t Equal > type 1 in the field next to it.
11. Go back to the task
12. Tap + > Variables > Variable set > Type AON next to % in the Name field > in the To field type 1
13. Go back to the task
14. Tap + > App > Launch App > Select Waze (or another app your want to use)
15. Go back to the task
16. Tap + > Task > Wait > 20 Seconds
17. Go back to the task
18. Tap + > Variables > Variable Set > Type AON next to % in the Name field > in the To field type 2

First task done.

Second task:

1. Open Tasker > Tap “Tasks”
2. Locate the previous task you created and long press it > tap the three dot menu button > tap Clone > Rename it to “Disable GPS”
3. Go into the task and tap + > Plugin > Autoinput > Action > Pen Symbol > Easy Setup > Close. You will now be returned to your home screen. Navigate to settings > Location > tap mode > Pull down notification shade > tap “Add” > tap on Battery Saving > Your Notification Shade will automatically drop, tap Accept > Choose Tasker from recent apps> choose “element text: Battery Saving” > choose “Click” > tap the tick mark in the top right > Scroll to the bottom to IF > type AON next to % > select Doesn’t Equal > type 1 in the field next to it
4. Go back to the task
5. Tap and hold the Autoinput symbol on the right side of the task element you just created > drag it and drop it on top of number 5 (the Autoinput element where you programmed High Accuracy selection. These will now be next to each other.
6. Tap and hold the Auto input element for High Accuracy > tap the cut symbol at the top of the screen to get rid of it
7. Tap + > App > Go Home
8. Go back to the task
9. Tap and hold the lightning symbol on the right sid of the task element you just created > drag it and drop it on top of number 7 (the Launch app task element)
10. Tap and hold the launch app element to select it > tap cut at the top of the screen to get rid of it.

Second task done.

Third task:

1. Tap and hold your Home screen
2. Click “widgets”
3. Find “Tasker Shortcut” and add it to your Home screen
4. Select Your “Enable GPS” task
5. At the bottom right of this screen tap the icon button.
6. Choose your icon
7. Your shortcut is now added to your home screen.
8. Repeat the above steps for “Disable GPS”

You now have 2 discreet icons on your home screen which will enable or disable GPS with one tap. Perfect for drivers!

Let me know how this works for you in the comments below. Also let me know if you have an interesting variation or improvement!

Credit to this website for the original recipe. As above, I adapted it to suit my needs.